In part due to its high cost, this tank will not be deployed in large numbers, like earlier models such as the Type 59. The unit price is greater than 16 million renminbi yuan (2006 price, ~2 million USD, ~1.6 million EUR). The tank is also known by its industrial index as the WZ-123 MBT. The official manufacturer's designation seems to be ZTZ-99. It has an improved engine and additional Leopard 2A5-style sloped armour on the turret front and sides. The production version, known initially as Type 98 and later as Type 98G, and then finally improve the performance and named it as Type 99, was revealed in 2001. The tank was first revealed in October 1999 during the national parade and entered service in small numbers for operational tests and evaluation before the finalisation of the design. Although not expected to be acquired in large numbers due to its high cost compared to the more economical Type 96, it is currently the most advanced MBT fielded by China. It is made to compete with modern western tanks. The Type 99, also known as ZTZ-99 and WZ-123, developed from the Type 98G (in turn, a development of the Type 98), is a 3rd generation main battle tank (MBT) fielded by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Secondary_armament=12.7 mm commander's machine gun, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun Primary_armament=125 mm smoothbore tank gun, compatible with Chinese 140mm guns (approx 2,500,000 USD) Ĭrew=3 (4 originally based on the Type 98 prototypes without autoloader)

Caption=A Type 99 tank at the China People's Revolution Military Museum in Beijing during the 2007 'Our troops towards the sun' exhibition.

Chinese type-99 main battle tank