Type 99

Development of the Type 99, China's first mass-produced third-generation main battle tank, began in 1989 under the eighth five-year plan. Designed by the 201st Research Institute and manufactured at the Baotou Tank Plant, the vehicle was intended to replace the Type 88. The design originated from studies of the Soviet T-72 chassis conducted during the Type 90-II prototype series. A domestic derivative, known as the Type 98 or WZ-123, was first publicly displayed in 1999. The improved Type 98G was subsequently designated the Type 99 and entered service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2001. The Type 99A variant followed in 2011 after development began in 2003, and the Type 99B was unveiled in 2025.

The Type 99 features a welded turret with modular composite armor and applique panels. Protection is supplemented by tandem-charge defeating explosive reactive armor (ERA), with the Type 99A utilizing third-generation Relikt-type ERA. Defensive systems include a nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) protection suite, laser warning receivers, and the JD-3 active laser self-defense weapon. This system locates enemy laser sources and uses a high-powered beam to disrupt optical sensors or personnel. Some variants incorporate the GL-6 hard-kill active protection system, which uses fire control radars to detect and intercept incoming projectiles.

Primary armament consists of a 125mm ZPT-98 smoothbore gun equipped with a carousel-style autoloader. The weapon system is capable of firing armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) such as the GP125. The fire control system provides hunter-killer functionality through stabilized thermal sights, a ballistic computer, and an automatic target tracker. The Type 99A includes an ST-16 millimeter-wave radar for target identification and a muzzle reference system to maintain firing accuracy.

Mobility is provided by a 150HB liquid-cooled V12 twin-turbo diesel engine. While early models utilized manual transmissions, later variants are equipped with CH1000 hydraulic-mechanical semi-automatic transmissions. The tank uses a torsion bar suspension system and can be fitted with a snorkel for deep fording.

The People's Liberation Army Ground Force is the sole operator of the Type 99 series. The tank has been produced in large numbers and forms the core maneuvering force for heavy combined arms brigades. Initial deployments were concentrated in the Beijing and Shenyang Military Regions. The Type 99B variant is designated for operation in high-altitude environments, specifically the Himalayan border regions.