New Type98/99 MBT thread

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Did China have an M60A1 or did the TV show just take available footage from the internet?

Even if China has one it would probably go to
the military museum instead of being expended on target practice. If this is indeed a M-60 and not an old PLA tank playing dressup, then it most likely is a random clip spliced into the documentary.
 

FishWings

Junior Member
Registered Member
Even if China has one it would probably go to
the military museum instead of being expended on target practice. If this is indeed a M-60 and not an old PLA tank playing dressup, then it most likely is a random clip spliced into the documentary.
Idk maybe the tanks only go to museums if captured by PLA, or given to China from allies during wars in which PLA was involved.

For tanks which were obtained more clandestinely, they probably won't be displayed in museums (and if they were, there wouldn't be much to say).

For example, China has T-72, T-72M1, T-80U, and possibly T-72B according to some sources, neither of which were displayed in museums and only the T-72 from Romania was recently officially confirmed.

That said, the tank in the picture doesn't seem to be modified from any old 59/69/79 series, from looking at the chassis at least. There are six wheels and they match those of the M60A1. So I suspect it is in fact a real M60A1 (possibly acquired from Iran)
 

DeXM

New Member
Registered Member
Idk maybe the tanks only go to museums if captured by PLA, or given to China from allies during wars in which PLA was involved.

For tanks which were obtained more clandestinely, they probably won't be displayed in museums (and if they were, there wouldn't be much to say).

For example, China has T-72, T-72M1, T-80U, and possibly T-72B according to some sources, neither of which were displayed in museums and only the T-72 from Romania was recently officially confirmed.

That said, the tank in the picture doesn't seem to be modified from any old 59/69/79 series, from looking at the chassis at least. There are six wheels and they match those of the M60A1. So I suspect it is in fact a real M60A1 (possibly acquired from Iran)
I'm very interested, is there more detailed information that China received not only the T-72M / M1, but also the T-80U and (possibly) the T-72B?

In addition to 99A, I am trying to understand the history of Chinese tank building, and this is very interesting information.
 

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Idk maybe the tanks only go to museums if captured by PLA, or given to China from allies during wars in which PLA was involved.

For tanks which were obtained more clandestinely, they probably won't be displayed in museums (and if they were, there wouldn't be much to say).

For example, China has T-72, T-72M1, T-80U, and possibly T-72B according to some sources, neither of which were displayed in museums and only the T-72 from Romania was recently officially confirmed.

That said, the tank in the picture doesn't seem to be modified from any old 59/69/79 series, from looking at the chassis at least. There are six wheels and they match those of the M60A1. So I suspect it is in fact a real M60A1 (possibly acquired from Iran)

Wonder what they used to trade for the M60s. In the past China has acquired Mig-23 from Egypt with a loan of many J-6s.
 

FishWings

Junior Member
Registered Member
Wonder what they used to trade for the M60s. In the past China has acquired Mig-23 from Egypt with a loan of many J-6s.
I'm guessing it was handed over during the 1980s while they were fighting Iraq, so there probably wouldn't be any useful technology (e.g. for more advanced weapons) to trade for at the time; those would only happen in later years.

What PRC did have at the time that Iran needed was tons of cheap but serviceable equipment to replenish the Artesh's losses in battle, including various missiles, Type 59 tanks, and indeed, also J-6 fighters.

With PRC pretty much being Iran's only reliable arms supplier at the time, it's definitely possible that this leverage was used to 'ask' them for only one sample of their M60A1s.
 

FishWings

Junior Member
Registered Member
I'm very interested, is there more detailed information that China received not only the T-72M / M1, but also the T-80U and (possibly) the T-72B?

In addition to 99A, I am trying to understand the history of Chinese tank building, and this is very interesting information.

China having at least one T-80U is pretty much a confirmed fact, though atm I can't seem to find the photo proving it. I'll come back later when I have it.

T-72B is unconfirmed and I have no way to prove, sorry. But I have heard from more than just a few sources who all claim that a couple made their ways into China one way or another, and they didn't seem to be the lying types either. Maybe it is safer to assume te statement false until proven o/w, but I would not be surprised if it was in fact true.

T-72M1 is based on the fact Norinco tried a half-hearted modernization with one, and it turned out like this:
 

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FishWings

Junior Member
Registered Member
I'm very interested, is there more detailed information that China received not only the T-72M / M1, but also the T-80U and (possibly) the T-72B?

In addition to 99A, I am trying to understand the history of Chinese tank building, and this is very interesting information.
E: T-80U
 

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