Type 69/79

Infobox Weapon
is_vehicle=yes
name=Type 69-II


caption=Type 69 II Command Tank Type B in Royal Australian Armoured Corps Tank Museum, Puckapunyal, Australia
type=Main battle tank
origin=People's Republic of China
designer=No. 60 Research Institute
manufacturer=First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory/Inner-Mongolia First Machine Group Company Limited
used_by=See "operators"
wars=Gulf War, Iraq War
length=6.24 m (Hull)
width=3.3 m
height=2.80 m
weight=36.7 tonnes
suspension=torsion-bar
speed=50 km/h
range_vehicle=420 km
primary_armament=100/105 mm rifled tank gun
secondary_armament=7.62 mm coaxial and bow machine guns, 12.7 mm antiaircraft machine gun
armour=203 mm
engine=diesel
crew=4
engine_power=580 hp (430 kW)
pw_ratio=15.8 hp/tonne

The Chinese Type 69 and Type 79 main battle tanks were developments of the Type 59, which in turn was a copy of the Soviet T-54A tank. Their lineage can be seen through the distinct gap between the first and second roadwheels. Other improvements included a new engine, ballistic computers, and laser rangefinders. The more advanced Type 79 was equipped with a 105 mm rifled gun,cite book |last=Gelbart |first=Marsh |title=Tanks main battle and light tanks |year=1996 |publisher=Brassey’s UK Ltd |Pages=pp.18-19 |isbn=185753168X] also seen on the later Type 88.

History

After the Sino-Soviet split, the Soviet Union withdrew its technical staff and support to China's arms industry. China's 617 Factory (Inner-Mongolia First Machine Group Co Ltd) was tasked to improve on the T-54A design (Type 59 MBT) in 1963, which became the Type 69. Improvements include dual-axis stabilized 100 mm smoothbore gun, new 580 hp engine, and IR search light. However, the PLA was not satisfied with the version, and it did not enter serial production. Some western analysts incorrectly identified the Type 69 as a Chinese copy of the Soviet T-55, opposed to the Type 59 being a copy of the T-54A.

During the 1969 Sino-Soviet border clash, the PLA was able to capture a Soviet T-62 MBT. The captured tank was examined, and some of its components, such as the Soviet Luna IR searchlight system, were copied and integrated into the Type 69 design. However, the Type 69 wasn't formally accepted into PLA service until 1982, and then only in limited quantities. The PLA was unsatisfied with the Type 69's performance, but ironically it became one of China's best armored vehicle exports. Over 2,000 were sold world-wide in the 1980s.

Relations between China and the West warmed in the 1980s, and China was able to import some western technologies to improve its weapon systems. The Type 69 was upgraded with western systems such as the British Marconi FCS, and the L7 105 mm gun. The new version received the designation Type 79, which represented the last in China's first-generation tank development.

The simplicity, robustness and low cost of the tanks made them attractive on the export market, and China sold hundreds to both sides during the Iran–Iraq War. () Many of the vehicles were later used by Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War.

Both the Type 69 and Type 79 tanks share almost identical hulls and turrets with the older Type 59. The only difference is that the two more recent tank models have been upgraded with better technologies that were either captured or bought from more advanced countries. () The Chinese Type 59, 69 and 79 tanks can therefore be viewed as part of the same, evolutionary tank family in the same way that the Soviet T-54, -55 and -62 tanks share a common lineage. Only in the mid-1980's did the Chinese gain the expertise to begin experimenting with new, indigenous tank designs that were not cast from the mold of the Type 59/69/79 family, and only in the 1990's did China begin producing really modern tanks. ()

Today only a couple hundred Type 69/Type 79s remain in PLA inventory, mostly deployed with training or reserve units. The Type 69/Type 79 are being replaced by the newer Type 96 and Type 99 MBTs. The Type 69 is also known as WZ-121 by the manufacturer (NORINCO).

Variants

Type 69

Prototype based on the Type 59 hull, fitted with new 580 hp diesel engine, Type 69 100 mm smoothbore gun, IR searchlight, and laser rangefinder.

Type 69-I

Prototype incorporting some technologies from captured Soviet T-62 MBT, such as the Luna IR searchlight system, and improved NBC protection.

Type 69-II (A)

First production version released in 1982, fitted with:
* Type 69-II 100 mm rifled gun
* New FCS system with:
** TSFC 2-axis gun stabilization
** Type 70 gunner sight
** TCRLA Laser rangefinder
** BCLA Ballistic computer
* Type 889 radio
* Rubber track skirts
* Storage racks on turret
* Smoke grenade launchers

This version was widely exported, including license-production in Pakistan.

Type 69-II-B/C

Command version of the Type 69-II with additional communications equipment and auxiliary power pack. There's a long tube welded to the turret top for radio aerial, and two storage boxes on the rear, containing cables and field phone.

