{
  "id": "ztz-59d",
  "name": "ZTZ-59D (Type 59D)",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "CHN",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1995,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "PRK",
    "SDN",
    "VNM",
    "ZWE"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 5,
  "summary": "The ZTZ-59D (Type 59D) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) was the first computerized version of the Type 59 series as well as the first version to feature ERA. It most closely resembles a modernized Russian T-55 although is lacking in firepower and mobility when compared with a T-72.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory, Norinco",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.6,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.3,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 38,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "12150L",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 520,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 450,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 55,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 25,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.4 m unprep; 5.5 m snorkel",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.3 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "4 rounds per minute",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Elevation range",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-5 to +65 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Type 37A light spot fire-control system",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, 2-plane",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Range, Thermal Sight (With Magnification)",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1,000 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser Rangfinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, Track Shirts",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, The Type 59D carries the FY series ERA. At its lowest level the FY armour can protect from a single HEAT attack. At its highest the manufacturer claims it can protect against multiple kinetic and chemical energy attacks.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, Grenlaunch 8x; VESS; 8 x 81-mm smoke grenade launchers. Vehicle engine exhaust smoke system.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Front Upper",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "97 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Front Lower",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "99 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Sides Upper",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "79 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Sides Lower",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "20 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Hull Rear",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "46 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Hull Floor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "20 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Top",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "33 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Turret Front",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "203 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Turret Sides",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "203 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Turret Rear",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "64 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Armor, Turret Top",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "39 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "1 x Type 83A, 105 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 × coaxial-mounted 7.62 mm Type 59T machine gun; 1 × roof-mounted 12.7 mm Type 54 machine gun (DShKM)",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 0,
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "low",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "With the addition of a suitable gunner’s sight, the GP2 tank-fired missile can also be used by the Type 59 with a maximum range of 5,000 m. Automated check: outside the expected range for this type; verify against the source."
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Rifle",
      "role": "105 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "1,530 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "43.56 kg",
        "Armor penetration": "50 mm of homogeneous armour set to a 71⁰ angle from a range of 2,000 m"
      },
      "qty": "34 Rounds"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Type 59",
      "text": "The basic variant, a T-54A clone without IR searchlight. Entered production in 1957.",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 59-I",
      "text": "Improved variant fitted with a Type 69-II 100 mm rifled gun, as well as a laser rangefinder, hydraulic servo-system, primitive fire-control system, automatic fire suppression system, and rubber track skirt. The Type 59-I",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 59-II",
      "text": "This version was fitted with a two-axis, stabilized, a rifled 105-mm gun with a fume extractor and thermal sleeve. The Chinese-made gun is very similar to the British L7/U.S. M68 105-mm tank gun. The Type 59 II also has ",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 59D1",
      "text": "The Type 59D1 (also known as WZ-120C) is an upgrade with explosive reactive armor, computerized stabilized fire-control system, the 105 mm. gun of the Type 59-II, and a night vision system",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Type 59G",
      "text": "An upgrade of the Type 59, featuring a redesigned turret and armor. It uses a turret similar to that of the Type 96A, a 125 mm gun, modern fire control systems, arrow-shaped armor, spaced armor, and possibly third-genera",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Jaguar",
      "text": "The Jaguar was a prototype vehicle based on the Type 59 chassis that was jointly developed by the United States and China during the 1980s, made possible by the US-Chinese détente of the 1970s. Planned to replace China's",
      "src": [
        "weg-ztz-59d"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": {
    "file": "ztz-59d.jpg",
    "thumb": "ztz-59d-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Tyg728",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Type_59D_tank_20180219.jpg",
    "title": "File:Type 59D tank 20180219.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/ztz-59d.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-ztz-59d": {
      "title": "ZTZ-59D (Type 59D) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/ZTZ-59D_Type_59D_Chinese_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}