New Type98/99 MBT thread

[leibowitz]

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More of the 112th Div. This time, fully painted.

Sweet. How many Type 99s do you think have been delivered already?

 

[Insignius]

At least one Division (The 112th Heavy Mechanized Infantry Division, the heaviest and most modern of all the PLA, of the elite 38th Group Army) was confirmed to have at least two regiments worth of ZTZ99As replacing their previous ZTZ99s. In particular the 334th regt and the 336th regt have each two battalions of those (31 tanks). So the inventory is at least 124 copies in total. As for the basic Type 99/ZTZ99, the estimates are at least up to 600 in various units of the Beijing MR, Shenyang MR and Lanzhou MR.

It must also be noted that these two regiments also have each two battalions (31 again) of the newest ZBD04A heavy IFV in their TOE (who are, in return most probably backed by the new NLOS missile carriers and automatic 120mm mortars based on the same chassis), making them pretty much the premiere armoured fist in the PLA.

 

[Insignius]

The 120mm Auto-mortar versions.

 

[Insignius]

Lanzhou MR ZTZ99+ZBD04 heavy mechanized unit

probably the 139th Heavy Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 47th GA

 

[Lion]

At least one Division (The 112th Heavy Mechanized Infantry Division, the heaviest and most modern of all the PLA, of the elite 38th Group Army) was confirmed to have at least two regiments worth of ZTZ99As replacing their previous ZTZ99s. In particular the 334th regt and the 336th regt have each two battalions of those (31 tanks). So the inventory is at least 124 copies in total. As for the basic Type 99/ZTZ99, the estimates are at least up to 600 in various units of the Beijing MR, Shenyang MR and Lanzhou MR.

It must also be noted that these two regiments also have each two battalions (31 again) of the newest ZBD04A heavy IFV in their TOE (who are, in return most probably backed by the new NLOS missile carriers and automatic 120mm mortars based on the same chassis), making them pretty much the premiere armoured fist in the PLA.

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Man, they shall get a new chasis for the fat new turret. The tank looks proportionally out of shape.

 

[Insignius]

In fact, it is an entirely new chassis compared to the ZTZ99. It has a higher-raised engine compartment but a shorter overall hull as compared to the very strechted T-72 styled chassis of the ZTZ99. The ZTZ99 had to accomodate the large and bulky German 1500hp Diesel engine, while the ZTZ99A can now have a shorter and more compact hull because of the new Ukrainian/Chinese 1500hp engine with integrated propulsion package. So, the whole tank now has a very brutish look due to the contrast between the completely new turret with thick frontal armour blocks and box-shaped geometry, while the hull now got shorter. But needless to say, the new ZTZ99A tank should have superb protection compared to the earlier 99s.

 

[kwaigonegin]

Man, they shall get a new chasis for the fat new turret. The tank looks proportionally out of shape.

relax Lion.. I think it's because of the angle the pic was taken and also the image may have been scale somewhat.

 

[hardware]

most tank has no side armour.
while I assume most tank do not carry side armour during peacetime, but the absent of hinges indicate that there's no plan to inatall one.

 

[Insignius]

A common problem for Chinese tanks. I dont know why the PLA does not learn from others in that regard. Some FY-4 ERA bricks along the forward chassis absolutely wont hurt.

 

[hardware]

fighting in iraq,syrian and libyan civil war and israel hezbollah war,show the need 360 protection.even simple "bar' armour could stop RPG.