The Type 69 had not enjoyed any success with the Peoples Liberation Army (AKA PLO), but by the 1980’s, China was enjoying better relations with the West and subsequently technologies were shared with China such as laser range finders & Fire Control Systems and engines. Some of these were added to the Type 79 (the improved Type 69-III) and integrated in to the Type 88, China’s 2nd generation MBT.
The Type 80
The Type 80’s development kicked of in 1981 as a prototype and progressive series of MBT, growing into the Type 85 & the Type 88.
The Type 80 had a new hull equipped with 6 smaller than standard road wheels, rubber track skirt, a stabilised light spot FCS with externally mounted laser range finder and external storage racks at the rear of the turret, doubling up as a form of Bar Armour against shape charged weapons. This prototype was completed in 1985.
The Type 80-II was the modified Type 80 prototype. The laser range finder was moved and integrated in to the gunners sight freeing the frontal part of the turret so newer armour could be added at a later date. The existing storage racks were extended for greater protection around the turret and a new NBC system was installed. Another new system was BIT, AKA Built-In-Test system for rapid identification of malfunctions of the vehicles systems.
Development and production of the vehicle split in two different directions at this point.
The Type 88
The Type 88 was the Type 80-II with the improvement of replacing much of the storage racks with locally developed and manufactured Explosive reactive Armour. This model was the first to enter mass production at the 617 Factory (now FIRMACO) based at Baotou, Inner Mongolia, with 201 Institute (now China North Vehicle Research Institute). This vehicle was the one adopted by the PLO entering service in 1988.
The Type 88B was an improvement focused on the FCS and main cannon. The breach/loading system was up-graded to fire more modern NATO issue 105mm rounds and the light spot FCS was replaced by an image-stabilised FCS.
During the 1991 Gulf War China had observed how more effective Western/NATO MBT’s were against their Type 69’s and Russian export models of the T-72, so a new ERA was developed, the FY series double explosive reactive armour, which is reported to withstand both APFSDS and HEAT-FRAG rounds. The new armour was introduced on the Type 88A (was developed after the 88B upgrade) which also included modifications of the Type 83 105mm rifled cannon to an increased calibre length for increased accuracy and range, designated the Type 83-I. Production of the 88 ended in 1995 with an estimated 400 to 500 manufactured.
Now for the technical bit…..
Crew: 4
Weight: 39.5t
Engine: 730hp 12150L-7BW diesel
Transmission: Mechanical, planetary
Track: Metallic, later variants have RMSh, with rubber-tyred road wheels
Suspension: Torsion bar
Radio: Receive/transmit, telephone
Dimension: Length: 10.65m; Height: 2.3m; Width: 3.3m
Cruising range: 430km , or 600km with external tanks
Speed: Max road 57km/h
Fording depths: N/A
Main gun: 105mm Type 83 or 83-I rifled gun (48 rounds stored)
Rate of fire: 7 rounds/min
Elevation/depression: +18/-4.3 degree
Auxiliary weapon: One coaxial 7.62mm machine gun; one 12.7mm air-defence machine gun
Fire control: (Type 80/88) Type 37A light spot fire control system; or (Type 88A/B) JSFCS-212 ISFCS
The Type 85-II
The other direction of the Type 80-II, as earlier mentioned was the Type 85-II. Whilst the Type 88 was adopted by the PLA, the 85 was the export version of the vehicle. Though generally most export tanks have a number of minor modifications, the Type 85 looks barely similar to the Type 80/88. The most obvious difference is that the Type 85 has a completely new turret, which is box shaped and of welded construction, compared to the oval shaped cast metal turret.
At 39 tonnes, the vehicle was powered by a liquid-cooled, turbo-charged 800hp diesel engine and the traditional stick steering was replaced with a steering wheel and was equipped with the same ISFCS-212 image-stabilised fire-control system as used by the Type 88A. The Type 85-II never simulated any export sales, so an improved model designated the Type 85-IIM was developed in the 1990’s.
The principal difference was the introduction of a 125mm smoothbore main cannon and the reduction of the crew from 3 to 4 thanks to a new autoloader, which meant the turret had to be enlarged, but retained the same FCS as the Type 85-II.
The weight of the vehicle had increased to 41 tonnes and was powered by a 730hp liquid-cooled, turbo-charged 12150ZL-V12 diesel engine. The vehicle was exported to Pakistan from 1991 to 92. It had a number of adaptations for local service and designated the type 85-IIAP.
In 1997 NORINCO released a new up-graded vehicle the Type 85-III. It was equipped with ERA on the front of the hull and turret, as well as a new 1000hp diesel engine. This vehicle is AKA as the Type 96.
