By combining crewed and uncrewed systems, and integrating weapons platforms, information networks, reconnaissance and situational awareness, the Type 100 tanks and their combat support vehicles will “totally revolutionise future land battles”, military mouthpiece PLA Daily said on Thursday.
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What did China’s military parade tell us about its capabilities and global standing?
What did China’s military parade tell us about its capabilities and global standing?
The new tank is smaller and lighter than the Type 99 main battle tanks that entered service in 2001. The Type 100 is driven by a diesel-electric hybrid power system that has improved mobility, all-terrain manoeuvrability and reduced noise.
“[They] are capable of approaching the enemy in silence in specific environments,” Wang Qun, a crew member of one of the new tanks in the parade, told state broadcaster CCTV after the event last Wednesday.
The Type 100 tank is equipped with a 105mm main gun rather than the more common 125mm guns. Despite its smaller calibre, the tank’s unmanned turret with advanced fire control system and diverse ammunition options still delivers significant firepower, and can be operated safely from inside the vehicle.
There were more substantial design changes to the tank’s protection. The Type 100 does not rely on thick armour but a mix of passive and active protection. Its turret has an irregular, multi-faceted design that makes it harder to achieve a critical hit with incoming shells. And its radars, infrared and laser warning systems can instantly detect incoming threats and deploy interceptor rockets, jammer grenades or laser beams to counter them.
But the biggest change is the high degree of informationisation, which allows for better situational awareness and networked firepower coordination.
