{
  "id": "zbl-08",
  "name": "ZBL-08 (Type 08)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "8x8 infantry fighting vehicle",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2009,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "GAB",
    "NGA",
    "THA",
    "VEN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 5,
  "summary": "The ZBL-08 (Type 08) Chinese 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is a family of eight-wheeled amphibious, modular armored vehicles developed by Norinco for infantry fire support, battlefield logistics, and quick reaction operations.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Configuration",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "8x8",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 8,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.1,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 15,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Deutz BF6M1015C",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 440,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "semi-automatic",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "8×8 wheeled",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 100,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 800,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Protection against small arms and shell splinters.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Protection against small arms and shell splinters.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, 6 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x Type 86 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Ammunition note",
      "text": "2 x HJ-73C ATGM Rail launcher are mounted on both sides of the turret.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "ZBL-08 (Type 08) Infantry Fighting Vehic",
      "text": "Original IFV variant with a 30 mm turret based on Shipunov 2A72. It features a crew cabin in the back for infantry transportation. HJ-73C missiles can be optionally mounted on each side of the turret.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "ZSL-08 (Type 08) Armoured Personal Carri",
      "text": "Based on IFV variant but the modified crew cabin has a higher ceiling. The Armored Personnel Carrier can be armed either with a manually controlled, armor-plate protected 12.7 machine gun or a remote-controlled weapon st",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 08 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle",
      "text": "Armed with a 30 mm turret, the vehicle has a chassis that is similar to the IFV variant. The Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle will advance before IFVs and assault guns for intelligence gathering. On-board high definition e",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "PLL-05 Mortar Carrier",
      "text": "Based on IFV variant. It is armed with a 120mm dual purpose mortar.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "PLL-09 (Type 09) Modular Self-propelled ",
      "text": "Based on IFV variant. Can be armed with either a 122mm or 155mm howitzer, to provide indirect fire support for infantry.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 09 Anti-Air Reconnaissance Vehicle",
      "text": "Armed with a single barrel 35mm revolving auto cannon, the Air Defense variant has a unique chassis and is equipped with thermal-tracking sight, targeting and surveillance radars. The data collected by the radars can be ",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbl-08"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "ifv",
  "image": {
    "file": "zbl-08.jpg",
    "thumb": "zbl-08-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Key-Needleworker-702 on reddit",
    "license": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ZBL-08A_4131.jpg",
    "title": "File:ZBL-08A 4131.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/zbl-08.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-zbl-08": {
      "title": "ZBL-08 (Type 08) Chinese 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/ZBL-08_Type_08_Chinese_8x8_Infantry_Fighting_Vehicle",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}