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NORINCO ZBL-08 (Type 08)

2008 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER MODERN SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY

History

The modern battlefield is as mobile as ever, and the Chinese military has done a good job introducing a full range of powerful wheeled armoured combat vehicles (AFVs) with modularity at the core of its design. A typical example is the NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) "ZBL-08", a multi-faceted "multi-mission" platform suitable for fulfilling multiple roles.

Also known as the "Type 08" in sources, the ZBL-08 is in service today (2019) with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Navy, as well as some other global operators.

The basic role of the ZBL-08 is that of an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). This version features a fully rotating powered turret with a 30mm automatic cannon, machine gun, anti-tank missile (ATGM) support (HJ-73C series missiles) and smoke grenade launchers.

This enables the troop carrier to support infantry as they enter enemy territory. Armored personnel carrier (APC) form with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun (HMG) capable of transporting more troops. More advanced models feature more aggressive weapon customization.

Glacis panels have the usual angles for basic ballistic protection, while fuselage sides, stern and roofline are all panels. The driver sits in front of the left, the power pack is on his right (the engine stalls on the right). The commander's seat is directly behind the driver, typical of this type of vehicle.

Cannon ports on the fuselage side panels and rear fuselage fairing enable passengers to engage external elements with their personal pistols while under the protection of the vehicle. At the rear of the fuselage is a hinged rectangular boarding and exit door that is relatively easy for passengers to get on and off the plane. The chassis is supported by a fully functional off-road suspension system with oversized "run-flat" street wheels.

Amphibious capabilities are built into the design, with propulsion provided by two water jets in the lower rear corner of the hull.

The top of the hull can support variable weapon/turret customization to suit mission roles and customer requirements. This includes a full-fledged Royal Ordnance L7 105mm armoured anti-personnel gun and a towed main gun, as well as a 12.7mm heavy machine gun (HMG) and smoke grenade launcher. Alternative customization revolves around basic fire suppression (machine guns, including support for remote weapon stations), mortar fire support (120mm caliber), self-propelled guns (variable field howitzer weapons are supported), anti-aircraft (AA)/airspace denial (35mm autocannon, and air-to-air missiles) and anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) weapons (for long-range precision kill tanks).

Indirect combat forms include engineering and medical evacuation vehicles and dedicated command posts (CPs), each with additional equipment appropriate to the battlefield role.

In addition to the Chinese armed forces, the ZBL-08 is used by countries such as Argentina, Thailand and Venezuela.

Specification

Basic

Year:

2008

Staff:

Manufacturing:

China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) China

Production:

200 units

Roles

- Amphibious

- Air Defense/Airspace Denial

- anti-tank/anti-tank

- fire support/attack/damage

- Infantry Support

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

- Troop Transport

- Support/Special Purpose

Dimensions

Length:

26.25 ft (8 m)

Width:

9. 84 feet (3 m)

Height:

2.1m

Weight:

22 tons (20,000 kg; 44,092 lbs)

Performance

1 x Deutz BF6M1015C diesel engine, 440 hp, for conventional 8x8 wheel arrangement.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

100 km/h

Maximum range:

497 miles (800 km)

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Armor

Variables depend on quest character/equipment, but may include:

1 x 7.62mm Medium Machine Gun (MMG).

1 x 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).

6 x Smoke Grenade Launchers.

Additionally:

1 x 30mm autocannon in the Remote Weapon Station (RWS).

1 x 35mm KDG Gatling Gun System.

1 x 105mm Royal Ordnance L7 main gun with turret.

1 x 120mm Heavy Field Mortar.

1 x 122mm Field Howitzer.

1 x 155mm Field Howitzer.

2 x HJ-73 Anti-Tank Missile Launchers (ATGM).

Ammo:

Depends on weapon.

Changes

ZBL-08 - Name of the basic series.

Type 08 - Alternative name.

ZBL-08 IFV - Infantry fighting vehicle form with a turret mounted 30mm automatic cannon and HJ-73C ATGM support.

ZBL-8 APC - Infantry Fighting Vehicle; Expanded Troop Transport Support; 1 x 12.7mm HMG Weapon.

ZBL-08 ARV - Armored reconnaissance vehicle form; 30mm automatic cannon weapon.

ZBL-08 CV - Command vehicle variant; additional communications equipment installed.

ZBL-08 COM - Communication vehicle; carries mission-specific equipment.

ZBL-08 MEDEVAC - Field Ambulance Form.

ZBL-08 NBC - Environmentally friendly reconnaissance vehicle.

ZBL-08 EW - Electronic warfare variant.

ZBL-08 AB - Assault sabotage vehicle; anti-mine equipment.

ZBL-08 AVLB - Vehicle Launch Bridge.

ZBL-08 ARV - Armored Rescue Vehicle variant.

ZBL-08 ACV - Armored cargo vehicle variant.

ZBL-08 GER - Technical Vehicle Form; with dozer blade and excavator arm.

PLL-05 - 120mm mortar delivery vehicle.

PLL-09 - 122mm or 155mm Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA) model.

Type 09 - Anti-aircraft reconnaissance vehicle (AA); 35mm Gatling automatic cannon.

ZTL-11 - Wheeled assault gun with a 105mm tank gun.

VS27 - Armored Rescue Vehicle variant.

VE36 - Special reconnaissance vehicle.

CS/SA5 - Air Defense (AA) variant; Gatling-style weapon with radar orientation.

CS/AA5 - Roof-mounted Remote Weapon Station (RWS) with a 40mm automatic cannon.

VN-1 - ZBL-08 IFV export model; RWS with 30mm autocannon on top of fuselage; anti-tank missile support.

SWS-2 - Anti-aircraft exit model based on the VN-1 chassis; 35mm automatic cannon with 4 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) for airspace blockade.

NORINCO ZBL-08 (Type 08)

History