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Land ForcesChina

Type 98

Main battle tankFielded 1999Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
Length 10.92 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction1999
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerNorincoMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length10.92 m36 ftMed[1]
Width3.37 m11 ftMed[1]
Height2.81 m9 ftMed[1]
Combat weight50 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineWD396Med[1]
Engine power1,200 hpMed[1]
Max road speed65 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Fording, without Preparation1.4 m (55.1 in)Med[1]
Fording, with Preparation5 m (196.9 in)Med[1]
SuspensionTorsion bar with additional hydraulic shock-absorbersMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorThe basic passive armour is steel, modular composite and ceramic plates are added to the frontal arc and these can be further upgraded with blocks of ERA such as the FY series designed and built by China (further details in separate entry NMed[1]
Applique ArmorYesMed[1]
Explosive reactive armorYesMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke Equipment10 x 76 mm grenades (5 on each side of the turret), which can fire smoke or obscurant natures of grenades.Med[1]
Armament
Secondary armamentMounted co-axially is a modified version of the 7.62 mm Type 80 MG (itself copy of the Russian PKM), known to Chinese ar; Mounted on the commander's pintle is a 12.7 mm Type 88 MG, which can be used for air and close-ranMed[1]
Variants
Ammunition noteThe gun employs two-part ammunition and enough charges are carried for a total of 42 shots, which can include APFSDS with a depleted uranium (DU) penetrator and the GP7 gun-launched missile. The autoloader carries 22 complete rounds including charges and projectiles. The sabot rounds are thought to [1]
Type 99A1The ZTZ-99A1 (Type 99A1) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) was a development of the Type 98, it has become the primary MBT of elite armoured units in China as a result of its increased survivability and mobility over the Ty[1]
Type 99A2The Type 99A2 builds further improvements into the Type 99A1 design. It has even greater protection against threats from the front and is thought to have a more powerful engine to provide mobility for the additional weig[1]
Summary

The Type 98 Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) follow the layout of a T-72 and have a crew of three, an auto loader, and ammunition carried in a carousel beneath the turret. They are widely considered to be third-generation tanks with mobility and protection characteristics that are close to Russian and Western equivalents.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. Type 98 Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import