Type 85
In service 1988 - 2010s in Pakistani service
The Chinese break from cast Soviet-style turrets: welded composite armour, a computerised fire-control system and later a 125 mm autoloader.
Built byNORINCO
Photograph pending. No clearly licensed photograph of this vehicle was found.
Development history
The Type 85 line replaced the rounded cast turret Chinese tanks had used since the Type 59 with a welded turret carrying composite armour, and added a modern fire-control system with laser rangefinder and night sights. The Type 85-IIAP built for Pakistan introduced a 125 mm smoothbore with an autoloader and a three-man crew, and the design led directly to the Type 96 and the Pakistani Al-Khalid. It marks the point at which Chinese tank design stopped copying and started competing.
Variants
One canonical record, 3 recorded variants.
Type 85-II
1988Welded composite turret with 105 mm rifled gun.
Type 85-IIAP
1991Pakistani version with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, autoloader and three-man crew.
Type 85-III
1993Improved engine and fire control, leading to the Type 96.
Notable actions
- Pakistani service; Chinese trials and training