WZ551
Encyclopedia
The WZ551 is a Chinese
wheeled armored personnel carrier. It is actually consisted of two families of vehicles with official designations in the People's Liberation Army
as Type 90 and Type 92. Roughly 600 WZ551s are in service with the PLA, where they are used by light mechanized infantry
units. WZ551s have been exported to Algeria
, Bosnia, Sri Lanka
, Nepal
and Pakistan.
, the WZ551 first appeared in 1984, but the Chinese military were not satisfied with its performance, and the design had to be modified. Modification is mostly concentrated on improving the chassis. The improved WZ551A entered service in 1995 as the Type 92 IFV and Type 92A APC.
The structure is based on a Chinese 6x6 truck which is a copy of the German Mercedes-Benz
2060. It has a crew of three men, and is fully amphibious
, being driven in the water by shrouded propellers.
The IFV version is equipped with a 25 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
in a closed turret and it can carry 9 passengers. The APC version has only a 12.7 mm machine gun but can carry 11 passengers. Additional versions include anti-tank missile, command, self-propelled artillery, air defense and armored recovery vehicles.
parade in 1984, and it is the basic version of WZ551. During its service, it was discovered that the vehicle was underpowered and the cross country capability at high altitude terrain was not sufficient enough to meet the requirement. As a result, the planned 4 x 4 and 8 x 8 variants were canceled, and resources were concentrate on the improvement effort. However, the planned export version designated as ZSL-90 (also the industrial designation) was continued, and the vehicle was used as chassis for a variety weaponry platforms, such as command vehicle, ATGW carrier, self-propelled AAA, and ambulance.
The most distinct visual difference between Type 90 and its successor Type 92 is that for Type 90, the distance between the first pair and the second pair of wheels is greater than the distance between the second pair and the third pair of wheels, while for Type 92, the distance is the same for all. Despite being used as a common chassis for many different platforms, the total number of vehicles of all types entering Chinese service is small due to its inherent problem, and with the exception of the basic APC version, no other versions of ZSL-90 is known to be exported due to the same reason.
This vehicle shares many similarities and is nearly identical outwardly with Finnish Patria XA-180 APC that predates WZ551 with eleven years. There isn't, however, any evidence proving that Chinese Military has copied any designs from Finnish Defense Forces, nor have there been any accusations made.
A deal was made with French firm GIAT
to incorporate a GIAT 25-mm autocannon
as the primary weapon for WZ551 and the work on the redesign of WZ551 begun in China even before the French gun was delivered. Due to the urgent need to meet the schedule, the GIAT 25-mm autocannon was airlifted to China, as opposed to delivery via cargo ships, the usual practice at the time. The development was completed and received state certification in October 1988, and the new vehicle was named as NGV-1, with N for Norinco
, G for GIAT
and V for vehicle. The remotely operated 25-mm autocannon was eventually reverse engineered in China after France withdrew from the program after 1989, and used to upgrade Type 92, another development of WZ551.
:
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
wheeled armored personnel carrier. It is actually consisted of two families of vehicles with official designations in the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
as Type 90 and Type 92. Roughly 600 WZ551s are in service with the PLA, where they are used by light mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry
Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers , or infantry fighting vehicles for transport and combat ....
units. WZ551s have been exported to Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, Bosnia, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and Pakistan.
Design
Produced by NorincoNorinco
The China North Industries Corporation , official English name Norinco, manufactures vehicles , machinery, optical-electronic products, oil field equipment, chemicals, light industrial products, explosives and blast materials, civil and military firearms and ammunition, etc...
, the WZ551 first appeared in 1984, but the Chinese military were not satisfied with its performance, and the design had to be modified. Modification is mostly concentrated on improving the chassis. The improved WZ551A entered service in 1995 as the Type 92 IFV and Type 92A APC.
The structure is based on a Chinese 6x6 truck which is a copy of the German Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
2060. It has a crew of three men, and is fully amphibious
Amphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
, being driven in the water by shrouded propellers.
