ZTZ96A - Revision history

U38088265: /* Machine guns */

2024-03-13T18:53:11Z

‎Machine guns

U91965995: Machine Guns section added, Pro/Cons slightly edited to bring the article up to speed

2024-02-10T14:22:57Z

Machine Guns section added, Pro/Cons slightly edited to bring the article up to speed

U101304893: update ERA protection to 2.33.0.42

2023-12-26T11:20:23Z

update ERA protection to 2.33.0.42

U41531792: /* Mobility */

2023-11-24T02:21:32Z

‎Mobility

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-09-25T19:34:05Z

‎Description

U4656018: /* Description */ Revised description to current description standards

2023-09-22T07:55:25Z

‎Description: Revised description to current description standards

U38088265: /* Machine guns */

2023-03-19T22:23:58Z

‎Machine guns

U44629479: /* Ammunition */ Converted to transclusion

2023-02-10T21:16:33Z

‎Ammunition: Converted to transclusion

U38088265: /* Machine guns */

2022-08-20T14:33:08Z

‎Machine guns

U4656018: adding link for 96A (P) and minor revision on the history

2022-07-26T13:49:26Z

adding link for 96A (P) and minor revision on the history

@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 <!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
-The {{PAGENAME}} comes equipped with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun as well as a roof mounted 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The [[QJC88A (12.7mm)|QJC88A 12.7mm]] machine gun has similar gun depression to the tank itself, and has a very wide angle of fire up to 85 degrees in the vertical. This lets the {{PAGENAME}} deal with close range aerial threats, such as low flying aircraft or helicopters, as well as lightly armored or open-top vehicles such as a side-on IFV or an anti-aircraft vehicle. Against enemy MBTs, however, the most the HMG will do is track them if you pepper their tracks insistently with a full belt of gunfire. The coaxial 7.62mm lacks penetration and is affixed to the tank's turret traverse, so its best use is marking targets on the map for your teammates to notice.
+The {{PAGENAME}} comes equipped with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun as well as a roof mounted 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The QJC88A 12.7 mm machine gun has similar gun depression to the tank itself, and has a very wide angle of fire up to 85 degrees in the vertical. This lets the {{PAGENAME}} deal with close range aerial threats, such as low flying aircraft or helicopters, as well as lightly armored or open-top vehicles such as a side-on IFV or an anti-aircraft vehicle. Against enemy MBTs, however, the most the HMG will do is track them if you pepper their tracks insistently with a full belt of gunfire. The coaxial 7.62 mm lacks penetration and is affixed to the tank's turret traverse, so its best use is marking targets on the map for your teammates to notice.
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"

