Editing ZBD-04A (section)

==History==
Class: Infantry Fighting Vehicle</br>
Developed: 2007-2011</br>
Service: 2011+</br>
Vehicles Built: 1400-1900+</br>
Operators: China

The ZBD-04A is an improved version of the ZBD-04 IFV and the main tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle of the People's Republic of China. The original ZBD-04 was developed in the mid-1990s as a replacement to the utterly obsolete ZBD-86 (a copy of the Soviet BMP-1). In the 1990s, during the "fire sale" years when most advanced Soviet technology was available on the open market as a result of the size and budget reduction of the Russian Armed forces, China acquired the BMP-3 technology and it all pretty much went all from there. The ZBD-04 is most definitely not a BMP-3 copy, but it was heavily influenced by it and carries the same weapon system; 100mm low-pressure rifled gun paired with a long 30mm autocannon. The turret is, however, not similar to the BMP-3's Bakhcha-U.

The ZBD-04A model is an improved version of the design from 2011, sacrificing the ability to operate on an open sea for additional protection in the form of additional armor plating. Other improvements include a laser warning system, new FCS and a more powerful engine.

The production of this vehicle is ongoing. Between 2003 and today, roughly 2400 vehicles of the ZBD-04 series have been built. It is a modern vehicle that's expected to serve for many more years. Export models exist as well, they haven't found a buyer yet though. The ZBD-04 or ZBD-04A IFVs haven't seen combat either, although they participated in numerous exercises.