{
  "id": "zts-63a",
  "name": "ZTS-63A (Type 63A)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Amphibious light tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1997,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "KHM",
    "PRK",
    "SDN",
    "TZA",
    "VEN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 6,
  "summary": "The ZTS-63A (Type 63A) Chinese Amphibious Light Tank was specially designed to suit the needs of the marines.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.2,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 3.2,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 22,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Model 12150-L",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 581,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 75,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 70,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_swim_kmh",
      "v": 14,
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Torsion Bar",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Amphibious",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Maximum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+18 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Minimum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-5 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, believed to be the same FCS that is installed on Type 80 tanks",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, stabilized in both axes to improve accuracy",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor Type",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "All-welded steel",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Steel armor, 25mm thick",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Steel armor, 25mm thick",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, Four smoke-grenade launchers are mounted on each side of the turret",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "1 x ZTS63A (Type 83) 105mm Rifle Gun, 105 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun; 1 x W-85 (QJC88) 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) i",
      "role": "44 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "1,530 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "150 mm"
      },
      "qty": "38 rounds total any 105mm Combination"
    },
    {
      "name": "HE-MP-T: High-Explosive Multi-Purpose Tracer tank cartridge",
      "role": "44 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "800 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "180 mm",
        "Projectile weight": "13.6 kg"
      },
      "qty": "38 rounds total any 105mm Combination"
    },
    {
      "name": "HESH-T (HEP-T): High-Explosive Squash-Head Tracer tank cartr",
      "role": "44 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "731 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes",
        "Projectile weight": "INA"
      },
      "qty": "38 rounds total any 105mm Combination"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Type 63A1",
      "text": "The Type 63AI is a slightly modified version of the Type 63A, which is designed to increase the protection of the vehicle against cumulative projectiles.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 63-II",
      "text": "The Type 63-II is an improved version of the Type 63-I, which benefitted from the addition of a laser rangefinder above the main gun.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 89",
      "text": "The Type 89 is an SPH based on the hull of the Type 77 APC. It is designed to provide indirect – as well as direct – fire support.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "GLM 122",
      "text": "The GLM122 is based on the Chinese Type 77 APC and is modified to carry and deploy a trackway in support of amphibious landings.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zts-63a"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": {
    "file": "zts-63a.jpg",
    "thumb": "zts-63a-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Thehistorianisaac",
    "license": "CC0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Type_63A_jianchuan_museum_cluster.jpg",
    "title": "File:Type 63A jianchuan museum cluster.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 (CC0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/zts-63a.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-zts-63a": {
      "title": "ZTS-63A (Type 63A) Chinese Amphibious Light Tank",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/ZTS-63A_Type_63A_Chinese_Amphibious_Light_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-23",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}