ZTZ99A - Revision history

U98112385: /* Ammunition */ Change of 125-I APFSDS, added stock shell describe to this shell.

2024-02-17T01:12:22Z

‎Ammunition: Change of 125-I APFSDS, added stock shell describe to this shell.

U44629479: Edits

2024-01-02T15:33:16Z

Edits

U101304893: update ERA protection to 2.33.0.42

2023-12-26T12:01:00Z

update ERA protection to 2.33.0.42

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

2023-11-22T01:11:15Z

‎Pros and cons

U38088265: /* Devblog */

2023-09-16T16:44:03Z

‎Devblog

U44629479: Edits

2023-08-03T11:03:01Z

Edits

U44629479: Edits

2023-07-09T13:47:47Z

Edits

U101304893: addition of armour info

2023-06-22T14:46:46Z

addition of armour info

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-06-06T11:34:23Z

‎Description

U4656018: Revision of description up to current standards

2023-05-28T18:58:44Z

Revision of description up to current standards

@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 '''DTB-125; HE''' - The stock DTB-125 HE shell is one of the strongest of any top-rank MBT. It can actually cause more damage to MBTs than the HEAT-FS round if fired at turret rings, hull roofs, and turret cupolas, due to overpressure damage. Well placed impacts have a good chance of transmitting the shockwave into the crew compartment and knocking the target out instantly, even against the toughest MBTs like the [[Strv 122A]]. It helps to keep a few HE rounds around even after APFSDS is unlocked as they excel at causing pressure damage to light targets.
-'''125-I APFSDS''' - The 125-I APFSDS round is a tier 1 modification. Though it first appeared on the [[ZTZ96]], it is still used by the latest ZTZ99A and eases the stock grind considerably. It has very similar flat penetration and superior angled penetration to the 3BM42 "Mango" round used by Soviet tanks and can penetrate most contemporary opponents through at least the lower front plate and gun breech.
+'''125-I APFSDS''' - The stock 125-I APFSDS round is a shell with pen of 466mm . Though it first appeared on the [[ZTZ96]], it is still used by the latest ZTZ99A and eases the stock grind considerably. It has very similar flat penetration and superior angled penetration to the 3BM42 "Mango" round used by Soviet tanks and can penetrate most contemporary opponents through at least the lower front plate and gun breech.
 '''DTC10-125 APFSDS''' - Waiting as a tier 4 modification is the DTC10-125 APFSDS round, a high mass and high velocity shell with only slightly worse performance compared to 3BM60 on the [[T-80BVM]]. This will be the go-to round for the ZTZ99A and most targets at the rank are unlikely to withstand a penetrating shot from this shell.

@@ Line 167: / Line 167: @@
 == Usage in battles ==
 <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
-As the spearhead of the current PLAGF armoured corps, thanks to the vastly improved mobility compared to its predecessors and new technologies intergrated onto ZTZ99A, it has better handling than its predecessors and is comparable to NATO vehicles in terms of its power-to-weight ratio and top speed. The newly designed tank also has very similar protection to its predecessors while parts of its turrets are replaced by brand new FY-5 ERA blocks and the top is covered by FY-1DA ERA blocks, improving its survivability against top-down attacks. However, the mantlet is still lightly protected compared to other MBTs at its rank, a penetrating shot is now even more likely to cause a breech knockout or even lethal damage to the gun crews. In terms of the hull, although it was remarked to have the protection of a ZTZ99 and the driver has been moved to the left side, the age-old problem of a huge LPF and less protected area over the driver can certainly ruin a player's day at top tier. So it is better to keep the ZTZ99A away from heated battlefields or make sure to cover the LFP and mantlet as much as possible. In case of complicated terrains, either avoid them or quickly dig for cover with the dozer blade modification.
+As the spearhead of the current PLAGF armoured corps, thanks to the vastly improved mobility compared to its predecessors and new technologies integrated onto ZTZ99A, it has better handling than its predecessors and is comparable to NATO vehicles in terms of its power-to-weight ratio and top speed. The newly designed tank also has very similar protection to its predecessors while parts of its turrets are replaced by brand new FY-5 ERA blocks and the top is covered by FY-1DA ERA blocks, improving its survivability against top-down attacks. However, the mantlet is still lightly protected compared to other MBTs at its rank, a penetrating shot is now even more likely to cause a breech knockout or even lethal damage to the gun crews. In terms of the hull, although it was remarked to have the protection of a ZTZ99 and the driver has been moved to the left side, the age-old problem of a huge LPF and less protected area over the driver can certainly ruin a player's day at top tier. So it is better to keep the ZTZ99A away from heated battlefields or make sure to cover the LFP and mantlet as much as possible. In case of complicated terrains, either avoid them or quickly dig for cover with the dozer blade modification.
 In the firepower department, ZTZ99A also comes with a wide variety of shells; the darts, although having somewhat below average penetration, are overall still sufficient enough to knock-out most western vehicles aside from Strv 122; when facing Russians though, in case players are not confident in the darts, the GP125 tandem ATGM is an alternative to melt through Russian MBTs. While both HE shells seemed similar, the stock DTB-125 is still among the most hard-hitting HE shell at top tier while the new DTB12-125 is a VT shell, meaning that any aircraft that comes close to its 7 m triggering range will have a very bad day thanks to its explosive content. So bringing a variety of shells is viable to make the ZTZ99A more versatile or sometimes have the capability to deliver a last-ditch strike back.

