D
Land ForcesChina

ZBL-09 (Type 09/VN1)

8x8 amphibious armored personnel carrierFielded 2009Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
Length 8 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
Type8x8 amphibious armored personnel carrier
Date of introduction2009
ProliferationAt least 5 countries
ManufacturerNORINCOMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length8 m26 ftMed[1]
Width3 m10 ftMed[1]
Height2.1 m7 ftMed[1]
Combat weight21 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineDEUTZ BF6M1015 CPMed[1]
Engine power440 hpMed[1]
Cruising range800 km497 mi · 432 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed100 km/h62 mph · 54 ktMed[1]
Cross-country speed50 km/h31 mph · 27 ktMed[1]
Swim speed8 km/h5 mph · 4 ktMed[1]
TransmissionManualMed[1]
Fording depthAmphibiousMed[1]
Protection
Hull and Turret ArmorHigh hardness armor steel, which provide a protection against 12.7mm armour-piercing incendiary (API) strikes frontally at 100m,Med[1]
Side Armor7.62mm API on the sides at 100mMed[1]
Rear Armor7.62mm ball at the rear.Med[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable, the ZBD-09 can also be fitted with add-on armor package enables the vehicle to survive 25 mm API frontally at 1,000m and 12.7mm API on the sides at 100m.Med[1]
Active Protection SystemYesMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentYes, 12 Smoke Grenade Launchers (6 on each side)Med[1]
Armament
Main armament1 x 2A72 (Shipunov 2A42), 30 mmMed[1]
Secondary armamentType 80 Chinese Heavy Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range3 km2 mi · 2 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Fire control systemYes, fitted with the PLA’s version of a generic vehicle architecture (GVA) Battle Management System (BMS).Med[1]
Computerized FCSYes, the turret includes an FCS that accounts for the speed of the vehicle and distance to the target to provide ballistic solutions for the main gun.Med[1]
Thermal (Vehicle Commander)YesMed[1]
Thermal (Gunner)YesMed[1]
Laser Range FinderYesMed[1]
Variants
Ammunition noteThe missile system is designated as HJ-73 or Red Arrow 73, and can be armed with four different types of missile to provide the ZBL-09 with offensive capability against most targets that the vehicle would encounter on a modern battlefield. All of the missiles use a SACLOS guidance system, with a wir[1]
ZBL-09APC[1]
PLL-09Fire Support[1]
ZTL-11Fire Support[1]
ZBL-09 SHORADAir Defense[1]
ZZH-09 C2C2[1]
ZBL-09 Communication PlatformCommunication Platform[1]
Weapons and payload options · 6Confidence · Source
Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer(30 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
125 rds
Muzzle velocity
1,275 m/s
Armor penetration
>45mm RHA steel at 60° obliquity
High Explosive Incendiary30 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
225 ea
Muzzle velocity
960 m/s
Armor penetration
Yes
Anti-Tank Missile Systemammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
120 m/s
Warhead
Tandem-HEAT
Armor penetration
200 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
Anti-Tank Missile Systemammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
130 m/s
Warhead
Tandem-HEAT
Armor penetration
280 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
Anti-Tank Missile Systemammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
135 m/s
Warhead
Tandem-HEAT
Armor penetration
300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
Anti-Tank Missile System (Bunker Buster)ammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
130 m/s
Warhead
Fuel Air Explosive Warhead
Armor penetration
300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
Summary

The ZBL-09 (Type 09/VN1) Chinese 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) is the latest wheeled platform series to enter service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China. The family was designed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) and is expected to replace obsolete wheeled vehicles in service with the PLA.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
ChinaGabonNigeriaThailandVenezuela
Sources
  1. ZBL-09 (Type 09/VN1) Chinese 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), 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