The IFV version is equipped with a 25 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
in a closed turret and it can carry 9 passengers. The APC version has only a 12.7 mm machine gun but can carry 11 passengers. Additional versions include anti-tank missile, command, self-propelled artillery, air defense and armored recovery vehicles.
Type 90
Type 90 first appeared on the National Day of the People's Republic of ChinaNational Day of the People's Republic of China
The National Day of the People's Republic of China is celebrated every year on October 1. It is a public holiday in the People's Republic of China to celebrate their national day.The PRC was founded on October 1, 1949 with a ceremony at Tiananmen Square...
parade in 1984, and it is the basic version of WZ551. During its service, it was discovered that the vehicle was underpowered and the cross country capability at high altitude terrain was not sufficient enough to meet the requirement. As a result, the planned 4 x 4 and 8 x 8 variants were canceled, and resources were concentrate on the improvement effort. However, the planned export version designated as ZSL-90 (also the industrial designation) was continued, and the vehicle was used as chassis for a variety weaponry platforms, such as command vehicle, ATGW carrier, self-propelled AAA, and ambulance.
The most distinct visual difference between Type 90 and its successor Type 92 is that for Type 90, the distance between the first pair and the second pair of wheels is greater than the distance between the second pair and the third pair of wheels, while for Type 92, the distance is the same for all. Despite being used as a common chassis for many different platforms, the total number of vehicles of all types entering Chinese service is small due to its inherent problem, and with the exception of the basic APC version, no other versions of ZSL-90 is known to be exported due to the same reason.
This vehicle shares many similarities and is nearly identical outwardly with Finnish Patria XA-180 APC that predates WZ551 with eleven years. There isn't, however, any evidence proving that Chinese Military has copied any designs from Finnish Defense Forces, nor have there been any accusations made.
NGV-1
NGV-1 is the successor of Type 90. It was discovered that the cross country mobility was not the only thing that needed to be improved for WZ551, fire power was also in need for improvement. The original Chinese manually operated 25-mm gun initially mounted on WZ551 proved to be incapable of penetrating the armor plate of most of Soviet armored vehicles, and a more power small caliber gun that was able to defeat Soviet armor was needed, and China turned to west for help because its own technologies and industrial capabilities back in the 1980s could not fill the need in the required time.A deal was made with French firm GIAT
Giat
Giat is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.-Geography:The Chavanon flows southeastward through the south-western part of the commune.-References:*...
to incorporate a GIAT 25-mm autocannon
Autocannon
An autocannon or automatic cannon is a rapid-fire projectile weapon firing a shell as opposed to the bullet fired by a machine gun. Autocannons often have a larger caliber than a machine gun . Usually, autocannons are smaller than a field gun or other artillery, and are mechanically loaded for a...
as the primary weapon for WZ551 and the work on the redesign of WZ551 begun in China even before the French gun was delivered. Due to the urgent need to meet the schedule, the GIAT 25-mm autocannon was airlifted to China, as opposed to delivery via cargo ships, the usual practice at the time. The development was completed and received state certification in October 1988, and the new vehicle was named as NGV-1, with N for Norinco
Norinco
The China North Industries Corporation , official English name Norinco, manufactures vehicles , machinery, optical-electronic products, oil field equipment, chemicals, light industrial products, explosives and blast materials, civil and military firearms and ammunition, etc...
, G for GIAT
Giat
Giat is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.-Geography:The Chavanon flows southeastward through the south-western part of the commune.-References:*...
and V for vehicle. The remotely operated 25-mm autocannon was eventually reverse engineered in China after France withdrew from the program after 1989, and used to upgrade Type 92, another development of WZ551.