@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 <!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 {{main|QJC88A (12.7 mm)|Type 86 (7.62 mm)}}
@@ Line 161: / Line 163: @@
 The ZTZ96A also makes up for its mobility drawbacks with its powerful cannon. Its APFSDS shell has high penetration against both flat and angled armour, and can perform even at long ranges. The gun also makes use of a very powerful HE shell which can deal devastating damage if fired at the roofs of enemy tanks. This gun is reloaded by an autoloading system, which can get a new shell in the breech every 7.1 seconds. The reload speed is worse than that of many MBTs, and skilled players will be able to take advantage of this to destroy the ZTZ96A. It is important to try to destroy the enemy in one shot, or else there may not be enough time to try again. And, the slow reload means that dealing with multiple enemies in quick succession is more difficult than normal. Be careful about the gun's poor turret elevation speed. It can take longer than expected to get sights on a target. The ZTZ96A is equipped with thermal sights which help visibility in night battles or for spotting targets during daytime. Make good use of the thermal sights as they are one of the ZTZ96A's selling points; most contemporary Soviet tanks lack them.
-This vehicle is armed with a roof machine gun for use against aircraft and lightly-armoured ground targets.
+This tank is a good sniper thanks to its strong frontal armour and powerful gun. When sniping, poor mobility is not an issue and the long reload rate doesn't overly hurt the ZTZ96A's performance. It is also more difficult for enemies to target the ZTZ96A's weak spots. If firing from behind ridgelines, remember that the gun depression is below average, at only -5 degrees. The ZTZ96A is also effective in close-quarters brawls, where its armour provides a great advantage against the enemy. An opponent like the [[Leopard 2K]] or [[M1 Abrams]] will have to aim for the ZTZ96A's weak spots while the 125-I APFSDS can penetrate these tanks anywhere. Although the gun handling isn't outstanding, it's enough to get the job done with some situational awareness.
 ===Assault mode===
@@ Line 183: / Line 181: @@
 * Powerful gun with access to high-penetrating APFSDS (same as [[ZTZ96]])
 * Autoloader reloads the cannon even when putting out fires or replacing crew members
-* HE shell is extremely powerful (more than 5 kg TNT) for a MBT, can cripple or outright destroy enemies with overpressure
+* HE shell is extremely powerful (more than 5 kg TNT) for a MBT, can cripple or outright destroy enemies via overpressure
-* Low profile comparing to Western counterparts
+* Low profile compared to Western counterparts
 * FY-4 ERA cover turret cheeks and upper glacis, significantly improving protection against common foes (e.g. [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]], [[Leopard 2A4]])
 * Roof-mounted heavy machine gun is useful against aircraft and light targets
-* Relatively fast turret rotation speed, compared to contemporary Soviet tanks
+* Relatively fast turret rotation speed compared to contemporary Soviet tanks
-* 2nd generation TVD for gunner allows it to fight better in all conditions
+* 2nd generation TVD for gunner gives the vehicle noticeably better all-weather fighting capabilities as well as awareness
 * Slightly improved mobility over the preceding ZTZ96
 '''Cons:'''
-* Only 3 crew members, can get knocked out easily by a single round
+* Only 3 crew members, can be knocked out easily by a single round
 * Large weak spots
 ** Large and weak mantlet
-** Lower plate is very weak, with penetrating shells killing crew or exploding ammo
+** Lower plate is very weak, with penetrating shells killing crew or detonating the autoloader's ammo carousel
 * Mobility is below average at its rank
 ** Poor reverse speed
@@ Line 204: / Line 201: @@
 ** Below average gun depression (-5°)
 ** Slow vertical gun aiming
 == History ==

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 {{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 <!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
