ZBL-08

An 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle family forming the backbone of the PLA's modernized motorized infantry divisions, with the ZBL-08 infantry fighting vehicle variant mounting a 30 mm autocannon. The Type 08 platform also underlies self-propelled artillery, air-defense and command variants.

In service since 2009 · 1 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

100

km/h

800

km range

hp/t

mm gun

21,000

Several performance figures for China-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Chinese state channel

State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.

Channel: State export agency

Fielded & proven

Limited · 1 operator

In service since 2009. Status: active · ~3,000 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 100 km/h

Stronger than 69% of IFVs
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 800 km

Stronger than 86% of IFVs
Power-to-weight Engine power per tonne of vehicle weight. Higher means better acceleration and cross-country mobility.: 24 hp/t

Stronger than 64% of IFVs

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 30 mm autocannon
Secondary armament Additional weapons: coaxial MG, remote weapon station, gun pods.: coaxial machine gun
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better — ammunition commonality matters.: 30 mm
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.: 500

Stronger than 83% of IFVs

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.: Welded steel with applique armor
NBC protection Sealed crew compartment with overpressure filtration for nuclear/biological/chemical environments.: Yes

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 8.2 m
Width Overall width — matters for rail/road transport of vehicles.: 3 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.: 2.6 m
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 21,000 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 3
Troop capacity Number of embarked troops/passengers (IFV, APC, transport). Higher carries more.: 7

Stronger than 36% of IFVs

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: Diesel engine
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.: 440 hp

Stronger than 41% of IFVs
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Diesel

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Thermal imaging Thermal sights for night and obscured-visibility operations.: Yes

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 3,000

Stronger than 81% of IFVs
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 1

Stronger than 23% of IFVs

Specifications compiled from public NORINCO and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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