Type 92
The redesigned ZSL-92 or Type 92 solved the problems of its predecessor Type 90 and was first revealed to the public in 1986, and entered Chinese service on larger scale than its predecessor. Just like Type 90, Type 92 is also used as a common chassis for many different weaponry platforms, such as command vehicle, ATGW carrier, self-propelled AAA, and ambulance. Additionally, the canceled 4 x 4 and 8 x 8 versions were realized in Type 92 program. The industrial designation VN2A is also used for the export version of Type 92, following earlier practice. The chassis of Type 92 comes in three variations:- the 4X4 APC looks like the VAB, used mostly by the Chinese policeMinistry of Public Security of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Public Security , is the principal police and security authority of the mainland of the People's Republic of China and the government agency that exercises oversight over and is ultimately responsible for day-to-day law enforcement...
, but also used as self propelled SAM chassis. - the 6X6 APC or MICV. This was the baseline and also the first of the series.
- the 8x8 variant
WMZ-551B
This was an upgraded amphibious armored personnel carrier with improved firepower, maneuverability, and reliability.Comparison with contemporary vehicles
Below is a comparison between some modern IFVs including the Type-92:| Fahd 280-30 | BTR-3 BTR-3 The BTR-3 is an 8×8-wheeled armored personnel carrier was designed by Adcom Manufacturing from UAE in 2000/2001 and manufactured by KMDB in Ukraine. The most significant of exports was to the Myanmar Army which acquired 1,000 BTR-3Us, to be assembled in Myanmar... U |
VBCI Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed to replace the AMX-10P. They joined active service in 2008, with 630 vehicles ordered up to 2010... |
LAV-25 | Type-92 IFV WZ551 The WZ551 is a Chinese wheeled armored personnel carrier. It is actually consisted of two families of vehicles with official designations in the People's Liberation Army as Type 90 and Type 92. Roughly 600 WZ551s are in service with the PLA, where they are used by light mechanized infantry units... |
BTR-90 BTR-90 BTR-90 is an 8×8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier developed in Russia, designed in 1993 and first shown publicly in 1994. It is a larger version of the BTR-80 vehicle, fitted with a BMP-2 turret... |
VBM Freccia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin |  Egypt |
 Ukraine |
 Early Modern France |
 Canada |
 Mainland China |
 Russia |
 Italy |
| Weight | 12.5 MT (13.8 ST) | 16.4 MT (18.1 ST) | 26 MT (28.7 ST) | 12.8 MT (14.1 ST) | 12.5 MT (13.8 ST) | 20.9 MT (23 ST) | 26 MT (28.7 ST) |
| Primary armament | 30 mm (1.2 in) 2A42 30 mm automatic cannon 2A42 The 30 mm automatic cannon 2A42, also known as the Shipunov 2A42, is a Soviet/Russian 30 mm automatic cannon. It is built by the Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company.-Design:... automatic cannon |
30 mm (1.2 in) dual-feed cannon | 25 mm NATO dual-feed cannon | 25 mm NATO M242 chain gun M242 Bushmaster The M242 Bushmaster is a 25 mm chain-fed autocannon. It is used extensively by the US armed forces, as well as by NATO's and some other nations' forces in ground combat vehicles and watercraft... |
25 mm (0.984251968503937 in) Autocannon | 30 mm (1.2 in) 2A42 30 mm automatic cannon 2A42 The 30 mm automatic cannon 2A42, also known as the Shipunov 2A42, is a Soviet/Russian 30 mm automatic cannon. It is built by the Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company.-Design:... automatic cannon |
25 mm (0.984251968503937 in) Oerlikon KBA |
| Secondary armament | 7.62 mm (0.3 in) FN MAG FN MAG The FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the... machine gun |
7.62 mm (0.3 in) coaxial machine gun | 7.62 mm (0.3 in) coaxial machine gun | 2 x 7.62 mm (0.3 in) M240 machine gun | 7.62 mm (0.3 in) coaxial machine gun | 7.62 mm (0.3 in) PKT machine gun grenade launcher |
7.62 mm (0.3 in) coaxial machine gun |
| Missile armament (Range) | AT-5 Spandrel (70-4,000 meters) | AT-5 Spandrel (70-4,000 meters) | - | - | - | AT-5 Spandrel (70-4,000 meters) | Spike LR Spike (missile) Spike is a fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and in service with a number of nations.... (200-4000 meters) |