-The most noticeable change on the ZTZ96A is the new armour profile. The design of the ZTZ96A's turret is a further drastic departure from the traditional Chinese and Soviet dome turret design. The turret front is equipped with a wedge or arrowhead shaped block of applique armour, which is modeled as being made of FY-4 ERA tiles. It looks somewhat like the [[Leopard 2A5]]; however, the armour stops short at the coaxial gun port, providing a weak spot for the enemy to exploit. Shooting this area does not usually result in an instant knock-out as it will only disable the gun breech and take out the commander or gunner (depending on which side is shot). The protected areas of the turret cheeks are quite strong for the ZTZ96A's rank; total kinetic protection is around 500 mm of RHA equivalent, which is sufficient to resist any APFSDS fired by Rank VI tanks. Chemical protection is around 900 mm, enough to stop many ATGMs. ERA has also been added to the exterior of the storage racks on the turret sides, but there is not enough total protection to stop anything more than light autocannon fire or small HEAT rounds.
+The most noticeable change on the ZTZ96A is the new armour profile. The design of the ZTZ96A's turret is a further drastic departure from the traditional Chinese and Soviet dome turret design. The turret front is equipped with a wedge or arrowhead shaped block of applique armour, which is modeled as being made of FY-4 ERA tiles. It looks somewhat like the [[Leopard 2A5]]; however, the armour stops short at the coaxial gun port, providing a weak spot for the enemy to exploit. Shooting this area does not usually result in an instant knock-out as it will only disable the gun breech and take out the commander or gunner (depending on which side is shot). The protected areas of the turret cheeks are quite strong for the ZTZ96A's rank; total kinetic protection is around 600 mm of RHA equivalent, which is sufficient to resist any APFSDS fired by Rank VI tanks. Chemical protection is around 1,100 mm, enough to stop many ATGMs. ERA has also been added to the exterior of the storage racks on the turret sides, but there is not enough total protection to stop anything more than light autocannon fire or small HEAT rounds.
-As for the hull, the added FY-4 ERA on the upper glacis increases the survivability of the tank. Total kinetic protection is around 480 mm and chemical protection is upwards of 900 mm. Even a direct shot from most APFSDS can be resisted.
+As for the hull, the added FY-4 ERA on the upper glacis increases the survivability of the tank. Total kinetic protection is around 540 mm and chemical protection is upwards of 1,000 mm. Even a direct shot from most APFSDS can be resisted.
 It is worth remembering that ERA tiles are destroyed upon absorbing fire and can also be stripped off by autocannons. Without the FY-4 ERA, the base armour of the ZTZ96A is exactly the same as the ZTZ96 and can be easily penetrated by 105 mm DM33 rounds for example. The general weak spots of the ZTZ96 still exist; as mentioned before, the gun breech area does not enjoy the benefits of the new turret armour, and the lower glacis is still completely unprotected. Shots to the lower glacis will often detonate the ammunition in the autoloader and total the tank.
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 ! Composite armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides
 |-
-| Hull ||'''Upper glacis:''' <br> 350 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 480 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 450 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
+| Hull ||'''Upper glacis:''' <br> 350 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 480 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 180 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 550 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
 |-
-| Turret || '''Turret front:''' <br> 400 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 520 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 450 mm ''Chemical'' || '''Rear:''' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 50 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 50 mm ''Chemical''
+| Turret || '''Turret front:''' <br> 400 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 520 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 180 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 550 mm ''Chemical'' || '''Rear:''' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 50 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 350 mm ''Chemical''
 |-
 |}

