{
  "id": "zbd-05",
  "name": "ZBD-05 (VN-18)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Amphibious infantry fighting vehicle",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2006,
  "operators": [
    "CHN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The ZBD-05 (VN-18) is a Type 05 amphibious infantry fighting vehicle developed by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army. The Type 05 family is a collection of amphibious AFVs in service with China.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Norinco",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 9.5,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.36,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 3.04,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 26.5,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Machanical",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 65,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 40,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_swim_kmh",
      "v": 25,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Hydropneumatic",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Amphibious",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, the turret includes an FCS that accounts for the speed of the vehicle and distance to the target to provide ballistic solutions for the main gun.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal (Vehicle Commander)",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal (Gunner)",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser Range Finder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The hull of the ZBD-05 is built from welded aluminum to which a modular spaced armor is added, assessed to be composite appliqué armor. At the front of the hull, the bow blade is placed along the glacis and belly plate to provide additional; 30 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Sides and Rear Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "14.5 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, 8 Total, 4 on each side 76mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "30 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x 7.65mm General-Purpose Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer(",
      "role": "30 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "1,275 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": ">45mm RHA steel at 60° obliquity"
      },
      "range_km": 2.8,
      "qty": "125 rds"
    },
    {
      "name": "High Explosive Incendiary",
      "role": "30 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "960 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "qty": "225 ea"
    },
    {
      "name": "Anti-Tank Missile System",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "120 m/s",
        "Warhead": "Tandem-HEAT",
        "Armor penetration": "200 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA"
      },
      "range_km": 2.8
    },
    {
      "name": "Anti-Tank Missile System",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "130 m/s",
        "Warhead": "Tandem-Heat",
        "Armor penetration": "280 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA"
      },
      "range_km": 2.8
    },
    {
      "name": "Anti-Tank Missile System",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "135 m/s",
        "Warhead": "Tandem-HEAT",
        "Armor penetration": "300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA"
      },
      "range_km": 3
    },
    {
      "name": "Anti-Tank Missile System (Bunker Buster)",
      "role": "ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "130 m/s",
        "Warhead": "Fuel Air Explosive Warhead",
        "Armor penetration": "300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA"
      },
      "range_km": 2.8
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "ZTD-05",
      "text": "The ZTD-05 is a fire support vehicle based on the Type 05 hull. It is designed to have the same mobility and protection as the ZBD-05 however it is armed with a large-calibre direct-fire gun. It is designed to provide ov",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "PLZ-07B",
      "text": "The PLZ-07B is an SPH designed for the Chinese Marine Corps. It is based on the Type 05 hull and uses the weapon system from the PLZ-07, which is based on a different hull. The vehicle is designed to have the same mobili",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 001",
      "text": "The Type 001 is an APC based on the Type 05 hull. It is believed that the Type 001 is more likely to be found in service with the amphibious elements of the PLA rather than the Marine Corps, as it has been shown on exerc",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Anti-Tank Missile Carrier",
      "text": "On 27 April 2025, photographs of a new Chinese amphibious anti-armor missile system conducting road movement and waterborne trials was observed on social media. The newly observed system utilizes an amphibious tracked ch",
      "src": [
        "weg-zbd-05"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "ifv",
  "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/zbd-05.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-zbd-05": {
      "title": "ZBD-05 (VN-18) Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/ZBD-05_VN-18_Chinese_Amphibious_Infantry_Fighting_Vehicle",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}