China could launch the development of new main battle tank using stealth technologies 2907146.

Defence & Security News - China

According to our first analysis of drawing published on Internet, the rear side of the turret could be equipped with carousel automatic loader to increase the rate of fire and reduce the crew from 4 to 3 soldiers.

The overall layout of the new Chinese stealth main battle tank (MBT) is similar to the M1 Abrams with the driver's compartment at the front, two-man turret in the centre and engine and transmission at the rear.

The tank is armed with a 125mm gun fitted with thermal sleeve and a fume extractor. A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the right side of the main armament. Six smoke grenade launchers are fitted to each side of the turret.

The hull and turret of the Chinese stealth tank seem to use advanced armour construction similar to the Chobham armour developed in the UK which gives protection against ATGWs (Anti-Tank Guided Weapons) and other battlefield weapons. This new Chinese tank concept incorporates stealth technology to minimise the radar signature. Storage compartments are available on each side and at the rear of the turret.

A very strange thing, the tank is equipped with a 360° panoramic periscope mounted at the rear of the left hatch turret. The tank commander hatch has several magnification day periscopes for all-round observation. A circular ring mount can be armed with a 12.7mm machine gun. The gunner periscope and firing sight are incorporated in the armour at the front of the turret.

The suspension consists each side of six dual rubber-tyred roadwheels with the idler at the front, the drive sprocket at the rear. The upper part of the suspension is also fitted with armour plates which can be folded up to allow access to the suspension for maintenance.