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 {{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,240|rbMinHp=708}}
-The ZTZ96A's 12V150ZLD engine outputs an additional 70 horsepower compared to the ZTZ96's, which is a small but welcome improvement. It still will not win any speed races against most Western MBTs like the [[Leopard 2K]] or [[MBT-70]], and even the [[Challenger Mk.2]] can match the ZTZ96A's mobility; but its power-weight ratio is still on par with his Soviet/Russian counterparts. Oddly enough, due to the increased weight from applique ERAs, the reverse speed of -5 km/h is actually worse than the original ZTZ96, so be careful not to overextend.
+The ZTZ96A's 12V150ZLD engine outputs an additional 70 horsepower compared to the ZTZ96's, which is a small but welcome improvement. It still will not win any speed races against most Western MBTs like the [[Leopard 2K]] or [[MBT-70]], and even the [[Challenger Mk.2]] can match the ZTZ96A's mobility; but its power-weight ratio is still on par with his Soviet/Russian counterparts. Oddly enough, due to the increased weight from applique ERAs, the reverse speed of -6 km/h is actually worse than the original ZTZ96, so be careful not to overextend.
 === Modifications and economy ===

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (ZTZ96A式主战坦克; industry code '''WZ122R''') is the major upgrade to the ZTZ96 with new FCS, upgraded protection and powerplant as the economical MBT for the fleet of [[ZTZ99 (Family)|ZTZ99]] and [[ZTZ99A|future 3rd Generation MBT]] in PLAGF service. The design of ZTZ96 has to be traced back to the gap-filling measures before [[MBT2000]] could join Pakistan Army, Type 85-IIM, which was then deemed as the new 2nd generation MBT and the new backbone of PLAGF armored corps; by the time ZTZ96 joined PLAGF in 1999, the overall performance of the tank lagged behind the mainstreams of overseas countries. Thanks to the finalization of ZTZ99 around the same time, plans for upgrading ZTZ96 with new powerplant, FCS and protection has been proposed by 2001 for later production run of ZTZ96; earlier prototype included a domestic (or imported) JD-3 IR jammer on the side of turret and an arrow-shaped applique armor on the front, while [[ZTZ96A (P)|another prototype]] was mostly identical to the former except the turret applique armor design to a pike. The former design eventually won the competition and entered service in 2005 as the ZTZ96A; this design was also retained to the future ZTZ96B with overhaul upgrades to the design. Although being named as "ZTZ96", earlier ZTZ96 (WZ122H) cannot be upgraded to ZTZ96A or ZTZ96B standards.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (ZTZ96A式主战坦克; industry code '''WZ122R''') is a major upgrade to the [[ZTZ96]] with new FCS, upgraded protection and powerplant, presenting a more economical MBT to support the superior but more expensive fleet of [[ZTZ99 (Family)|ZTZ99]]s and [[ZTZ99A]]s in PLAGF service. By the time the ZTZ96 joined the PLAGF in 1999, the overall performance of the tank lagged behind the mainstream of overseas countries. Thanks to the finalization of the ZTZ99 around the same time, plans for upgrading the ZTZ96 with new powerplant, FCS, and protection were proposed by 2001 for later production runs of the ZTZ96. An earlier prototype included a domestic (or imported) JD-3 IR jammer on the side of turret and an arrow-shaped applique armour on the front, while [[ZTZ96A (P)|another prototype]] was mostly identical to the former except the turret applique armour design was changed to a pike. The former design eventually won the competition and entered service in 2005 as the ZTZ96A; this design was also retained to the future ZTZ96B with overhaul upgrades to the design. Although being named as "ZTZ96", the earlier ZTZ96 (WZ122H) cannot be upgraded to ZTZ96A or ZTZ96B standards.
-Introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]] , the ZTZ96A is an upgraded variant of the [[ZTZ96]] that improves on several of its predecessor's deficiencies. FY-4 ERA blocks have been installed on the turret and hull, changing the appearance of the tank and offering drastically improved protection against both kinetic and chemical munitions. The engine has been slightly improved and the gunner now has access to thermal sights. While it still isn't the most mobile or well-protected tank around, the ZTZ96A has enough tricks up its sleeve to be a flexible and capable fighter on the battlefield.
+Introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]], the ZTZ96A is an upgraded variant of the [[ZTZ96]] that improves on several of its predecessor's deficiencies. FY-4 ERA blocks have been installed on the turret and hull, changing the appearance of the tank and offering drastically improved protection against both kinetic and chemical munitions. The engine has been slightly improved and the gunner now has access to thermal sights. While it still isn't the most mobile or well-protected tank around, the ZTZ96A has enough tricks up its sleeve to be a flexible and capable fighter on the battlefield.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 |-
-! colspan="5" | [[Type 88C (125 mm)|125 mm Type 88C]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+! colspan="5" | [[Type 88C (125 mm)|125 mm Type 88C]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || Reloading rate (seconds)
 |-
 ! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 ! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
-! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
+! Autoloader
 |-
 ! ''Arcade''
-| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+12° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 28.6 || 39.5 || 48.0 || 53.1 || 56.5 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10
+| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+12° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 28.6 || 39.5 || 48.0 || 53.1 || 56.5 || rowspan="2" | 7.10
 |-
 ! ''Realistic''
@@ Line 140: / Line 140: @@
 ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 |-
-| Commander's cupola || 600 (150) || 700 || -5°/+60° || ±180°
+| Commander's cupola || 600 (150) || 600 || -6°/+85° || ±180°
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 149: / Line 149: @@
 ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 |-
-| Coaxial || 2,500 (250) || 700 || N/A || N/A
+| Coaxial || 2,500 (250) || 700 || - || -
 |-
 |}

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 ==== Ammunition ====
-{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+{{:Type 88C (125 mm)/Ammunition|DTP-125, DTB-125, 125-I}}
 ==== [[Ammo racks]] ====

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 |-
-| Hull || 20 mm (69°) ''Outer UFP'' <br> 100 mm (67°) ''Inner UFP'' <br> 60 mm (51°) ''LFP'' || 50 mm || 45 mm (52°) ''Top'' <br> 45 mm (15°) ''Bottom'' || 20-30 mm
+| Hull || 20 mm (69°) ''Outer UFP'' <br> 100 mm (67°) ''Inner UFP'' <br> 60 mm (51°) ''LFP'' || 50 mm || 45 mm (52°) ''Top'' <br> 45 mm (15°) ''Bottom'' || 20-30 mm
 |-
-| Turret || 220 mm ''Turret front'' <br> 310 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 50-80 mm || 20 mm || 30 mm
+| Turret || 220 mm ''Turret front'' <br> 310 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 50-80 mm || 20 mm || 30 mm
 |-
 |Cupola|| colspan="3" | 30 mm (cylindrical) || 30 mm (spherical)
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 ! Composite armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides
 |-
-| Hull ||'''Upper glacis:''' <br> 350 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 480 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 450 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
+| Hull ||'''Upper glacis:''' <br> 350 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 480 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 450 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
 |-
-| Turret || '''Turret front:''' <br> 400 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 520 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 450 mm ''Chemical'' || '''Rear:''' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 50 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 50 mm ''Chemical''
+| Turret || '''Turret front:''' <br> 400 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 520 mm ''Chemical'' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 450 mm ''Chemical'' || '''Rear:''' <br> ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' <br> 50 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 50 mm ''Chemical''
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 |-
 ! ''Arcade''
-| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+12° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 28.6 || 39.5 || 48.0 || 53.1 || 56.5 || rowspan="2" | 7.1 || rowspan="2" | 7.1 || rowspan="2" | 7.1 || rowspan="2" | 7.1
+| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+12° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 28.6 || 39.5 || 48.0 || 53.1 || 56.5 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10
 |-
 ! ''Realistic''
@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 ! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 ! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
-! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
+! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 |-
 ! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
@@ Line 143: / Line 143: @@
 |-
 ! Full<br>ammo
-! Ammo<br />part
+! Ammo<br>part
 ! 1st<br>rack empty
 ! 2nd<br>rack empty
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
 ! Visual<br>discrepancy
 |-
-| '''40''' || ''Projectiles''<br />''Propellants'' || 40&nbsp;''(+0)'' <br> 39&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 38&nbsp;''(+2)'' <br> 38&nbsp;''(+2)'' || 37&nbsp;''(+3)'' <br> 37&nbsp;''(+3)'' || 35&nbsp;''(+5)'' <br> 31&nbsp;''(+9)'' || 32&nbsp;''(+8)'' <br> 27&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 29&nbsp;''(+11)'' <br> 23&nbsp;''(+17)'' || 24&nbsp;''(+16)'' <br> 39&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+17)'' <br> N/A || 39&nbsp;''(+1)'' <br> N/A || No
+| '''40''' || ''Projectiles''<br>''Propellants'' || 40&nbsp;''(+0)'' <br> 39&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 38&nbsp;''(+2)'' <br> 38&nbsp;''(+2)'' || 37&nbsp;''(+3)'' <br> 37&nbsp;''(+3)'' || 35&nbsp;''(+5)'' <br> 31&nbsp;''(+9)'' || 32&nbsp;''(+8)'' <br> 27&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 29&nbsp;''(+11)'' <br> 23&nbsp;''(+17)'' || 24&nbsp;''(+16)'' <br> 39&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+17)'' <br> N/A || 39&nbsp;''(+1)'' <br> N/A || No
 |-
 |}
 '''Notes''':
 * The 9th projectile rack and the 7th propellant rack are a mechanized first stage ammo rack. As such the tank has a fixed reload as it uses an autoloader to reload the main gun, and the main gun cannot be reloaded when these ammo racks are empty.
 * It takes around 25s per shell to reload the first stage ammo rack. Additionally, there is a 10s interval between when the gun is fully loaded and the crew starts to reload the first stage ammo rack.
 * It is advised to take at most 37 rounds in order to empty the turret's ammo racks.
@@ Line 176: / Line 176: @@
 ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 |-
-| Commander's cupola || 500 (150) || 700 || -5°/+60° || ±180°
+| Commander's cupola || 600 (150) || 700 || -5°/+60° || ±180°
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 204: / Line 204: @@
 ===Assault mode===
-For players grinding the APFSDS in assault mode, it is recommended to bring full ammo, with around half HEAT and half HE. As the countdown goes at the start of the match, quickly find a spot where you will not get shot from every direction and stay there until you run out of ammo or get destroyed. The HEAT is great at knocking out weakly armoured Cold War tanks with a single shot, while the HE is capable of destroying those heavily protected top tier MBT. Given that you do not have APFSDS therefore lacking the ability to knock out some AI frontally, you will have to rely on assists to get scores. Firing HEAT / HE at tracks, roof mounted MG, turret ring, cannon barrel, etc can at least immobile / disarm the AI, granting you an assist. The 7.1 second reload will be quite slow when facing a huge wave of AI so you must aim each shot carefully, but other times it is generally fast enough. The ZTZ96's armour can take quite some beating but is also prone to ammo rack explosion, or penetrating shots from the lower front plate and gun mantlet.
+For players grinding the APFSDS in assault mode, it is recommended to bring full ammo, with around half HEAT and half HE. As the countdown goes at the start of the match, quickly find a spot where you will not get shot from every direction and stay there until you run out of ammo or get destroyed. The HEAT is great at knocking out weakly armoured Cold War tanks with a single shot, while the HE is capable of destroying those heavily protected top tier MBT. Given that you do not have APFSDS therefore lacking the ability to knock out some AI frontally, you will have to rely on assists to get scores. Firing HEAT/HE at tracks, roof mounted MG, turret ring, cannon barrel, etc can at least immobilise/disarm the AI, granting you an assist. The 7.1 second reload will be quite slow when facing a huge wave of AI so you must aim each shot carefully, but other times it is generally fast enough. The ZTZ96's armour can take quite some beating but is also prone to ammo rack explosion, or penetrating shots from the lower front plate and gun mantlet.
 '''Enemies worth noting:'''

