CHINESSE MAIN BATTLE TANK PLA ZTZ 99

The ZTZ-99 or Type 99 is a modern 3rd generation Chinese Main Battle Tank. The first prototypes of the vehicle were probably created in the mid-1990s, and serial production started in 2001 continues to this day. So far (2018), approximately 300-500 tanks of this type have been produced. The ZTZ-99 is powered by a 1500 HP diesel engine. The vehicle is armed with a single 125mm ZPT-98 tank gun. In addition, the tank's armament consists of 2 machine guns: cal. 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm. The ZTZ-99 was created as a successor to the Type 85 tank and a very far-reaching development of the ZTZ-98G vehicle. Chinese designers set themselves the goal of the ZTZ-99 to create a machine that would be able to match Western designs like the Leopard 2A6 or M1A1 Abrams. Despite being kept secret of more precise data on the ZTZ-99, it is undoubtedly the most modern tank of the PRC army. It has effective main weapons, probably only slightly inferior to Western solutions. It also has a powerful 1500 HP engine, giving it good maneuverability and off-road mobility, and finally has a modern SKO (fire control system) and good observation devices. It almost certainly uses composite armor with elements of reactive armor. In 2007, the tests of the ZTZ-99A car were also revealed, with even better armor and - probably - an active defense system. Without a doubt, the ZTZ-99 is a significant advance in Chinese armored weapons with combat values comparable to those of the Western ones.