| ZTZ-80 | ZTZ-88A | ZTZ-88B | ZTZ-85-II | ZTZ-85-IIA | ZTZ-85-III |
The ZTZ-80 (Chinese: 80式坦克) is a second generation Main Battle Tank used by the People's Liberation Army.
History[]
In 1978, Chinese managed to study enough foreign design elements to come up with a new program to build a second generation Main Battle Tank with the intention of replacing the aging Type 59-based fleet of domestic tanks. Due to development of components already started in 1974, the first prototype for second generation MBT, the WZ-121A was completed in 1979.
On its basis, the formal second generation MBT program received the designation of WZ-122 with NORINCO being the primary developer in 1981. The resulting vehicle was deemed superior to any Type 59 variant (ZTZ-59-I) and was officially accepted in service under the designation of Type 80 (ZTZ-80) on February 4 1988.
The original Type 80 was a classic design, resembling the Soviet vehicles with its round, cast turret. It had a crew of four and was actually really light, as it weighed only 38 tons. What makes it instantly recognizable and distinctive from the earlier Type 59 variants is the new suspension, using dual, rubber-banded roadwheels with torsion bars. The tank still had steel armor only. Overall, the protection level of the vehicle was inferior to the one of T-72, despite both being second generation MBTs. It was powered by a 730hp diesel and armed with the manually loaded 105mm Type 83 gun (a copy of the NATO L7).
There are two designations for the Type 80 MBT series. The Type 80 itself is for foreign trade, and its development is known as Type 85 (ZTZ-85-II). At the same time, the domestic PLA model is named the Type 88 (ZTZ-88A) MBT according to the year of finalization. The appearance and performance of the Type 80 and Type 88 are similar, but there are slight differences in some aspects.
Game stats[]
Specifications[]
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Class | Main battle tank |
| Cost | 50 
|
| Armor | Front 10 / Side 5 / Rear 2 / Top 2 |
| Strength | 10 |
| Size | Medium |
| Optics |
Poor |
| Speed | 60 km/h |
| Road Speed | 110 km/h |
| Stealth | Poor |
| Fuel Capacity | 1600 L |
| Autonomy | 600 km |
| Year | 1985 |
| Type | Mechanized, Armored, Motorized |
Weapons[]
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Main Gun | MMG | No Weapon |
| Name | T83 | T54 | |
| Caliber | 105mm [KE] [AoE] | 12,7mm | |
| Ammo | x 30 | x 1000 | |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = N/A m  Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = 1050 m Helicopters = 875 m Airplanes = N/A m
|
|
| Accuracy | 55% | 15% | |
| Stabilizer | 30% | 5% | |
| AP Power | 15 | N/A | |
| HE Power | 3 | 0.75 | |
| Suppression | 121 | 90 | |
| Rate of fire | 9 r/min | 652 r/min |
Gallery[]
See also[]
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