China's Type 99 tank made to compete with German Leopard 2

[PAULSTANL3Y]

China's Type 99 tank made to compete with German Leopard 2
Staff Reporter 2013-07-14 15:13

China's Type 99 main battle tank (Internet Photo)

Type 99, the main battle tank of the People's Liberation Army, is believed to be in the same league as Germany's Leopard 2, which is considered the world's best main battle tank, reports our sister newspaper Want Daily.

Developed by the China North Industries Corporation based in Beijing, Type 99 was first revealed during a military parade held in 2009 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. While details regarding the new tank have yet to be released, the China North Industries Corporation said that its armor is as tough as the German Leopard 2 designed by Krauss-Maffei in 1979.

Unlike previous Chinese tanks, the gun turret of the Type 99 tank is welded to increase its defense capability. While the 125mm smoothbore tank gun can be reloaded automically after it is fired and for this reason, only three crew members are needed to operate the tank. The tank's thermal imaging system is also similar to the one used by the Leopard 2, according to the China North Industries Corporation.

The Type 99 tank has yet to be battle tested in the field, therefore military analysts around the globe are unable to ascertain whether it can truely compete with the Leopard 2. Currently, PLA tank units equipped with Type 99 tanks have been deployed to the border regions between China, Russia and India, though the number of tanks deployed is unknown.