China's new main battle tank looks to be ready for service after no less than the state TV showcased the fourth-generation tank of the Asian country.
A military analyst points out that its recent appearance on Chinese state TV hints that it should be ready for service anytime soon.
(Photo : WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)
A VT4 main battle tank of China is seen on display ahead of the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province on November 7, 2018.
China's New Main Battle Tank
As per the latest news story by South China Morning Post, the Chinese nation is gearing up to release its fourth-generation main battle tank.
The news outlet notes that the Asian territory began the development of the next-generation battle tank several years ago or in 2016, to be more exact.
However, the Hong Kong-based media outlet reports that China has kept mum about its development in past years.
And as such, the public never really had a chance to be updated with the latest progress on the next-generation battle tank. So it is unclear if it is already nearing its launch for service.
South China Morning Post adds that the current main battle tanks of China are the Type 99 and its more upgraded counterpart so-called the Type 99A. It should be noted that the former has been in service for two decades as China launched it way back in 2001.
New Main Battle Tank Might Be Ready for Service Soon
But this time, the Chinese state media could not help but flaunt the new main battle tank of China.
(Photo : JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)
The main battle tank of China is seen on display at the Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province on November 12, 2014.
A military analyst, Song Zhongping, states that the first appearance of the new main battle tank on state TV only hints that the "development of China's most advanced main battle tank is almost complete."
So given that, it looks like the next-generation battle tank of China is imminently nearing its much-awaited unveiling anytime soon.
If the statement of Zhongping, who used to be a military instructor, is to be believed, the Chinese nation is working on the final touches of its new main battle tank. So it might see the light of day anytime soon as it gears up to be used for service.
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What the New Chinese Battle Tank Could Likely Offer
According to a Military Watch report, citing the Chinese state media CCTV, the upcoming battle tank only fits two military crews inside it.
Meanwhile, the older generation, Type 99A, could carry up to three crews. Not to mention that the standard in other countries like Korea and Russia is also three, while Westerners fit up to four people.
But on top of that, the new tank reportedly improves mobility and combat capabilities, South China Morning Post reports.
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Written by Teejay Boris
