Type 96 Main Battle Tank

In China, the Type 96 tank, also known as the ZTZ-96, is a main battle tank (MBT) developed and manufactured domestically by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco). The Type 96 was re-designated as the Type 96A following upgrades. It is an indigenous design and is considered one of the primary main battle tanks in service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Forces.

The Chinese Type 96A is not to be confused with the Japanese Type 96 Armored Personnel Carrier used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

The Chinese Type 96A is a second-generation MBT, evolving from the Type 88. It is sometimes referred to as the Type 88C or ZTZ96. The Type 96 entered service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1997. Later versions including the Type 96A and Type 96B entered service in the early 2000s. (See 'variants' section.)

The Type 96A is an upgrade of the Type 96 that entered service in 2006. The upgrade included explosive-reactive armor (ERA). It features arrow-shaped modular armor on the turret front similar to the Type 99. The hull now has a flat back compared to the original Type 96. The ZTZ96A's hull and turret are constructed from welded steel armor. It utilizes arrow-shaped spaced add-on armor modules replacing the original frontal armor, with additional modules on the turret front and explosive reaction armor plates on the hull and turret rear. The gunner's sight is upgraded with a thermal imaging system for improved visibility.

The main armament is a 125-mm smoothbore gun. Secondary weaponry includes a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, a 12.7-mm/50-calibre anti-aircraft machine gun is mounted on the command cupola and six smoke grenade launchers, mounted on each side of the turret.

The ZTZ96A tank runs on a 1,000hp diesel engine, cooled by liquid. This engine gives it a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 24.1 hp per ton. It has six rubber-tired road wheels on each side. The drive sprocket is positioned at the rear, while the idler is at the front.

The Type 96A is equipped with a snorkel for underwater operations, allowing the tank to navigate through water obstacles of up to 16 ft (5 m) after some preparation by the crew. Additionally, the export version, ZTZ96G, is equipped with a passive countermeasures system similar to the Russian Shtora-1. This system, found on Russian T-80, T-90, and Ukrainian T-84 tanks, includes two box-shaped components on either side of the turret. These components serve as electro-optical jammers, disrupting the functionality of enemy SACLOS antitank-guided missiles, laser rangefinders, and target designators.

The export designation is VT2.

In service and production.

The Type 96 entered service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1997. Production ceased in 2005 and was replaced by the Type 96A.

The Type 96A entered service in 2006. It was first revealed publicly in a military parade in 2009.

The Type 96A competed in the Tank Biathlon in Russia in 2014 and 2015.

Jane's reported in 2016 that the PLA had roughly 2,500 Type 96 and Type 96A tanks in service.

The Type 96B was first shown in 2016.

The Diplomat reported on Aug. 11, 2016, that the PLA planned to induct a large number of Type 96B (ZTZ-96B) tanks into service, replacing thousands of Type 59 and Type 69 tanks. While specific details of the upgrades remain limited, reports suggest improvements in the tank's communications system, engine, exhaust system, suspension, and running wheels.

Tanzania displayed a VT-2 tank for the first time during a parade in Dar Es Salaam to mark the 60th anniversary of the East African country’s independence on Dec. 9, 2021.

In April 2025, Chinese state media outlet People’s Daily Online reported images of Type 96 tanks during a live-fire drill firing at mock targets while moving during a training exercise on April 19, 2025.

In March 2026, Defence Blog reported that Chinese units were seen operating the Type 96A tank equipped with an active protection system, seemingly as part of a military exercise.

China North Industries Corporation (Norinco)

 China
   Army           [2,500] (1,000 Type 96, 1,500 Type 96A)
 Tanzania    
   Army           [1] (VT-2)

 CREW
   Total                3

 WEIGHTS 
   Total                92,000 lb (41,700 kg)

 DIMENSIONS
   Length               20 ft 7 in ( 6.33 m)
   Length w/ gun        34 ft 9 in (10.65 m)
   Width                11 ft 3 in ( 3.45 m)
   Height                7 ft 5 in ( 2.30 m)

 PROPULSION
   Power                1,000 hp

 PERFORMANCE
   Speed
      max. road         40 mph (65 kph)
      max. off          28 mph (45 kph)
   Range                248 mi (400 km)
   Trench               8 ft 8 in (2.7 m)
   Gradient             60 percent
   Side slope           40 percent

 ARMAMENT
   Main gun             1 X L50 ZPT-98 125-mm smoothbore gun

Type 96

The Type 96 (ZTZ-96) main battle tank (MBT) entered service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1997. Production ceased in 2005 and was replaced by the Type 96A.

It is armed with a fully stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun, fitted with an autoloader. Both the gun and autoloader were copied from the Soviet T-72. This main battle tank might be compatible with the Russian AT-11 Sniper gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles, or its Chinese copy. The maximum rate of fire is 6-8 rounds per minute. A total of 42 rounds are carried.

Type 96B

This variant is believed to have an upgraded 1,200hp engine. The Type 96B is intended to replace the Type 96 and some Type 96As in PLA service via an upgrade program.

VT-2

The VT2 is the export variant of the Type 96A, it is a medium-weight MBT designed to optimize life-cycle costs.

VT-2B

Norinco displayed the VT-2B in 2017. No details of the platform were made available at the time, but it may carry the improved weaponry and power pack of more recent Chinese tank developments.

GCZ-112

The GCZ-112, derived from the Type 96, serves as a combat engineering vehicle. Its design includes essential tools for constructing earthworks and removing obstacles to aid armored formations. Utilizing the Type 96's running gear and basic hull, the GCZ-112 streamlines maintenance and maneuverability.

VT2 (Type 96A export designation), Type 88C (Type 96 alternate designation), ZTZ-96 (Type 96 alternate designation), ZTZ-96A (Type 96A alternate designation), Type 96G (ZTZ-96G), (Type 96A alternate designation)