ZBD 2000

   The ZBD 2000 amphibious light tank was revealed in 2006 and is already in service with the PLA Marine Corps. This armored vehicle is sometimes referred as the ZLT05. It is a successor to the Type 63A. It is a variant of the ZBD 2000 amphibious IFV. Development of this new high-speed amphibious vehicle family shows the high level of resources China is devoting towards the amphibious assault capabilities. No official details of this vehicle were published.

   The ZBD 2000 is similar to the US Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle in concept, though fitted with heavier armor protection. Vehicle has a large welded hull, specially designed for high-speed swimming.

   Vehicle is armed with a fully-stabilized 105-mm rifled gun. It is the same gun, found of the Type 63A. It has effective range of over 2 000 m against armored targets. It is speculated, that it's HEAT round penetrates between 460 and 500 mm of steel armor. This gun is loaded manually. It also fires APFSDS, HE rounds and gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles. These laser-guided missiles were developed from the Russian 9M117 Bastion technology and are fired in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. Maximum range is 4 - 5 km and hit probability is 90% against static targets. These missiles can also target low flying helicopters. The ZBD 2000 can fire both ordinary rounds and anti-tank guided missiles while swimming.

   Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and another 12.7-mm MG, mounted on top of the roof.

   The ZBD 2000 has a crew of four and provides accommodation for at least four troops. Troops dismount through the rear exit door.

   The ZBD 2000 light tank uses the same hull as the infantry fighting vehicle. It is claimed, that front turret armor of this light tank withstands 25-mm armor-piercing rounds at 1 000 m range. All-round protection is against 7.62-mm armor-piercing rounds.

   Engine is located at the front of the planning hull. Vehicle has a hydraulically-activated bow, transom flaps and is propelled on water by two waterjets. When actuated, bow and transom flaps form a planning surface together with the bottom of the hull. This light tank is planning on water, rather than pushing through.

   The ZBD 2000 has a maximum amphibious speed on water of around 45 km/h. Vehicle can travel 10 km or more at sea, however it may not reach the swimming performance of the US EFV.