The Type-96B variant of Chinese main battle tanks have arrived in the Moscow Region to participate in the International Army Games 2016.
Photo: chinatimes.com
The Type-96B variant of Chinese main battle tanks arrived in the Moscow Region to participate in the International Army Games 2016.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s echelon with military hardware has arrived at the Taman motorized rifle brigade for taking part in the “Suvorov attack” and “Tank biathlon” competitions held within the International Army Games 2016.
The main tank of the “Tank biathlon” competition is the tank T-72. China’s team is going to operate its own tanks.
The team of China has come first. Other participants of the competition will arrive until the end of the week.
Five tanks and four IFVs, as well as materials and munitions have been delivered by the team of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army for participation in the “Tank biathlon” and “Suvorov attack”.
The new Type-96B variant was seen online on July 5, when a blogger posted a video of the tank on its way to the testing on a Chinese online forum. Images of the new tank, starting its trip to Russia, emerged two days later.
The Type-96B has no visible changes of the optical sensors, the turret or the main 125 mm gun armament. We can notice only an improved ventilation system. According to unconfirmed China’s reports, developers have also improved tank’s computer and digital communication systems that allow tank commanders to use common integrated intelligence of the battlefield processed at higher levels of command.
The report also says that the Type-96B’s engine, exhaust system, suspension, and running wheels were also improved. The engine and the new rear-mounted exhaust system appear to have been borrowed from Norinco VT-4 MBT. If this is the case, the Type-96B may have a 1,200 hp liquid-cooled diesel engine.
Photo: war.163.com