ZBD-09 Snow Leopard

China (2009) IFV - Current

The Snow Leopard, a Chinese Stryker ?

Like most countries, China gradually replaced its standard-issue tracked APCs by a faster, cheaper, 8x8 wheeled vehicle. It was developed and produced on the VN1 8x8 export wheeled vehicle by the Chinese Defense Company NORINCO (China North Industries Corp) and first revealed in a parade in Beijing for the 60th anniversary of the Chinese army (PLA), the 01 October 2009, hence the 09 type denomination. This was the IFV version, other variants includes the ZBL 09 (APC version with a 12.7 mm LMG) and the Type 07 fire support version which had either a 105 or 155 mm howitzer, of the 122mm smoothbore cannon-armed tank hunter variant.

Design

Superficially, the ZBD 09 looked like a Mowag's (now BAE systems) Piranha III, with the same front beak, added armour plates, same location of the main engine (right hand side), driver (left), commander and gunner (center), and same rear troop compartment arrangement with doors and two pistol ports per side. The inspiration is even more pronounced with the previous Type 07P 8x8 105mm earlier export vehicle which strongly recalls the Mowag Spy (it was sold to the Tanzania and Cameroon military). The driver's hatch (folding left) however has an interesting arrangement with a large frontal window and two smaller side ones, and no periscopes contrary to the commander's hatch.

The hull is all-welded made in high-resistant steel RHA, providing full protection against 12.7mm API (armor-piercing incendiary) rounds on the frontal arc at 100m, and 7.62mm light rounds on the sides, roof and rear and against artillery shell splinters. In addition, modular add-on armor panels seem to be generic on production vehicles, procuring protection against 25 mm API rounds (frontally, 1,000m) and 12.7mm API (sides, 100m).

ZBD-09 IRL

The level of protection against mines is not known, however, but the 8x8 configuration would help to secure some from of mobility after an impact, the reason why it is so popular. NBC protection is included, as well as probably some form of automatic fire extinguishers in the crew, troop and engine compartments. For active concealment, from three to four smoke grenade dischargers are procured, located on the turret. For the armament, see the variants below. The standard IFV version is given a two-man turret with a 30mm dual-purpose chain gun and a 7.62mm coaxial light machine gun, while its long-range antitank capability is enhanced by two wire-guided Hong Jian-73C ATGMs launchers (and internal reloads).

For mobility, the vehicles counts on a trusted powerpack, the German DEUTZ BF6M1015 CP water-cooled diesel engine which develops 390 to 440hp coupled with an Automatic gearbox. The latter has a synchronizer allowing fitting performance in tropical zone, desert and plateau. it has a 8x8 all-wheel driving configuration with independent suspension system and axles with differential lock. With an overall weight of around 21 tons (more for the support versions) for a 16.5 kW/t power to weight ratio, top speed on road is around 100km/h, and it could climb a 30° slope, 0.55 m vertical obstacle or cross a 1.8m trench. It is fully amphibious, with rear propeller, and capable to swim at 8 kph. Other equipment includes a central tire inflation system for soft grounds, and optionally an air conditioning system, GPS for navigation ad a winch.

PLAGF ZBD-09 IFV

The Type 09 family

ZBD09_Command_variant-Shiyang_Road_Nanjing

ZBD09 Command variant on the Shiyang Road at Nanjing
The 8x8 vehicle represents a whole family of derivative vehicles. -ZBL 09: The basic one is the APC is armed with a simple shielded 12.7 mm gun. -ZBD 09: The IFV variant, judging from the large available quantity of pictures is by far the most common. It is armed with a 30 mm autocannon turret also shared by other vehicles, coaxial machine gun and ATGMs. There is also a sub-variants armed with an UW4 30mm remote weapons station (similar to the one used by the WZ551 wheeled vehicle) also better protected and equipped for urban combat. -VN-1 : Export variant of the IFV -ZTL-09 : 105mm assault gun variant, using also a standard 2 men turret. It is a rifled main gun. -ST1 : The export variant of the 105mm antitank version (rifled gun derived from the L7, firing NATO ammunitions). -PLZ-09 : 122mm or 155mm howitzer variant, the latter in a fixed cradle is a modified Type 86 (Russian D-30). -PLL-09 : 120mm Mortar carrier variant, dual purpose. -CS/SA5 : The AA variant, using a 6 barrels 30mm Gatling gun（similar to Russian land/naval AO-18M）, also capable to taking care of missiles. There is another variant with a 35mm revolving autocannon. -ARV (real denomination unknown) : Fitted with an hydraulic jib crane and additional equipments, armed with a 12.7mm HMG. -Command (real denomination unknown) : Rear modified, roomier with a command staff map table and boards, and SATCOM equipment. -Reconnaissance (real denomination unknown) : Only specified by Wikipedia, sources and details unknown.

Type 07PA/120mm support

Exports

Nigerian Type 07PA
Due to its recent history (it was unveiled only six years ago) active service was limited and some versions seems to have been only test-beds for possible additional conversions. These vehicles represents the Chinese attempt to create its own "stryker brigades", fast all-wheeled response units with combined variants for all tasks. Two export vehicles exists, the VN-1 (IFV variant) and ST-1 (antitank variant with a 105mm turret). So far the only foreign customer was Venezuela which ordered some (not provided) for its elite Bolivarian Marine Infantry. Argentina also entered negotiations to produce the vehicle through its Tandanor shipyards. It was confirmed in June 2015 for 110 vehicles to be partly built locally but negotiations are still ongoing. It was also stated in December 2014 that Pakistan's HIT (Heavy Industries Taxila) was to secure a license for a local production.

Links

ZBD 09 on army-guide
ZBL 08 on wikipedia
On TankNutDave
China-defense Blogspot: ZBL-09 unveiled
China Looks to Reform Its Mechanized Doctrine Through ZBL-09 Series Procurement

ZBD 09 specifications
Dimensions	8 x3 x2.1 m (26.4 x9.8 x6.8 ft)
Total weight, battle ready	21 tons (42,000 Ibs)
Crew	3+7 (driver, gunner, cdr, 7 troops)
Propulsion	DEUTZ BF6M1015 diesel 390hp mech transm
Suspension	8x8 independent coil springs/SD
Speed (road/water)	100/8 km/h (60 mph)
Range	800 km (500 mi)
Armament	IFV: 30mm autocannon, coaxial 7.62 mm LMG, 2 ATGM
Armor	Protection against 7.62 to 12.7mm
Total production	Current

Gallery

ZBL-09 Armoured Personal Carrier

ZBD-09 IFV, digital camouflage livery

ZBD-09 IFV, standard camouflage livery

Web references about other variants of the vehicle. Left to right, top to bottom: VN-1 (export version), Export version to Argentina, Self-Propelled Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD), ZBD-09 ARV, ZBL-09 APC.