Ground Forces :: Main Battle Tanks :: Type 96

Type 96

IOC: 1998
Total Production: 2,000
Derived from: Type 85 II

Also Known As: T-96, Type 85 III (early designation), Type 90 (Export designation) and ZTZ96

Origin: China

Contractor/s: NORINCO

Description: The Type 96, also reported as Type 90 for export customers, Main Battle Tank (MBT) is an improved derivative of the Type 85 II tank which was developed on the basis of the Soviet-made T-54 chassis. After the Gulf War in 1991, the Chinese military realized that Type 88 was no match to Western-made tanks and launched the development of more advanced MBTs which led to Type 96 and Type 99. The Type 96 MBT, originally known as Type 85 III, was deployed by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the end of the 1990s replacing Type 59 and Type 69 in PLA's elite units.

Type 96 features advanced modular armor for enhanced survivability, a new turret, a stabilized 125mm smoothbore gun with autoloader, thermal imaging and laser rangefinder, and an accurate fire control system. Moreover, the Type 96 MBT can be outfitted with Explosive Reactive Armor enhancing its survivability. Overall, Type 96 MBT is the one of the most powerful and sophisticated main battle tanks currently being produced in China and its performance is close to Western-made MBTs.

In addition to the 125mm main gun, Type 96 MBT has one roof-mounted 12.7mm and one coaxial 7.62mm machine guns. The 125mm cannon is capable of firing Russian-made Refleks anti-tank missile. Its 1,000-hp diesel engine provides a top speed on road of 65 kilometers per hour.

As of late 2005, the PLA had received an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 tanks. Series production at NORINCO could keep on through 2010 or beyond, bringing the total production to 3,000 units. Type 96 may be upgraded with advanced technologies coming from Type 99 MBT.

Parent system is the Type 96
Total Production: 2,600
Other Family Members: Type 90-IIM

Transactions: There are 1 transactions involving 48 items for Type 96 from 2004 to 2007 view report

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:: Specifications ::

Ammunition Load: 42
Caliber Multiple: 48
Crew: 3

Dimensions
Height: 2.30 meter
Length: 10.7 meter
Main Gun Caliber: 125 millimeter
Width: 3.30 meter

Power
Power: 1,000 hp

Rates
Max Rate of Fire: 6 roundperminute

Speed
Top Speed: 65 kph (18.1 mps)

Weight
Combat Weight: 48 ton
Min Weight: 43 ton

:: Operators ::

Operators
	Country	Items	Country	Items
	China	2,000

fully confirmed operational planned retired cancelled destroyed

:: Related Equipment ::

Related Equipment
		Qty
	Anti-Armor Weapons & Missiles
	Refleks

:: Notes & Resources ::

Type 96

Last Updated:
Saturday, February 2, 2013

(*) lead contractor

IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
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Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

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