PTZ89
Overview
PTZ89
PTZ89 tank destroyer at its base.
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WA320 (industrial index)
Description
Introduction
The PTZ89 is a late Cold War era tank destroyer of Chinese origin. It was developed in the early 1980's to provide the Chinese military with a potent anti-tank weapon with a better performance than the cannon that were in service at the moment. Most of the tanks in Chinese service at that moment which were armed with a 100mm cannon. The 120mm smoothbore cannon used in the PTZ89 was to become the main armament of future tanks until a 125mm 2A46 derivative was chosen instead.
Layout
The PTZ89 is based on the Type 321 tracked chassis which is also used in several Chinese artillery vehicles including the Type 83 self-propelled howitzer. The driver is seated on the left with the engine and drivetrain to his right. The turret is located at the rear and houses the other three crewmembers. The main armament is not stabilized and usually only fired over the frontal arc. The ammunition is stowed in the rear of the turret and a semi-automatic loader reduces the effort of reloading.
Firepower
The main armament is a 120mm 50-caliber smoothbore cannon which provides a much better penetration than any cannon in Chinese service at that moment. The gun is connected to a semi-automatic loader which gives a rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute. The effective range against tanks ik 2.5 km, but high explosive shells can be fired out to 9 km in an indirect trajectory. Even though a laser range finder is installed the fire control is considered of low quality. A 12.7mm QJC88 heavy machine gun is mounted on the turret roof for self-defense.
Protection
The steel armor is rather thin for a vehicle which must fight tanks within their engagement radius. The armor provides some degree of protection against medium caliber autocannon rounds and full protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. The stowage racks at the turret sides double as a form of slat armor against HEAT warheads. Two banks of four smoke grenade launchers are fitted and a NBC system and fire protection system are fitted as standard.
Mobility
The tracked chassis provides the PTZ89 with a good off road capability, albeit at low speeds. A 520 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The maximum speed is 55 km/h on roads and around 30 km/h in the field. The maximum range is 450 km. The chassis does not provide the level of maneuverability desired in a relatively thin skinned tank destroyer.
Users
China was the sole user of the PTZ89 tank destroyer. Estimates indicate that at least over 100 vehicles have been produced before production ceased. Possibly as much as 230 have been built. The mixed performance and introduction of tanks armed with 125mm guns made the PTZ89 obsolete. It was removed from Chinese service in 2015.
Variants
PTZ89
PTZ89 tank destroyer firing its powerful 120mm main gun.
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PTZ89 tank destroyer
The PTZ89 is a tank destroyer based on the Type 321 chassis, which is also used by the PLZ83 self-propelled howitzer. It can be easily identified by its chassis, rearward location of the turret, lack of muzzle brake, lower turret and stowage racks.
No variants of the PTZ89 were ever produced, although several Chinese vehicles look rather similar due to the use of the same chassis.
Details
Media
PTZ89
The business end of the 120mm smoothbore main gun.
Source: Shinecommerce @ www.kr.blog.yahoo.com
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PTZ89
A number of PTZ89 in winter camouflage.
Source: Shinecommerce @ www.kr.blog.yahoo.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
PTZ89
A PTZ89 tank destroyer firing its powerful 120mm main gun.
Source: Shinecommerce @ www.kr.blog.yahoo.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
PTZ89
Several PTZ89 on the move during an excersize.
Source: Shinecommerce @ www.kr.blog.yahoo.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
PLZ83
The PTZ89 uses a similar chassis as the PLZ83 self-propelled howitzer and many automotive components are interchangeable.
PHZ89
The PHZ89 multiple rocket launcher uses a similar chassis as the PTZ89. Both vehicles are also known as Type 89 and sometimes confused with each other.
Norinco QJC88
The PTZ89 has a 12.7mm QJC88 heavy machine gun as secondary armament on the turret roof.