Basic Information

Name

ZBL-08 (Type 08) Chinese 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Designation

ZBL-08

Alternate Designation

ZBL-08; Type 08

Equipment Type

Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Manufacturer

Norinco

Date of Introduction

2009

Description

The ZBL-08 (Type 08) Chinese 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is a family of eight-wheeled amphibious, modular armored vehicles developed by Norinco for infantry fire support, battlefield logistics, and quick reaction operations. It is a recent People's Republic of China-produced Infantry fighting vehicle for the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and People's Liberation Army Marine Corps. ZBL-08 is the designation for the Infantry Fighting variant in the Type 08 vehicle family. The modular design claims to be able to field a variety of different models including an APC model, assault gun, an Engineering model, a 122 mm self-propelled howitzer model, a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer model, an air defense model, a self-propelled mortar model, a reconnaissance model, a command vehicle model and much more.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Mobility Type Wheeled (8x8)

Main Weapon 30 mm turret based on Shipunov 2A72

Engine Diesel (440 hp)

NBC Protection Yes

Max Speed 100.0 km/h

Range 800.0 km

Variants

ZBL-08 (Type 08) Infantry Fighting Vehicle Original IFV variant with a 30 mm turret based on Shipunov 2A72. It features a crew cabin in the back for infantry transportation. HJ-73C missiles can be optionally mounted on each side of the turret.

ZSL-08 (Type 08) Armoured Personal Carrier Based on IFV variant but the modified crew cabin has a higher ceiling. The Armored Personnel Carrier can be armed either with a manually controlled, armor-plate protected 12.7 machine gun or a remote-controlled weapon station. ZSL-08 APC variant – Can carry up to 10 soldiers due to a taller, more spacious troop compartment compared to the IFV.

Type 08 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle Armed with a 30 mm turret, the vehicle has a chassis that is similar to the IFV variant. The Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle will advance before IFVs and assault guns for intelligence gathering. On-board high definition electro-optical cameras, thermal imaging system, and laser designator can transmit battlefield and target information for other data-linked vehicles for target identification and designation. The Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle can provide better situational awareness for the infantry. The main radar and electro-optical sight are mounted on a retractable mast. There is also a version of the vehicle that does not have the 30 mm turret and uses the chassis of the APC variant and has more cameras onboard but lacks self-defense weapons.

PLL-05 Mortar Carrier Based on IFV variant. It is armed with a 120mm dual purpose mortar.

PLL-09 (Type 09) Modular Self-propelled Howitzer system Based on IFV variant. Can be armed with either a 122mm or 155mm howitzer, to provide indirect fire support for infantry.

Type 09 Anti-Air Reconnaissance Vehicle Armed with a single barrel 35mm revolving auto cannon, the Air Defense variant has a unique chassis and is equipped with thermal-tracking sight, targeting and surveillance radars. The data collected by the radars can be data-linked back to command and armored reconnaissance vehicle.

ZTL-11 (Type) 11 Assault Gun Armed with a 105mm rifled gun, coaxial machine gun, and 12.7mm commander machine gun, the Assault gun is based on the IFV chassis and can provide direct fire support for infantry battalions and engage enemy light vehicles and stationary targets such as bunkers.

Type 08 Command Vehicle With a modified chassis that has a much higher ceiling than the APC variant, the crew cabin provides a more spacious environment for commanders and staff. Equipped with a satellite communication suite and battle management system, the command vehicle can move with the mechanized infantry for better battlefield management.

Type 08 Communication Vehicle Based on the Command Vehicle variant. It has additional communication equipment on board for the infantry battalion.

Type 08 Armored Ambulance Based on the Command Vehicle variant. Featuring a modified crew cabin with medical equipment, the Armored Ambulance variant has two Red Cross markers on each side of the vehicle body.

Type 08 Hazardous Environment Reconnaissance Vehicle Based on the Command Vehicle variant. Equipped with sensors and equipment for hazardous detection involving nuclear, biological, and chemical environments.

