ZTZ88B&A/Type88

[Dragonmitri 94]

History

Information on this series can be a confusing mess. The original ZTZ88 design never seemed to enter mass production as such I have chosen to omit it from the post to cause less confusion. The B model entered service first  and before the A model the only difference between the two are the guns with the A model having a longer one.

 

The Type 88 tank is considered to be the first second-generation main battle tank made in China It was designed as a sort of more conservative stopgap vehicle to try out various new ideas and to implement improvements over previous vehicles while the designs of a truly modern MBT were still in the works . The ZTZ88B/A tank utilizes the overall layout of the Type 59/69 tank and the cast turret, but uses a new chassis with six pairs of smaller road wheels, and a diesel engine with 730hp. The tanks were equipped with the Type 83 gun for the B and the Type 83 I/83A/ZPL94. The vehicle has a new three-in-one (periscope sight, laser rangefinder and second generation night vision) gunner sight and a JSFCS-212 FCS. The tanks can use already in game Type 83APDS/HEAT/HESH but also can use what are probably Chinese made M413(DM33) and M426(DM63) licensed from Israel. There are about 300 to 400 Type 88 series tanks in service in the PLA mostly for training and as reserves.  Some may be deployed in areas of lesser importance. Myanmar has also acquired 200 ZTZ88Bs.

 

Specifications

Crew 4: driver, commander, loader and gunner
Weight 39-40 tons

Engine 730hp 12150ZL (same as ZTZ96)

Transmission (same as ZTZ96)

Max road 57km/h

Max rev speed 7km/h

 

Main gun Type 83(B model) Type 83 I/83A/ZPL94 (A model)

Elevation/depression: +18/-5 degree

Auxiliary weapons: Coaxial Type 59 7.62-mm machine gun  with 2,250 rounds, Type 59 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun with 500 rounds, Two 4-tube 37-mm Type 84 smoke grenade launcher
Horizontal traverse 20 degrees per sec
Vertical 6 degrees per sec
Ammunition capacity 44 rounds.
 

Armour front/side/back

Turret 220 / 155 / 65 mm of CHA. ERA can be mounted but no pictures found.

Hull 60 / 50 / 45 mm of RHA a composite block (same as ZTZ96 most likely) and ERA can be added it to it but no pictures found.

 

Pictures

Spoiler

 

ZTZ88Bs

 

ZTZ88As take note of longer barrel.

 

Sources

 

Spoiler

 

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Type_80/88_main_battle_tank

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20100607130435/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/tank/type88.asp

 

http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product2391.html

 

https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=169

 

https://sinodefence.com/ztz-88_type-80/

 

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/pc/2003-09-19/29/358.html

 

http://www.huaxia.com/js/jsgc/00157368.html

 

https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/88式坦克

 

https://baike.baidu.com/item/88式主战坦克/3718709?fromtitle=ZTZ-88主战坦克&fromid=18018008

 

 

Edited September 4, 2020 by Dragonmitri

[Princess_Pinch 5,625]

Open for discussion. 

[Wolf_89 2,523]

China needs more vehicles.

[John_JIANG 126]

Yes, finally we have this suggestion! This is a MUST!! The tanks shown on parade are always mass produced and serviced! 

8.7 would be the best BR for 88B/A. better mobility but less turret protection comparing to 59D. Although 9.0 could be playable but playing it against leopard A1A1/C2A1 or T72A or MBT70 would be painful.

Edited September 10, 2020 by John_JIANG

[Borotovas 4,499]

+1 to both tanks.

[Kasatka183 17]

If ERA and composite plate could be installed as additional armor, the Type 88 will be a more advanced 2nd generation MBT with much better firepower and mobility than ztz59d1, which could be compared with M60A3TTS.

 

 

[Dragonmitri 94]

Here is some basic info on the 2 improved shells. My speculation as to what these shells are is that China and Israel worked together to basically make depleted uranium copies/versions/equivalents of M413(DM33) and M426(DM63).

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 8, 2020 by Dragonmitri

[Milocat 4,842]

+1 to both versions for sure!

[鈴鹿靜 2]

+1

For complement, Type 88 C is also called as Type 96

[eleks12 1,076]

+1

[Kasatka183 17]

On 08/09/2020 at 22:46, Dragonmitri said:

China and Israel worked together to basically make depleted uranium copies/versions/equivalents

“China remains the world's leader not only in production, but also in export and consumption of tungsten products. ” (by wikipedia) So Chinese arsenals prefer tungsten rather than depleted uranium as the material of penetrator. The letter W in DTW2 just stands for Wu, means tungsten in Chinese.

[Dragonmitri 94]

From what I've read some earlier designed Chinese APFSDS were depleted uranium. I remember various articles and things mention that Chinese engineers initially liked the idea of making DU projectiles but came to the conclusion that it was too expensive and in general not worth the effort. Then there is also the 15 year storage-life listed on the shells, as far as I know tungsten munitions don't really have a storage life and its only a DU issue or it could be a general storage-life where idk the propellent goes old and loses power not referring to DU projectiles degrading over time.

 

Edited September 11, 2020 by Dragonmitri

[Dragonmitri 94]

A fellow going by the name of WilhelmZ22 DM'd me with some very nice pictures of the composite add-on armor the ZTZ88.

Spoiler

 

 

 

[EjectionSeat 5]

+1

[tiger7742 260]

+1, more tanks to accompany my ZTZ59D1 and M60A3 TTS

[CakeJuniorMan 176]

+1, we need this vehicle as soon as possible as long with the Type 99A, Type 99 Early Production, Type 96B, Type 85, Type 80, and the Type 79 MBT's! 

[Desperadoes 9]

+1，Both type 85 tank and type 88 tank come from type 80 tank. The two different styles reflect the change of Chinese tank design ideas, while type 85 affects the design of type 96 tank. The change between type 85 tank of 125 gun and type 96 tank is not obvious. I hope to launch type 85 and type 88 tank of 105 gun version to undertake the scope of 8.7

[NAYEONnaise 1,936]

+1, Could be a great 9.0 for China to complement with the lonely CM11.

[Wilhuff_Tarkin_ 467]

+1, Could Will be a great 9.0 for China to complement with the lonely [redacted]. 

[NAYEONnaise 1,936]

Just now, Wilhuff_Tarkin_ said:

+1, Could Will be a great 9.0 for China to complement with the lonely [redacted]. 

+15 social credit

[CakeJuniorMan 176]

It looks like that we are now getting this vehicle in the next major update! 

[MO_Smart_Sharkon 882]

1 hour ago, CakeJuniorMan said:

It looks like that we are now getting this vehicle in the next major update! 

We get the later one, ZTZ88A. Not sure if B will come as well, they don't have too much difference other than the gun.

[NAYEONnaise 1,936]

On 14/03/2022 at 12:18, HFE_21_ASM said:

We get the later one, ZTZ88A. Not sure if B will come as well, they don't have too much difference other than the gun.

88A can fire GP105 ATGM too right?

[leroyonly 4,310]

As the ZTZ-88A has been implemented as per 2.15 Wind of Change,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.