Basic Information

Name

ZBD-04A Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Designation

ZBD-04A, WZ502 (Industrial Designation), VN-12

Alternate Designation

ZBD-04A, WZ502 (Industrial Designation), VN-12

Equipment Type

Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

Manufacturer

NORINCO

Date of Introduction

2011

Description

The ZBD-04A is an upgraded version of the ZBD-04. It forms the base platform for several other vehicles and carries improved armor but reduced mobility over the ZBD-04. It is the primary vehicle of China’s mechanized infantry brigades and provides sufficient firepower and protection to transport a section of fully-equipped infantry into a high-intensity battle. It is designed to operate alongside the Type 99A MBT and conduct mobile operations as part of a combined arms formation. The ZBD-04A was displayed in public for the first time during the 2015 Victory Day parade through Beijing, although development was completed the year before.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Engine Turbocharged Diesel (590 hp)

Active Protection features a multi-spectral IR countermeasures package mounted on top of the turret. Technical capability details unknown.

NBC Protection Yes

Variants

ZBD-97 Designation for ZBD-04 prototype.

ZBD-04 Standard variant.

ZBD-04 HJ-8 Based on original ZBD-04 with four additional HJ-8 anti-tank missile mounted on the turret.

ZBD-04A AT (AFT-10 Anti-Tank Missile Carrier) ZBD-04A's chassis works as the mobile launching platform for AFT-10 (HJ-10) anti-tank missile. Noted the AFT-10 is a specific version of HJ-10 missile that designed for firing from vehicle launching platform such as ZBD-04A.

ZBD-04A Command Vehicle Modified from original ZBD-04A, featuring a crew cabin with higher ceiling.

ZBD-04A Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Equipped with radars and electric-optic sights for battlefield surveillance, the chassis of the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle is modified from standard ZBD-04A. The recon equipment is mounted on a retractable mast.

ZBD-04A Armored Recovery Vehicle Equipped with a crane for emergency vehicle service.

VN12 Export variant based on ZBD-04A.

System

Alternative Designation ZBD-04A, WZ502 (Industrial Designation), VN-12

Type Amphibious APC/IFV

Manufacturer Norinco

Production 2011 - present

Crew 3 ea

Troop Compartment Capacity 7 ea

Maximum Effective Range 400 km

Amphibious Yes; however, as a result of the additional armor however, the ZBD-04A has a reduced amphibious capability compared with its predecessor, and is only able to cross inland rivers and streams at a maximum speed of 6 km/h. It is is not fitted with water jets for propulsion while afloat. It has a reduced amphibious performance and is powered by its tracks with limited control as a result.

Note It is the primary vehicle of China's mechanized infantry brigades

Dimensions

Length 7.52 m

Width 3.4 m

Height 2.53 m

Weight,.Combat 24 tons

Ground Clearance 0.45 m

Max Speed 70 km/h

Range (On Road) 400 km

Automotive

Engine Name 404 kW (541 bhp) six-cylinder, water-cooled turbo-diesel

Engine Type Turbo-diesel

Engine Power 590 hp

Engine Location Front Right

Cruising Range 600 km

Speed, Maximum Road 75 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 50 km/h

Speed, Maximum Swim 6 km/h

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Vertical Step 0.7 m

Trench 2.7 m

Fording Depth 1.4 m

Suspension Traditional torsion bar configuration, with each side having six dual rubber-tired road wheels and a driver sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and track return rollers. Only the upper part of the suspension is covered.

Note Due to increased Armor, the Maximum Swim speed of the ZBD-04A is reduced to only 6 km/h.

Communications

Digital Transmission Capable Yes

Data Bus Technology Yes

Digital Radios Yes, Standard

Wireless Internet Connection Capable Yes

TBR-121

VHF Transceiver Yes

VHF Range 1 to 50 km

Proliferated Widely

Digital Data Yes, Full

Control Self-Adaptive Control (Including Automatic Antenna Tuner)

Frequency Agile Yes

Wireless Network Capabilities Yes

Note: Very similar in capabilities to the US SINCGARS ASIP

Main Gun

System

Name 100 mm 2A70 rifled gun/missile launcher,

Type Rifled gun/missile launcher,

Manufacturer KBP Instrument Design Bureau

Max Rate of Fire 8-10 rds/min

Weight, Combat 332 kg

Automatic Loader Yes

Traverse Range 360 deg

Traverse Left 180 deg

Traverse Right 180 deg

Maximum Elevation +60 deg

Minimum Elevation -6 deg

Note The 100 mm gun is capable of firing two natures of conventional ammunition as well as a guided missile.

