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Welcome to the suggestion for the ZBL08. This is a Chinese wheeled infantry fighting vehicle equipped with a fully stabilized 30 mm ZPT99 autocannon and a pair of HJ-73 anti-tank missiles on an 8x8 chassis. You might recognize the hull from the ZLT11 in-game, as they share the same chassis. In War Thunder, the ZBL08 would give China a fast IFV capable of engaging light and heavier armor alike, while also adding to the Chinese IFV lineup. Let’s find out a bit more!
History
ZSL92 IFVs, a predecessor to the ZBL08.
In the 1990s, China began to alter its doctrine to suit faster and more capable wheeled vehicles. The first major development of these was the ZSL92, a boxy 6x6 APC used for a variety of roles. This design philosophy was in keeping with other nations around the world, with the ZSL92 being used for other roles mounting much larger armaments than its basic 12.7 mm machine gun. However, the ZSL92 had a troubled development, and its armor was vulnerable to heavy machine guns. Further development of the platform led to a number of designs by various companies across China. Ultimately, NORINCO’s 8x8 design was chosen for its low height, more advanced technology, and for its potential to be modified with larger armaments.
Seen here are two varieties of the chassis, with the longer barreled version in the middle being the ZLT11 assault gun, armed with a 105 mm gun.
In 2006, the first of a new generation of Chinese wheeled IFVs was seen during driving tests. A few years later in 2009, during a parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, the new vehicle was showcased publicly for the first time, designated ZBL08. During the parade, the ZBL08s were operated by crews from the 54th Group Army, today’s 83rd Group Army. It is assumed to have entered service officially soon after, often receiving the misnomer ZBL09 or Type 09 due to the year it was shown in.
The ZBL08 IFV variant features a stabilized 30 mm ZPT99 autocannon, a coaxial 7.62 mm or 5.8 mm machine gun. Due to large stocks of HJ-73 missiles, the ZBL08 sometimes mounts two HJ-73 missiles, one on either side of the turret, for increased anti-tank capabilities. Its chassis is resistant to 12.7 mm machine gun fire and can go up to 100 km/h on-road.
Since entering service, the ZBL08 chassis has seen service with the PLA in a variety of versions, including the ZLT11 assault gun variant armed with a 105 mm gun. With other nations, the ZBL08 chassis has been modified for export and sold as the VN1 to Thailand and Gabon. In short, the ZBL08 has become a staple of Chinese mechanized infantry units, and is unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.
A ZBL08 during a training exercise in Chuzhou, Anhui Province, China, March 20th, 2023.
Specifications
- Crew: 3 + 7 dismounts
- Mass: ~20 t
- Length: 8 m
- Width: 3 m
- Height: ~2.5 m
- Main armament: 30 mm ZPT99 autocannon (~400 rounds)
- Secondary armament: 7.62 mm Type 86 machine gun (or 5.8 mm QJT02) & 2x HJ-73 anti-tank missiles
- Engine: 440 hp Deutz BF6M1015C diesel
- Maximum speed: 100 km/h
- Maximum range: 800 km
- Ground clearance: 0.4 m
Sources
- Dougherty, Martin J. Chinese Tanks & AFVs 1950-Present . Amber Book Ltd., 2019.
- Modern PLA Armoured Vehicles
- 中國 VN-1 八輪 裝甲戰鬥車
- https://www.militarytoday.com/apc/zbl_09.htm
