Type 89 (tank destroyer)

The Type 89 (designated as ‘’’PTZ-89’’’) tracked tank destroyer was a Chinese armored vehicle developed by Norinco for People’s Liberation Army. The vehicle is developed in 1980s and entered service in 1988.

Type 89
PTZ-89 tank destroyers in 1999
TypeTank destroyer
Place of originChina
Service history
In service1989 - 2015
Production history
Designed1982
ManufacturerNorinco
Produced1989-1995
No. built100
Specifications
Mass31 tons[1]
Length5.6m
Width2.8m
Height3.12m
Crew4[1]
Armor50 mm
Main
armament
120 mm gun
Secondary
armament
12.7mm HMG, 7.62mm MG[1]
EngineWR4B-12V150LB diesel
520 hp[2]
Power/weight16 hp/t
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
450 km[1]
Maximum speed 55 km/h[1]

Development

Armed with a 120 millimeter smoothbore gun, it was intended to combat newer generations of Western and Russian main battle tanks that were equipped with composite armor and 120 and 125 millimeter caliber guns. Despite a successful development process, with the end of the Cold War it became apparent that the weapon was no longer needed.[3] Production was halted in 1995 after around 100 examples had been built.[3] It had several shortcomings, including thin armor and high maintenance costs. It was phased out in favor of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). An official retirement ceremony was held by the 39th Army Group on 3 November 2015.[4][5]

Operators

See also

Type 11 Assault vehicle

References
  1. 89式120毫米自走反戰車砲
  2. PTZ89
  3. "Type 89 Tank Destroyer". China Defence Today sinodefence. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009.
  4. China to Retire Its Armored Tank Destroyers - Thediplomat.com, 19 November 2015
  5. "老伙计再见：解放军89式自行反坦克炮开始退役". slide.mil.news.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 11 November 2015.

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