There are other issues with ramps. Like the lack of cover you get when exiting from such vehicles. Ramps are more common in marine infantry units for rather obvious reasons.
Chinese infantry fighting vehicles
- Thread starter Broccoli
- Start date
There are other issues with ramps. Like the lack of cover you get when exiting from such vehicles. Ramps are more common in marine infantry units for rather obvious reasons.
I've heard that the hydraulics used on a ramp door has trouble working quickly in winter.
by78
General
More grainy photos of the new 8x8 assault gun. Some Weibo users speculate that it carries the same gun and autoloader as the new light tank in service.
A new variant of the ZBD-04 tracked IFV is also being trialed at the same winter proving ground... It features upgraded frontal armor modules and new side skirts. The headlights have been moved to on top of the vehicle.
A new variant of the ZBD-04 tracked IFV is also being trialed at the same winter proving ground... It features upgraded frontal armor modules and new side skirts. The headlights have been moved to on top of the vehicle.
What sort of units will be operating this assault gun vehicle? Would it be safe to assume that brigades operating tanks would NOT be using these vehicles? If so, which brigades are left? Airborne and Marines seem to have their own vehicles. Are we looking at two tier army brigades for the near future? One with lighter, wheeled systems and other with heavier tracked systems and tanks? Does that mean that most of the Type 59 tanks that remain in PLA might get replaced by these kind of vehicles?
Or are we looking at only a token production for specialized protection sub-units of various rear echelon non-maneuver units?
Or are we looking at only a token production for specialized protection sub-units of various rear echelon non-maneuver units?
In my opinion, I wouldn't simply look at this as a singular assault gun vehicle, I would see it as more of a platform for a whole system of wheeled vehicles. If the vehicle is modular as the ZBL-08 8x8 wheeled series is meant to be quite modular overall, an 105mm high velocity gun turret is quite simply an attachment which gives mechanized light infantry more anti-tank or large calibre fire support capability according to mission/deployment needs. Focus on the turret and gun as the product rather than the whole vehicle.
If AT capability is not needed, replace the 105mm with a 30mm cannon and add more passenger capacity, etc. etc. Wheeled vehicles are generally less logistically straining to maintain and more flexible in use.
One of these IFVs with the 105mm with advanced sensor suites, Hard and Soft kill APS and advanced armour modules would allow this IFV to outclass (in most respects) any T-55, older T-72s, et al. (if foe mainly had HEAT) and can be used in the role of an MBT at a fraction of the cost and logistical strain without the inflexible nature of deploying heavy armour.
Similar to giving infantry really expensive missile systems like the HJ-12, Javelin - an additional capability enhancement to existing assets rather than a standalone new asset.
If AT capability is not needed, replace the 105mm with a 30mm cannon and add more passenger capacity, etc. etc. Wheeled vehicles are generally less logistically straining to maintain and more flexible in use.
One of these IFVs with the 105mm with advanced sensor suites, Hard and Soft kill APS and advanced armour modules would allow this IFV to outclass (in most respects) any T-55, older T-72s, et al. (if foe mainly had HEAT) and can be used in the role of an MBT at a fraction of the cost and logistical strain without the inflexible nature of deploying heavy armour.
Similar to giving infantry really expensive missile systems like the HJ-12, Javelin - an additional capability enhancement to existing assets rather than a standalone new asset.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
So a variant of the VN11 for indigenous use? There is a logic to it.
Quite a waste when they could make an IFV from the 99A instead.
The Israelis already have IFV based on T55/Type 59. China should try to stay a step ahead
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
They had based on the T55 but those have been retired for IFV based on the Merkava MBT. But that's not the point @Biscuits , the point is cost effectiveness. Sure you could build off Type 99A but that is the elite tank of the PLA and would cut into it's production, that would mean less type 99A tanks.
The PLA maintains two MBT the Type 96 for most units and the Type 99 for the elites.
Yet they still have thousands of surplus type 59 And variants sitting around with spare parts and training for decades.
For the elite units they have IFV and other vehicles but for the second and third line? The chassis and power pack are good to go compared to all but the Merkava, Lynx KF41 Or T15 Armata. T55's armor protection would easily match or out perform any other IFV. Basically win across the board.
Better armor, better speed and HP, cheap as the drive is already paid for. And maintenance there in is in place.
They use them as high low combo right? Israel doesn’t have remotely enough Merkava to equip their entire army.
PLA could expand the production.
Using the 99A makes sense in order to allow it to tank ATGM and 120mm tank shells, I doubt the Type 59 platform can do this? I could be wrong though.
PLA could expand the production.
Using the 99A makes sense in order to allow it to tank ATGM and 120mm tank shells, I doubt the Type 59 platform can do this? I could be wrong though.