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Version
française |
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Type
59 main battle tank |
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The
Type 59 is a Chinese made main battle tank which is based on the Russian
main battlle tank T-54/T-55. The first production models were similar
to the early production Russian T-54 and not fitted with infra-red night
vision equipment or a stabiliser for the 100 mm main armament. The Type
59 was modified several times during its service with the replacement
of the 100 mm Type 59 rifled gun with a 105 mm rifled gun. The Type
59 was the first PRC-built tank, with a significant number still in
service with the PLA today. Some Type 59s have been upgraded to the
Type 59D standard, armed with improved main gun, fire-control, and observation
systems.
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| Variants |
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Type 59-I: Improved variant fitted with a Type 69-II 100 mm
rifled gun, as well as a laser rangefinder, hydraulic servo-system,
primitive fire control, automatic fire suppression system, and rubber
track skirt. The Type 59-I includes several versions with different
armour and fire control configurations.
- Type 59-II: Manufacturer designation WZ-120B. Mounts
the 105 mm Type 81 rifled gun design provided by Austria, distinguished
by the fume extractor midway on the barrel, rather than on the muzzle.
Other improvements include new radio and fire suppression system. Produced
from 1982 to 1985.
- Type 59-IIA: Fitted with thermal sleeve for 105 mm
gun and some composite armor. Variants include MBT, command tank, and
made of plastic armour include: B59G and BW120K. The BW120K is fitted
with an indigenously developed 120 mm smoothbore gun comparable in general
performance to the Rheinmetall 120 mm gun used on the German Leopard
2, American M1A1/A2 Abrams, and other current western main battle tanks.
- Type 59D: Also known as WZ-120C. The Type 59D was
developed in the 1990s. Instead of replacing all ageing Type 59s in
service with newer models, the PLA decided that they should be upgraded
with new technologies to meet the requirements for future land battle.
The Type 59D is fitted with explosive reactive armour, a new tank gun,
passive night vision, and new fire control. The 12150L diesel engine
was also replaced by a 580 hp 12150L7 engine. Variants include Type
59D and Type 59D1. Sudan's Military Industry Corporation (MIC) may have
licensed the T-59D for domestic production as the Al-Zubair 2 tank.
- Type 59P: Advanced variant built for the export market,
with many high-tech components found in modern third-generation tanks.
- Type 59G: A heavily modernized 3rd-generation variant
with a new welded turret similar to the Type 96G replacing the original
cast turret and a 125mm main gun with semi-automatic loader. Most advanced
version of T 59 tank to date. In service with PLA and recently ordered
by Bangladesh Army. Around 300 T59G will be procured and upgraded by
the Bangladesh Army. The Type 59G is also in service in Tanzania. |
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| Technical
Data |
 Back
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| Armament |
The turret
is armed with a 100 mm cannon, for which 34 rounds are typically
carried. A 7.62 mm Type 59T machine gun is mounted coaxially
with the main gun. A Chinese 12.7 mm Type 54 anti-aircraft
machine gun is provided above the commander's hatch for which
200 rounds is carried. Additionally a Type 59T 7.62 mm machine
gun is provided for the driver, which fires through a very
small hole in the center of the front hull.
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| Design
and protection |
The Type
59 has a conventional layout with the fighting compartment
at the front, an engine compartment at the rear, and a cast
dome-shaped gun turret in the centre of the hull. The hull
is welded steel varying in thickness between 99 mm on the
front lower glacis to 20 mm on the hull floor. The turret
varies from 39–100 mm thick.
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| Propulsion |
The
Type 59 is motorized with a 12150L V-12 liquid cooled diesel
engine, which develops 520 horsepower at 2,000 rpm. The engine
feeds a manual gearbox with five forward and one reverse gear.
A total of 815 litres of diesel can be carried internally in
the tank, with a further 400 litres carried externally giving
a maximum road range of 600 kilometers, or approximately 430
km using only internal fuel. The tank has five road wheels on
each side with a prominent gap between the first and second
road wheel. The track is driven by a drive sprocket at the rear,
with an idler at the front, there are no return rollers. The
suspension is a torsion bar system. Engine exhaust is on the
left fender.
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| Accessories |
The
standard version of Type 59 main battle tank is equipped with
NBC protection system and night vision.
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| Specifications |
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Armament |
| One
100 m gun, one coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, one,
one anti-aircraft machine gun 12.7 mm and one
7.62 mm machine gun for the driver.
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Country
users |
| Albania,
bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Republic Democratic
of Congo, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Pakistan,
Sudan, Tanzania, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe. |
Designer
Country |
| China
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Accessories |
| NBC
protection system and night vision. |
Crew |
4
soldiers |
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Armor |
| Protection
against small arms firing and shell splinters.
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Weight |
36,000
kg
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Speed |
40
-50 km/h maximum road speed |
Range |
440
km, 600 km with external supply |
Dimensions |
Length,
6.04 m (hull); Width, 3.27 m; Height, 2.59 m |
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