Type 08 Electronic Warfare Vehicle Based on the Command Vehicle variant but the satellite communication suite on top of the vehicle roof is replaced by a rectangular-shaped radar with several small radar panels for Electronic Support Measures.

Type 08 Assault Breacher Based on the IFV variant. It is equipped with a mine plow and other mine detection devices on board.

Type 08 Mobile Bridge Builder Based on the IFV variant. It is equipped with a vehicle-launched bridge on top of the hull.

Type 08 Armored Recovery Vehicle Based on the IFV variant, the turret is replaced by a crane for emergency vehicle service.

Type 08 Armored Cargo Vehicle Based on the APC variant, the Armored Cargo Vehicle has more bulletproof windows on the vehicle body.

Type 08 Engineering Vehicle The vehicle has a unique chassis. It is equipped with tools for road paving and obstacle neutralization. A bulldozer blade is fitted on the front of the vehicle and an excavator bucket is mounted on the front end of the roof. Waterline marks can also be found on the side of the vehicle's body.

VN-1 Export variant based on Type 08 IFV. The VN-1C is armed with a 30 mm remote weapons station and an HJ-73 anti-tank missile.

Yitian 2 Air defense missile system, continuation of Yitian.

VS27 Armored rescue vehicle.VE36

VE36 Reconnaissance vehicle.

VE32A Reconnaissance vehicle.

CS/SA5 The NORINCO CS/SA5 is a Chinese self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) developed and manufactured by China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO). It is designed to provide close-range air defense for ground forces against various aerial threats such as low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In addition to its primary anti-aircraft role, the CS/SA5 can also serve as a ground support weapon, engaging lightly armored vehicles and infantry targets with its 35mm cannon. This flexibility makes it a valuable asset for modern armies that require a versatile and mobile air defense system. The new CS/SA5 is based on a four-axle armored vehicle, which is likely an additional variant of Type 08 (ZBL-08) armored personnel carrier/infantry fighting vehicle. The chassis features a front-engine design, with the control compartment located adjacent to the engine area. The middle and rear sections of the hull house the fighting compartment, containing operator stations. A sizable combat module, equipped with all weaponry, is mounted on the roof. The driver's compartment comprises a fully enclosed crew cabin situated at the front left side of the hull, featuring windows at the front and on each side. The main armament of the CS/SA5 consists of a 6-barrel 30mm Gatling gun capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds. On each side of the turret is also mounted two FN-6A Man-portable air defense missile systems (MANPADS). The cannon has a high rate of fire, enabling it to engage multiple targets quickly and effectively. The roof of the CS/SA5 turret is equipped with detection radar located at the rear and day/night thermal tracking site sights at the front. The vehicle is equipped with computerized tracking and firing control systems.

Type 625E Specialized air defense variant with a 6-barrel 25 mm Gatling gun and FB-10 short-range missiles. It uses the same chassis as the new CS/SA5 chassis shown in Zhuhai Airshow 2021.

CS/AA5 Specialized IFV variants with a remote-controlled 40mm turret.

VN-1 Export variant based on Type 08 IFV.

