The Type 59G Tank is an upgrade package offered by The China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) for the Chinese Type 59 medium tank.
The vehicle features improved armored protection, increased lethality and accuracy as well as increased mobility. It’s currently in service with Bangladesh and Tanzania. There is limited information released by Norinco on the upgrade and this has generated a lot of miss information or speculation.
Type 59G Tank Description
Initially it was speculated due to the turrets frontal shape and the limited images of it, that the Type 59G had retained a modified Type 59 hull and had a new turret of the Chinese Type 96G Main Battle Tank.
This is incorrect. On closer inspection it is clear that the Type 59G has retained its original Type 59 oval turret and had a new modular armor package, just like Pakistan’s Type 59 Al-Zarrar Tank upgrade.
You can see the original Type 59 turret ventilation (1.) the original oval top (2.) which meets the added armor package (3.) and the original Type 59 crew hatch (4. & 4a.)
We can see the hull has been modified to take a different engine as the old exhaust (5a.) is covered up and x2 new circular exhausts are on the right rear of the hull just like other Chinese tanks exported to Pakistan.
Type 59G Tank Firepower
The Type 59 uses a fully stabilized 125mm smoothbore main gun capable of firing all standard ammunition such as HEAT and Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS). It has a semi-automatic loading system, stabilized sights and modern Fire Control System. It lacks a Commanders independent Sight and is therefore a 2nd Generation Tank.
Type 59G Tank Protection
The new frontal turret modular armor is covered in Explosive Reactive Armor, which doubles up as spaced armor. It’s not known if any form of composite or laminate armor is fitted in the modules, but most unlikely.
The hull front has been modified and may have some form of laminate armor over the upper glacis plate. Explosive Reactive Armor is fitted across the hull front and along the side skirt panels.
Type 59G Tank Mobility
The modifications to the rear of the hull in relocating the exhaust imply a new diesel engine has been installed. This is most likely 700+hp and the suspension will most likely have been updated to take all the additional weight of the armor upgrades.
Type 59G Tank Operators
Bangladesh – 300 Type 59G have been supplied between 2010/15
Tanzania – 30 Type 59G delivered between 2011/13
Type 59G Tank Specifications
Firepower |
|
Main Gun | 100mm, calibre Length 55 Rifled L30 CHARM Elevation -10 to +20 |
Secondary Weapons | x1 coaxial 7.62mm MG, x1 7.62mm MG |
Ammunition Storage | x50 120mm, x4,000 7.62mm |
Mobility |
|
Engine | Perkins Condor V-12 1200hp Diesel |
Transmission | David Brown TN54 epicyclical (6 forward/ 2 reverse gears) |
Top Road Speed | 56 km/h (Governed) |
Road Range | 450 km |
Fuel Capacity | 1592 Litres |
Vertical Obstacle | 0.9m |
Water Capability | 1.07m |
Trench Crossing | 2.34m |
Gradient | 60% |
Side Slope | 30% |
Dimensions |
|
Length Gun Forward | 11.55m |
Length Hull | 8.327m |
Width |
3.52m |
Height | 2.49m (roof top) |
Ground Clearance | 0.5m |
Weight | 62,500kg aka 62.5 tonne combat |
Protection |
|
NBC Protected | Yes |
Armor Type | Steel/Composite/modular/passive/ERA |
Active Protection Systems | No |
See Also:
Reference:
http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php