{
  "id": "ztz-96",
  "name": "ZTZ-96 (Type 96)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1997,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "SDN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 2,
  "summary": "The ZTZ-96 (Type 96) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) is the principle MBT of the PLA and represents China’s effort to bring the majority of its tanks up to a third-generation standard. It employs a 125 mm gun and autoloader as found on the T-72.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.45,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.3,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 41.5,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 1000,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Torsion Bar",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 400,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 65,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 45,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording (Without Preparation)",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.4 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording (With Preparation)",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "5.0 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "8 rds/min; 1-4 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Loader",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Autoloader; Carousel auto-loader and Manual Loading capable",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "ISFCS-212; The Type 96 MBT is unable to perform hunter-killer engagements",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Dual axis gun stabilisation",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Laser",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Ballistic Computer",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "steel + composite + explosive reactive armor",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "steel + spaced composite + explosive reactive armor",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available, Track Skirts",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, 2nd generation ERA",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Grenlaunch 12x; VESS",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "1 x L50 ZPT-98 125 mm Smoothbore Gun, 125 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun; 1 x QJG-89 Heavy Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "High Explosives (HE)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "850 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "23 kg",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "range_km": 4,
      "qty": "42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "915 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "18.4 kg",
        "Armor penetration": "Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT"
      },
      "range_km": 3,
      "qty": "42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) Rou",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "2,050 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "11 kg",
        "Armor penetration": "1,000 mm"
      },
      "range_km": 3,
      "qty": "42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Type 96 (ZTZ-96)",
      "text": "The Type 96 Main Battle Tank (MBT) was developed from the Type 85-III, which was mainly aimed at the export market. The Type 96 has some minor modifications. Sometimes it is referred to as the the Type 88C or ZTZ96. It e",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 96A (ZTZ-96A)",
      "text": "The Type 96A was an upgrade of the Type 96 that entered service in 2006, it reflects the developments made in Chinese tank design such as the arrow-shaped add-on turret armor also found on the Type 99. The vehicle descri",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 96B (ZTZ-96B)",
      "text": "The Type 96B is the latest iteration of the Type 96 family. It is a second-generation MBT with improved suspension and mission systems over the earlier Type 96A. The Type 96B is intended to replace the Type 96 and some T",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "VT-2",
      "text": "The VT2 is the export variant of the Type 96A, it is a medium-weight MBT designed to optimize life-cycle costs and provide customers with an affordable tank to replace aging systems.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "VT2B",
      "text": "At the 2017 armor and anti-armor day held by Norinco for export customers, a platform named VT2B was displayed. No details of the platform were made available at the time, but it may carry the improved weaponry and power",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "GCZ-112",
      "text": "The GCZ-112 is a combat engineering vehicle based on the Type 96. It is equipped with the necessary tools to construct earthworks and clear obstacles for advancing armored formations. It shares the Type 96’s running gear",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/ztz-96.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-ztz-96": {
      "title": "ZTZ-96 (Type 96) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/ZTZ-96_Type_96_Chinese_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}