{
  "id": "ztz-96a",
  "name": "ZTZ-96A (Type 96A)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2009,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The ZTZ-96A (Type 96A) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) entered service in 2006, reflecting the developments made in Chinese tank design such as the arrow-shaped add-on turret armor also found on Type 99. The vehicle described below is offered for export in the format described below with the designation of VT2.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.45,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.3,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 46,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "12150ZLC",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 900,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 400,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 65,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 45,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Torsion Bar",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording (Without Preparation)",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.4 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording (With Preparation)",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "5 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "New Updated FCS, ISFCS-213; The Type 96A is unable to perform hunter-killer engagements",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Dual axis gun stabilisation",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Laser",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Ballistic Computer",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Type 96A: Composite armor, FY Series ERA Added",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Type 96A: Composite armor, FY Series ERA Added.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available, Track Skirts",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "FY Series ERA",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "According to a news release by state-controlled China Youth Daily, later covered by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP), at least some Chinese Type 96A main battle tanks from the 71st Group Army of the Eastern Theater Command (E",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Grenlaunch 12x; VESS",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun; 1 x QJG-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "High Explosives (HE)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ],
      "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-96a"
      ],
      "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-96a"
      ],
      "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 Type 88C or ZTZ96. It enter",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-96a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-96a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "VT-2",
      "text": "Export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition. Can be equipped with Remote Weapons Station and has a maximum speed of 70 km/h (on road). Capable of turning on its own axis.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-96a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-96a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-96a"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": {
    "file": "ztz-96a.jpg",
    "thumb": "ztz-96a-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "omefrans",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Type_96A_tank_in_Beijing.jpg",
    "title": "File:Type 96A tank in Beijing.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-SA 2.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/ztz-96a.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-ztz-96a": {
      "title": "ZTZ-96A (Type 96A) 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-96A_Type_96A_Chinese_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-07-06",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}