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Land ForcesChina

ZBD-05 (VN-18)

Amphibious infantry fighting vehicleFielded 2006Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
Length 9.5 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeAmphibious infantry fighting vehicle
Date of introduction2006
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerNorincoMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length9.5 m31 ftMed[1]
Width3.36 m11 ftMed[1]
Height3.04 m10 ftMed[1]
Combat weight26.5 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
TransmissionMachanicalMed[1]
Max road speed65 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Cross-country speed40 km/h25 mph · 22 ktMed[1]
Swim speed25 km/h16 mph · 13 ktMed[1]
SuspensionHydropneumaticMed[1]
Fording depthAmphibiousMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorThe 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 mmMed[1]
Sides and Rear Armor14.5 mmMed[1]
Applique ArmorYesMed[1]
Active Protection SystemYesMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentYes, 8 Total, 4 on each side 76mmMed[1]
Armament
Main armament30 mmMed[1]
Secondary armament1 x 7.65mm General-Purpose Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range3 km2 mi · 2 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Computerized FCSYes, 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.Med[1]
Thermal (Vehicle Commander)YesMed[1]
Thermal (Gunner)YesMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationYesMed[1]
Laser Range FinderYesMed[1]
Variants
ZTD-05The 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[1]
PLZ-07BThe 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[1]
Type 001The 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[1]
Anti-Tank Missile CarrierOn 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[1]
Weapons and payload options · 6Confidence · Source
Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer(30 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
125 rds
Muzzle velocity
1,275 m/s
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]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
120 m/s
Warhead
Tandem-HEAT
Armor penetration
200 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
Anti-Tank Missile Systemammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
130 m/s
Warhead
Tandem-Heat
Armor penetration
280 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
Anti-Tank Missile Systemammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
135 m/s
Warhead
Tandem-HEAT
Armor penetration
300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
Anti-Tank Missile System (Bunker Buster)ammunition
Med[1]
Range
2.8 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Muzzle velocity
130 m/s
Warhead
Fuel Air Explosive Warhead
Armor penetration
300 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA
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.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
China
Sources
  1. ZBD-05 (VN-18) Chinese Amphibious 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