D
Land ForcesChina

ZBD-03 (Type 03)

Airborne infantry fighting vehicleFielded 2010Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
ZBD-03 (Type 03)
Photo: 颐园居 · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAirborne infantry fighting vehicle
Date of introduction2010
ProliferationOrigin country only
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length6 m20 ftMed[1]
Width2.35 m8 ftMed[1]
Weight8 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
Engine power350 hpMed[1]
Cruising range500 km311 mi · 270 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed65 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Swim speed6 km/h4 mph · 3 ktMed[1]
SuspensionHydro-pneumaticMed[1]
Protection
Armor TypeWelded steel protects against small arms and shell splinters.Med[1]
Hull Armor12.7 mm ProjectilesMed[1]
Side Armor7.62 mm ProjectilesMed[1]
Applique ArmorAvailableMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentYes, The vehicle also carries six smoke grenade launchers that can be used to launch aerosol grenades to obscure the vehicle from targeting lasers, or fragmentation projectiles for close range defense from infantry.Med[1]
Armament
Main armament1 x 2A72 (Shipunov 2A42) 30mm Auto-Cannon, 30 mmMed[1]
Secondary armament1 x Type 80 Chinese Heavy Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range3 km2 mi · 2 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Thermal Vehicle CommanderYesMed[1]
Thermal GunnerYes, dual-channel sightMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationYesMed[1]
Variants
ZLC-2000The ZLC-2000 has been in service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Airborne Corps since 2003. China decided to develop the ZLC-2000 in the late 1990s after a failure to reach agreement with Russia over [1]
ZBD-03 Command PostThe command and control version features a higher rear hull to accommodate staffs.[1]
ZBD-03 ATGM CarrierArmed with the HJ-8 ATGM anti-tank guided missile.[1]
TKUP-201The TKUP-201 is a new weapon designed for airborne troops, significantly enhancing their fire support capabilities during ground combat after parachuting. It addresses the previous challenges of breaching solid targets d[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer(30 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
125 ea
Armor penetration
>45mm RHA steel at 60° obliquity
High Explosive Incendiary30 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
225 ea
Muzzle velocity
960 m/s
Armor penetration
Yes
Anti-Tank Missile Systemammunition
Med[1]
Anti-Tank Missile System125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
INA
Muzzle velocity
130 m/s
Armor penetration
Yes
Guidance
SACLOS
Summary

The ZBD-03 or Type 03 (industrial designation WZ506) is a Chinese airborne infantry fighting vehicle. It features a light-weight chassis and hydro-pneumatic suspension for airborne operations.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. ZBD-03 (Type 03) Chinese Airborne Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), 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
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)