PGL-12 (Type 12) Chinese and foreign media outlets report that the PGL-12 product has already entered serial production and is being supplied to PLA units. It is unknown when production began and how many vehicles have been delivered to the customer. Anti-aircraft complexes PGL-12 and SWS-2 are built on one of the variants of the chassis of the Type 08 armored personnel carrier. A modification is used with a control compartment placed in the front of the hull, thereby freeing up volumes for installing a combat module. The chassis is equipped with a 440 hp engine. and has an all-wheel drive four-axle undercarriage. Swimming is provided. Combat weight - 23 tons. In the central part of the roof there is an original combat module with missile and cannon armament. This product is made in an armored case and is uninhabited. The architecture and layout of the module are unclear: it probably has a turret basket and takes up some volume inside the carrier's body. Also, all the necessary controls are located inside the case, incl. operator consoles. The module is equipped with a cannon and a missile launcher. A radar with a folding antenna monitors the situation and searches for targets. To the gun's left is a swinging optoelectronic unit for target tracking and direct fire control. The control system of the PGL-12 / SWS-2 combat vehicle is integrated with communications. A full-fledged work is envisaged in the existing contours of the PLA's military air defense. Each air defense missile system can exchange target data with other combat vehicles or command posts. The full-revolving tower module is equipped with two swinging devices for placing a gun and missiles. Provides horizontal circular fire and gun lift at an angle from -2 ° to + 85 °. The missile launcher rises from -5 ° to + 70 °. In the center of the combat module is a swinging part with a 35-mm Type 09 cannon. It is an automatic weapon with a revolving scheme with a rate of fire of 1000 rounds per minute. Depending on the type of projectile, an initial velocity of 1050 to 1175 m / s is achieved and the target is hit at a distance of up to 4 km. Ammunition - 400 rounds. NORINCO Corporation offers a whole family of 35 mm ammunition for the "Type 09". High-explosive fragmentation incendiary with and without a tracer, as well as armor-piercing ammunition, have already been developed. It was reported about the design of a projectile with a programmable fuse. It was argued that the new Chinese shells, in terms of their combat qualities, are at least not inferior to modern foreign counterparts. On the starboard side of the module is an anti-aircraft missile launcher. It holds up to four containers with TY-90 missiles or modern Chinese MANPADS. All such missiles are equipped with infrared seeker, which is why a mobile launcher was needed to provide initial search and target acquisition. Depending on the type of missiles used, it is possible to engage low-flying targets at ranges of up to 4-6 km. It should be noted that the export of the SWS-2 air defense missile system, which had a full set of weapons, was demonstrated at exhibitions. At the same time, the PGL-12 product for the Chinese army does not always have such a complete set. The latest photo and video materials from tests and exercises show complexes without missiles. Instead of a launcher, a simple casing is placed on the module. The PGL-12 anti-aircraft missile and gun system and its export version SWS-2 are intended to escort and protect troops at base points, on the march and in deployment areas. It must detect and engage a wide range of air attack weapons - from front-line aircraft and attack helicopters to high-precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles. The complex has already been adopted by the PLA, supplied in units and used in exercises. From this fact it follows that he successfully coped with all the tests, confirming his tactical and technical characteristics and compliance with the customer's requirements. Accordingly, NORINCO Corporation will continue production of PGL-12, and military air defense will be gradually updated. In the troops, the ZRPK PGL-12 complements a number of other self-propelled short-range systems with cannon or missile armament, including 35mm cannons and TY-90 missiles. At the same time, it has certain advantages over such equipment, which can affect the further development of military air defense. In particular, it cannot be ruled out that PGL-12 will receive a leading role in its niche in the future.

System

Alternative Designation ZBL-08; Type 08

Type Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Family Type 08

Configuration 8x8

Crew 3 ea

Passenger Capacity 7 ea

Dimensions

Length 8 m

Width 3 m

Height 2.1 m, without turret

Weight, Combat 15 to 25 tons

Ground Pressure INA

Automotive

Engine Name Deutz BF6M1015C

Engine Type Diesel

Engine Power 440 hp

Transmission semi-automatic

Suspension 8×8 wheeled

Maximum Speed 100 km/h

Maximum Range 800 km

Fording INA

Main Gun

Note The ZBL-08 (Type 08) Chinese 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) is equipped with ZPT-99 30 mm autocannon.

Coaxial Weapon System

Note 1 x Type 86 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun.

Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

Note 2 x HJ-73C ATGM Rail launcher are mounted on both sides of the turret.

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander Yes

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Protection

Hull Armor Protection against small arms and shell splinters.

Turret Armor Protection against small arms and shell splinters.

Applique Armor Available

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing No

Self-Entrenching Blade No

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Yes, 6 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers

Image Sources

Notes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_08; https://aw.my.games/en/news/general/development-zbl-08;