D
Land ForcesChina

ZTZ-96A (Type 96A)

Main battle tankFielded 2009Pending verification
Land ForcesCHN
ZTZ-96A (Type 96A)
Photo: omefrans · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction2009
ProliferationOrigin country only
ManufacturerFirst Inner Mongolia Machinery FactoryMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.45 m11 ftMed[1]
Height2.3 m8 ftMed[1]
Combat weight46 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
Engine12150ZLCMed[1]
Engine power900 hpMed[1]
Cruising range400 km249 mi · 216 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed65 km/h40 mph · 35 ktMed[1]
Cross-country speed45 km/h28 mph · 24 ktMed[1]
SuspensionTorsion BarMed[1]
Fording (Without Preparation)1.4 mMed[1]
Fording (With Preparation)5 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorType 96A: Composite armor, FY Series ERA AddedMed[1]
Turret ArmorType 96A: Composite armor, FY Series ERA Added.Med[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable, Track SkirtsMed[1]
Explosive reactive armorFY Series ERAMed[1]
Active Protection SystemAccording to a news release by state-controlled China Youth Daily, later covered by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP), at least some Chinese Type 96A main battle tanks from the 71st Group Army of the Eastern Theater Command (EMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke EquipmentGrenlaunch 12x; VESSMed[1]
Armament
Secondary armament1 x 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun; 1 x QJG-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range4 km2 mi · 2 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Fire control systemNew Updated FCS, ISFCS-213; The Type 96A is unable to perform hunter-killer engagementsMed[1]
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight Tank CommanderYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerYesMed[1]
Main Gun StabilizationDual axis gun stabilisationMed[1]
RangefinderLaserMed[1]
Ballistic ComputerYesMed[1]
Variants
Type 96 (ZTZ-96)The Type 96 Main Battle Tank (MBT) was developed from the Type 85-III, which was mainly aimed at the export market. The Type 96 has some minor modifications. Sometimes it is referred to as the Type 88C or ZTZ96. It enter[1]
Type 96A (ZTZ-96A)The Type 96A was an upgrade of the Type 96 that entered service in 2006, it reflects the developments made in Chinese tank design such as the arrow-shaped add-on turret armor also found on the Type 99. The vehicle descri[1]
Type 96B (ZTZ-96B)The Type 96B is the latest iteration of the Type 96 family. It is a second-generation MBT with improved suspension and mission systems over the earlier Type 96A. The Type 96B is intended to replace the Type 96 and some T[1]
VT-2Export variant of Type-96A. Debuted at the 2012 Defence Services Asia Exhibition. Can be equipped with Remote Weapons Station and has a maximum speed of 70 km/h (on road). Capable of turning on its own axis.[1]
VT2BAt the 2017 armor and anti-armor day held by Norinco for export customers, a platform named VT2B was displayed. No details of the platform were made available at the time, but it may carry the improved weaponry and power[1]
GCZ-112The GCZ-112 is a combat engineering vehicle based on the Type 96. It is equipped with the necessary tools to construct earthworks and clear obstacles for advancing armored formations. It shares the Type 96’s running gear[1]
Weapons and payload options · 3Confidence · Source
High Explosives (HE)125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
4 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
850 m/s
Projectile weight
23 kg
Armor penetration
Yes
High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
915 m/s
Projectile weight
18.4 kg
Armor penetration
Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT
Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) Rou125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
42 total rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
2,050 m/s
Projectile weight
11 kg
Armor penetration
1,000 mm
Summary

The ZTZ-96A (Type 96A) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT) entered service in 2006, reflecting the developments made in Chinese tank design such as the arrow-shaped add-on turret armor also found on Type 99. The vehicle described below is offered for export in the format described below with the designation of VT2.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
CompareShow on range mapJSON
Operators
China
Sources
  1. ZTZ-96A (Type 96A) Chinese Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-07-06 · 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 2.0)