Type 99 tank

The development of China's domestic third generation MBT was started in 1989, under China's eighth five-year plan. In the early 1990s China produced one of its second generation prototypes, the Type 90-II series. The Type 90-II was designed by studying the T-72 tank. The chassis was to be based on the T-72's hull but with Chinese subsystems. The Type 90-II had a 125mm smoothbore cannon with an autoloader, modular composite armor and a centered driver position. While the Type 90-II series ultimately did not enter PLA service, it saw success as an export tank and was built under license in Pakistan as the Al-Khalid. The Type 98 or WZ-123 was China's domestic Type 90-II derivative. It was based on the T-72 chassis. An improved version was shortly produced and was named the Type 98G or Type 99. This variant had previously been used by PLA troops during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) military exercises in 2014. Deployment By 2008, 200 Type 98 and Type 99 tanks may have been deployed to the Beijing and Shenyang Military Regions. The Type 99 has seen less deployment than other tanks in PLA service due to cost factors. By 2024, more than 1,300 units of Type 99 and Type 99A have been deployed into the PLAGF service, forming the core maneuvering force of the PLA heavy combined arms brigades. ==Design==

The Type 98/99 hull appears similar to the Soviet T-72 on which it is based, but it is longer. The gun may be fired under computerized or manual control. The tank can carry 42 rounds including 22 in the autoloader. The rate of fire is 8 rounds per minute using the autoloader, and 2 rounds per minute with manual loading. The Type 99A mounts an improved 125 mm gun, with a new autoloader capable of firing 10 rounds per minute. The 125 mm gun of the Type 99 is capable of firing APFSDS-T, HEAT, Frag-HE-T, and gun-launched anti-tank missiles (ATGM). The gun may fire a range of Chinese, Russian, and ex-Warsaw Pact ammunition. The Type 99 can fire tandem shaped charged GP125 ATGMs similar to the Russian Invar with a range of up to 5 kilometres. Secondary armament consists of a QJC-88 12.7 mm machine gun on the commander's cupola and a coaxial 7.62 mm MG. The 12.7 mm machine gun has an elevation of -4 to 75 degrees. Fire control The Type 99 has hunter-killer capabilities, operating an ISFCS-212 fire control system with an IR automatic target tracker. designed for target identification (IFF), acquisition and track. The original Type 99 utilizes the onboard active laser defense system for identification friend or foe application, but the function may be compromised under adverse weather condition. The radar system instead offers a more reliable all-weather operation capability. Type 99 and Type 99A are fitted with digital map interface, BeiDou global positioning system, UHF/VHF radio, encrypted laser communication system, Protection The tank's welded turret is of an angular design with spaced modular armor and composite panels. The tank features multiple countermeasure systems for additional protection, including laser-based self defense weapon (LSDW) system, laser warning receiver system, twelve 81-mm smoke grenade launchers, and smoke screen generated by injecting fuel into the engines. The box-shaped JD-3 then intensifying the beam to blind the enemy gunner, damage or destroy enemy's optic sensors. JD-3 (ZM-87) system also integrates laser transmitter, serving for both the line-of-sight (LOS) communication and the identification friend or foe (IFF) purpose. Regarding the content revealed in the lecture: China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) 1. Current Development Status A Brief History of Tank Technology Development: Technical Characteristics of the Mature Stage Automation and Informatization of the Spear and Shield Adopting integrated vehicle electronic information systems, digitalization and informatization have become typical characteristics; Adopting automatic gear shifting, steering wheel steering, and hydraulic-mechanical combined braking, significantly improving off-road performance and ease of operation; Tank guns can fire gun-launched missiles and are equipped with remote weapon stations. Firing armor-piercing and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds capable of penetrating 700mm/1200mm RHA; combat range 10,000m; Employing hunter-killer fire control systems with automatic tracking, achieving over 80% accuracy when firing on the move; Composite armor and reactive armor have been further developed, capable of withstanding 800mm HEAT (Ke(apfsds)/1400mm HEAT Ce) frontal armor and 70/100mm HEAT top armor. Optional interceptor-type active protection systems are available. Mobility The driver sits in the center front of the hull. The latest Type 99A shows the driver's hatch in the center left of the hull. Type 99 features a torsion bar suspension system that consists of six rubber-tired road wheels on each side with a power sprocket at the rear. The first, second, and sixth road wheels are fitted with a special hydraulic shock buffer. The Type 99A tank is powered by a HP150 1500 hp diesel engine, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of about 27.78 hp/ton. The original Type 99 had a manual transmission but later Type 99 variants have a CH1000 hydraulic-mechanical semi-automatic transmission with six forward gears and two reverse gears. The maximum road and off-road speeds are 80 km/h and 60 km/h respectively. The cruising range is . The Type 99A is controlled by a steering wheel/yoke with stick-shift transmission capable of manual and automatic modes. The tank also uses gas and brake pedals similar to that of a standard motor vehicle. The tank can be equipped with a snorkel for deep fording. With the deep fording kit, the Type 99A can cross waters up to 4.5 meters in depth. ==Variants==

parade. Project 9910 prototype Also known as the Type 98, WZ-123. Type 99A Improved Type 99. In 2003, the 99A model was developed. Prototype testing was underway by August 2007 and believed to be the standard deployed Type 99 variant in 2011. The position of the driver's hatch was moved from the centre left to the centre right of the hull. The improved main gun carries a Invar-type ATGM. It mounts a type of 3rd generation ERA, and an active protection system. In 2024, the Type 99B prototype, fitted with two GL-6 APS launchers and four radars, was spotted in China. Improvements include with new and improved explosive reactive armor modules, upgraded information technology and information sharing with other combat vehicles, 360-degree vision system for the crew, updated fire control system with new generation thermal optics, and new photoelectric and sensor systems for improved battlefield awareness. Some versions are noted to be equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) for the commander and lacking the GL-6 hard kill APS launchers. Media reports in the South China Morning Post and the Hindustan Times indicated that the tank will primarily be deployed in the Himalayas, alongside the smaller Type-15. ==Operators==

• • People's Liberation Army Ground Force: 600 ZTZ-99, 700 ZTZ-99A == Gallery ==

File:Type 98 tank raised view.jpg|Type 98 tank prototype (9910 project) during the rehearsal of the 1999 National Day Military Parade. File:Type 99 MBT front left.jpg|A Type 99 tank at the China People's Revolution Military Museum in Beijing during the 2007 Our troops towards the sun exhibition. File:ZTZ-99A tank front right 20170902.jpg|Type 99A tank at a Theme Exhibition of the 90th Anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. == See also ==