Type 85 Main Battle Tanks
Introduction
The Type 85-II Tank is series of Chinese exported Main Battle Tanks that have gone through a number of upgrades, in firepower, mobility and protection. The more modern and advanced Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Type 96 Tank is believed to have been a further development of the Type 85-II series tanks due to their close visual appearance and layout.
Type 85-II Tank Development
The Type 80 Tank was a series of prototypes developed in the early to mid 1980’s. Whilst the Type 80-II with its oval cast turret was developed into the Type 88 Tank for the PLA, a third prototype, the Type 80-III was built with a new welded turret. This meant that China would finally have a tank capable of being fitted with composite or laminate armor on the turret front, not just the hull.
It is speculated that this was further developed into the Type 85-II Tank by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), which retained the rifled 105mm Type 83 main gun. An additional unspecified model was built called the Type 85-IIA.
Type 85-III Tank
Developed as an improved version of the Type 85-IIM by Norinco, it was marketed from 1995 onwards with Explosive Reactive Armor added across the hull and turret fronts. Retaining the same 125mm smoothbore main gun and autoloader of its predecessor, it was fitted with a new 1000hp diesel engine.
Type 85-II Tank Operators
Pakistan: A total of 268 Type 85-II and Type 85-IIM have been delivered and produced under license for the Pakistani Army. It is also known as the Type 85-IIAP.
The initial order was placed with China in 1990 and deliveries (include license production) ran from 1992 to 1996.
Sudan: Some sites state that the Sudan has received the Type 96, however this is incorrect. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Database shows only x25, Type 85-IIM Tanks to have been delivered between 2002 to 2006.
Type 85-IIM Tank Specifications
Fire Power
| Main Gun | 125mm Smoothbore Elevation -4 to +14 |
| Secondary Weapons | x1 coaxial 7.62mm MG, x1 12.7mm MG |
| Ammunition Storage | x40 100mm, x2,000 7.62mm, x500 12.7mm |
Mobility
| Engine | Model VR-36 730hp Diesel liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | ? |
| Top Road Speed | 57 km/h |
| Road Range | ? |
| Fuel Capacity | ? |
| Vertical Obstacle | 0.8m |
| Water Capability | 1.4m |
| Trench Crossing | 2.7m |
| Gradient | 60% |
| Side Slope | 30%? |
Dimensions
| Length Gun Forward | 10.28m |
| Length Hull | 6.32m |
| Width | 3.45m (including side skirts) |
| Height | 2.3m (roof top) |
| Ground Clearance | 0.48m |
| Weight | 41,000kg aka 41 tonne combat |
Protection
| NBC Protected | Yes |
| Armor Type | Steel/Composite |
| Active Protection Systems | No |
