China Modernizes Type-96 Tanks

China is modernizing itsType-96 tank with the help of experience it gained during 2016 Russian Tank Biathlon, the military Zvezda TV channel reported.

All the teams used Russian T-72 tanks, except for the Chinese crews, who use their own T-96 tanks. Before the start it was no problem for foreign participants to compete on the Russian hardware as the tank is operational in many countries, Chief arbiter of the competition Colonel Roman Bunyukov was quoted as saying by TASS Wednesday.

However, the Belarussian team competed on T-72BME, the Indian team - on T-90S Bhishma and Chinese team - on Type-96B. 

Editor-in-chief of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Viktor Murakhovsky said the Type-96 is no copy of the Russian T-72 despite licensed production and integration of several units. By the ride and fire power characteristics the Chinese tank is comparable to the upgraded T-72B3. 

However, the Type-96 is equipped with China-designed and produced components, including armaments, engine and the running gear. The main novelties of Type-96 are related to the upgraded power plant and transmission which increase the mobility of the hardware. 

Murakhovsky believes the Chinese army command decided to engage domestically manufactured hardware at the Tank Biathlon to check its tactical and technical characteristics in tough conditions which are close to combat ones to the maximum. 

Chinese Type-96 is a third-generation combat tank whose capabilities make it the basis of Chinese armored troops.

Compared to the basic model, the Type-96B has a more powerful engine (1200HP), lighter chassis, upgraded ventilation, modernized exhaust system and modern electronics. Together with Type-99 it will replace outdated tanks Type-59 and Type-69 of the Chinese armed forces. 

Type-96 became operational in the Chinese army in 1997. It is armed with 125mm smoothbore gun which is an upgrade of Soviet/Russian 2A46 gun. It has an automatic loader and can fire various munitions. It is also compatible with guided missiles fired through the barrel. Additional armaments comprise coaxial and anti-aircraft machineguns. Smoke dischargers can also be installed. 

The engine can accelerate the tank to 65 km/h on tar road and 40 km/h cross-country. The range is over 400 kilometers. Chinese experts believe the Type-96B is the most successful Chinese tank design by cost-efficiency ratio.