PLA Next Generation Main Battle Tank

Amistrophy said:

View attachment 158185here or there probably, or both, with opaque covers

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The part attached above the barrel is unlikely to be an optic but rather some sort of RF sensor.

The one atop the turret is a little bit small to be house a primary gunner's optic, I feel, though perhaps it could be a suitable position for an optic to be actually installed (but would have a larger and taller profile than that block itself)

bsdnf said:

Retractable?
View attachment 158184

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I can't see a world where a gunner's sight being retractable (introducing mechanical point of failure to such a key subsystem) would be a good idea.


Realistically the simplest answer is probably the one that makes the most sense -- the gunner's sight may simply just have yet to be installed.

Very interesting design. I wonder what kind of autoloader it is using though since I don’t see blowout panels.

I’ve heard rumors of high fire rate though. The gun in the photo should be 105mm and so far to my knowledge PLA isn’t using two-piece 105mm ammunition.

Blitzo said:

Realistically the simplest answer is probably the one that makes the most sense -- the gunner's sight may simply just have yet to be installed.

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I don't see how this is the simplest answer, considering as you said, it's a key subsystem.

Blitzo said:

It could be a cover, or perhaps it has yet to be installed in that position.
The vehicles are missing a few parts here or there, such as the guns for the RWS and coaxial cannon for both the tank and IFV

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Probably the coaxial gun why so big tho

AsuraGodFiend said:

Probably the coaxial gun View attachment 158192

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Yes, which seems to be missing a barrel.

I.e.: the coaxial gun (as well as the gun for the RWS) for the tank, as well as the IFV, seem to be missing.

FKAMtS4kE said:

I don't see how this is the simplest answer, considering as you said, it's a key subsystem.

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It's the simplest answer, because we have seen other AFVs not have key subsystems installed as well, whether it is during a parade, or even pre-delivery to active units.

For the new tank and new IFV in this case, they both seem to be missing the actual guns for their coaxial mount and RWS -- which are key subsystems.


All of which is to say -- the simple answer being that the vehicles depicted in the pictures are not fully equipped yet.
Whether they will be fully equipped by the time of the parade, is another matter.

Blitzo said:

It's the simplest answer, because we have seen other AFVs not have key subsystems installed as well, whether it is during a parade, or even pre-delivery to active units.

For the new tank and new IFV in this case, they both seem to be missing the actual guns for their coaxial mount and RWS -- which are key subsystems.

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True for tank, though i have a feel that IFV one is something different(on the same mount of course). Too small for mW array probably?

Gloire_bb said:

True for tank, though i have a feel that IFV one is something different(on the same mount of course). Too small for mW array probably?

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I'm not sure if the coaxial and RWS mount for the tank and IFV will have the same weapons, but I think we can confidently say both are missing the actual weapon intended to be installed in those respective positions.

Idk if its a matter of “key subsystems” being installed or not

its just a missing MG, don’t many militaries remove their vehicle mounted heavy/light/whatever MGs for parades?

not sure if the PLA practices this though

Blitzo said:

snip

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Amistrophy said:

Idk if its a matter of “key subsystems” being installed or not

its just a missing MG, don’t many militaries remove their vehicle mounted heavy/light/whatever MGs for parades?

not sure if the PLA practices this though

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You can look back at previous PLA parades; their machine guns are installed on their vehicles.


As for certain key subsystems not being installed yet like the guns for the coaxial and RWS mounts and the gunner's sights -- that isn't too strange.
Again, the question isn't whether they lack them in the photos taken, the question is what would they look like once they're installed (and I suppose also one can ask whether they'll choose to install them prior to the parade)

AsuraGodFiend said:

View attachment 158173
Are these cameras for full 360 view?

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Are they doing desert Camo on the Parade this time?

In the past they always did Green Jungle Camo for armored vehicles. Why the switch to desert this time?

Looks like a very modern design, clearly superior to anything coming from the west. Although, whether it can break the drone dominance and actually do an armored assault is another matter. Tanks are pretty much useless these days.