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name PFHE BTE3

Type 100 mm Projectile

Maximum Effective Range 7,000 m

Splinters 2,400 ea

Basic Load 41 (Inclusive of guided missiles)

Ammunition (Option 2)

Name HE BTE1

Type 100 mm Projectile

Maximum Effective Range 4,000 m

Basic Load 41 (Inclusive of guided missiles)

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 30 mm 2A72 (Shipunov 2A42)

Type 30 mm Auto-cannon

Alternate Designation Shipunov 2A42

Manufacurer Tulamashzavod

Date of Introduction 1980

Length, Total 3.027 m

Length, Barrel 2,416 mm

Weight 115 kg

Rate of Fire (Low) 200-300 rds/min

Rate of Fire (High) 550-800 rds/min

Barrels 1 ea

Feed System Twin Feed

Action Gas Operated

Traverse 360 deg

Ammunition

Type Auto-cannon

Caliber 30x165 mm

Muzzle Velocity 960 m/s

Basic Load INA

Effective Firing Range 2,000 m

Maximum Firing Range 4,000 m

Armor Penetration Yes

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name PK 7.62mm Machine Gun (Pulemyot Kalashnikova)

Type 7.62mm Coaxial Machine Gun

Manufacturer Degtyaryov plant

In Service 1961-Present

Proliferation +100 Million

Weight 9 kg

Length, Total 1,203 mm

Length, Barrel 605 mm

Rate of Fire 650 rds/min

Feed System Non-disintegrating metal 50 round belts in 100 and 200/250 round ammunition boxes.

Sights Tangent iron sights (default); Optical, Night-vision, Thermal and Radar sights

Varients PK PKS PKT PKM PKMS

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62mmx54mmR

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Basic Load INA

Effective Firing Range (Normal) 1,000 m

Effective Firing Range (With Sight Adjustments) 100-1,500 m

Maximum Firing Range 3,800 m

Armor Penetration Available

Fire Control

Name Advanced FCS, Name: INA

Note Enabling the FCS is an optical mast mounted in between the missile pods that can be extended above the vehicle to observe the effect on target as well as identify targets. The optical suite is equipped with a camera and LRF, as well as an IR channel. The system can also process targets designated and selected by radar. The vehicle is thought to receive fire-control instructions from the command platform via the BMS. If deployed independently a single missile launching platform can autonomously search for and engage a target within a 7 km range. When deployed as part of a system however this range is extended to 16 km against ground targets and 20 km against low-flying aerial targets.

Computerized FCS Yes, integrated ballistic computer enabling aiming and firing on-the-move.

Thermal (Vehicle Commander) Yes, panoramic sight

Thermal (Gunner) Yes, panoramic sight

LRF Yes

Gunner Sight As part of the LRF, linked laser guidance system for the 100 mm cannon.

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Meteorological Sensor Yes

Fire on the Move The FCS enables the vehicle to engage stationary and moving targets under all weather conditions, even when firing on the move.

Protection

Armor Material Welded steel and modular armor panels

Hull Armor (Front) The hull is built from welded steel and modular armor panels, believed to be composite based on the weight of the vehicle are added to the sides and front. The front of the hull is believed to provide protection against 30 mm projectiles fired from a range of 500 m and the sides of the platform are resistant to 14.5 mm projectiles fired from 200 m. Protection against 14.5mm projectiles at a distance of 200 meters.

Hull Armor (Side) Modular armor, assessed to be composite.

Hull Armor (Rear and Roof) The rear and roof are thought to provide protection from only 7.62 mm AP projectiles and artillery fragments.

Under the Hull Armor The bottom of the hull is reinforced in comparison with the ZBD-04, and it is believed to provide protection from small anti-tank mines. Protection from 7.62mm AP projectiles and artillery fragments. The ZBD-04A withstands mine blasts equivalent to 10 kg of TNT anywhere under the hull.

Applique Armor Yes, added to the front and sides of the hull

Explosive Reactive Armor Yes

Active Protection System Yes, features a multi-spectral IR countermeasures package mounted on top of the turret. Technical capability details unknown.

Mine Clearing INA

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Yes, includes a bank of three electrically operated grenade launchers is mounted either side of the turret.

Automatic Fire Suppression Systems Yes

Battle Management System Yes

Navigation Suite Yes, Beidou satellite navigation system

Firing Port The vehicle's final 'weapon system' is a firing port and viewing aid on each side toward the rear of the hull. Dismounts can also fire out of rear hatches, using the hatch covers locked vertically as shields.

Image Sources

Notes https://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2019/10/new-chinese-zbd-04a-armored-tracked-ifv.html; https://thaimilitaryandasianregion.wordpress.com/2016/05/06/zbd-04a-zbd-08-tracked-infantry-fighting-vehicle-china/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZBD-04;