The Chinese Type 63 & Type 85 APC were China’s first true indigenousness designs (The Type 85 was the upgraded Type 63), which did not rely on technical aid from Russia. Development was completed in 1963 and it entered service with the Peoples Liberation Army in 1964. The original batches had some technical issues which were ironed out in later years. The vehicle has been successfully exported and still remains in service with the PLA.

Chinese Type 63 Specifications

Crew: 2
Passenger: 13
Type: Tracked, armoured, amphibious
Weight: 12.8t (A531); 13.2t (B531); 12.6t (YW531C)
Engine: 235kW 6150L 6-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel; or BF8L413F V 8-cylinder air-cooled, turbo-charged diesel
Transmission: Mechanical
Suspension: Torsion-bar
Radio: radio set; intercom
Dimension: Length: 5.476m; Height: 2.580m; Width: 2.978m
Cruising Range: 500km
Speed: Max road 60km/h (YW531) or 65km/h (YW531C); max swim 6km/h
Weapon: 12.7mm (APC variant), 1,120 rounds

Chinese Type 63 PLA Models

Type 531 (1964) – Basic version with Type 56 7.62mm machine gun, not mass-produced.
Type A531 or Type 63 (1968) – Production variant with 12.7 mm machine gun Type 54, uprated engine and different transmission. Also known as Type 531A.
VTT-323 – North Korean version of the Type A531.
Type B531 or Type 63-I (1981) – Improved version with stronger suspension, additional firing ports and two additional roof hatches.
Type 63C – Designator for PLA Type 63 and 63-I that are equipped with an amphibious kit.
Type WZ701 – Command version of the Type A531 with higher troop compartment and fitted with up to five radios (Type 889, Type 892, Type 70-2B) and a generator. Armament consists of a Type 56-1 machine gun of 7.62 mm.
Type WZ721 – Communications relay vehicle with higher roof line and ZZT1 set.
Type WZ750 – Armoured ambulance with higher roof line, unarmed.
Type WZ302 or Type 70 SPH – Self-propelled artillery version of the Type B531 mounting a 122 mm Type 54-I howitzer.
Type WZ303 or Type 70 MRL – Rocket artillery version of the Type A531 with 19-tube 130 mm multiple rocket launcher.
Type YD801 – Fire fighting vehicle.
ZZM88 – Cryptography vehicle. Program begun in July, 1984 and entered service in August, 1992. Used to provide cryptographic codes for other vehicles.

Chinese Type 63 Export Models

Type YW531C or Type 81 (1982) – Export version of the 531 series with German Deutz engine KHD BF8L of 320 hp (240 kW). The machine gunner’s position front right was deleted.
Type YW531D – Modified version with only 1 instead of 2 firing ports on the left side.
Type YW531E – As per YW531D but with one additional radio Type 892.
Type YW701 – Export version of the Type WZ701 command post vehicle. Based on the Type YW531C and equipped with a commander’s cupola with Type 54 machine gun.
Type YW750 – Export version of the Type WZ750 armoured ambulance. Based on the Type YW531C and equipped with a commander’s cupola with Type 54 machine gun.
Type YW304 – Self-propelled 82 mm mortar with 120 rounds, based on the Type YW531C.
Type YW381 – Self-propelled 120 mm mortar with 50 rounds, based on the Type YW531C.
Type YW531H (Type 85)

Operators

 Bangladesh
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Iran
Iraq
North Korea
Pakistan
People’s Republic of China
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Vietnam
Zimbabwe

Combat History

Vietnam War
1979 Sino-Vietnam border conflict
Middle East conflicts
The 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War
Gulf War
2003 Invasion of Iraq

The Chinese Type 85 APC

AKA the YW531H, the vehicle is an improved version of the Type 63 APC. Its bigger, has additional firing ports and periscopes, a longer chassis with an additional road wheel on each side and is equipped with an NBC protection system.

The Type 85 series was developed in 1985, exclusively for the export market. The Royal Thai Armed Forces who received their first vehicles in 1987 have been the largest importer.

Specifications

Crew: 2
Passenger: 13-15
Type: Tracked, armoured, amphibious
Weight: 13.6 tonne
Engine: Deutz BF8L 413F 4-cycle air-cooled diesel
Transmission: Mechanical
Suspension: Torsion-bar
Radio: radio set; intercom
Dimension: Length: 6.125m Height: 2.590m Width: 3.060m
Cruising Range: 500km
Speed: Max road 65km/h
Weapon: 12.7mm (APC variant), 1,120 rounds

Operators

Bangladesh
Burma
Sri Lanka
Thailand