Type 30

The Type 69-II is referred to as the Type 30 in the Royal Thai Army. [ Jane's Armour and Artillery 1997-98 ISBN 0 7106 1542 6]

Type 69 III (Type 79)

Also known as the WZ-121D, improved Type 69-II version with Western Technology. In service with PLA as the Type 79 MBT. Improvements include:
* First Chinese tank to incorporate rubber plated track
* First Chinese tank to have hatches automatically closed when NBC agents are detected
* Type 83-I 105 mm gun (improved L7 copy) with replaceable thermal sleeve
* Passive IR sights or thermal imaging system
* Tracks fitted with removable rubber shoes
* British Marconi FCS system with:
** TLRLA laser rangefinder
** BCLA ballistic computer
** TGSA gunner sight
* Type 79 liquid-cooled 730 hp diesel

Foreign Version

The Type 69 MBT is currently in service with the armies of Bangladesh (88; being upgraded to T69MK-IIG specs, with 120mm smoth bore gun, ERA, 1200hp engine, etc. ^[1] , Iran (200), Myanmar (60), Pakistan (250), Thailand (50), and Zimbabwe (10). The Type 69 was also exported to Iraq, but is no longer in service with the New Iraqi Army. Albania also obtained around (150) Type 69-IIC in late 70's.

Non-Military Applications

A civilian variant of the Type 69/79 was used to develop the Chinese firefighting tank. Currently only three fire brigades in China have purchased such a vehicle.

Operators

*ALB - 150+
*BAN - 88 including an unknown number of Type 79
*IRN - 200
*MYA - 60
*PAK - 250
*THA - 98
*SRI - 20
*ZIM - 10

Former Operators

*IRQ - 1500 Type 59 and Type 69 in 1990. All destroyed or scrapped.

Iraq

During the 80s, China was reported to have sold hundreds of Type 59/69 MBTs to Iraq. By 1991 Gulf War, western analysts claim that Iraq had upgraded the Type 69s with 105 mm gun, 160 mm mortar, and 125 mm gun with auto-loader. All of them were reinforced with frontal layer armor welded on the glacis plate [http://www.faoa.org/journal/iraq9910.html] . All these versions were known as Type 69-QMs. It was reported during the 1991 Gulf War that the Iraqi Type 69 units fought harder than the elite Republican Guard units, equipped with T-72 MBTs. One possible explanation is that Saddam ordered his Republican Guard units to preserve their strength, while sending the rest of the army, equipped with inferior Type 69 tanks to frontline fight.

According to battle reports from the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Type 69-QMs were used by the Iraqi Army units defending Nasiriyah in March 2003, most of them being employed as artillery pillboxes. They were key players in the ambushes which decimated the U.S. Army 507th Maintenance Company and Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, before AH-1 Cobra helicopters wiped out the Iraqi tanks. Two Type 69s destroyed at least four vehicles of the 507th, among them a heavy truck rammed by one of the tanks [http://www.sftt.us/PDF/article07102003a.pdf#prof PDF] . There is also a first hand account of about four Type-69s hidden behind some buildings, pounding the Marines' Charlie Company with indirect fire and likely disabling several "AAV"s. [http://www.jsonline.com/news/gen/mar03/128022.asp#prof] Some combat useless Type 59/69s were allegedly emplaced as decoys or obstacles.

Main versions of the Iraqi Type 69:

* Type 69-QM standard (also known inside the Iraqi Army as "T-55B") - Type 69-II with the usual 100 mm rifled gun, reinforced with front glacis layer armour, also featured with an observation mast. Some of them mounted a 160 mm mortar. The command vehicles often were fitted with blocks of "appliqué" spaced armour, in the style of the so called "Enigma" T-55s, 1986-1988.
* Type 69-QM1 - Type 69 upgraded with NATO standard 105 mm rifled gun and laser range-finder, 1984-1988.
* Type 69-QM2 - Type 69 upgraded with Warsaw Pact standard 125 mm/L80 smoothbore gun and laser rangefinder, 1986-1991.

References

*cite web|title=Type 69 Main Battle Tank|work=FAS Military Analysis Network|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-69.htm|accessdaymonth=1 June |accessyear=2005
*cite web|title=Bangladesh Type 69/79 Tank Development & Upgrade Program|work=Bangladesh Military Forces|url=http://www.bdmilitary.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=30632|accessdaymonth=09 May |accessyear=2008

ee also

Type 59/62 -
Type 69/79 -
Type 80/85/88 -
Type 90/96 -
MBT 2000 -
Type 98/99 -
T-72 -
M-84 -
M-95 -
M-2001 -
PT-91 -
T-80 -
T-84 -
T-90 -
T-95

External links

* [http://www.bdmilitary.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=149724 Bangladesh Military Forces]
* [http://sinodefence.com/army/tank/type69.asp Sino Defense Today]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-69.htm Global security.org]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-69.htm FAS]
* [http://www.onwar.com/weapons/afv/data/chimbtt69ii.htm Onwar.com]