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Land ForcesChina

WZ-120 (Type 59)

Main battle tankFielded 1959Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
Length 6.04 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction1959
ProliferationAt least 12 countries
Crew4Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length6.04 m20 ftMed[1]
Width3.27 m11 ftMed[1]
Height2.59 m8 ftMed[1]
Combat weight36 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineModel 12150LMed[1]
Engine power520 hpMed[1]
Cruising range450 km280 mi · 243 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed50 km/h31 mph · 27 ktMed[1]
Fording depth1.4 Unprepared, 5.5 with snorkelMed[1]
Protection
Hull Armor20–203 mmMed[1]
Turret Armor20–203 mmMed[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable, Track skirts are fitted to some tanks.Med[1]
Explosive reactive armorAvailableMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke Equipment8 x 81-mm smoke grenade launchers Vehicle engine exhaust smoke system.Med[1]
Armament
Secondary armamentThe Type 59 has been seen with the following secondary weapons: 2 x Type 59T 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun or 1 x Type 54 ; 1 x DShk 12.7mm Heavy Machine GunMed[1]
Fire control
Computerized FCSUI light spot Fire Control SystemMed[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerType DC 1024/00 II sights, x7Med[1]
Main Gun Stabilization2-planeMed[1]
RangefinderLRFMed[1]
Variants
Domestic modelsType 59 The basic variant, a T-54A clone without IR searchlight. Entered production in 1957. Type 59-I Improved variant fitted with a Type 69-II 100 mm rifled gun, as well as a laser rangefinder, hydraulic servo-system, [1]
Foreign variantsUnited Kingdom designed a variant with a 105-mm L7 gun as an upgrade package for owners of the Type 59. No Type 59s served with British forces. Marconi offered their Marksman anti-aircraft system as a conversion to opera[1]
Weapons and payload options · 1Confidence · Source
HEAT105 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
INA
Armor penetration
432, NATO Single Heavy Target
Summary

The WZ-120 (Type 59) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) is a Chinese-produced version of the Soviet T-54A tank, the earliest model of the ubiquitous T-54/55 series. The first vehicles were produced in 1958 and it was accepted into service in 1959, with serial production beginning in 1963.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
BangladeshChinaRepublic of the CongoIranIraqCambodiaPakistanNorth KoreaSudanVietnamZambiaZimbabwe
Sources
  1. WZ-120 (Type 59) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import