WW3, Vehicle I-D: China’s Type 99A and Type 99

Type 99A:

People’s Liberation Army photo by He Rui, late January 2023.

Track shoes/pads are removable, on the Type 99A. PLA photo by He Rui, late January 2023.

It has been confused with the export only tanks VT1 and VT4, and the lightweight high altitude tank VT5. Sometimes it is called ZTZ-99A. The Type 99A is an radical evolution of the Type 99. The Type 99 is based on the Soviet/Russian T-72, it began service in 2001.

T-72 style roadwheels and small exhaust ports on both sides of the Type 99A.

The Type 99A has the driver’s position slightly offset from center of the front of the hull, and has two periscopes, the Type 99 has only one T-72 style periscope for the driver and the position is centered. Other Chinese tanks with similar looking turrets (like the Type 96B) have driver’s positions that are offset from center, on the driver’s left side, revealing they were originally based on the T-54/55.

An 81st Group Army Type 99A with armored blocks, and without fender skirts. Notice the ‘Eiffel Tower’ in the background. PLA photo, 10JAN2023.

CGTN video explaining the Type 96A, from August 2020:

In 2011, China began slowly replacing the Type 99 with the Type 99A, however, it wasn’t publicly revealed until 2015.

CGTN video, Type 99A during parade in July 2017:

CGTN video, Type 96A during parade in October 2019:

Type 99:

The older Type 99. PLA 76th Group Army photo by Cao Xuguang, 14JUL2020.

The exhaust ports on the Type 99A are set further back than the Type 99, due to a new powerpack (motor/transmission). The powerpack for the older Type 99 was reportedly developed by NATO-Germany. The headlights on the Type 99 sit higher up on the front slope than the Type 99A. The front tow hooks on the Type 99 sit on the upper front slope, below the headlights, while the tow hooks of the Type 99A are mounted on the lower front slope, inline with the headlights.