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VN1 8x8
VN1 8x8 armored vehicle
Wheeled APC armored personnel carrier China
Description
The VN1 is a wheeled armored vehicle designed and manufactured in China by the Company NORINCO (North Industries Corporation) for the international military market. This vehicle is the export variant of the ZBL-09 (also called ZBD-09) 8x8 armored vehicle personnel carrier. The VN1 is based on an 8x8 chassis able to be fitted with weapon station up to 105mm cannon or 122mm howitzer. China has started to market the VN1 in 2008 and the vehicle was unveiled for the first time to the public in February 2009 during IDEX, the International Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE. At the AirShow China in November 2016, NORINCO has performed a live demonstration of the vehicle for the foreign military delegations. According to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) arms trade database, China sold 40 VN1 (Type-07) armoured vehicles to Venezuela in 2012 that were delivered during 2014/2015. Argentina has announced in June 2016 the acquisition of 110 VN1 vehicles fitted with a one-man turret armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. In June 2017, Thailand has decided to purchase 34 VN in Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) variant for an amount of $68 million. In August 2019, during Independence Day military parade, Gabon has displayed new VN1 armored vehicles fitted with a one-man turret armed with one 30mm cannon and one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
VN1 variants :
- VN1 Command post: the rear part of the vehicle has been raised. The commander hatch at the front is armed with a single 12.7mm heavy machine gun
- VN1 Recovery : There is no turret, the roof on the right side is fitted with a crane
- VN1 Ambulance: the rear part of the vehicle has been raised to host medical team and stretchers.
- ST1 or ZTL09: is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a NATO standard 105mm tank gun
- PLL09: self-propelled howitzer version armed with a 122 mm cannon.
Technical Data
| Armament |
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The VN1 can be fitted with a wide range of turret and weapon station which can be remotely controlled from inside of the vehicle. Armament can include 30mm automatic chain gun, Red Arrow 73 anti-tank guided missile system, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The turret is fully stabilized on two axles with gunner sight including laser range finder, computerized fire control and various sensors offering the possibility to fire on the move. The chassis can be used to carry heavy turret with 105mm cannon or 122mm howitzer.
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| Design and protection |
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The layout of the VN1 is very similar to modern European wheeled combat vehicle with the driver at the front left with the power pack on its right, weapon station in the middle of top hull and troops compartment at the rear. The hull and the turret of the VN1 is made of high hardness armor steel, which provides protection against firing of small arms 12.7mm Armour-Piercing Incendiary (API) caliber frontally at 100m, 7.62mm API on the sides at 100m and 7.62mm at the rear. The VN1 can also be fitted with add-on armor package enables the vehicle to have a protection against ballistic threats of 25 mm caliber API frontally at 1,000m and 12.7mm API on the sides at 100m. The VN1 has a crew of two including driver and commander and the troop's compartment at the rear can accommodate 11 infantrymen. There is one single door at the rear of the hull which is used by the infantrymen to leave and enter in the vehicle and two roof hatches. The VN 1 can also be equipped with a hydraulic ramp with a manual integral door in the left side. It has a combat weight of 20,000 kg, a length of 8m, a width of 3m, and a height of 3.3m turret top.
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| Mobility |
| The VN1 is motorized with a DEUTZ BF-6M 1015CP water-cooled Diesel 330kW engine coupled to an automatic transmission. The vehicle is based on an 8x8 independent suspension for all 8 wheels with hydraulic booster steering control mechanism and dual pneumatic circuit brake system for comfortable driving and more reliable braking performance. The VN 1 can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. It can climb a 30° slope, cross a 1.8m trench and climb over a 0.55 m vertical obstacle. |
| Accessories |
| The VN1 is equipped with a collective NBC protection system, automatic fire extinguishing system enhancing the survivability of the vehicle. In option, the VN1 can be fitted with air conditioning system, a GPS (Global positioning system) and a winch. The VN1 is also equipped with a central tire inflation system which can inflate or deflate the tires and test the tire pressure automatically. The commander position can be equipped with panoramic stabilized sight for target detection and acquisition. The VN1 is fully amphibious, it can swim at a speed of up to 8 km/h. It is propelled in the water thanks to two propellers fitted at the rear of the hull. |
Specifications
| Armament | Armor |
| One 30mm automatic chain gun, one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, Red Arrow 73D Anti-tank guided missile | Protection against the firing of small arms 12.7mm at the front and 7.62mm for the sides. |
| Country users | Weight |
| Argentina, China, Thailand, Venezuela, | 20,000 kg |
| Designer Country | Speed |
| China | 100 km/h road 8 km/h water |
| Accessories | Range |
| Collective NBC protection system, automatic fire extinguishing system and central tire inflation system | 800 km |
| Crew | Dimensions |
| 2 + 11 | Length: 8.0 m; Width: 3.02 m; Height: 3.3 m top turret |
Details View
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Pictures - Video
