History of Tanks In Chinese Army
China has had a long history of using tanks in their military dating back to World War I. During the 1920s, several tank designs were developed by the Chinese and put into service, but none of these designs were particularly successful. It wasn’t until World War II that China began to acquire more sophisticated tanks from other nations. At the end of the war, China had nearly 2,000 tanks in their inventory, making them one of the largest tank forces in the world at the time.
The Chinese kept expanding their tank forces in the post-war years. By the mid-1960s, Chinese tanks had matured to become one of the best in the world. During the Cold War, China had one of the largest tank forces in the world, with over 5,000 tanks spread across all its military branches. However, the growth in tank numbers was arrested in the 1980s when China began to focus more on other weapons systems.
In recent years, China’s tank force has made a comeback, but they are still far behind other leading tank forces such as Russia, the US and the UK. According to statistics from 2018, the Chinese army has around 6,000 tanks in its inventory, of which around 4,500 are operational. The majority of these tanks are of the Type 98, Type 96 and Type 99G models.
Chinese Tanks Compared to Other Countries
One of the most noticeable differences between Chinese tanks and the other leading tank forces around the world is the fact that Chinese tanks are generally smaller, lighter, and cheaper to produce than their counterparts. Chinese tanks typically feature between 25-50mm of armor, and have smaller, lighter guns when compared to the larger, more powerful guns found on western tanks. This makes them less effective against big armored vehicles, but they are still more than capable of fighting other lighter tanks, infantry and armored personnel carriers.
Chinese tanks are also generally cheaper to produce than their western rivals. This isn’t just due to lower manufacturing costs, but also because Chinese tanks rely more on digital features, such as active protection systems, and sophisticated fire control systems, which reduce their overall weight and cost.
However, Chinese tanks have some advantages as well. Their smaller size, lighter weight, and cheap cost mean that they are more maneuverable, faster and easier to transport around the battlefield. This makes them particularly effective in situational warfare such as urban environments. Chinese tanks also have advanced fire control systems and active protection systems that can detect, identify, and target incoming threats.
Chinese Tanks in Modern Warfare
In the modern battlefield, Chinese tanks still have a place. While they may be outclassed by their more powerful western counterparts, they are still more than capable of handling many of the tasks they were designed for. Chinese tanks are well-suited for use in counter-insurgency operations, urban warfare and amphibious operations, as well as their more traditional roles of conventional warfare and defensive operations.
In addition, Chinese tanks are also well-suited for export to countries that may not have the funds or resources to purchase more expensive western tanks. This has enabled Chinese tank manufacturers to tap into a wide range of markets, and has even allowed Chinese tanks to become some of the most popular tanks in certain parts of the world.
However, Chinese tanks are still hindered by their smaller size, lighter weight and lower armor protection, which makes them more vulnerable to higher-end tanks. This means that Chinese tanks are unlikely to fare well against well-equipped militaries in open environments, and will still need to be backed up by other weapons such as anti-tank missiles and aircraft.
China’s Tank Development Strategy
In recent years, China has increasingly been investing more into tank development. This includes initiatives such as the Tank Advancement Plan (TAP), which seeks to modernize China’s existing tank force into more modern designs. These new tanks feature more powerful guns, more advanced armor protection, as well as more sophisticated fire control systems and active protection systems.
In addition to the TAP, China has also been investing heavily into research and development of advanced tank technology. This includes technologies such as railguns and high-energy lasers, which could potentially give the Chinese tanks an edge in the battlefield. China has also been developing unmanned tanks, which could potentially be used to supplement the existing tank force.
China’s efforts to modernize its tank force will certainly be beneficial for the country, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to compete with other leading tank forces around the world. China will certainly face stiff competition from Russia, the US and the UK, all of which have more advanced tank designs.
Increasing Chinese Tank Exports
In recent years, China has increasingly been selling tanks to other countries, particularly in Africa and Middle East. The Chinese have been offering cheaper and more modern versions of their tanks, which have proven to be appealing not just to cash-strapped nations but also to more established militaries looking for an alternative to more expensive western options.
Most of China’s tank exports have been of the Type 96 and Type 99G models, which are cheaper and easier to produce than their western counterparts. This has enabled China to become a leading tank exporter in the world, and is likely to become even more prominent in the coming years.
Conclusion
China currently has around 6,000 tanks in its inventory, of which around 4,500 are operational. Chinese tanks are generally smaller, lighter and cheaper to produce than other leading tank forces, but still have their place in modern warfare. China has been increasingly investing in tank modernization and research and development, as well as increasing their exports. It remains to be seen if China will be able to compete with the other leading tank forces around the world.
