- Yes, as a tech tree vehicle.
- Yes, as an event vehicle.
- Yes, as a squadron vehicle.
- No
- China.
- Soviet.
- Japan (ASEAN Subtree).
- I said no.
The XCB-01 is an indigenously made Vietnamese IFV based on the BMP-1. It incorporates many improvements and fixes to address the shortcomings identified by the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) during years of operating the BMP-1 and BMP-2. The XCB-01 features a slightly larger hull with significant internal changes and some changes from the BMP-3. It also boasts a new turret with a more angular design, for ease of production and to mount ERAs.
History
Spoiler
Xe Chiến đấu Bộ binh-01, translated to Infantry Fighting Vehicle-01 and abbreviated to XCB-01 (also dubbed Xe Chở Bia-01 (Beer Transport No. 01) by Vietnamese netizens), was first officially introduced during the 30th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM-30) and 2022 Vietnam Defense Expo, but earliest leaks dated back to early 2022. This appears to be an attempt to create a cheaper, indigenously built IFV based on the BMP-1 and BMP-2 that are still in service with the VPA. Outwardly, it resembles a BMP-1 but with a taller and lengthened hull for more internal space and crew comfort. It features a diagonally welded turret for ease of production and to mount ERAs in the future with an NSVT on top for infantry support and additional smoke launchers. Weapon system are the same as the standard BMP-1, locally made 2A28 73mm Grom with an improved FCS 1PN22VN1 gun sight featuring a laser rangefinder and thermal imaging. The Malyutka is license built Serbia 9M14-2T called CTVN-18 (similar to the HJ-73E on the ZBD86) with tandem warhead that can penetrated 750-800 mm and SACLOS guidance system. The engine was changed to the DOOSAN DL-08, which is slightly more powerful than the UTD-20 but heavier. The vehicle is also equipped with a Laser Warning Receiver and NBC Protection. Unfortunately, information on the XCB-01’s armor thickness and layout are sacred but it could be assume that it would be the same or a bit thicker than the BMP-1. Electronics have also been improved but specifications are unknown. There have also been talks of replacing the turret for an RCWS with a single 12.7mm NVST and Malyutka launcher. Only 1 prototype have been built so far.
Specification
Spoiler
Length: 6.97 m
Height: 2.68 m
Weight: 14.78 tons
Ground Clearance: 370 mm
Crew: 3 (Gunner, Commander, Driver) + 8 troops
Engine: DOOSAN DL-08, 321 hp (240 kW)
Top speed: N/A
Armament
Spoiler
1x 73 mm 2A28 “Grom” (shells: PG-15V HEAT, PG-9 HEAT, OG-9 HE) (It is unknown that whether the autoloader was removed or not)
1x 7.62 mm PKT Coaxial Machine Gun
1x 12.7mm NSVT Machine Gun
1x rail launcher for the CTVN-18 (license built of Serbia 9M14-2T) (up to 4)
8x 81mm smoke launcher
In game
This would be a good 8.3-8.7 light tank due to it having a LRF, LWR and thermal (likely gen 1) and tandem 800 pen SACLOS ATGM but no gun stabilization (as far as i can find). It would fit great in the Soviet (foldered with the BMP-2) or China tech tree (foldered with the ZTS63 and ZBD86) but also considering Thailand newest addition into the Japanese tech tree (F-5E FCU), it would also fit within a Japanese-ASEAN subtree.
Photos
Spoiler
Comparing dimensions between BMP-1 and XCB-01.
Credit: Viet+ Offensive
Note the NSVT blocking the ATGM loading hatch, which mean the NSVT would not be useable when loading ATGM.
Sorry for the watermark, it is kinda difficult to find pics without one.
Sources
Wikipedia
rg.ru
Info on the DOOSAN DL-08 engine
Lee Ann Quann Twitter
1PN22VN1 gunsight
CTVN-18
Note: most sources are in Vietnamese.