The Type 59 is a main battle tank of Chinese origin. In the early 1950's the USSR allowed China to copy and produce the T-54. Over time the Type 59 design was improved in various areas and led to the development of the improved Type 69. These improvements are unrelated to the T-55 and Soviet modernization programs. The Type 59 was the primary Chinese tank for many decades and large numbers remain in service, although the design has aged and can even be considered obsolete by todays standards.

The Type 59 has the same layout as the Soviet T-54. The driver is seated in the front and the cast turret is located in the middle. The engine and drivetrain are located at the rear. The chassis has five large roadwheels with a space between the first two wheels. Over time the Type 59 design was improved by the Chinese in various ways. The Type 59 may be encountered with improved fire control systems with a laser range finder over the barrel, improved 100mm ordnance, a 105mm cannon, slat armor, ERA blocks and an improved engine.

The original Type 59 is armed with a non-stabilized 100mm Type 59 cannon for which a total of 34 rounds are carried. The later Type 69-II has a 100mm Type 69 cannon which is stabilized in both axis and for which 44 rounds are carried. The Type 79 and improved Type 59's can be encounted by a 105mm rifled cannon which fires NATO type ammunition. All versions have a 7.62mm Type 59T machine gun in the bow and a second as a coaxial weapon. A 12.7mm Type 54 heavy machine gun is mounted on the turret roof.

The Type 59 has the same protection level as the T-54. This means that the armor can easily be pierced by modern cannon, anti-tank missiles and even portable anti-tank weapons. From the Type 69 onwards the protection level has been slightly improved and rubber skirts were added. Some Type 59 variants feature ERA or slat armor, although these versions are rare. Since the Type 69 an NBC system is present and a small number of vehicle care smoke grenade launchers.

The tracked chassis provides good all terrain mobility. The maximum speed on road and average cross country speed are rather low. The Type 59 was powered by a 520 hp diesel engine but from the Type 59 onwards an uprated 580 hp diesel engine is used. The maximum speed on roads is 50 km/h. When using a snorkel the Type 59 may ford water up to a depth of 5 meters.

The Type 59 and its variants have been the main Chinese tank up from the 1950's up to the late 1980's and large quantities remain in service. The Type 59 and later models were also widely exported, mainly to Asia, the Middle East and Africa. During the Iraq - Iran war it was widely used by both sides. During the later Gulf War conflicts the Type 69 was more actively used by the Iraqis than the more powerful T-72. Nowadays the Type 59 is considered an old design and most are in second line service or stored.