Type 89 (tank destroyer)
The Type 89 tank destroyer (military designation PTZ-89, industrial designation WA320) is a Chinese armored, tracked, tank destroyer vehicle developed by Norinco for the People’s Liberation Army. The vehicle was developed in the 1980s and entered service in 1989.
Type 89 self-propelled tank destroyer | |
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![]() PTZ-89 tank destroyer in 1999 | |
Type | Tank destroyer |
Place of origin | China |
Service history | |
In service | 1989–2015 |
Production history | |
Designed | 1982 |
Manufacturer | Norinco |
Produced | 1989–1995 |
No. built | 230 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 31 tons[1] |
Length | 5.6m |
Width | 2.8m |
Height | 3.12m |
Crew | 4[1] |
Armor | 50 mm |
Main armament | 120 mm gun |
Secondary armament | 12.7mm HMG, 7.62mm MG[1] |
Engine | WR4B-12V150LB diesel 520 hp[2] |
Power/weight | 16 hp/t |
Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 450 km[1] |
Maximum speed | 55 km/h[1] |
Development
Armed with a 120 millimeter smoothbore gun, it was intended to combat newer generations of Western and Russian main battle tanks that were equipped with composite armor and 120 and 125 millimeter caliber guns. Despite a successful development process, with the end of the Cold War it became apparent that the weapon was no longer needed.[3] Production was halted in 1995 after around 100 examples had been built.[3] An official retirement ceremony was held by the 39th Army Group on 3 November 2015.[4][5]
Operators
China
People's Liberation Army Ground Force: 230 built and in store (no longer in active service)[6]
References
- 89式120毫米自走反戰車砲
- PTZ89
- "Type 89 Tank Destroyer". China Defence Today sinodefence. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009.
- China to Retire Its Armored Tank Destroyers - Thediplomat.com, 19 November 2015
- "老伙计再见:解放军89式自行反坦克炮开始退役". slide.mil.news.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- The Military Balance 2021. The International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2021. pp. 250–251.