Type 96A

Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1998
Total Production : 3,700

The Type 96A, also reported as Type 90 for export customers, Main Battle Tank (MBT) is an improved derivative of the Type 85 II tank which was developed on the basis of the Soviet-made T-54 chassis. After the Gulf War in 1991, the Chinese military realized that Type 88 was no match to Western-made tanks and launched the development of more advanced MBTs which led to Type 96 and Type 99. The Type 96A MBT, originally known as Type 85 III, was deployed by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the end of the 1990s replacing Type 59 and Type 69 in PLA's elite units.

Model Status Year Produced
Type 96A Active 1998 2,700
Type 90-IIM Active 2000 500
Al-Khalid I Active 2009 200
Al-Khalid II Active 2015 100
Type 96 Engineer Vehicle Active 2015 ?
Type 96B Active 2016 200



Type 96A

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : T-96, Type 85 III (early designation), Type 90 (Export designation), Type 96, VT-2, ZTZ96, ZTZ-96A
Origin : China
Contractor : NORINCO
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1998
Total Production : 2,700

The Type 96A features advanced modular armor for enhanced survivability, a new turret, a stabilized 125mm smoothbore gun with autoloader, thermal imaging and laser rangefinder, and an accurate fire control system. Moreover, the Type 96A MBT can be outfitted with Explosive Reactive Armor enhancing its survivability. Overall, Type 96A MBT is the one of the most powerful and sophisticated main battle tanks currently being produced in China and its performance is close to Western-made MBTs. NORINCO developed this tank based on the Type 88C design.

In addition to the 125mm main gun, Type 96A MBT has one roof-mounted 12.7mm and one coaxial 7.62mm machine guns. The 125mm cannon is capable of firing Russian-made Refleks anti-tank missile. Its 780-hp diesel engine provides a top speed on road of 65 kilometers per hour, a 1,000-hp engine is also available for export customers. As of late 2005, the PLA had received an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 tanks. Series production at NORINCO could keep on through 2010 or beyond, bringing the total production to 3,000 units. Type 96A may be upgraded with advanced technologies coming from Type 99 MBT. As of August 2014 the People's Liberation Army has deployed roughly 2,500 Type 96A tanks as the backbone of its heavy armored forces.

Operators
Country Status State Notes
ChinaActive 2,500/2,500
SudanActive 200
Specifications
Notes
Ammunition Load 42
Caliber Multiple 48
Crew 3
Rolling Rubber Wheels 6
Dimensions
Height 2.3 meter
Length 10.7 meter
Main Gun Caliber 125 millimeter
Width 3.3 meter
Mass
Combat Weight 48 ton
Power
Power 780 hp
Rate
Max Rate of Fire 6 roundperminute
Speed
Top Speed 65 kph
Gear
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
Refleks
Large Caliber Cannons
2A46M1



Type 90-IIM

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : Al-Khalid (Pakistani Army's designation), MBT2000 (Export designation), Type 90-II, Type 90-IIA (Variant equipped with a French 1,500-hp diesel engine), VT-1A
Origin : China, Pakistan
Contractors : Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), NORINCO
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : November 2000
Total Production : 500
Unitary Cost : USD $4.0 million

The MBT2000/Type 90-IIM is an improved variant of Type 90-II main battle tank (MBT) aimed at the export market. Type 90-II was developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC or NORINCO) in the 1980s to meet the requirements of People's Liberation Army (PLA) for a third generation MBT which ultimately led to the development of Type 98/99. Originally, Type 90-II was the Chinese counterpart to the Soviet Union's T-72 MBT. In the late 1990s Pakistani Army ordered the MBT2000 designated as the Al-Khalid. Pakistan's requirement calls for the procurement of approximately 600 units. Al-Khalid is built under license by Heavy Industries Taxila from November 2000. Production is expected to cease in 2007. In 2006, Pakistan announced that Saudi Arabia may be interested in purchasing 150 MBT2000s worth $600 million.

The MBT2000/Al-Khalid features a three-man crew with a 125mm smoothbore cannon equipped with autoloader, 39-round magazine and capable of firing laser-guided missile rounds such as Refleks. In addition to the 125mm gun, MBT2000 is provided with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun (3,000 rounds) and a 12.7mm air defense machine gun (500 rounds). The tank's protection is based on steel armor, modular design, composite parts and optional Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). The model chosen by the Pakistani Army is driven by a 1,200-hp 6TD liquid-cooled diesel engine from Ukraine.

Operators
Country Status State Notes
BangladeshActive 44
MoroccoActive 150
MyanmarActive ?
PakistanActive 300/300
Specifications
Notes
Ammunition Load 39
Crew 3
Rolling Rubber Wheels 6
Dimensions
Height 2.4 meter
Length 10.1 meter
Main Gun Caliber 125 millimeter
Width 3.5 meter
Mass
Combat Weight 48 ton
Performance
Max Range 450 kilometer
Power
Power 1,200 hp Ukrainian 6TD diesel engine
Rate
Max Rate of Fire 8 roundperminute
Speed
Cross Country Speed 45 kph
Top Speed 65 kph
Gear
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
Refleks



Al-Khalid I

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Origin : China, Pakistan
Contractors : Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), NORINCO
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2009
Total Production : 200

The Al-Khalid I is an upgraded variant developed by Pakistan and introduced in 2009 featuring increased ammunition, improved fire control system, sensors, integrated battle management system (IBMS), air conditioning system, side-skirts, track pads, and auto-loader with a rate of fire of 9 rounds per minute. Besides, the Al Khalid I is equipped with an electro-optical jammer to neutralize laser rangefinders, laser designations and anti-tank guided missile tracking systems. The sensor package includes a Sagem third generation imager. The ammunition load includes 49 125mm rounds (39 rounds in previous model), 1,500 12.7mm rounds (500 rounds in previous model) and 7,100 7.62mm rounds (3,000 rounds in previous model). The Pakistani Army has procured roughly 200 Al Khalid I tanks between 2009 and 2015.

