WZ-122 main battle tank

The WZ-122 (Chinese: WZ-122主戰坦克) was a main battle tank developed by the People's Republic of China. Its development started in March 1970. After several prototypes were built, the plan was set aside in 1974.[2]

WZ-122 Main Battle Tank
TypeMain Battle Tank
Place of originPRC
Production history
No. builtOnly several prototypes
Specifications
Mass≤37.5 Tonnes (1970 blueprint)[1]
LengthUnknown
WidthUnknown
HeightUnknown
Crew4
ArmorUnknown
Main
armament
120 mm tank gun
Secondary
armament
1 × 12.7 mm AAMG 1 × 7.62 mm MG
EngineDiesel
650–680 hp (in 1970s plan)
SuspensionHydropneumatic suspension (WZ-122A)
torsion-bar (WZ-122B)

History

After the Zhenbao Island incident (zh:珍寶島事件) in 1969, the PRC decided on the necessity to develop new tank models. These new tanks included WZ-132, WZ-121 (Type 69) and WZ-122, which commenced development in March 1970.

The first prototype designated WZ-122A was finished on 25 September 1970. The tank's cast turret and wheels were of similar design style to Soviet tanks, but also differed to the USSR's tanks in some components such as the suspension.[2] However, this tank was too complex for practical use in China at that time. So, this tank was quickly set aside. In January 1971, another prototype was finished. This prototype used many mature parts, however many issues had been found during the test, which led to its eventual abandonment.[3]

References
  1. "中國二代坦克(in Simplified Chinese)". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  2. 中国中型坦克的探索者 WZ-122中型坦克(in Simplified Chinese)
  3. WZ-122中型坦克

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