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 |-
 | Hull
-| '''Upper glacis (ERA counted):''' <br> 550-900 mm ''Kinetic'' / 750-1,600 mm ''Chemical''
+| '''Upper glacis (ERA counted):''' <br> 600-900 mm ''Kinetic'' / 1,200-1,900 mm ''Chemical''
 |-
 | Turret
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 ! Explosive reactive armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Roof
 |-
-| Hull || '''Upper glacis:''' <br> '''FY-4 (67°, 70°, 81°):''' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic''/ 450 mm ''Chemical''
+| Hull || '''Upper glacis:''' <br> '''FY-4 (67°, 70°, 81°):''' <br> 180 mm ''Kinetic'' / 550 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A || N/A
 |-
 | Turret || '''Upper turret cheeks, gun mantlet:''' <br> '''FY-5 (67°, 70°, 81°):''' <br> 250 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Lower turret cheeks:''' <br> '''FY-5 (22-26°):''' <br> 250 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600 mm ''Chemical'' || '''Front:''' <br> '''FY-5 (3°):''' <br> 250 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Slat armour:''' <br> '''FY-4:''' <br> 50 mm ''Kinetic'' / 350 mm ''Chemical'' || '''FY-1D1:''' <br> 30 mm ''Kinetic'' / 300 mm ''Chemical''

@@ Line 184: / Line 184: @@
 * Powerful guns with variety of shells ranging from darts up to ATGM
 * Very similar sturdy protection to its predecessors
-* Faster horizontal traverse speed for the gun
+* Faster horizontal and vertical traverse speed for the gun
 '''Cons:'''
@@ Line 190: / Line 190: @@
 * Still suffers from a huge LFP and insufficient mantlet protection
 * Has the infamous "NATO hump" that hinders firing arc at rear angles
 * Thin side armour, can be penetrated by IFVs and aircraft
 * Relatively large profile compared to previous PLAGF tanks
 * DTC10-125 has somewhat low penetration for a top tier shell
 == History ==

@@ Line 204: / Line 204: @@
 === [[wt:en/news/7722-development-ztz99a-roaring-tiger-en|Devblog]] ===
-The ZTZ99A is a further development of the ZTZ99 MBT, already familiar to seasoned War Thunder tankers and fans of Chinese ground vehicles in the game. However, despite sharing a common chassis, the ZTZ99A can be considered a completely new vehicle thanks to a near complete overhaul of its design, particularly concerning its turret. Unlike previous variants, the ZTZ99A features a new arrow-shaped turret, fitted with state-of-the-art ERA and composite armour, capable of defeating even tandem charge chemical rounds.
+After the ZTZ99 entered service in the early 2000s, a number of technological advancements took place in tank design. As a result, Chinese engineers decided to substantially upgrade the ZTZ99 MBT. By 2011, a number of improvements were made to the ZTZ99 in order to bring its capabilities on par with modern MBTs of other nations. The upgrades included most notably a new arrow-shaped turret with substantially improved protection as well as a more powerful 1,500 hp diesel engine and a hydromechanical transmission to name a few.
-While the protection upgrade did result in the vehicle gaining roughly 4 tons in weight over its immediate predecessor, this drawback is amply compensated by the ZTZ99A receiving a new 1,500 horsepower diesel engine. As a result, the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio increases to an impressive 27.7 hp/t despite the weight increase! As a result, the ZTZ99A actually outmatches its predecessors in terms of mobility, being able to attain a top speed of 75 km/h on paved roads. Furthermore, a new transmission eliminates the poor reverse speed of the older modifications with the ZTZ99A now being capable of reaching up to 34 km/h while going in reverse. Quite a handy upgrade for intense gun fights, eh?
+After entering service, it’s estimated that around 600 ZTZ99As have been manufactured. Being the most advanced MBT in service with the PLA to date, the ZTZ99A represents the armored spearhead of the Chinese mechanized units.
 == Media ==

