I think that they realized that type 96A was underpowered
Chinese 96-A
- Thread starter Agonizing Bliss
- Start date
I think that they realized that type 96A was underpowered
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Apparently those rails carts of 96Bs were heading to the border. Some took note that the flag and number markings are similar to those on the 96As sent to last biathlons.
Way too many tanks for that competition. They could be going abroad for an exercise, in which case the flags would make more sense.
Four tanks in the photo. 3+1 backup, totally legit to me.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
As pointed out, beware of assuming the tanks in shot are all there are.
Also, the timing is off for that, since the Russian tank biathlon are usually held at the start of August.
The tanks and their crews usually arrive early for the biathlon.
Now see that there are more than 4 tanks. Maybe Russian come up with some new tricks who knows.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
China doesn't want to win, if they did just sending some Type99A2s or even plain old Type 99s would almost certainly allow them to win it no matter how much the Russians change the rules and rig the game.
But since the Russians want to win so much, and it's their 'party', China would consider it bad manners to send a tank overwhelmingly superior just to win it.
The main goal for China in participating is gaining crew experience and building goodwill. Neither goal would be served by sending tanks so much better than what everyone else is using that it becomes a non-contest, and leave a bad taste in the mouths of the other participants and so negate any goodwill that might otherwise have been built up.
Keep in mind that russia isnt using their best tank (T-90AM) either and instead use sleightly upgraded T-72s. Its likely that both countries dont want to get into a dick measuring contest, because that could be embarrasing. So both send slightly older tanks, and if they dont win, they can point to their "old" models and say that current tanks are much better.
Plus, likey you already said, there are other contenders outside of russia and china. It wouldnt be nice towards all the other T-72 countries if china and russia whip out their best tanks they are left in the dust.
Plus, likey you already said, there are other contenders outside of russia and china. It wouldnt be nice towards all the other T-72 countries if china and russia whip out their best tanks they are left in the dust.