| Road range | 700 km (435 mi) | 600 km (372.8 mi) | 750 km (466 mi) | 660 km (410.1 mi) | 800 km (497.1 mi) | 800 km (497.1 mi) | 800 km (497.1 mi) |
| Maximum on-road speed | 100 km/h (62.1 mph) | 85 km/h (52.8 mph) | 100 km/h (62.1 mph) | 100 km/h (62.1 mph) | 85 km/h (52.8 mph) | 100 km/h (62.1 mph) | 110 km/h (68.4 mph) |
| Maximum capacity | 3 crew + 7 passengers | 3 crew + 6 passengers | 2 crew + 9 passengers | 3 crew + 6 passengers | 3 crew + 9 passengers | 3 crew + 9 passengers | 3 crew + 8 passengers |
Operators
-
- People's National ArmyPeople's National ArmyThe People's National Army is the land force of the Military of Algeria,the 2nd largest army in North Africa after Egypt.The People's National Army's equipment is provided by Russia, China,and other various countries....
24: - Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina small numbers:
- Kenyan ArmyMilitary of KenyaThe Kenya Defence Forces are the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya. The Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force comprise the national Defence Forces. The current Kenya Defence Forces were established, and its composition laid out, in Article 241 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya...
35:
- People's National Army
- Pakistan ArmyPakistan ArmyThe Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
?: 1,200- People's Liberation ArmyPeople's Liberation ArmyThe People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
- People's Armed PolicePeople's Armed PoliceThe People's Armed Police , officially Chinese People's Armed Police Force is a paramilitary or gendarmerie force primarily responsible for civilian policing and fire rescue duties in the People's Republic of China, as well as provide support to PLA during wartime.In contrast to public security...
: ? - Omani Royal Guard:
- Sri Lanka Army 200 (80 IFV, 120 APCArmoured personnel carrierAn armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
): - Sudan People's Armed ForcesMilitary of SudanThe Sudanese Armed Forces numbers, according to 2007 IISS estimates, 104,800 members supported by 17,500 paramilitary personnel.It comprises Land Forces, a Navy, an Air Force, and the Popular Defence Force. It has also formed Joint Integrated Units with its rebel enemies the Sudan People's...
500 (Assembled Domestically Under Licence) - Iranian Army 150 (IFV)
- Royal Thai Army 97
- Royal Thai PoliceRoyal Thai PoliceThe Royal Thai Police are the national police of Thailand.-About:Primary responsibility for the maintenance of public order through enforcement of the kingdom's laws was exercised by the Thailand National Police Department , a subdivision of the Ministry of Interior...
- People's Liberation Army
See also
- People's Liberation Army Ground ForcePeople's Liberation Army Ground ForceThe People's Liberation Army Ground Force is the land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army. Its regular forces consist of 1.7 million personnel, with an additional 800,000 personnel in reserve, making it the largest active standing army in the world, and second largest in terms of...
land arm of the People's Liberation ArmyPeople's Liberation ArmyThe People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China... - People's National ArmyPeople's National ArmyThe People's National Army is the land force of the Military of Algeria,the 2nd largest army in North Africa after Egypt.The People's National Army's equipment is provided by Russia, China,and other various countries....
land arm of the Algerian Armed ForcesMilitary of AlgeriaThe People’s National Army is the armed forces of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. Algeria has a large and reasonably well-equipped military to counter foreign and domestic threats... - Pindad PanserPindad PanserThe Anoa is a 6x6 armoured personnel carrier developed by PT Pindad of Indonesia. The vehicle is named after the Anoa, which is a type of buffalo indigenous to Indonesia...
- ANOA 6X6 APS
External links
- http://www.sinodefence.com/army/armour/wz551.asp
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/wz-551.htm