ZBD-08 (WZ502G) Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

ZBD-08

Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

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Basic Information

Name

ZBD-08 (WZ502G) Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Designation

ZBD-08

Alternate Designation

ZBD-08; WZ502G

Equipment Type

Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Manufacturer

NORINCO

Date of Introduction

2007

Description

The ZBD-08 is a new Chinese Amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. Its industrial designation is the WZ502G. The ZBD-08 is a ATGM version of the ZBD-04 and is listed as an export of the ZBD-04. It is a revised and improved version of the previous ZBD-04, which is already in service with the PLA. The new improved vehicle appeared in 2007. It seems that the ZBD-08 IFV, together with its numerous variants, is being produced in large numbers for the Chinese army. It replaces the Type 86 IFV, which is a copy of the Soviet BMP-1. The new ZBD-08 has a number of improvements. Its hull was slightly redesigned in order to improve armor protection at a cost of reduced amphibious capabilities. The previous ZBD-04 IFV has the great amphibious capability and can operate at Sea State 2-3. However, this feature is not required by typical army units. The overall height of the vehicle was reduced. Also, the new vehicle is heavier due to increased armor. The ZBD-08 infantry fighting vehicle has a welded steel armor hull. Baseline armor is thicker and presumably offers better protection. Add-on modular armor can be fitted for a higher level of protection. It is claimed that the front arc withstands 30 mm armor-piercing rounds. Sides withstand 14.5 mm rounds. Turret roof and rear end provide protection from 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds. Side skirts were added for improved protection. Also, it may be fitted with an indigenous active laser protection system.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon 100mm rifled gun

Engine Diesel (590 hp)

Active Protection Yes

NBC Protection Yes

Max Speed 65.0 km/h

Range 500.0 km

Variants

Note There are several variants. One is fitted with a similar turret to the ZBD-04 with a new external design. An armored personnel carrier fitted with a cupola-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun has also been identified. Another variant features a turret-mounted 120-mm mortar with direct- and indirect-fire modes. That turret appears to be the same as that fitted to the PLL-05 6 x 6 self-propelled mortar already in Chinese service. There are said to be command, missile carrier, short-range air defense, artillery radar carrier and cargo vehicle variants. A shortened version with five road wheels has also been reported.

System

Alternative Designation ZBD-08; WZ502G

Type Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Manufacturer Norinco

Family ZBD

Crew 3 ea

Passenger Capacity 7 ea

Note The ZBD-08 is a ATGM version of the ZBD-04 and is listed as a export of the ZBD-04.

Dimensions

Length 7.2 m

Width 3.2 m

Height 2.5 m

Weight, Combat 25 tons

Ground Pressure INA

Automotive

Engine Name BF8M1015CP

Engine Type Diesel

Engine Power 590 hp

Range 500 km

Speed, Maximum Road 65 km/h

Speed, Average Cross INA

Speed Maximum Swim 7 km/h

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.7 m

Trench 1.8 m

Fording Depth Amphibious

Note It lacks waterjets, however on water it is propelled by its tracks. It can still ford lakes and inland rivers, but it no longer capable to operate at sea.

Main Gun

System

Name INA

Type Rifled Gun

Caliber 100mm

Length INA

Diameter INA

Weight INA

Effective Range 4 km

Autoloader Yes

Rate of Fire 10 rounds per minute.

Note This gun can fire both ordinary projectiles and anti-tank guided missiles.

Ammunition

Type HE-FRAG

Caliber 100 mm

Basic Load 30 Rounds

Note The ZBD-08 carries 22 ordinary HE-FRAG rounds and 8 anti-tank guided missiles.

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x Type 53 (SG43)

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62 mm

Manufacturer People's Republic of China

Proliferation Widely Proliferated

Length 1,150 mm

Barrel Length 720 mm

Weight 13.8 kg

Action Gas-operated

Rate of Fire 500–700 rounds/min

Muzzle Velocity 800 m/s

Effective Firing Range 1100 m

Maximum Firing Range 1,500 meters

Feed System 200 or 250 round belts

Sights Iron sights

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×54mmR

Basic Load 1,000 rds

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 1 x Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30

Type Autocannon

Caliber 30 mm

Manufacturer Russia

Length 2,153 mm

Barrel Length 1,600 mm

Width 181 mm

Height 186 mm

Weight 66 kg

Barrels 1

Action Short recoil

Rate of Fire 850–1,000 rpm

Muzzle Velocity 780 m/s

Ammunition

Type Projectile

Caliber 30 mm

Cartridge 30x155mm

Projectile Weight 410 grams (14½ oz), 840 g (1 lb 13½ oz) complete.

Launch Charge 95 g to 99 g of 6/7fl VBP smokeless powder.

Types of Ammunition HEI, AP, TP, Chaff dispensers

Basic Load 500

Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

Note This gun can fire both ordinary projectiles and anti-tank-guided missiles. It is compatible with Chinese indigenously designed ATGMs, derived from the Soviet AT-10 Stabber, which is capable of penetrating up to 600 mm of armor behind ERA blocks and poses a serious threat to main battle tanks. It is claimed that the hit probability of the missile is at least 80%.

Basic Load 8 Rounds

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander Yes

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Protection

Hull Armor Welded steel armor hull. It is claimed that front arc withstands 30 mm armor-piercing rounds. Sides withstand 14.5 mm rounds.

Turret Armor Welded steel armor hull. Turret roof and rear end provide protection from 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds.

Applique Armor Yes, Add-on modular armor can be fitted for a higher level of protection.

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System Yes

Mine Clearing INA

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment 6 x Smoke Grenades

Sources

Images https://quizlet.com/515225922/threat-weapons-flash-cards/; https://thaimilitaryandasianregion.wordpress.com/2016/05/06/zbd-04a-zbd-08-tracked-infantry-fighting-vehicle-china/; https://www.militarytoday.com/apc/zbd_08.htm

Details

Country of Origin China

Category Land

Land

Classification

Domain

Ground

Equipment Status

Active

Dimensions

Length

7.2 m

Width

3.2 m

Height

2.5 m

Weight

25000 kg

Operators (1)

China

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