2 minute read

NORINCO Type 69/Type 79, PRC

NORINCO Type 80/Type 8 5/Type 90 PRO

The Type 80 MBT is a further development of the Type 69-11 design but with a 105 mm rifled main gun armament and matching NORINCO ISFCS-212 computerised fire control system. Rounds types carried include HEAT-T, HESH, APFSDS-T and HE ammunition types. A NBC protection system is fitted,

Advertisement

In the late eighties the Type 85 MBT is believed to have entered low rate production. This is based on the Type 80 chassis but with the first Chinese all welded turret instead of the normal cast steel type.

In 1991 the Type 90-11 tank prototype was revealed. This in effect is the first new generation Chinese tank not drawing on the Type 59 design. It is armed with a Chinese version of the Russian 125 mm smoothbore gun design and autoloader assembly.

The variants identified to-date include the following: Type 80-1 - first production model. Type 80-II - as Type 80-1 but with new transmission, internal communications fit and a collective type instead of individual NBC defence system. Type 85-11 - essentially a Type 80-11 but with new welded turret, 46 main gun rounds and different communications fit. Additional composite armour packages can be fitted to the hull and turret systems. Type 85-IIA - as for Type 80-11 but with only 44 rounds main gun ammunition and slightly different internal arrangement of turret systems. Co-produced in Pakistan as Type 85-IIAP Type 85IIM - Entered production in!992, Weighs 41 000 kg and is armed with a Chinese 125 mm rifled gun-4 rounds. Type 85-111 - Revealed in 1995, weighs 41,700 kg and is armed with a 125 mm smooth bore gun-42 rounds. Type 90-11 - new generation tank, at prototype stage, with 125 mm gun, replaceable composite armour packages and fully computerised fire control system,

Specification

First prototype: Type 80 1982; Type 85 1986; Type 90-111988-89 First production: Type 80 1984-early nineties; Type 85 versions 1987-current; Type 90-11 none Current user: China

Crew: 4

Combat weight: Type 80-138 000 kg; Type 80-11 38 500 kg; Type 85-11 39 000 kg; Type 85-IIA 39 500 kg; Type85-IIM41000kg, Type 85-111 41 700 kg Type 90 48 000 kg Ground pressure: n/av Length, gun forwards: Type 80-19.33 m; Type 80-119.34 m; Type 85-119.34 m; Type 85-IIA 9.07 m; Type 85-IIM 10.28 m; Type 85-111 10.3 m; Type 90-1110.35 m

Width (withskirts): 3.37 m Height (without AA gun): 2.3 m

( 2 2m Type 85-111, 2 m Type 90-11)

Ground clearance: 0.48 m

Max. road speed: 60 km/h

Maximum range (with external tanks):

570 km (400 km Type 90-11) Fording: unprepared 1,4m; prepared 5 m Gradient: 60%

Side slope: 40%

Vertical obstacle: 0.8m

Trench: 2.7 m

Powerpack: Type 80 - V-12 diesel developing 730 hp coupled to a manual transmission; Type 80-II/Type 85-II/Type 85-IIA/Type 85-IIM - same engine but with a semi-automatic transmission; Type 85-111 - similar engine but developing 1000 hp; Type 90-11 - 6-cylinder diesel developing 1200hp Armament: (main) Type 80/85- 1x105 mm

Chinese Amy Type 80 MET showing obstacle crossing capabilities.

gun (44 rounds Types 80, 80-11 and 85-11, 46 rounds Type 85); Type 90-11, 85-IIM, 85-111 - 1 x 125 mm gun (42 rounds); (coaxial) 1 x 7.62 mmMG; (antiaircraft) 1 x 12.7 mmMG;(smoke dischargers) 2 x4

This article is from: