In October 2022, Chinese state-owned TV teased the development of a 4th generation main battle tank for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The Chinese boasted that this tank would be the “strongest on the surface in the future.”
Very little is known about China’s new tank; not even its name or appearance has been revealed to the public. However, the Chinese have teased some of the expected capabilities that this new MBT supposedly brings to the table.
Light Tank of the Future?
Chinese news sources reported that great emphasis is being placed on crew survivability and protection for their newest tanks. To this end, the new 4th gen tank will have a crew of two: one crew member for driving and the other to focus on combat.
This means it will possess half the crew of a typical NATO tank and one fewer than Russian, French, or other tanks. The new tank reportedly relies on a number of AI systems for fire control, ISR, and threat analysis, making it a semi-autonomous tank.
The 4th gen tank is rumored to possess a 105mm smoothbore cannon that can be interchanged with a higher caliber 125mm cannon.
The cannon can reportedly fire multiple ammunition types, ranging from typical kinetic armor-piercing rounds to Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) that have a range of at least 4,000 meters.
The specs on the engine are, as of yet, still classified. The top speed, horsepower, and power-to-weight ratio are completely unknown. It is estimated that the tank is based on the chassis of a Type-15 light tank, putting its weight at around 40 tons, with lighter or heavier versions available as needed.
Chinese state media also emphasized the inclusion of hard-kill Active Protection Systems (APS) on the tank that increase its survivability. Hard-kill APSs use radar systems to detect incoming projectiles and intercept them.
The most modern APS China possesses is the GL5 system, which uses a special radar to detect projectiles from 360 degrees and intercept them, similarly to the Israeli Iron Fist system. It is unknown whether the newest tank will possess the GL5 or a newer system, but China insists that the new tank is able to intercept drones as well as incoming ATGMs.
Much like the AbramsX and other 4th gen western tanks, China’s newest tank will also possess the ability to launch recon or strike drones. This further confirms the designers’ intention to create an information/drone-centric battlefield.
Assessing China’s Newest Tank
Assessing China’s newest 4th generation tank is difficult since the full specs of its systems are unknown, or whether its systems actually exist.
All we can do is speculate based on what Chinese state TV tells us. Based on what we do know, however, China’s new platform is built with information-centric warfare in mind.
With its information technology as well as AI systems, the designers are clearly intending to make the tank as automated as possible, leaving the crew to focus on driving and firing the cannons.
This is further emphasized by all the attention being given to the APS which can automatically intercept any target, including drones from 360 degrees.
Type 99 Tank from China. Image: Creative Commons.
The tank is also designed with modularity in mind. With an interchangeable cannon, and interchangeable armor and electronic systems, the tank is made to be changed and upgraded to meet any need on the battlefield.
This ensures that the tank can be upgraded with newer, more advanced systems in the future as they come out.
Many Questions Remain
China’s new platform certainly sounds impressive, but there are a few questions that need to be answered:
What kind of engine does it have? What kind of ammunition can it fire? How thick is its armor? More importantly, how much does it cost, and how quickly can it be manufactured?
Type 99. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
With so much about the tank, even its name, still unknown, it is impossible to say whether this new fighting vehicle is the real deal or another paper dragon.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
