1 photo + video

Main battle tank

China

NORINCO

Type 99A

China's frontline main battle tank, featuring a welded turret, composite and explosive reactive armor, and an autoloaded 125 mm gun believed capable of firing gun-launched anti-tank missiles. It forms the core of the PLA's armored divisions alongside the older Type 96 family.

In service since 2011 · 1 operator countries

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

km/h

500

km range

25.5

hp/t

125

mm gun

58,000

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

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 2011. Status: active · ~600 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

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.

Compatible munitions & weapons

Publicly reported weapons the Type 99A can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.

DTW125 APFSDS 125 mm HEAT-FRAG GP125 gun-launched ATGM

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Performance specifications
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.	80 km/h Top 6% of main battle tanks
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.	500 km Stronger than 61% of main battle tanks
Power-to-weight Engine power per tonne of vehicle weight. Higher means better acceleration and cross-country mobility.	25.5 hp/t Stronger than 77% of main battle tanks
Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration.	1,700 m/s Stronger than 64% of main battle tanks

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Firepower specifications
Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.	125 mm smoothbore with autoloader
Secondary armament Additional weapons: coaxial MG, remote weapon station, gun pods.	12.7 mm QJC-88 + 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters.	125 mm
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.	41 Stronger than 57% of main battle tanks

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Protection specifications
Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.	Composite armor with explosive reactive armor
Active protection Hard-kill APS (Trophy, Arena, Afganit) intercepts incoming projectiles before impact.	GL5 (reported on some units)
Reactive armor Explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks that disrupt shaped-charge jets.	Yes
Countermeasures Self-protection: chaff, flares, DIRCM, towed decoys, smoke dischargers, jammers.	smoke grenade launchers, explosive reactive armor
NBC protection Sealed crew compartment with overpressure filtration for nuclear/biological/chemical environments.	Yes

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.	11 m
Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles.	3.4 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.	2.4 m
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.	58,000 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.	3

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Propulsion specifications
Engine Powerplant model and type.	150HB V12 turbocharged diesel
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.	1,500 hp Stronger than 82% of main battle tanks
Fuel capacity Internal fuel volume.	1,200 L
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…	Diesel

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Sensors & avionics specifications
Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights.	panoramic commander's sight, thermal imaging fire control
Thermal imaging Thermal sights for night and obscured-visibility operations.	Yes

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Program specifications
Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.	600 Stronger than 61% of main battle tanks
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.	1 Stronger than 24% of main battle tanks

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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