Type 96 tank

The Type 96 or ZTZ-96 is a Chinese Second/Third Generation main battle tank (MBT). Based on the Type 88 design, the Type 96 entered service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1997.

History
China's tank development can be divided into three generations. The first generation the Type 59, a locally manufactured copy of the Soviet T-54A and its derivatives. The second-generation main battle tank started with the Type 80 and ended with the Type 88/Type 96. The third generation begun with the Type 98 tank.

With the failure of first-generation tanks to meet the PLA's demands and the appearance of the T-72 tank in Russia, China continued development of a new MBT. This led to the WZ-122, Type 80 and Type 88 projects. Only the Type 88 saw service in PLA units. The PLA realized that the Type 88 was insufficient to reach parity with contemporary designs after the Gulf War. Hence, the Type 88 was upgraded to the Type 96 which was eventually upgraded into the Type 96A standard.

International Tank Biathlon
In 2014, China entered the Type 96A in the Russian-hosted tank biathlon where it competed against the Russian T-72B3, clinching third place. China participated again in 2015, coming in second place.

Deployment
The Type 96 is the PLA's main armored firepower in hilly island terrain (e.g. Taiwan). 36 tanks are deployed in a battalion and 10 tanks are deployed in a company.

Type 96
See also Type 88 and MBT2000

Domestic version of Type 85II-AP. Also called Type 88C.

Type 96A
"Arrow shaped" modular armor similar to the Type 99 is installed on the turret front. The Type 96A is a third-generation upgrade of the Type 96. Its internal electronics may have been upgraded to Type 99 standards. The Type 96A can be distinguished from the Type 99 by the driver's position of the left side of the hull. ERA was added on front upper glacis. The vehicle is equipped with a thermal imager. Features an upgraded 800hp engine.

A laser defense system similar to the Shtora has been installed as well. Electro-optical jammers which are able to jam enemy guided missiles, rangefinders, and designators are found on the tank.

VT-2
Export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition.

Current operators

 * People's Liberation Army – 36 battalions of Type-96A (1116 units), 31 battalions of Type 96 (961 units) as of December 2015.
 * 🇸🇩 Sudan
 * Sudanese Army
 * Sudanese Army

Tanks of comparable performance

 * MBT 2000
 * MBT 3000
 * T-90
 * PT-91 Twardy
 * Oplot