Sunday, April 08, 2012

ZBL09 Assault Gun

Since the PTL02 wheeled Assault Gun was introduced in 2002, it has proven popular among with the troops. While the 320hp ZSL92 chassis is under-powered to mount a 100mm smoothbore gun but for the poor bloody PLA infantry, it is the first time they have organic support from a decent direct-fire asset. It is also rugged and reliable with difficulties in changing tires in the field as the only major complaint. So it is no surprise to see that the PLA’s next generation of wheeled IFV, the ZBL09, also is sporting an assault gun variant. An export option (VN1) is also in the work.


PLA variant


VN1 Export variant





Yes! That is a 105mm mounted on a Type63 APC.....Good try but no.





3 comments:

Justin said...

Good post but some typos

"have organic support from a descent direct-fire asset"

should read "decent"

"changing ties in the field"

read "tires"

Coatepeque said...

thanks, changed.

Disgruntled Fusilier said...

The PTL02 is a nice-looking system. I think the Chinese may do well to consider it for the export market as well, considering their growing ties in Africa. Does it fire a full complement of kinetic-energy and HEAT rounds? Thanks for posting this!
Steve