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Type 59 WZ120
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Type 59 main battle tank
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The Type 59 is a Chinese made main battle tank that is based on the Russian main battle 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 stabilizer 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 an improved main gun, fire-control, and observation systems. |
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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 armor 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 armor 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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