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Land ForcesChina

ZTZ-96B (Type 96B)

Main battle tankFielded 2016Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
ZTZ-96B (Type 96B)
Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction2016
ProliferationAt least 2 countries
ManufacturerNORINCOMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.45 m11 ftMed[1]
Height2.3 m8 ftMed[1]
Combat weight41.5 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
Engine power1,200 hpMed[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]
SuspensionTorsion BarMed[1]
Protection
Hull Armor (vs. HEAT Rounds)1,100mm of RHAeMed[1]
Hull Armor (vs. Kinetic Rounds)650mm RHAeMed[1]
Turret Armor700-750mm RHAeMed[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable, Track SkirtsMed[1]
Explosive reactive armorFY4 Type ERA (New Update from Type 96A)Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentGrenade launcher 12x; VESSMed[1]
Armament
Secondary armament1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun; 1 x QJG-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range4 km2 mi · 2 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Fire control systemUpdated FCS compared to the Type 96A. No Name; The Type 96 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 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.[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
Armor penetration
1,000 mm
Projectile weight
11 kg
Summary

The ZTZ-96B (Type 96B) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) is the latest version of the Type 96 Tank and made its first public debut at the 2016 Tank Biathlon. Developed by Norinco, an estimated 5 to 7 had been built and were seen being moved to the event by a freight train.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
ChinaSudan
Sources
  1. ZTZ-96B (Type 96B) 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
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 3.0)