China’s 4th generation tank is rated “beyond the Russian Armata tank” thanks to its high degree of automation when only two people are required to operate it.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV announced that the army will soon be equipped with a 4th generation main battle tank with superior features. Accompanying the statement is an extremely mysterious canvas-covered MBT.
Information on the sidelines said that this chariot possesses “unique” features when it only needs two people to operate instead of 3 as it is today. That means a fully robotic turret with an automatic loader will appear.
Experts say that the Russian T-14 Armata tank inspired the Chinese side. New-generation chariots are required by Beijing to have high mobility and possess powerful weapons.
In today’s technology race, chariots are required to become lighter. In the context of what was happening in Ukraine, speed proved to be the key factor, even solid armor could not save the MBT from an anti-tank missile hit.
Additional information suggests that China’s 4th generation main battle tank will have low fuel consumption. However, there has been no specific disclosure about the engine and power of the tank, as well as details about the weapon system.
But Chinese military experts say that in order for a tank to be classified in the 4th generation, it must be integrated with extremely advanced combat systems, even surpassing any opponent in the world today.
Different from other military powers in the field of heavily armored fighting vehicles, China has not introduced a new main battle tank in the past decade.
This is one of the reasons to assume that during the aforementioned period, Beijing has focused on developing a next-generation tank, as reported by CCTV, this tank is about to go into production. series.
Currently, China has ZTZ-99 (Type 99) and Type 96 tanks. The former is considered to be equivalent to the American MBT Abrams series as well as the German Leopard, while the second is comparable to the T- 80 of Russia.
Type 99A is considered the most advanced main battle tank in service with the People’s Liberation Army of China. In particular, Beijing has produced 650 units and officially put into operation since 2011.
In fact, this is the last developed (updated) tank for the Chinese army, as of now, the PLA has about 550 Type 99 tanks and 2,500 older Type 96 tanks.
The press believes that the announcement of the new Chinese tank is no coincidence, especially in the context of the US introduction of the next-generation Abrams X. On the road to becoming the world’s leading power, Beijing cannot afford to lag behind militarily.
Song Zhongping, an analyst and former military officer, said that although no details were given, the partial disclosure shows “the development of the most advanced main battle tank”. China’s is almost complete.”