Operators
Country Status State Notes
PakistanActive 200/200
Specifications
Notes
Ammunition Load 49
Crew 3
Rolling Rubber Wheels 6
Dimensions
Height 2.4 meter
Length 10.1 meter
Main Gun Caliber 125 millimeter
Width 3.5 meter
Mass
Combat Weight 48 ton
Performance
Max Range 450 kilometer
Power
Power 1,200 hp Ukrainian 6TD diesel engine
Rate
Max Rate of Fire 9 roundperminute
Speed
Cross Country Speed 45 kph
Top Speed 65 kph



Al-Khalid II

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Origin : China, Pakistan
Contractors : Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), NORINCO
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2015
Total Production : 100

The Al Khalid II development started in 2012 under management by Pakistan with technical assistance provided by China. The tank incorporates a re-designed turret, improved sensor package, increased combat weight, upgraded modular armor, and a new powerpack developing 1,500-hp. The upgraded modular armor has been designed and tested to withstand the impact of 120mm and 125mm armor piercing rounds. Besides, the Khalid II incorporates a new integrated battle management system (IBMS) and an active protection system to defeat artillery shells and anti-tank guided missiles. The Khalid II is expected to enter service in 2015 with 100 tanks to be ordered by the Pakistani Army.

Operators
Country Status State Notes
PakistanActive 100
Specifications
Notes
Ammunition Load 49
Crew 3
Rolling Rubber Wheels 6
Dimensions
Height 2.4 meter
Length 10.1 meter
Main Gun Caliber 125 millimeter
Width 3.5 meter
Mass
Combat Weight 48 ton
Performance
Max Range 450 kilometer
Power
Power 1,500 hp Ukrainian 6TD diesel engine
Rate
Max Rate of Fire 9 roundperminute
Speed
Cross Country Speed 45 kph
Top Speed 72 kph



Type 96 Engineer Vehicle

Group : Engineering Vehicles
Status : Active
Origin : China
Contractor : NORINCO
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2015
Total Production : ?

The Type 96 Engineer Vehicle has been designed on the basis of the ZTZ-96 main battle tank to remove obstacles within the battlefield in support of Chinese armored formations. It features a multipurpose dozer blade, crane, and mine clearance plough. The new engineer vehicle entered service within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) before 2015.

Operators
Country Status State Notes
ChinaActive ?
Specifications
Notes
Crew 3
Rolling Rubber Wheels 6
Dimensions
Height 2.3 meter
Length 6.3 meter
Width 3.3 meter
Mass
Combat Weight 45 ton
Performance
Max Range 400 kilometer
Power
Power 1,000 hp
Speed
Top Speed 74 kph



Type 96B

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : ZTZ-96B
Origin : China
Contractor : NORINCO
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2016
Total Production : 200

The Type 96B is the latest development of the Type 96 main battle tank family featuring a high-performance 125 mm smoothbore gun, an improved, more powerful engine, newly developed transmission gear and a state-of-the-art fire-control system. The new tank may become the backbone of the Chinese armored formations. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent the Type 96B tank to the Tank Biathlon, at Alabino training range in Russia, in August 2016. The NORINCO Corporation may produce 2,000 to 4,000 Type 96B tanks as replacement for thousands of Type 59 and Type 69 tanks.

Operators
Country Status State Notes
ChinaActive 200/200
Specifications
Notes
Ammunition Load 42
Caliber Multiple 48
Crew 3
Rolling Rubber Wheels 6
Dimensions
Height 2.3 meter
Length 10.7 meter
Main Gun Caliber 125 millimeter
Width 3.3 meter
Mass
Combat Weight 43 ton
Performance
Max Range 400 kilometer
Power
Power 1,000 hp
Rate
Max Rate of Fire 6 roundperminute
Speed
Top Speed 74 kph

News

Monday, 29 March, 2021
VT-4 Tank Joins Pakistan Army

BEIJING, Mar. 29 -- The China-made VT4 main battle tank (MBT) joined the Pakistan Day military parade for the first time in Islamabad on March 25.

Tuesday, 4 July, 2017
China Testing New Light Battle Tank

Beijing’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has confirmed reports in the media that a new light battle tank has been tested in trials in Tibet.

Monday, 10 October, 2016
China Developing Two-Man New Generation Main Battle Tank with Unmanned Turret

Apart from Russia, China remains the only country in the world which has decided not to modernize its old tanks and is instead focusing on all-new replacements, Russian military

Wednesday, 10 August, 2016
Type 96B May Become Backbone of Chinese Tank Formations

China's military is likely to deploy the Type-96B tank as the pillar of its tank fleet, replacing most of its old models, observers said.

Monday, 18 August, 2014
Chinese Type 96A Tanks Need More Powerful Engines

China's tanks have advanced weapons, armor and automation systems, but their engines need to be improved, according to military officers and experts.

Monday, 18 February, 2013
Ukraine to Deliver 110 Battle Tank Engines to Pakistan

KIEV, February 18 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine will deliver 110 tank power plants – engines and related parts – to Pakistan under a $50 million contract, state-run arms exporter

Photo Gallery

Notes

* Prime Contractor
State Latest Known holdings/Original Procurement
Com - Date of Commissioning
Decom - Date of Decommissioning

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