{
  "id": "type-79",
  "name": "Type 79 (Type 69-III)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1982,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The Type 79 is a Chinese main battle tank (MBT) having the same hull and turret as the earlier Type 59 /69 MBT but a different chassis. It is also designated the Type 69 -III. Development of the Type 69-II, the Type 79 is said to have improved firepower, fire control, night-vision, and communications equipment.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory (Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Corporation)",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 6.24,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.31,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.4,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 37.5,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Model 12150L-7BW",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 730,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 430,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 50,
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Unprepared: .8m; Prepared: 1.4m; With Snorkel: 5m",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-4 degrees to 18 degrees",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Ballistic Computer",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Range Finder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Laser",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "303 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Capable",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Capable",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Overpressure system",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "4 x electronic launchers on each side of the turret",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "Type 83-1, 105 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x PK 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun; 1 x Type 54 (DShKM)",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Type 79-I",
      "text": "This designation was given to the late production vehicles that were equipped with a more powerful 730 hp diesel engine.",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 79-II",
      "text": "This is an improved variant that has been reportedly fitted with a new fire-control system, which has the laser rangefinder integrated into the gunner's sight, rather than mounted externally over the 105-mm gun. An expor",
      "src": [
        "weg-type-79"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/type-79.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-type-79": {
      "title": "Type 79 (Type 69-III) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Type_79_Type_69-III_Chinese_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}