China’s Tanks (And Their Surprising Weakness)

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February 19, 2022

China’s Tanks (And Their Surprising Weakness)

Video Summary

I’ve been studying China’s military advancements, and while they’ve made significant progress in areas like warships and stealth fighters, I’ve noticed a surprising lack of investment in their ground forces, particularly when it comes to tank design. Many of their tanks, such as the Type 59D, are still equipped with basic steel-plated armor, making them vulnerable to even 1960s-era heat warheads. This raises questions about China’s doctrine and priorities. Are they not concerned with asymmetrical attacks, or do they simply lack the knowledge or resources to build more effective armor?

The Type 96, one of China’s main battle tanks, has some impressive features, such as its 125mm smoothbore gun and Russian-style autoloader system, which allows for a higher sustained rate of fire. However, its armor is only similar to that of older Soviet-era T-72s, and its power-to-weight ratio is lacking.

The Type 96A and Type 96B have made some improvements, including the addition of explosive reactive armor and better engines, but they still have some significant flaws, such as limited mobility and limited nighttime detection capabilities.

China’s newest main battle tank, the Type 99, is more advanced, with a longer 50-caliber gun and better armor, but it’s still lacking in some areas, such as active protection systems and satellite navigation displays.

Meanwhile, their lighter tanks, like the Type 15, are better suited for urban warfare and can be deployed more easily, but they still have limitations, such as limited armor and firepower.

It’s possible that China’s tank force is a work in progress, and they’re prioritizing other areas, such as stealth fighters and warships. Perhaps they’re waiting for a future conflict to catch up on their tank designs. For now, it’s clear that China’s tank force has its pros and cons, and there’s still much room for improvement.