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Type 99/ZTZ-99
Category
Armored Vehicles
The ZTZ-99 (also known as Type 99) third-generation MBT was first publicly unveiled during a military parade held in October 1999. Resembling the Soviet T-72 MBT, it features enhanced firepower, protection and mobility compared to previous Chinese MBTs thanks to a 125mm automatically loaded ZPT-98 smoothbore gun capable of firing laser-guided ATGMs, an advanced modular armour package and a 1,200hp diesel engine. An improved variant, the ZTZ-99A, introduces an ERA array for greater protection against tandem HEAT
warheads and a digital battle management system, making it China’s first networked MBT. Unlike previous generations of Chinese MBTs, the ZTZ-99 and ZTZ-99A are believed to have been procured in relatively small numbers by the PLA due to their substantial cost.