NORINCO Type 85-II

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

China | 1985

"The Type 85-II is a further evolution of the preceding Chinese Army Type 80 Main Battle Tank."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/24/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Type 85-II Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the Chinese Army is a further evolution of its Type 80 MBT line. Key changes to the new product include an all-new turret design and improved hull armor protection. The tank is outfitted with 1 x 125mm main gun in the true Soviet-style and supports secondary armament of a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun and a turret roof-mounted 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) Heavy Machine Gun. Unlike the Type 80 - which relies on a full crew complement of four - the Type 85-II takes on an autoloader which reduces the crew commitment to just three - driver, commander and gunner. The drive is seated at front-left with the remaining crew housed in the powered turret. A command tank version - outfitted with navigational aids and increased communications equipment - is the "Type 85-IIA" variant.

The Type 85-II showcases a conventional arrangement as combat tanks go with a centralized turret over the hull, a near-horizontal glacis plate, and a rear-mounted engine. The sides of the running gear and hull are partially protected over in saw-tooth-style steel "skirt" armor. An auxiliary fuel tank can be mounted externally over the rear of the hull for increased operational ranges. The entire vehicle, in typical Soviet design fashion, is of a low-profile approach - making it a harder target to hit at range. Smoke grenade dischargers are found along the frontal sides of the turret provide the vehicle with a self-screening capability as needed. A NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection kit is standard equipment as is night vision support. The vehicle can house 40 x 125mm projectiles along with 500 x 12.7mm ammunition, 2,000 x 7.62mm ammunition, and 12 x Smoke grenades.

Power to the vehicle is served through a single V12 supercharged diesel-fueled engine developing 730 horsepower. Coupled with the torsion bar suspension system, the tank can reach speeds of 36 miles-per-hour on roads with ranges up to 310 miles in-theater. Overall weight reaches 45 tons with an overall length of 33.7 feet, a height of 7.5 feet and a width of 11.3 feet.

The Type 85-IIM is a modernized form while the Type 85-IIA/Type 85-IIAP are used to designate a Pakistani Army variant. The Type 85-III is features a more powerful 1,000 horsepower diesel engine and support for Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks. It is also given a thermal night sighting device and improved Fire Control System (FCS) for firing on-the-move.

Known operators include Pakistan, Sudan, and Uganda.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the NORINCO Type 85-II Main Battle Tank (MBT).

1 x V12 supercharged diesel-fueled engine developing 730 horsepower driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement.
Installed Power

36 mph
57 kph
Road Speed

311 miles
500 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the NORINCO Type 85-II Main Battle Tank (MBT).

3
(MANNED)
Crew

33.7 ft
10.28 meters
O/A Length

11.3 ft
3.45 meters
O/A Width

7.5 ft
2.3 meters
O/A Height

90,390 lb
41,000 kg | 45.2 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the NORINCO Type 85-II Main Battle Tank (MBT).

1 x 125mm main gun in turret with autoloader.
1 x 7.62mm co-axial machine gun in turret.
1 x 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) heavy machine gun on turret roof.
2 x 6 Smoke grenade dischargers.

AMMUNITION:
40 x 125mm projectiles.
500 x 12.7mm ammunition.
2,000 x 7.62mm ammunition.
12 x Smoke grenades.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
Nightvision - YES.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Protection (CBRN) - YES.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the NORINCO Type 85-II family line.

Type 85-II - Base production model.

Type 85-IIM - Modernized variant.

Type 85-IIA - Pakistan Army variant designation.

Type 85-IIAP - Pakistan Army variant alternative designation.

"Al Khalid" - Pakistani Army local name for Type 85-II.

Type 85-III - Uprated 1,000 horsepower diesel engine; ERA support; improved FCS; thermal sighting device as standard.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the NORINCO Type 85-II. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 2,000 Units
Contractor(s): NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) - China

[ Pakistan; Sudan; Uganda ]

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Right side profile view of the Type 85-II main battle tank

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to battlefield requirements.

MAIN BATTLE TANK

FRONTLINE ASSET

TANK-vs-TANK

TRACK-AND-WHEEL DRIVE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The NORINCO Type 85-II Main Battle Tank (MBT) appears in the following collections:

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