The Type 96A is a Tier 7 progression Main Battle Tank under Zhang Feng's dealership.
History[ | ]
Class: Main Battle Tank
Developed: 2000-2002
Service: 2002+
Vehicles Built: cca 1000
Operators: China
The Type 96A MBT is an upgraded variant of the older Type 96 to roughly match the Type 99 MBT. It was first officially revealed in 2006 and shown to the public in 2009 during a Beijing military parade.
What makes it most recognizable is the frontal turret arrow-shaped armor, taken from the Type 99. If reports are to be believed, the original frontal turret protection of 450mm of RHAe versus kinetic shells and 850mm versus HEAT was enhanced to some 1000mm of protection versus HEAT rounds thanks to a combination of composites and an ERA kit. The ERA blocks cover the turret sides as well, making the vehicle much more resistant to ATGMs and other HEAT-based threats. Chinese sources claim that the vehicle uses a standard 730hp 12150ZLC V12 turbocharged diesel engine, allowing it to go as fast as 57 km/h, but, given the weight increase from 41 to 43 tons, it's possible the engine was up-tuned to 800hp. The weapon system was essentially unchanged.
The tank is currently in active Chinese service, with perhaps 1000 vehicles serving in the Beijing area. It is not offered for export as it is, but an export-intended variant exists and has been offered since 2012, so far without success. The only notable action the Type 96A ever participated in was the Russian Tank Biathlon annual competition where countries competed in various disciplines, including driving and accurate fire. The Type 96A fared quite well in these trials all things considered. It came third in 2014 and second in 2015.
Vehicle Traits[ | ]
- Armored: This vehicle's armor can withstand a lot of punishment, allowing it to survive even serious firefights.
- Heavy Weapon: This vehicle carries one of the largest weapons around with significantly increased damage per shot.
- Engine Boost: This vehicle's engine rev limiter can be overridden to significantly increase speed and acceleration for a short period of time.
Ammunition[ | ]
Ammo Name |
Ammo Type |
XP Cost | Damage | Penetration | Velocity | Reload Time |
More Info | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
125mm 125-III APFSDS | APFSDS | Stock | 660 | 720[note 1] mm | 1700 m/s | 7.90 s | ||
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125mm 125-HE-I HE | HE | Stock | 990[note 2] | 45 mm | 850 m/s | 7.90 s | ||
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125mm BTJ-IM HEAT | HEAT | Stock | 850 | 825 mm | 905 m/s | 7.90 s | ||
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GP125 ATGM | ATGM | 40,523 | 750[note 3] | 875 mm | 300 m/s | 7.90 s | ||
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7.62mm AP | AP | Stock | 8 | 18[note 4] mm | 855 m/s | 5.00 s | ||
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Upgrades[ | ]
Armor[ | ]
XP Cost | Credit Cost | Hull Armor |
Hull Composition |
Turret Armor |
Turret Composition |
ERA Name | ERA Penetration Reduction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stock | Stock | 785 mm (vs AP) 1060 mm (vs HEAT) |
Composite | 1020 mm (vs AP) 1635 mm (vs HEAT) |
Composite | N/A | N/A vs AP N/A vs HEAT |
This MBT's front is protected by composite armor. Composite armor consists of combined layers of steel and other material and offers excellent protection against HEAT shells and ATGMs. Its steel sides and rear are considerably more vulnerable. |
Weapon[ | ]
Name | XP Cost | Credit Cost | Aim Time | Reload Time | More Info | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
125mm ZPT-98A Smoothbore Cannon | Stock | Stock | 2.13 s | 7.90 s | ||
Stats:
Ammo:
125mm 125-III APFSDS 125mm 125-HE-I HE 125mm BTJ-IM HEAT GP125 ATGM 7.62mm AP |
Engine[ | ]
Name | XP Cost | Credit Cost | Max Speed | Reverse Speed | Forward Acceleration |
Hull Traverse | Fire Chance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NORINCO 12150ZLC 1000 hp Diesel Engine | Stock | Stock | 65 km/h | 22 km/h | 6.03 s (0 to 32 km/h) 25.57 s (0 to Max Speed) |
36.37° | 6 % |