New Type98/99 MBT thread

[RedMercury]

Guys, can we get back on topic please? Mods, start a thread for tank track discussion?

 

[RedMercury]

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

New-type tanks acquire initial organic operational capability

english.chinamil.com.cn 2008-08-06


Photo by Wang Jinzhong

　　A mechanized infantry division of the Beijing Military Area Command held a confrontational exercise between the "red" army and the "blue" army under a complicated tactical scenario on a plain beyond the Great Wall yesterday. What makes it different from the previous exercises is that the "iron fist" used by the "red" army to defeat its "enemy" is an armored regiment equipped with new-type main battle tanks.

　　At 09:30, the "red" and "blue" armies encountered and clashed in an undulating hilly area. Equipped with high-power engine and hydraulic shock absorbing system, the new-type tank is capable of driving at high speed and crossing over 2-meter-wide trenches easily. Tank commander Zhang Mingshuang told the reporters, "When we open fire, our tanks can swiftly achieve coordination through real-time positioning system, laser communication and laser identification system."

　　At 10:20, the battle reached a climax. Before tanks of the "blue" army were able to reach their positions, they were locked on automatically by image-stabilized fire control system on the new-type tanks of the "red" army. Wang Jianjun, commander of the 3rd Battalion of the "red" army, ordered his tanks to open fire. In an instant, dense smoke rose from tanks of the "blue" army.

　　"Although we are fighting on the move, once we lock on our targets, our opponents cannot escape even if the roads are bumpy," said Wang Jianjun proudly when he talked about the fire control system of his new tank.

　　Yan Haifeng, commander of the armored regiment, told us: "This exercise has put to test the operational efficiency of the new-type tanks under complicated conditions. My regiment has trained with this new-type main battle tanks for two years, and they have reached their initial operational capability (IOC) organically."

　　By Zhang Xiaoqi and Li Zhitao

　　(Aug 6, PLA Daily) Editor: Dong Zhaohui

Newish tidbits: hydraulic suspension, auto tracking, laser communication, laser identification

My guess is the new Type 99A2 discussed above. However, Cmdr Yan mentions two years of training with this model. This either means the A2 has been in T&E for a long time, or this is something else.

Also, photo at the link is a Type-99. Not in rolling hills either.

 

[Skywatcher]

Didn't say anything about the active defense system though.

 

[Baibar of Jalat]

Didn't say anything about the active defense system though.

The laser defence system or other active protection?

I would not be suprised if very soon something like Trophy or Arena appears on tank. On the type 96 mbt I seen pics of Shotra passive protection.

 

[AssassinsMace]

I wonder why we're only seeing mostly rear shots of this thing. Also there seems to be slight changes on the rear from previous pics.

 

[Delbert]

I think type 99 MBT was the most powerful and best tank that was ever fielded in the 21st century..

 

[crobato]

I think type 99 MBT was the most powerful and best tank that was ever fielded in the 21st century..

I think the uber tank right now is either the M1A2 or the latest variant of the Leopard II (A6?). My perception of the Type 99 MBT is that its not meant being an uber tank, and the PLA is looking for a sweet spot between performance, survivability, cost and the ability to be fielded in larger numbers. Not as larger numbers than the Type 96G, but certainly above that tank's performance and protection to provide a hi-lo mix. I would say balance is more what the Type 99 is going after.

 

[challenge]

according to top81.com.cn,new version tyoe-99 carry bustle mounted auto loader.but to date there's over head picture of type-99.

 

[ravenshield936]

i think the Type 99 can be thrown into a member's room with the other modern tanks with decent respect

neither the best nor the worst, but can come face to face with the M1A2,leopard2a6, merkelev, challenger2 with a respective and decent fight.

 

[pla101prc]

i think the Type 99 can be thrown into a member's room with the other modern tanks with decent respect

neither the best nor the worst, but can come face to face with the M1A2,leopard2a6, merkelev, challenger2 with a respective and decent fight.

lol once you have one of these tanks its not a matter of which tank is better but who's got better training and who's got better c3i