China's Type 99 battle tank explained

BEIJING — China featured the most current main battle tank in its arsenal, the Type 99, during its 70th National Day military parade on October 1.

The Chinese army's Type 99 family of battle tanks, also known as the ZTZ99, feature a hull that resembles a lengthened T-72 hull and a turret inspired by the German Leopard II.

The Type 99 has an autoloader and is armed with a Russian-style 125 millimeter smoothbore gun that fires shells and AT-11 Sniper anti-tank missiles, according to the National Interest.

The article speculates the tank's 125 millimeter cannon could penetrate the frontal armor of the U.S. Abrams tank when firing tungsten rounds at close range, while a newer variant, the Type 99A2, has an even longer barrel main gun.

The tank can hold three crew members: the commander, gunner and driver.

The Type 99 uses a composite armor and explosive reactive armor, or ERA, explosive blocks added to the armor that resist enemy armor piercing shells and missiles, reports the National Interest.

The Type 99A2 variant has multi-layered system that uses a radar to detect incoming projectiles and detonates the ERA tiles before impact, similar to the Relikt system developed by Russia.

In addition, the Type 99 is protected by a laser warning receiver that warns the tank's commander if and when a hostile laser targeter is painting the tank.

China has fielded and produced around 600 Type 99 tanks, including original Type 99s and the more advanced Type 99As since they entered into service in 2001.