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Hello and welcome to the suggestion of VN22-UW4, a modern wheeled IFV used by Norinco for export. Maybe you have already seen the sugestion of other models of this vehicle. Hopefully this introduction will convey some additional interesting information.
History
VN22 chassis
Designed in the mid-1990s, the WZ551 was the starting point for the Chinese 6×6 wheeled vehicles. Because of its relatively outdated technology and limited protection, it has become a vehicle that the PLA has tried to get rid of in the last decade or so. After the production of ZBL08, some units immediately retired the old WZ551, however, this vehicle was unexpectedly favored by the international military sales market because of its technology and civilian trucks, low price, and road mobility. Many third world countries in Asia and Africa are interested in this cheap and durable wheeled vehicle and have purchased WZ551s equipped with a variety of weapons and systems, and with derivatives of the WZ551 exported to more than thirty countries, it is one of Norinco’s most successful exports, and can be found in military hotspots around the world.
WMA301 destroyed by Burmese government forces in March 2024
The 21st century saw a rapid development of truck technology in China, along with the growing maturity of international thinking on the development of wheeled combat vehicles. after the introduction of the ZBL08, Norinco also attempted to improve it into the VN1 and exported it, hoping to further open up the international market. However, due to the limited technological upgrading of this 8×8 wheeled combat vehicle and its lack of conformity to the usage habits of the past customers, it is in a very awkward position in the military market, and only Thailand has procured this type of vehicle so far. With the further development of wheeled military vehicle technology and increasing international competition, Norinco has begun to develop more advanced vehicles to compete in the high-end market. It wasn’t until 2021 that a wheeled chassis called the VN22 was unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow. This vehicle uses hydraulic suspension, all-wheel steering, and other advanced technologies, as well as an 800-horsepower engine. It is equipped with large additional armor plates on the top, bottom, and sides, as well as a distinctive mine-resistant design, making the VN22 significantly heavier than past Chinese wheeled carriers. In some presentations Norinco described it as a vehicle that would compete with advanced wheeled chassis such as the Boxer Dog on the international military sales market.
The vehicle gained a lot of attention when it was introduced, and it picked up multi-national orders as soon as it was displayed. Notably, many third world countries were also interested in this advanced carrier, purchasing it for their more elite rapid reaction forces and military police. By February 2025, five countries - Senegal, Burkina Faso, Iraq, Côte d’Ivoire, and Pakistan - have already purchased the vehicle, and even the PLA’s UN Peacekeeping Forces have purchased the VN22. in the future, the VN22 may also repeat the success of the WZ551 in the military sales market.
VN22-UW5 for United Nations forces
UW4B turret
At the beginning of the 21st century, China procured a full range of BMP3 weapon systems. One of them, the 2A72 autocannon, intrigued the weapons development department. There were more design options for the autocannon as a separate weapon than for a complete weapon system. Thanks to the lightweight nature of the 2A72 (and the improved Type 03), by 2008 engineers had designed a range of turret types for export. This also included the first Chinese-designed unmanned turret/automatic weapon station program. In a 2010 interview, the designers suggested that an unmanned turret would be useful for occupant protection and saving space inside the vehicle.
An early 30mm weapon station and its introduction, which may be a precursor to the UW4
After 2010, Norinco began developing a new automatic gun while retaining the Soviet 30×105 ammunition system. With the development of the new chain gun, attempts to mount it on a weapon station began immediately.The UW4B was the first 30mm chain gun weapon station to be used outside, and one of the most common in military sales displays. It is armed with a 30mm chain gun, a 40mm automatic grenade launcher (with HEAT ammunition), a 7.62mm machine gun and HJ73 launcher. The UW4B and its derivatives were first exported to Thailand on the VN1C and later used as a weapon system for the VP10 and VN22.
VN1and VP10 with UW4B turret
Introduction of UW4B
In War Thunder
The VN22 using the UW5 turret has already been suggested. Its positioning is similar to the wheeled vehicles that already exist in the game that use the Spike as an anti-tank weapon.
Introduction of UW5
The HJ73 used by the VN22-UW4B is much less impressive in comparison, but its 40mm grenade launcher with HEAT ammo may open up some new opportunities for it. They could be added to the game at the same time as a Tech Tree-Special Carrier, and while the missiles are less capable, the unmanned turret design could still give them some advantage.
Spefications
Crew: 3
Mass: 25 t
Main armament:
30 mmchain gun
Secondary armament:
7.62 mm machine gun
40mm grenade launcher
HJ73 anti-tank missile
Engine: 800 hp
Accessories:
81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
Two-way Stabilizer
hydraulic suspension
Laser warning system
Sources
《坦克装甲车辆》2021 NO.11 解析VN22 DOI:10.19486/j.cnki.11-1936/tj.2021.21.005
《兵器知识》2010 NO.01 [缤纷上装]国产20毫米自动炮炮塔武器系统
泰军放出的我国外贸VN-1C步战车UW4B遥控武器站炮手终端画面__财经头条
珠海航展的陆地装备，全新VN-22装甲车，可以对飚德国“拳师犬”_腾讯新闻
Burkina Faso acquires VN-22 armoured vehicles from China
New China’s VN22 armored vehicles Armed With laser weapons, Becoming Stronger
China unveils VN22 new 6x6 wheeled armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle at Zhuhai AirShow 2021