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The Front Line | New tank shows China adapting to drone-era battlefield and landing operations: analyst
A medium-weight tank spotted on Beijing’s streets during Victory Day rehearsals shows Beijing learning from Ukraine war, says Fu Qianshao
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Amber Wangin Beijing
China is set to unveil a new-generation, lighter tank during next month’s military parade, designed to better survive drone strikes and be more suitable for potential Taiwan operations, according to a Chinese analyst.
A new type of tank was recently spotted on Beijing’s streets during rehearsals for the massive parade on September 3, which will mark the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II.
The vehicle appears to be a medium-weight tank, lighter than the third-generation Type 99A main battle tank (MBT), and is equipped with advanced active protection systems, according to photos and videos circulating online in recent weeks. It is expected to be among the advanced weaponry China will showcase at the event.
Analysts say it reflects Beijing’s evolving thinking about the role of tanks in future warfare and the lessons it has drawn from the Ukraine war, where both sides have suffered heavy tank losses from drone and missile attacks.
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The tank features the GL6 active protection system (APS) and a quad-faced phased array radar that provides 360-degree threat detection, according to Chinese military analyst Fu Qianshao.
“The system can continuously monitor the surrounding environment, automatically deploy countermeasures and intercept incoming missiles, rockets and drones, significantly enhancing survivability,” he said.
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The Ukraine war has highlighted the vulnerability of modern tanks. Open-source analysts with the Oryx intelligence collective estimate that Russia has lost around 3,800 tanks – destroyed, damaged, abandoned or captured – while Ukraine has lost about 1,100, according to a report in May by Business Insider.
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