Type 80

   The Type 80 main battle tank was developed by NORINCO in the early 1980s. It is a radically improved version of the Type 69 MBT.

   Vehicle has a redesigned hull, which is longer comparing with the Type 69. Front of the hull and turret can be fitted with composite armor. The Type 80 features steel side skirts, common to all Chinese main battle tanks. Turret of the Type 80 is similar to that on the Type 79 MBT (export version of the Type 69).

   The Type 80 is armed with the L7/M68 105-mm rifled gun. It fires all standard NATO 105-mm ammunition, which is also manufactured in China under license. This gun is loaded manually. Fire control system of the Type 80 is similar to that of the Type 69-II MBT.

   Secondary armament consists of 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun and 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

   Vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

   The Type 80 main battle tank is powered by a 12150L-7BW diesel engine, developing 730 hp. Vehicle can be fitted with a deep wading kit.

Variants

   Type 80-II is fitted with improved fire control and NBC protection systems;

   Type 85-II, developed in 1989, is a further development of the Type 80-II, featuring new turret and additional modular armor at the front of the hull and turret;

   Type 85-IIA command tank, fitted with additional communication and navigation equipment.