NORINCO from China presents VN1 8x8 APC with new unmanned turret.

Chinese Defense Company NORINCO, (North Industries Corporation) presents new version of the VN1 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier fitted with a new unmanned weapon station. The VN1 is in service with the Thai army, a first order of 34 VN-1 was already delivered armed with a 30mm automatic cannon.

Chinese VN1 8x8 armoured personnel carrier vehicle fitted with a new unmanned turret.

The VN1 is an 8x8 armoured vehicle designed and manufactured by the Chinese Defense Company NORINCO. The hull of the VN1 is made of high hardness armour steel that provides protection against firing of small arms and shell splinters.

The VN-1 is the export version of the ZBL-09, which is motorized with a 440 hp. diesel engine. It can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h and has a maximum cruising range of 800 km. The VN-1 is fully amphibious, it can swim at a speed of up to 8 km/h. It is propelled in water thanks to two propellers fitted at the rear of the hull.
In APC configuration, the VN1 can carry 10 military personnel including driver, commander, gunner and 7 infantrymen.

The new unmanned turret mounted on the VN1 is armed with one 30mm automatic cannon as main armament. Second weapons include one 30mm automatic grenade launcher mounted on the left side of the 30mm cannon and one 7.62mm machine gun on the right side.

The turret seems to be fitted with one panoramic sight and day/ night vision systems including laser range finder. There is also two banks of four smoke grenade launchers mounted on each side at the front of the turret.

Close view of the new NORINCO unmanned turret mounted on VN1 8x8 APC