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Land ForcesChina

ZTZ-96 (Type 96)

Main battle tankFielded 1997Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction1997
ProliferationAt least 2 countries
ManufacturerFirst Inner Mongolia Machinery FactoryMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.45 m11 ftMed[1]
Height2.3 m8 ftMed[1]
Combat weight41.5 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
Engine power1,000 hpMed[1]
SuspensionTorsion BarMed[1]
Cruising range400 km249 mi · 216 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed65 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Cross-country speed45 km/h28 mph · 24 ktMed[1]
Fording (Without Preparation)1.4 mMed[1]
Fording (With Preparation)5.0 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull Armorsteel + composite + explosive reactive armorMed[1]
Turret Armorsteel + spaced composite + explosive reactive armorMed[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable, Track SkirtsMed[1]
Explosive reactive armorYes, 2nd generation ERAMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentGrenlaunch 12x; VESSMed[1]
Armament
Rate of fire (max)8 rds/min; 1-4 rds/minMed[1]
LoaderAutoloader; Carousel auto-loader and Manual Loading capableMed[1]
Main armament1 x L50 ZPT-98 125 mm Smoothbore Gun, 125 mmMed[1]
Secondary armament1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun; 1 x QJG-89 Heavy Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range4 km2 mi · 2 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Fire control systemISFCS-212; The Type 96 MBT is unable to perform hunter-killer engagementsMed[1]
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight Tank CommanderYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerYesMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationDual axis gun stabilisationMed[1]
RangefinderLaserMed[1]
Ballistic ComputerYesMed[1]
Variants
Type 96 (ZTZ-96)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[1]
Type 96A (ZTZ-96A)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[1]
Type 96B (ZTZ-96B)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[1]
VT-2The 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.[1]
VT2BAt 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[1]
GCZ-112The 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[1]
Weapons and payload options · 3Confidence · Source
High Explosives (HE)125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
4 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
850 m/s
Projectile weight
23 kg
Armor penetration
Yes
High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
915 m/s
Projectile weight
18.4 kg
Armor penetration
Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT
Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) Rou125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
2,050 m/s
Projectile weight
11 kg
Armor penetration
1,000 mm
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.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
ChinaSudan
Sources
  1. ZTZ-96 (Type 96) 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