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NORINCO ZBL-09 (Snow Leopard)

2009 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER MODERN SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY

History

The NORINCO ZBL-09 "Snow Leopard" represents the most advanced modular 8x8 Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) of Chinese origin. The unique design is designed to fulfill various battlefield roles, but is primarily reflected in its armored personnel carrier (APC) and infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) appearance. NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) started developing the vehicle in the 1990s and finalized the 8x8 pilot form in 2006.

Officially released in 2009, the series has been adopted by the armies of Argentina, China, Thailand and Venezuela since 2017.

The basic version of the PZL-09 weighs 15 to 20 tons and measures 26 feet in length, 9.8 feet in width and 6.9 feet in height. The standard operator consisted of three people, with room for seven to ten combat-ready passengers in the central rear section of the fuselage.

Task Forces gain modern convenience and access to a fully digital Battlefield Management System (BMS) for real-time threat assessment and enhanced situational awareness. Communications are protected and integrated for service with existing modern combat vehicles. Armor protection is against small arms fire and artillery jets, although bolt-on armor can be used to address crew/system protection limitations.

Carrying an automatic fire suppression system, the ABC (nuclear, biological, chemical) kit is optional. Provides a roof hatch and connects a rear entry/exit for passengers on the rear fuselage side.

The firing port also allows occupants to use their personal infantry weapons against external threats.

The vehicle uses an 8x8 wheel arrangement with suspension and power on all four axles. Power comes from a German sourced Deutz BF6M1015C 440hp diesel engine mounted in a compartment at the front of the vehicle. The engine ensures a road speed of 100 km/h and a range of up to 800 km.

The Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) allows the pilot to control tire pressure in flight. Since the hull is fully amphibious and propulsion is provided by a pair of water jets at the rear of the hull, it can travel through water.

The APC model can be armed with a single 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun mounted. Its export code is "VN-1". The IFV variant fits a full turret with a 30mm automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.

The ZTL-09 attack model is armed with a 105mm main gun, and its export designation is "ST1" (detailed elsewhere on this page). There is also a 122mm and 155mm howitzer mount and a 120mm mortar mount for fire support.

The CS/SA5 is an armed anti-aircraft vehicle, and the SWS2 is armed with a 35mm automatic cannon and 4 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) for airspace denial. Other notable forms include engineering vehicles, command and control (C2) models, reconnaissance platforms, and armored rescue vehicles (ARVs).

Some combat models are also equipped with smoke grenade launchers.