China says new Type 100 tank may strike targets beyond visual line of sight.

China’s People’s Liberation Army has begun fielding the Type 100, a fourth-generation tank designed for beyond visual range and networked operations.

On October 13, 2025, the Chinese newspaper Global Times reported that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is advancing a new ground warfare model centered on the Type 100 main battle tank, which integrates optical, infrared, and radar sensors with networked communications connecting armored units to aviation, artillery, and electronic warfare assets. The media described the tank’s recent deployment in combined-arms exercises, where crews used augmented reality interfaces and hybrid diesel-electric propulsion to engage targets beyond visual range.
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The Type 100’s hybrid diesel-electric powertrain produces roughly 1,500 horsepower, allowing a maximum road speed of 80 km/h and an off-road speed near 50 km/h. (Picture source: CG by 铁皮摄影师, via Weibo/地产画匠)

The Type 100/ZTZ-100 tank, developed by the 201st Research Institute and produced at the Baotou Tank Plant, is claimed to represent a structural modernization effort emphasizing data connectivity, active protection, and multi-domain coordination rather than traditional armor mass. Global Times reported that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force is advancing toward a new operational approach allowing its armored formations to strike targets at extended distances without relying on direct visual contact. These tanks incorporate optical, infrared, and radar sensors along with networked communication systems that connect them to helicopters, rocket artillery, drones, and electronic warfare elements. Chinese military commentators described this as part of a broader trend toward networked joint operations, in which tanks serve as nodes within an integrated combat structure rather than acting as isolated platforms.

During a recent combined-arms battalion exercise, a tank commander named Sun Yongming explained that the new systems allow tank crews to perceive and engage the battlefield from all directions and at long range, transforming armored warfare from close-proximity combat to engagements conducted across greater distances. Another commander, identified as Yuan, said he could coordinate both his battalion and supporting units from other branches, reflecting how joint communications enable cooperation between the Army, aviation units, and other forces. These trials were reported to include the use of new rocket systems, electronic warfare teams, and reconnaissance drones operating alongside the tanks. Analysts cited by Chinese media argue that the introduction of these capabilities aligns the PLA’s ground operations with air and naval long-range engagement methods, extending the overall reach of land-based firepower.

Previously known as the ZTZ-201, the Type 100 tank, developed by the 201st Research Institute and produced at the Baotou Tank Plant, was first presented to the public during the September 3, 2025, Victory Day military parade in Beijing. It is equipped with a 105 mm autoloaded main gun capable of firing armor-piercing rounds at approximately 1,706 meters per second, achieving performance similar to 120 mm and 125 mm Western and Russian smoothbore systems. Secondary armament includes a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a 12.7 mm remote weapon station for anti-drone and air defense functions. The tank’s unmanned turret configuration permits additional ammunition storage and increased armor protection for the three-person crew, which is housed in a sealed armored capsule at the front of the hull.

As a fourth-generation tank, the Type 100’s protection system is based on active and multi-spectral defense rather than traditional armor thickness. Two GL-6 active protection systems with four launch tubes each are managed by four phased-array radar panels placed at the turret corners, offering 360-degree threat detection and countermeasures against anti-tank missiles, rockets, and top-attack munitions. The Type 100 also integrates laser warning receivers, ultraviolet sensors, and multi-band optical detection arrays to increase its resistance to guided weapons. Its hull and turret feature irregular polygonal shapes to reduce hit probability and support electronic warfare functions. If internal overpressure or gas buildup occurs, venting systems release it through the unmanned turret to protect the crew compartment. These systems are complemented by thermal vision, real-time external imaging, and photoelectrical sensors that supply continuous visual data to operators inside the armored capsule.

The tank’s hybrid diesel-electric powertrain produces roughly 1,500 horsepower, allowing maximum road speeds of 80 km/h and off-road speeds near 50 km/h. The configuration supports limited electric-only movement, reducing acoustic and infrared signatures during patrol or ambush operations. The hybrid system also powers the radar, sensors, and protection systems without relying exclusively on the main engine, increasing operational endurance and allowing the vehicle to sustain electronic functions if the combustion engine is deactivated. According to PLA personnel who participated in the September parade, this propulsion setup allows “silent approach” capabilities suitable for stealth-oriented maneuvers. The design’s overall mass, estimated at 40 to 45 tonnes, enables rapid deployment by air or road, adapting to both high-altitude plateaus and urban conditions while maintaining lower logistical requirements than heavier main battle tanks such as the Type 99A.

Crew members operate using augmented reality (AR) headsets linked to external cameras, radars, and optical sensors that provide a 360-degree composite view projected inside the helmet. The headsets display vehicle status, targeting data, and environmental information, allowing tank operators to effectively “see through” the armor. The gunner can align weapons by turning their head or focusing on a target, while commanders and drivers have their own selectable modes for navigation and monitoring. This concept, similar in function to the U.S. Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System and AH-64 Apache helmet tracking, aims to reduce response time and improve internal coordination. The AR system is modular, suggesting that it could be adapted to other armored vehicle types or integrated into broader PLA networked warfare frameworks, linking sensors, drones, and ground vehicles across shared communication channels.

A companion platform, the Type 100 Fire Support Vehicle, was presented at the same parade as a hybrid-electric variant designed to accompany the main battle tank in joint missions. It is fitted with a 30 or 35 mm rapid-fire automatic cannon for engaging light armored targets and providing direct fire support to infantry. The vehicle carries two reconnaissance drones mounted at the rear for surveillance and target identification and employs what appears to be a GL-6-derived active protection suite similar to that of the tank. It includes an auxiliary power unit to sustain onboard electronics while stationary and has capacity for a small team of three to four infantrymen in addition to its crew. The hybrid propulsion reduces both noise and heat emissions, improving survivability in environments saturated with drones and sensors. Together, the Type 100 and its Fire Support Vehicle illustrate a unified effort by the PLA to develop lighter, data-connected, and electronically integrated ground systems aimed at expanding long-range coordination and reducing exposure in modern battlefield conditions.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.