Basic Information

Name

ZTZ-96A (Type 96A) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

ZTZ-96A

Alternate Designation

ZTZ-96A; Type 96A; Type 96G

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory

Date of Introduction

2009

Description

The ZTZ-96A (Type 96A) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) entered service in 2006, reflecting the developments made in Chinese tank design such as the arrow-shaped add-on turret armor also found on Type 99. The vehicle described below is offered for export in the format described below with the designation of VT2. A total of 42 rounds are carried. Additional "arrow-shaped" modular armor similar to the Type 99 is installed on the turret front. The back of the hull is now completely flat compared to the Type 96. The Type 96A was first revealed in 2006, but in-service tanks were first seen in a military parade in 2009. The ZTZ-96A (Type 96) is a third-generation upgrade of the Type 96. Its internal electronics may have been upgraded to Type 99 standards. The visual profile of the ZTZ-96A (Type 96) is similar to the Type 99. However, the Type 96A can be distinguished from the Type 99 by the driver's position on the left side of the hull. FY-4 ERA was added on the front upper glacis. The vehicle is equipped with a thermal imager. Features an upgraded 800 hp engine. A laser defense system similar to the Shtora has been installed as well. Electro-optical jammers which are able to jam enemy-guided missiles, rangefinders, and designators are found on the tank.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon 125 mm Smoothbore Gun

Engine V-12 Turbocharged Diesel (900 hp)

NBC Protection Yes

Max Speed 65.0 km/h

Range 400.0 km

Variants

Type 96 (ZTZ-96) The Type 96 Main Battle Tank (MBT) was developed from the Type 85-III, which was mainly aimed at the export market. The Type 96 has some minor modifications. Sometimes it is referred to as the Type 88C or ZTZ96. It entered service with the Chinese army in 1997. It replaced in production the previous Type 88 MBT.

Type 96A (ZTZ-96A) The Type 96A was an upgrade of the Type 96 that entered service in 2006, it reflects the developments made in Chinese tank design such as the arrow-shaped add-on turret armor also found on the Type 99. The vehicle described below is offered for export in the format described below with the designation of VT2.

Type 96B (ZTZ-96B) The Type 96B is the latest iteration of the Type 96 family. It is a second-generation MBT with improved suspension and mission systems over the earlier Type 96A. The Type 96B is intended to replace the Type 96 and some Type 96As in PLA service via an upgrade program.

VT-2 Export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition. Can be equipped with Remote Weapons Station and has a maximum speed of 70 km/h (on road). Capable of turning on its own axis.

VT2B At the 2017 armor and anti-armor day held by Norinco for export customers, a platform named VT2B was displayed. No details of the platform were made available at the time, but it may carry the improved weaponry and power pack of more recent Chinese tank developments.

GCZ-112 The GCZ-112 is a combat engineering vehicle based on the Type 96. It is equipped with the necessary tools to construct earthworks and clear obstacles for advancing armored formations. It shares the Type 96’s running gear and basic hull to facilitate maintenance and maneuvers.

System

Alternative Designation ZTZ-96A; Type 96A; Type 96G

Type Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory

Family Type 96 Main Battle Tank Family

Crew 3 ea

Note The Type 96A looks different from the Type 96 because of the additional arrow-shaped armor on the turret front and the extra ERA plates.

Dimensions

Length (Hull ) 6.33 m

Length (Gun Forward) 10.65 m

Width 3.45 m

Height 2.30 m

Weight, Combat 46 tons

Ground Pressure 0.77 kg/m

Automotive

Engine Name 12150ZLC

Engine Type V12 turbocharged diesel

Engine Power 900 hp

Additional Fuel Capable Yes, 400 Liters

Range 400 km

Speed, Maximum Road 65 km/h

Speed, Maximum Off Road 45 km/h

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

0 to 60 Time 21 seconds

Suspension Torsion Bar

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.8 m

Trench 2.7 m

Fording (Without Preparation) 1.4 m

Fording (With Preparation) 5 m

Communications

TBR-121

VHF Transceiver Yes

VHF Range 1 to 50 km

Proliferated Widely

Digital Data Yes, Full

Control Self-Adaptive Control (Including Automatic Antenna Tuner)

