Type 59

Most PLA equipment is produced from Soviet designs of the 1950s, but weapons were being incrementally upgraded, some with Western technology. The Type 59 main battle tank is based on the Soviet T-54. In the early 50’s China was supplied with a quantity of Soviet T-54 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) China undertook production of a copy of the T-54A as the Type 59 MBT. Type 59s have been employed in various conflicts around the world in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Notable users of the vehicle are China, Vietnam, Cambodia, North Korea and Pakistan (more than 1,300). Chinese Type 59s were also sold or given to Albania, Bangladesh, The Congo, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. At least 6,000 Type 59 and 59II MBTs served in the PLA and many will remain in service until China decides on a next generation tank. A new GEC-Marconi Centaur fire control system is available, and British Barr and Stroud thermal based FCS can be fitted.

VARIANTS:

• Type 59: Original model is a copy of the Former Soviet T-54 MBT and has a 100-mm main gun.
• Type 59II: An attempt to incorporate several western improvements into the basic vehicle. The L7 type 105mm main gun, stabilized in both planes, gives a vast increase in hitting power.
• T-72Z/ Safir 74: Iranian variant which constitutes state of the art for upgraded 50s-generation former Warsaw Pact tanks. This tank has a 780-hp diesel engine, track skirts, and smoke grenade launchers. An Iranian ERA package will fit T-72Z. Armament includes an M68 105- mm rifled gun, 7.62-mm Type 59T (PKT) MG, and a 12.7-mm Type 59 (DShKM) MG. The cannon can launch AT-10/ Bastion ATGMs (to 4000 meters) and fire a broad range of NATO 105-mm ammunition. Fire control includes the robust Slovenian EFCS-3-55 fire control system with stabilization, a laser rangefinder, and a ballistic computer. The FCS includes a commander’s independent viewer and target designation system, and II gunner night sights.

Specifications