Chinese PLA is testing its fourth-generation Main Battle Tank, as mentioned by Russian media. There is a video that comes from Chinese media, but the tank's designation is not yet known.
Chinese Forces To Get New Tank Sooner
Last year, in the middle of October, state TV of China revealed that most modern tanks might be in service, according to Bulgarian Military.
Timing the news was about the same time the 4th gen AbramsX tank was revealed, but Beijing decided to tease it on state media. It has one in the works but covered in a cloth, per Warrior Maven.
Taken in the video from the Chinese National Television website are the actual trials of the prototype tank built for that purpose. But it's a total mystery about the systems and characteristics of the tank rumored to be the most modern yet.
One of the most notable is that it has two crew only, which gives a clue to what the MBT does. Even employs a network-centric control system.
Such a system will have all the relevant info in one place and then be made available to the tanker crew. Information like where the enemy is, status, type of armament, and suggestions by the AI on what shell to use; factor everything relevant to score direct him from quadcopter aloft.
Other objectives of the cutting-edge data system with a centralized battlefield networking scheme will operate the tank better than ever. Data exchange will be the key to accurately detecting and knocking out targets on the battlefield, cites Military Aerospace.
China's 4th Generation Main Battle Tank
Specific information concerning the next-gen Chinese tracked vehicle that mentions what engine it has, type of drivetrain, chassis, and kind of armor, with the main gun and the secondary armaments it is equipped with, is still being determined.
As of this writing, that assumes tank testing is underway now, with production starting next year. Should the People's Liberation Army get the units earlier, then the US and adversary's land units will face difficulties.
Several nations have their 4th gen tanks in service, the T-14 Armata of Russian origin. But when the Ukraine conflict began, it affected the production of the next-gen MBT; only about 20 to 25 of them have been produced so far.
The Russian Federation has decided to focus on adding cheaper T-90 MBTs instead of the more complex and newer Armata MBT.
Other US allies like Japan have the same type of 4th gen tank, which is the Type 10, which is ten years old, with 100 units in service with the JDF. Seoul has its own, the K2 Black Panther, with 260 units that were built from 2014 up to now.
Poland ordered 1,000 units of K2s which will increase in number. Other than South Korea, there are eight more in development. A catch-up is needed for the next-gen units though some militaries prefer to upgrade instead.
Type 99 (99A variants) with Type 96 Chinese MBTs, but the 99 is considered equivalent to the US Abrams and German Leopard, then the Russian T-80. Until the new tank is fielded, the Chinese 99 is the most modern in the PLA tank force.
The Chinese are in the midst of trials for its fourth generation Main Battle Tank as said by sources; yet to be confirmed.
Relate Article: New Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT) T-14 Armata
