Type 90 (YW535)

History

The Type 90 appeared in the early 1990s as a Chinese origin for export customers and completed the design, development and evaluation stages in the 1980s. NORINCO (China NORth INdustries CORporation) led the operation, which resulted in a 16-ton tracked vehicle measuring 6.7 meters long, 3 meters wide and 2.4 meters high.

To date (2014), the Burmese Army is the only export customer of this class of tanks similar to the Soviet-era BMP series. The Type 90 follows the outgoing Type 85 infantry fighting vehicle, which itself is an evolution of the Type 63.

The Type 90 assumes a crew of 2 (driver and commander) and can accommodate up to 13 combat-ready troops under cover. Armor is resistant to calibers of 12.7mm or less and is made of welded steel.

The driver sat in the front left, the power pack was to his right, and the commander was behind the driver. Each location has its own hatch with appropriate situational awareness viewing windows. The primary weapon is a heavy 12.7mm Type 54 machine gun for basic self-defense against enemy infantry, low-altitude aircraft and light vehicles. A set of 4 smoke grenade launchers provides the crew with an option for a homegrown smoke screen.

Power is provided by a Deutz/KHD BF8L 413F air-cooled diesel engine producing 320 hp. At road speeds of up to 65 km/h, the range is up to 500 km. The hull is suspended on a torsion bar suspension system to ensure the overland driving capability required for such a vehicle.

The NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) kit is standard on the crew.

Like other Chinese military vehicles (and vehicles of Soviet origin/influence), the Type 90 will have amphibious capabilities. It is propelled through the water by the movement of its own chain.

As you might expect, the Type 90 series has expanded from the same AFV chassis to produce several useful battlefield variants, including command and control (CC) vehicles, command post (CP) vehicles, armoured ambulances, multiple Tube Rocket Launcher (MLRS) vehicles, mortar systems (82mm and 120mm versions), 122mm armed self-propelled howitzers (SPH) and supply vehicles.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

1,000 x 12.7mm ammo.

Changes