Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
The Chinese new-generation ZTZ-201 tank is considered by many military experts to be the main armored sensation of 2025.
First of all, many were surprised by the very approach to creating this combat vehicle, which will be shown at the anniversary military parade in Beijing on September 3. Chinese designers have made it as easy as it could be done. As a result, a tank weighing about 40 tons appeared.
Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
At the same time, it looks very decent when booked in its frontal projection. The same applies to the sides of the hull and the uninhabited tower. Plus, there are two types of active protection systems and many other equipment that should make it as invulnerable as possible on the battlefield, including from kamikaze drones.
Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
The new 105-mm gun with automated loading is considered to be as good as other existing tank guns in terms of its armor penetration characteristics. The hybrid engine has a capacity of 1,500 hp. The maximum speed on the highway is 85 km / h and at least 50 km/ h on rough terrain. If necessary, the tank will be able to drive due to the operation of electric motors, that is, almost silently.
Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
How effective all these innovations are can only be shown by their actual application on the battlefield. It is assumed that the ZTZ-201 will replace analogues of Soviet vehicles such as the T-55, T-62 and T-72. Old equipment like the ZTZ-59, ZTZ-88A and ZTZ-96 is still represented in a number of PLA brigades, the first - 400 units, the second - 300 and the last - about one thousand. Therefore, by the end of the decade, in addition to the ZTZ-201, the ZTZ-96A, ZTZ-99, ZTZ-99A and light ZTQ-15 will remain in the army.
Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
Also, infantry fighting vehicles are already being produced on the basis of the 201st, and other equipment is expected to appear.
Lev Romanov
