Revealed on Sept.3 parade.
8 Likes
Anything different from the A variant?
Looks like you can fit a fair amount of Pepsi Max in those back tanks.
1 Like
APS for starters.
The official description from Xinhua seems to suggest the upgrades were chiefly in terms of electronics and ergonomics (i.e. more of a Strv 121 vs. Strv 121B difference), though there was a vague reference to “improved mobility in complex environments”. The commander HMG also seems to have been moved rearwards and replaced with a RWS.
APS doesn’t seem to have been fitted to the ones in the parade, though there have been earlier photos of ZTZ-99 tanks fitted with it.
1 Like
Yeah, just noticed that. These ones with APS are older images:
No idea how legit that site is, though
I hope it has new FCS and better thermals
There have been some with ZTZ99s with APS going to Beijing too but during Parade they didn’t had them on. Also on each Video/Picture they always only had APS on one side of the Tank.
Maybe they didn’t manage to fit the APS on the Tanks Top? Seems to have already a lot of Stuff on it
Yea we have photos of ZTZ99B with APS that are coming to the parade.
Pretty sure the ztz99b would have Aps normally
I used to doubt the site but now I think it’s quite legit. We have plenty of evidence that supports this sites claims
1 Like
And what exactly makes this a 99B? Was it Chinese media that originally claimed it?
China is known for not changing designations for minor changes internally. For example, NATO intel references a ZTZ99A and ZTZ99A2, however, ZTZ99A2 does not exist internally in China.
I am genuinely curious what makes this a 99B, since there does not appear to be one single difference in this photo to the 99A.
From the information I was able to gather on ZTZ99B, although identical to ZTZ99A comes with major upgrades such as:
-
New APFSDS projectile containing a special alloy core capable of piercing up to 750mm of RHA at 2000m
-
12.7mm AA gun has been upgraded with an RCWS
-
GL6 APS(same as VT4A1) which consists of 2 projectile launchers paired with 4 APS radars
-
possibly an engine upgrade
-
Minor changes include upgraded ERA, FCS, thermals, optics, and sensors.
As for differences appearance-wise:
-
APS was the most notable difference but it was left out during the parade for uncertain reasons.
-
Previously the 12.7 MG sat Infront of the commanders hatch due to needing manual operation, now it sits behind
-
New optics, sensors and thicker antennas
Some sources mention it being an improved ZTZ99A but I think it’s equivalent, a made up identification.
99A
99B
1 Like
Chinese state media referred to the MBT that appeared in the parade as the 99B.