Type 59
| Type 59 | |
|---|---|
Type 59 |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader) |
| length | 6.04 m |
| width | 3.27 m |
| height | 2.59 m |
| Dimensions | 37 t |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | 203 mm |
| Main armament | 1 × 100mm cannon |
| Secondary armament | 1 × 7.62mm machine gun (coaxial)
1 × 12.7 mm MG (deck structure) |
| agility | |
| drive | a V-12 diesel engine type 12150L 390 kW (520 PS) |
| suspension | Torsion bar |
| Top speed | 50 km / h |
| Power / weight | 10.3 kW / t (14.0 hp / t) |
| Range | 440 km (600 km with external tank containers) |
Type 59 is a Chinese tank from the 1950s.
history
The Type 59 marks the beginning of Chinese tank production. In the absence of domestic technology, the basic model of the tank was simply recreated from the Soviet T-54 . Production began in 1958 with Soviet help, a few years later the tank could be made from completely local components. After almost 30 years, production of the vehicle was stopped in 1985. It is astonishing that, with a nominal number of 6,000 units, the Type 59 still represents the main part of the tanks of the Army of the People's Liberation Army . This could only be achieved through an elaborate upgrade program. The basic version, which has neither a cannon stabilizer nor a night vision device, was constantly modernized. The current main version, known as Type 59 II , has a primitive fire control system, infrared optics, laser rangefinder and a copy of the British L7 105 mm cannon (which was also used in the Leopard 1, for example ). Reactive armor was also used to compensate for the lack of protection of the design. In the course of time, a large number of tactical variants, for example as command vehicles, armored recovery vehicles or flamethrower carriers, were tested and built. Versions with a west-inspired 120 mm smoothbore cannon and an export version with a native 125 mm cannon were also produced. Despite all the combat value increases, the model's limits have long been reached.
The stopping of several Type 59 tanks by Tank Man is a well-known event in history with this type of tank.
variants
- Type 59
- The basic version, a T-54 replica, went into production in 1957.
- Type 59-I
- Variant with new 100 mm cannon, laser rangefinder , newer fire control system.
- Type 59 II
- Variant with new 105 mm cannon, infrared optics, laser rangefinder, reactive armor .
- Type 59-IIA
- Variant with a protective tube cover for the 105 mm cannon and composite armor
- Some Type-59-IIA use a 120mm smoothbore cannon called the BW120K.
- Type 59D
- The Type 59D was designed in the 1990s in order to subject the outdated Type 59 tanks to a modernization program and to keep them in service with new upgrades.
- Variant with reactive armor , improved engine, night vision, NBC protection , new fire control system, laser rangefinder, new 105 mm cannon. This cannon can use HEAT ammunition , APFSDS ballistic projectiles as well as anti-tank guided weapons with a range of 5200 m.
- This variant is produced in both China and Sudan by the state armaments company Military Industry Corporation .
- Type 59P
- Variant for the export market with various technical components that were also used in the Type 98 .
- Type 59G
- The latest variant of the Type 59, in which many features of the Type 96 are used, such as new night vision capabilities, a revised fire control system, a new engine and a 125 mm cannon that can fire "HEAT" ammunition , APFSDS and anti-tank guided weapons . In addition to China, the armed forces of Tanzania and the armed forces of Bangladesh use the Type 59G.
Export market
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Despite its technical obsolescence, the Type 59 proved to be successful on the international market, mainly because of its price advantages and the fact that it was not too expensive to maintain. The main customers were Pakistan , Cambodia , Vietnam and North Korea . The tank is still in service in these countries and its performance has also been increased through similar modernization programs. However, it is increasingly being replaced in these countries by newer imported vehicles or in-house developments (Pakistan). In addition to these main customers, it was mainly used in African countries, where it is also an alternative for countries that have no technical and financial basis for a modern armored weapon with a low unit price .
Modifications based on the Type 59
-
Iran - The T-72z is an upgraded version of the Chinese Type 59 tank of the Iranian Army . The most important changes are a 105 mm M68 cannon, improved stabilization of the cannon, modern EFCS-3 fire control system, renewed electronic and hydraulic systems and a new gearbox that allows automatic or semi-automatic shifting, and the engine has been given a more powerful model replaced with 780 hp. The hull and turret were reinforced frontally and laterally with reactive armor
-
Pakistan - The Al-Zarrar is an upgraded version of the Chinese Type 59 tank of the Pakistani Army . The most important changes are a 125 mm smoothbore cannon, improved gear ratio and reinforced armor in the form of reactive additional plates and a mine protection on the underbody of the vehicle, but the main battle tank is already considered out of date and is only an inexpensive technical emergency solution.
| States of operations | units |
|---|---|
 Afghanistan
|
100 |
 Albania
|
79 |
 Bangladesh
|
80 |
 Cambodia
|
200 |
 People's Republic of China
|
6000 |
 Republic of the Congo
|
20th |
 Democratic Republic of Congo
|
16 |
|
Iran
|
220 |
 North Korea
|
220 |
 Kosovo
|
50 |
|
Pakistan
|
1200 |
 Zambia
|
20th |
 Zimbabwe
|
22nd |
 Sudan
|
10 |
 Tanzania
|
30th |
 Thailand
|
24 |
 Vietnam
|
350 |
| All in all | 9233 |