Frequency Agile Yes

Wireless Network Capabilities Yes

Note: Very similar in capabilities to the US SINCGARS ASIP

Main Weapon System

System

Name 1 x L50 ZPT-98

Type Smoothbore Gun

Caliber 125 mm

Max Rate of Fire (Automatic Loading) 8 rds/min

Max Rate of Fire (Manual Loading) 1-4 rds/min

Length (Barrel) 6,000 mm

Barrel Type Sliding gun barrel and a smoke evacuator in the middle

Loader Type Autoloader

Thermal Sleeve Yes, Light Alloy

Bore Evacuator Yes

Barrel Life 800 rounds

Loader Type Carousel auto-loader and Manual Loading capable

Launch Mode Single Shot

After Wedge Cross

Recoil Hydraulic and pneumatic

Note The L50 ZPT-98 can replce the barrel without removing the turret

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name 3VOF22/3OF19

Type High Explosives (HE)

Caliber 125 mm

Minimum Effective Range INA m

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Maximum Effective Range 4,000 m

Max Dispersion 0.23 mrad

Tungsten Rods 450 ea

Charge A-IX-2 (73% RDX, 23% aluminium powder, phlegmatized with 4% wax) 3.0 kg

Round Weight 33 kg

Projectile Weight 23 kg

Fragments 2,500 ea

Armor Penetration Yes

Basic Load 42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles

Ammunition (Option 2)

Name 3VBK27/3BK31 "Start"

Type High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 915 m/s

Max Dispersion INA

Maximum Effective Range 3,000 m

Charge INA

Charge Weight 1.62 kg

Projectile Weight 18.4 kg

Fragments INA

Armor Penetration Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT

Basic Load 42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles

Ammunition (Option 3)

Name 3VBM/3BM69 "Vacuum-1"

Type Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) Rounds.

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 2,050 m/s

Maximum Effective Range 3,000 m

Projectile Dimension 900 mm

Round Weight INA

Projectile Weight (Estimated) 11 kg

Armor Penetration 1,000 mm

Basic Load 42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles

Note Entered service in 2005 Utilising a new sabot. Reported to be uranium alloy. For 2A82/2A82-1M cannon on T-80UM-2/T-14s.

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 1 x QJG-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7 mm

Manufacturer Norinco

Length (Total) 2,119 mm

Length (Barrel) 1,003 mm

Weight (Gun Only) 18.5 kg

Weight (Tripod) 17.5 kg

Action Gas Operated

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Effective Range (vs. Air) 1,500 m

Effective Range (vs. Ground) 2,000 m

Max Rate of Fire 400-600 rds/min

Feed System Belt

Sights Iron/Optical

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7 mm

Cartridge 12.7x108mm

Basic Load 500 ea

Fire Control

Name New Updated FCS, ISFCS-213

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Tank Commander Yes

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes

Maximum Night Vision Distance 1,500 m

Main Gun Stabilization Dual axis gun stabilisation

Periscopes 3 ea

Rangefinder Laser

Sights, Maximum Distance (Day) 5,000 m

Ballistic Computer Yes

Sights, Maximum Distance (Night) 1,200 m

Step Motor Driver Yes

Crosswind Velocity Sensor Yes

Note The Type 96A is unable to perform hunter-killer engagements

Protection

Hull Armor Type 96A: Composite armor, FY Series ERA Added

Turret Armor Type 96A: Composite armor, FY Series ERA Added.

Turret Protection 670 mm of RHAe

Applique Armor Available, Track Skirts

Explosive Reactive Armor FY Series ERA

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing Roller-plow available

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Grenlaunch 12x; VESS

IR Signature INA

Grenades 6 X 76mm grenades are equipped on each side of the turret

Automatic Fire Suppression System Yes

Jammer JD-3 IR Jammer

Note The RY Series ERA is capable of protecting the Type 96A against single or multiple HEAR projectiles and the manufacturer claims the ERA can withstand SABOT Rounds.

Image Sources

Notes https://www.flickr.com/photos/acstudio/5429756738; https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=582625; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TankBiathlon14final-11.jpg;