Chinese 96-A
- Thread starter Agonizing Bliss
- Start date
Does China still need a Hi-Lo mix of MBTs? I personally believe the direction forward should be a single MBT type.
If the PLA still intends for a Hi-Lo mix of MBTs they should be developing an upgraded 96 or new vehicle to fill the role of the 96, unless they want to develop the ZTQ15 with a package that allows it to fill the role of the 96 or downgrade the older 99s into the role of the 96.
If the PLA still intends for a Hi-Lo mix of MBTs they should be developing an upgraded 96 or new vehicle to fill the role of the 96, unless they want to develop the ZTQ15 with a package that allows it to fill the role of the 96 or downgrade the older 99s into the role of the 96.
China's military has certain emphasis placed on the ground forces which in turn have certain emphasis placed on MBTs with the whole "King of the battlefield" spiel that keeps getting perpetuated in pseudo official interviews with military people.
This means a tank doctrine that holds significance in planning and thinking ... even if it doesn't displace or replace other platforms and tactics that are superior to MBTs for certain problems. But with this it also means the planners and decision makers are going to want to have MBTs of varying weights mostly for varying environments - landscapes, soils, bridges, street types, widths etc etc.
The rest of the question is really all about industry, resources, and financing. PLA reckons it's worth building the three current tank lines with two MBTs which surely share some commonalities. None of those three production lines have been stopped. For future MBT, one could argue that there are currently no piece/s of technology that warrant the development of any new generation of MBT. T-14 isn't taking things that far. If there's realistic and viable invisibility cloaks, far superior APS, engine/drivetrain tech then maybe yeah can see all the major powers invest in a proper revolutionary generation of MBTs making use of those technologies but right now they are there to fire a big round, counter other heavy armour, and hold positions. They're not even that great these days for storming in like the cavalry used to. Even NATO >60T would get (and have been) swatted with ease if inadequately supported or even if up against any remotely decently equipped opponent like... Ukraine, Yemen, Libya...
T99As are a good foundation, there's not much China could add to the tank chassis itself that wouldn't just be redundant anyways in the face of airpower, drones and atgms.
For a 3 man tank, the weight is already extremely heavy, if you consider person/weight ratio, its one of if not the heaviest tanks in the world already. Tacking on more stuff wouldn't make it more survivable to truly big guns like air launched atgm, while the tank itself can already shrug off lesser weapons without further add ons, in the angles that matter.
The best way to upgrade them is by upgrading the systems that support and protect them. Artillery, drones etc. Without support from other platforms, they're relatively easy to destroy like all other tanks. A 96A that has good support is much better than a 99A that has no support.
For a 3 man tank, the weight is already extremely heavy, if you consider person/weight ratio, its one of if not the heaviest tanks in the world already. Tacking on more stuff wouldn't make it more survivable to truly big guns like air launched atgm, while the tank itself can already shrug off lesser weapons without further add ons, in the angles that matter.
The best way to upgrade them is by upgrading the systems that support and protect them. Artillery, drones etc. Without support from other platforms, they're relatively easy to destroy like all other tanks. A 96A that has good support is much better than a 99A that has no support.
I think the best upgrade for tanks is a strong air force which can ensure air superiority.
Called GSL-133.
From recent experiences it just doesn't seem all that worth it to continue fielding heavy tanks, modern light infantry AT weapons are all capable of penetrating even heavily armoured tanks, so a mix of APS and high mobility might just be better than using tanks after all. We can see that China has invested quite heavily in its IFV with a large number of varients, while even it's tank programs are moving towards lighter tanks (type-15).
But the Type 15 isn't an MBT, it's used for locations an MBT can't access.