China Equips Marine Corps with New Amphibious Anti-Tank Vehicle Armed with HJ-10 Guided Missiles.

On April 27, 2025, newly released imagery on Telegram revealed China’s latest advancement in amphibious warfare: a self-propelled anti-tank missile system integrated onto the tracked chassis of the ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle. Armed with the powerful HJ-10 Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system, this vehicle marks a significant step in the modernization of the People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (PLANMC), enhancing its ability to conduct precision strikes against armored targets during sea-to-shore operations.
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The latest ZTD-05-based anti-tank missile vehicle undergoing sea trials, equipped with dual blocks of HJ-10 anti-tank guided missiles. (Picture source: Telegram)

The ZTD-05 amphibious light tank, developed by the Chinese defense company Norinco, is a highly mobile and seaworthy vehicle designed for rapid deployment from amphibious assault ships. Its aluminum alloy hull, reinforced with composite armor, provides protection against small arms fire and shell fragments while maintaining a lightweight profile essential for amphibious missions. Powered by a high-performance diesel engine, the ZTD-05 reaches speeds of up to 65 km/h on land and between 28 to 30 km/h in water, using twin waterjets for exceptional maritime maneuverability.

In this new anti-tank configuration, an advanced missile launch module has replaced the traditional 105mm gun turret. The turret is fitted with two blocks of six containerized missile launchers, each housing a single HJ-10 missile. This setup gives the vehicle twelve ready-to-fire missiles, significantly boosting its ability to deliver sustained, long-range anti-armor firepower. The enclosed containerized design protects the missiles from environmental exposure and allows for quick rearming in combat conditions.

The HJ-10 missile, also known as the AFT-10 in its export variant, is one of China's most advanced long-range ATGMs. It is designed to defeat modern main battle tanks and fortified structures using a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead capable of penetrating over 1,200 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) after defeating explosive reactive armor (ERA). With a maximum effective range of approximately 10 kilometers, the HJ-10 provides a critical standoff capability, enabling engagement of enemy armor formations from safe distances.

Guided by a sophisticated system combining inertial navigation, imaging infrared (IIR) or television guidance, and a two-way fiber-optic data link, the HJ-10 offers multiple engagement modes. It can operate in fire-and-forget mode, allowing the missile to home in on its target autonomously. Alternatively, operators can use man-in-the-loop guidance to adjust the missile’s trajectory in real-time, even allowing post-launch retargeting. This flexibility is particularly valuable in complex battlefield environments, where threats may be concealed or repositioning rapidly. The system’s ability to strike targets from defilade positions also enhances its survivability and tactical surprise.

The introduction of this amphibious anti-tank platform significantly enhances the firepower and operational reach of China's naval infantry. It allows PLANMC units to engage enemy armor and fortifications from offshore or during inland advances without the need for direct exposure. This capability is particularly relevant in potential conflict zones such as the Taiwan Strait or South China Sea, where amphibious operations would require rapid, high-precision strikes against hardened targets.

Strategically, the new ZTD-05-based anti-tank missile system reflects the PLA’s broader shift toward modular, network-enabled, and precision-strike warfare. By integrating advanced ATGM capabilities into a fast, amphibious chassis, China is equipping its marine forces with the tools to dominate in complex, multidomain combat environments. As part of the ongoing modernization of the PLA, this vehicle not only strengthens China's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) posture but also redefines the role of amphibious platforms in high-intensity warfare.