@@ Line 248: / Line 248: @@
 The [[ZTZ96]] main battle tank entered service with the People's Liberation Army starting in the late 1990s. The Gulf War had shown that older tanks like the [[T-55A|T-55]] or [[Type 69]] were no match whatsoever for modern MBTs like the [[M1 Abrams]], and the ZTZ96 was derived from the export Type 85-IIAP as a stopgap. It was a significant improvement over the old stocks of [[Type 59]] variants that formed the bulk of the PLA's tank forces, featuring modular composite armour and a powerful 125 mm smoothbore gun. However, the basic ZTZ96 was still below par in terms of engine power, electronics, and overall protection compared to many Western main battle tanks. The next-generation [[ZTZ99]], which had been under separate development for years, was a significantly more competitive design with heavier armour, superior mobility, and a sophisticated suite of electronics. However, the ZTZ99 was heavier and more expensive than the ZTZ96, limiting how quickly it could be adopted and where in China it could be deployed. The ZTZ96 could still occupy a niche as a lighter and cheaper MBT for the rapid modernization of the PLA, but it needed upgrades to bring it closer to parity with its rivals.
-The ZTZ96A variant was developed through the early 2000s and first unveiled in 2006. The upgrades consisted of applique armour on the turret front in an "arrowhead" shape, a new gunner's sight with thermal imaging, an improved fire control system, and a slightly more powerful 800 horsepower engine. At least one prototype vehicle was tested with an unusual "needle-nose" applique armour format and infrared dazzlers akin to the Soviet Shtora system. The former did not enter production but a handful of ZTZ96As in PLA service have been seen with the dazzlers.
+The ZTZ96A variant was developed through the early 2000s and first unveiled in 2006. The upgrades consisted of applique armour on the turret front in an "arrowhead" shape, a new gunner's sight with thermal imaging, an improved fire control system, and a slightly more powerful 800 horsepower engine. At least [[ZTZ96A (P)|one prototype vehicle]] was tested with an unusual "needle-nose" applique armour format while both prototypes installed JD-3 infrared dazzlers akin to the Soviet Shtora system. The aforementioned prototype failed the bid while the JD-3 dazzler didn't make into production runs of ZTZ96A, likely due to cost reduction.
 The ZTZ96A was used by the Chinese team from 2014-2016 at the Tank Biathlon competition hosted by Russia. The Chinese team placed third in 2014 and second in 2015 and 2016 in the final results. From 2017 onward, it was replaced for competition use by the upgraded ZTZ96B variant with a more powerful engine developing between 1,000 and 1,130 horsepower and general improvements to the systems and chassis.