Type YW-531H (Type 85) Chinese Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

The Type YW-531H (also known as Type 85) is a Chinese Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) that serves as an enlarged successor to the Type 69. It has led to the development of various variants, including infantry fighting vehicles, command vehicles, mortar carriers, weapons carriers, and ambulances. The Type 85 was developed alongside the 6x6 Type 86 and shares the same engine and many armament options. The Type 85 is also referred to as the YW 531H. Another similar version, designated Type 89 in China, is known as the YW 534 in the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This variant is 74 mm wider and has an additional 150 mm of track length. All vehicles in this series share a common hull design. The hull features a shallow glacis, angular sides and top sections, track skirts covering the three return rollers on each side, and five wheel stations per side, compared to the four found on the earlier Type 69. The driver is positioned at the left front of the hull, with the compartment for a license-built Deutz diesel engine located on his right. The commander sits behind the driver. Some variants are equipped with turrets positioned above the troop compartment. The basic APCs come with a shielded 12.7 mm machine gun, while other variants may be equipped with main guns of 25 mm or 73 mm caliber. Troops enter and exit through a rear door that opens to the right, and emergency roof hatches are also available. The number of vision blocks and firing ports can vary, with three to four periscopes and firing ports on the right side, and two to three on the left side. For instance, Thai YW 534s have three on each side and one located in the rear door.