China's modern 3rd generation Type 99 main battle tank (ZTZ-99) was equipped with a miniature Cope Cage during winter exercises. The metal lattice installed above the tanks' turrets is designed to protect the vehicles from FPV drones.
The report shows several armored vehicles. They are painted white with brown spots. Some vehicles have a white camouflage net to make visual recognition and identification difficult.
It is noteworthy that almost all tanks have a Cope cage (a metal lattice installed above the tank turrets). This protection system is also installed on the Type 99A, the current main battle tank of the Chinese army.
Chinese tanks have previously been spotted in exercises with such superstructures. They are designed to protect against FPV drones that drop explosive devices or ram military vehicles.
Type 99A with a protective frame. Photo: CCTV
The roof of the turret is the weakest point of the tank: it has very thin armor. At the same time, not only part of the crew is located around the turret, but also the ammunition for the gun.
A shell hitting the turret can cause it to ignite as a result of secondary explosions. This can lead to a detonation, which will destroy all the ammunition.
In modern tanks, ammunition is stored in a separate compartment in the turret with a pressure relief valve. This solution can divert the force of secondary explosions to the outside. However, without a major overhaul, the tank will no longer be suitable for use.
The turret also has hatches for the crew. If they are open, drones can drop explosives or grenades into them.
The Chinese tanks used in winter exercises have a sloped protective cage, which causes projectiles to roll to the side and down, where they can cause less damage. The same applies to kamikaze drones with impact fuses. If they explode in the Cope Cage, rather than directly on the turret roof, the explosive device will have less destructive power.
However, the cage on Chinese tanks is very minimalistic. In fact, it only protects the roof of the turret. China has not yet participated in an armed conflict in which the opposing side would be armed with FPV drones. Therefore, there is no need for large-scale protection of vehicles at this time. Perhaps the Chinese army is simply experimenting with these solutions. Additional protective devices to protect the sides of the turret and hull may be added later, when real use becomes inevitable.
The Type 99A is the current main battle tank of China. It has been in service since 2011. Like the older Type 99, the hull is based on the Russian T-72, but is longer. The main armament is a 125 mm cannon. The autoloader is based on the T-72.
With modern ammunition, the Type 99A is reported to penetrate 960 mm of armor at a range of 1,000 meters. Secondary armament includes a 12.7 mm machine gun on the hatch and a 7.62 mm machine gun coaxial with the main gun.
The Type 99A is powered by a 1,500 hp diesel engine. The maximum road speed is 80 km/h, and the cruising range is 500 km. Currently, the Chinese army has 700 Type 99A and 600 Type 99 tanks in service.
Media also reports the ZBD-04A infantry fighting vehicle. The crew consists of 3 people, the transport compartment can accommodate 7 soldiers. Depending on the version, a 100 mm cannon or a 30 mm machine gun is used. The 100 mm cannon has an automatic loader. It can fire missiles to combat tanks. The diesel engine develops 670 hp. The maximum road speed is 75 km / h. The range is 500 km.
Another version of the ZBD-04A is the PLZ-10. Instead of a regular cannon, it has a 120 mm barrel for firing mortar shells. The gun allows you to hit targets that are outside the line of sight.
PLZ-10 firing mortar shells. Photo: PLA
Although the firepower and firing range are inferior to the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer PLZ-05, the speed and mobility are more in line with the ZBD-04A and Type 99A. This technique makes the tank unit faster and more maneuverable.
The report shows several armored vehicles. They are painted white with brown spots. Some vehicles have a white camouflage net to make visual recognition and identification difficult.
It is noteworthy that almost all tanks have a Cope cage (a metal lattice installed above the tank turrets). This protection system is also installed on the Type 99A, the current main battle tank of the Chinese army.
Chinese tanks have previously been spotted in exercises with such superstructures. They are designed to protect against FPV drones that drop explosive devices or ram military vehicles.
Type 99A with a protective frame. Photo: CCTV
The roof of the turret is the weakest point of the tank: it has very thin armor. At the same time, not only part of the crew is located around the turret, but also the ammunition for the gun.
A shell hitting the turret can cause it to ignite as a result of secondary explosions. This can lead to a detonation, which will destroy all the ammunition.
In modern tanks, ammunition is stored in a separate compartment in the turret with a pressure relief valve. This solution can divert the force of secondary explosions to the outside. However, without a major overhaul, the tank will no longer be suitable for use.
The turret also has hatches for the crew. If they are open, drones can drop explosives or grenades into them.
The Chinese tanks used in winter exercises have a sloped protective cage, which causes projectiles to roll to the side and down, where they can cause less damage. The same applies to kamikaze drones with impact fuses. If they explode in the Cope Cage, rather than directly on the turret roof, the explosive device will have less destructive power.
However, the cage on Chinese tanks is very minimalistic. In fact, it only protects the roof of the turret. China has not yet participated in an armed conflict in which the opposing side would be armed with FPV drones. Therefore, there is no need for large-scale protection of vehicles at this time. Perhaps the Chinese army is simply experimenting with these solutions. Additional protective devices to protect the sides of the turret and hull may be added later, when real use becomes inevitable.
The Type 99A is the current main battle tank of China. It has been in service since 2011. Like the older Type 99, the hull is based on the Russian T-72, but is longer. The main armament is a 125 mm cannon. The autoloader is based on the T-72.
With modern ammunition, the Type 99A is reported to penetrate 960 mm of armor at a range of 1,000 meters. Secondary armament includes a 12.7 mm machine gun on the hatch and a 7.62 mm machine gun coaxial with the main gun.
The Type 99A is powered by a 1,500 hp diesel engine. The maximum road speed is 80 km/h, and the cruising range is 500 km. Currently, the Chinese army has 700 Type 99A and 600 Type 99 tanks in service.
Media also reports the ZBD-04A infantry fighting vehicle. The crew consists of 3 people, the transport compartment can accommodate 7 soldiers. Depending on the version, a 100 mm cannon or a 30 mm machine gun is used. The 100 mm cannon has an automatic loader. It can fire missiles to combat tanks. The diesel engine develops 670 hp. The maximum road speed is 75 km / h. The range is 500 km.
Another version of the ZBD-04A is the PLZ-10. Instead of a regular cannon, it has a 120 mm barrel for firing mortar shells. The gun allows you to hit targets that are outside the line of sight.
PLZ-10 firing mortar shells. Photo: PLA
Although the firepower and firing range are inferior to the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer PLZ-05, the speed and mobility are more in line with the ZBD-04A and Type 99A. This technique makes the tank unit faster and more maneuverable.