ZBD86A
Type 86
Overview
ZBD86A
Right side view of a Chinese ZBD86A on the move.
Source: Chinese internet -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Chinese for "Type 86 infantry fighting vehicle"
Type 86 (old Chinese designation)
ZBD86 (new Chinese naming convention)
WZ-501 (industry index for Type 86)
YW-501 (export designation)
Description
Introduction
The ZBD86A is a mechanized infantry fighting vehcile of Chinese origin. It is an upgraded and rearmed variant of the Type 86, whichs is a reverse engineered Soviet BMP-1. In the early 1980’s China acquired a Soviet BMP-1 and reverse engineered it for domestic use and export sales.
Design
The Type 86 is a direct copy of the Soviet BMP-1. More specifically the Object 765Sp3 variant. For export sales a whole famliy of vehicles was developed. Only a few variants were ever produced. The ZBD86A replaces the whole turret with a new one, making it more a counterpart of the BMP-2.
Firepower
The initial production version of the ZBD86 is armed with a 73mm low pressure cannon and launch rail for the HJ-73 anti-tank missile. The current model in Chinese service is the ZBD86A. Armed with a stabilized dual belt feed 30mm ZPT99 autocannon and SACLOS guided HJ-73C anti-tank missile.
Protection
The armor protects the crew and passengers from small arms fire and shell splinters all around. Over the frontal arc its resists heavy machine gun fire. Early models lacked smoke grenade dischargers.
Mobility
The tracked chassis provides the ZBD86A with a good cross country performance. A 300hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The ZBD86A is fully amphibious by raising the trim vane and is propelled in the water by its tracks.
Users
The Type 86 was developed and produced at the request of Egypt and later Iraq, which acquired many weapon systems from China during the Iran-Iraq war. The Type 86 was also acquired in large numbers for domestic use. Until the introduction of the Type 86 the PLA had no mechanized infantry combat vehicle in service. The ZBD86A upgrade is applied providing increased combat effectiveness until all vehicles are eventually replaced by newer designs.
Variants
ZBD86A
Chinese ZBD86A mechanized infantry combat vehicle participating in an exercise in Russia in 2016.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
© GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Details
Media
ZBD86A
Chinese army ZBD86A crossing a barrier during a 2019 exercise.
Source: Chinese internet
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
ZBD86A
Rear view of ZBD86A mechanized infantry combat vehicle.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
ZBD86A
Several ZBD86A in desert camouflage lined up in 2019.
Source: www.mil.ru
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Related articles
BMP-1
The Type 86 is a reverse engineered Soviet BMP-1 mechanized infantry fighting vehicle.
ZBD03
The upgraded ZBD86A is fitted with a similar turret as the ZBD03 airborne infantry fighting vehicle.
ZBD04
The ZBD04 was developed as a more capable successor for the Type 86 in Chinese service.
ZSL92
The Type 86-I is fitted with an overhead weapon system similar to the one used on the ZSL92.