Type 59
Encyclopedia : T : TY : TYP : Type 59
| Type 59 | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 4 |
| Length | 6.04 m |
| Width | 3.27 m |
| Height | 2.59 m |
| Weight | 37 tonnes |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | 203mm |
| Main armament | 100mm rifled gun |
| Secondary armament | 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm air-defence machine gun |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | diesel 520 hp (390 kW) |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Road speed | 50 km/h |
| Power/weight | 14 hp/tonne |
| Range | 440 km, 600 km with external tanks |
The Chinese Type 59 Main Battle Tank is a copy of the ubiquitous Soviet T-55/54 medium tank. The Chinese based several later designs, such as the Type 69 and Type 79, on the Type 59. Other developments included a variant sporting a 120mm gun, and a scaled-down [Type 62] with an 85 mm gun.
History
After the signing of Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance, the Soviets agreed to assist China in bulding a tank manufacturing facility to manufacture the T-54A MBT in 1956. Initially, the tanks were assembled with Soviet-supplied parts, which were gradually replaced by Chinese-made components. The tank was accepted into service by the PLA in 1959, and given the desgination Type 59.
The Type 59 MBT represented China's first-generation tank development. Over the years, it was upgraded with various domestic and western technologies. When the PLA captured a Soviet T-62 from the Sino-Soviet border conflict in 1969, improvements based on the T-62 were incorporated into the T-59 design to become the Type 69 MBT, which was further upgraded with western technology and became the Type 79 MBT. The Type 59 was the beginning of China's first-generation MBT, and the Type 79 last, superceded by the Type 80 second-generation MBT.
The Type 59 MBT is also known as WZ-120 by its manufacturer name. It was produced in great numbers from 1959 to mid 1980s, totaling over 10,000. The Type 59, and its succesor, the Type 69, were widely exported, with thousands sold. Today an estimated 5,000 Type 59 MBT's remain in PLA inventory, but is used primarily for training and support roles. The Type 59-series are being replaced by the more capable Type 96 and Type 99 MBTs.
Variants
Type 59
The basic variant, a T-54A clone without IR searchlight. Entered production in 1957.Type 59-I
Improved variant fitted with a Type 69-II 100 mm rifled gun, as well as a laser rangefinder, hydraulic servo-system, primitive fire control, automatic fire suppression system, and rubber track skirt. The Type 59-I includes several versions with different armour and fire control configurations.Type 59-II
Manufacturer designation WZ-120B. Upgraded to the 105 mm Type 81 (copy of the L7) rifled gun design provided by Austria. The most distinctive feature of the Type 59-II is that its barrel fume extractor was removed from the front-end to the middle of the barrel. Other improvements include new radio and fire suppression system. The batch production began in 1982 and stopped in 1985.Type 59-IIA
Fitted with thermal sleeve for 105 mm gun and some composite armor. Referred to as M-1984 by US Army. Variants include MBT, command tank, and mine-sweeper tank.Type 59 Gai
This is an experimental variant to test various Western technologies integrated on the Chinese-made MBT. Variants include: B59G and BW120K. The BW120K is fitted with an indigenously developed 120 mm smoothbore gun comparable in general performance to the US M-256.Type 59D
Also known as WZ-120C. The Type 59D was developed in the 1990s. Instead of replacing all ageing Type 59s in service with newer models, the PLA decided that they should be upgraded with new technologies to meet the requirements for future land battle. The Type 59D is fitted with explosive reactive armour, new tank gun, passive night vision, and new fire control. The 12150L diesel engine was also replaced by a 580 hp 12150L7 engine. Variants include Type 59D and Type 59D1.Type 62 Light Tank
In late 1950s, the PLA submitted requirements for a light tank more suitable for operations in China's southern region. Development on the new Type 62 tank begain in 1958, which was a scaled-down Type 59 MBT with simplified equipment. The Type 62 light tank entered batch production in 1963, and approx. 800 were produced by 1978.The Type 62 light tank weights only 21 tons, and is equipped with a Type 62-85TC 85mm rifled gun, and 3 machineguns. An improved Type 62-I version was produced with better FCS with laser rangefinder, and turret storage racks for added protection. Other versions based on the Type 62 include the Type 79 recovery vehicle (prototype only) and Type 82 earthmover.
The PLA deployed the Type 62 light tank to Vietnam during the 1979 Sino-Vietnam conflict. They found that the thin armor of the Type 62 tank could be penatrated easily by hand-held anti-tank weapons, such as the 40mm RPG. The Type 62 tank suffered severe losses during the conflict, which convinced the PLA to develop new second-generation MBT's.
Type 69 / 79
Improved Type 59 MBT built by 617 Factory (Inner Mongolia First Machine Group Co. Ltd). Only saw limited service in the PLA, but was an export success in the 1980s with more than 2,000 sold world-wide. See Type 69/79 for more info.Others
Other derivatives includes the Type 73 tank recovery vehicle.Foreign variants
Heavy Industries Taxila of Pakistan has also introduced the Al-Zarar Main Battle Tank. The Al-Zarar series was designed to improve and rebuild the Pakistani army's Type 59 tanks by way of most modern armament, fire control, defensive equipment, etc. It is rumoured to have fifty-four improvements. Features:- 125 mm smoothbore gun, firing APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FS. Semiautomatic loading and image Stabilized fire control.
- 730 hp Engine for improved mobility.
- Superior suspension.
- Improved defenses with explosive reactive armour and anti-mine cover underneath.
External links
- [Type 59 Main Battle Tank] - GlobalSecurity.org
- [Type 59 Main Battle Tank] - Chinese Defence Today
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