New Type98/99 MBT thread
- Thread starter Dongfeng
- Start date
RedMercury
Junior Member
Camoflage may indicate it is under trials/evaluation, not yet inducted. There's no PLA insignia either. As for what exactly it is, the hull looks pretty short, but the Type-99A2 hull is about 1 meter shorter than the Type-99 hull. The Type-99A2 hull is based on the MBT-2000 hull, so I wouldn't be surprised if it looked similar. I think this may actually be the Type-99A2, the first clear full body photo. Its timing is not surprising, considering the CG just came out.
I find it quite weird that the new PLA tanks hull would be based on the Type 90 hull as the main reasons why PLA never adopted the type 90 design was that very hull. The type 98 which envolved for the type 99 had redesigned, more T-72ish type of hull which was slightly larger so that it could accomodate more powerfull engine. Why would chinese move backwards with this?
My quess this is the latest development of that type 90 which was continued as a export design fitted with the latest "goodies" that is avialble at china. But I think its still offered mainly for export, hence the fance camoflage.
PS. Images of this particular tank had been around since last year...
My quess this is the latest development of that type 90 which was continued as a export design fitted with the latest "goodies" that is avialble at china. But I think its still offered mainly for export, hence the fance camoflage.
PS. Images of this particular tank had been around since last year...
RedMercury
Junior Member
Well let me fill you in. The reason why the Type-90 based hull is viable again is that the new power pack is compact and mounted transverse. It has the same power as the current Type-99 power pack. I suppose there are some advantages to the Type-90 hull versus the Type-98 hull. One I would guess is less mass, since it is smaller.
This new variant has likely just finished road trials. Whether it will be adopted is probably still unknown. As to the camo, that's just whatever colors the factory bothered to paint it, not standard PLA since it is not inducted.
This new variant has likely just finished road trials. Whether it will be adopted is probably still unknown. As to the camo, that's just whatever colors the factory bothered to paint it, not standard PLA since it is not inducted.
RedMercury
Junior Member
On closer inspection, the camo matches this tank:
It is remarkable how short the hull is looking from the side.
It is remarkable how short the hull is looking from the side.
That picture is in the sinodefence mainsite under the Type90/MBT2000 section.
As for the new Type 99 variant using the type 90 hull, is there any offical reports (or any written references for that matter) of this?
As for the new Type 99 variant using the type 90 hull, is there any offical reports (or any written references for that matter) of this?
RedMercury
Junior Member
That photo is the Type-98 hull, clearly it is longer.
I wouldn't call this new tank a Type-99 mod, since it is pretty different. It is just a new tank which is based on old components. But someone started calling it the type-99a2, I forgot where.
I wouldn't call this new tank a Type-99 mod, since it is pretty different. It is just a new tank which is based on old components. But someone started calling it the type-99a2, I forgot where.
The claim is that this photo shows a Nanjing armor division being equipped with the newest Type-99G tank. From the sheer size of the turret I believe it's indeed the newest mod of Type-99, unless it's photoshopped of course. Could be a solid indication of Type-99G already being massively delivered to PLAA