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 |-
 | Hull
-| '''Upper glacis (ERA counted):''' <br> 550-900 mm ''Kinetic'' / 750-1600 mm ''Chemical''
+| '''Upper glacis (ERA counted):''' <br> 550-900 mm ''Kinetic'' / 750-1,600 mm ''Chemical''
 |-
 | Turret
-| '''Turret cheeks (ERA counted):''' <br> 750-1000 mm ''Kinetic'' / 1200-1700 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Upper gun mantlet (ERA counted):''' <br> 500-650 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600-1200 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Lower Gun mantlet:''' <br> 200-550 mm ''Kinetic'' / 300-600 mm ''Chemical''
+| '''Turret cheeks (ERA counted):''' <br> 750-1,000 mm ''Kinetic'' / 1,200-1,700 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Upper gun mantlet (ERA counted):''' <br> 500-650 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600-1,200 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Lower Gun mantlet:''' <br> 200-550 mm ''Kinetic'' / 300-600 mm ''Chemical''
 |}
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 {{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 <!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
-The efforts of Chinese armoured vehicle designers in the first decade of 21st century have finally ripened - ZTZ99A sports a new powerpack consists of the NORINCO Shaanxi 12V150HB-1 diesel engine and CH1000 transmission. With 1500 hp power output when spaded and having a DCT transmission, it is the fastest MBT in the game at 75 km/h and has a -34 km/h reverse; unprecedented for any Warsaw Pact or Chinese tank. The new transmission also makes ZTZ99A a huge but nimble tank in terms of its turning radius, and vastly improves its reaction time to enemies or in case of a quick retreat.
+The efforts of Chinese armoured vehicle designers in the first decade of 21st century have finally ripened - ZTZ99A sports a new powerpack consists of the NORINCO Shaanxi 12V150HB-1 diesel engine and CH1000 transmission. With 1,500 hp power output when spaded and having a DCT transmission, it is the fastest MBT in the game at 75 km/h and has a -34 km/h reverse; unprecedented for any Warsaw Pact or Chinese tank. The new transmission also makes ZTZ99A a huge but nimble tank in terms of its turning radius, and vastly improves its reaction time to enemies or in case of a quick retreat.
 {{tankMobility|abMinHp=2,325|rbMinHp=1,327}}
@@ Line 201: / Line 201: @@
 The earliest known prototypes consisted of 3 WZ1001s which had different designs: the first was based on a ZTZ99, installing a brand new turret and reworking the rear side of the chassis to fit a new power pack; the second one looked similar to what the certified WZ1001 would be; while the third installed an experimental 125 mm L/54 gun based on the former. These prototypes were first spotted in 2006 and their efforts for a new tank were then certified in 2010, thus named ZTZ10 then ZTZ99A due to unknown reasons.
-The earliest batches of the pre-production run ZTZ99As were spotted in the early 2010s equipping an experimental millimeter-wave IFF radar, known simply as New MBT (新型主战坦克) or by the erroneous name ZTZ99A2 (or 99大改) to observers. The debate of the name settled down when it was first shown during the 70th V-J Day Parade in Beijing as the TJ1XX column during the parade; as later batches started to be manufactured in 2016, those in 90th PLA Day Parade at Zhurihe Base (朱日和基地; a Fort Owen-like exercise ground for PLA troops) and during the 70th National Day Parade had slightly different designs with the removal of the aforementioned MMW radar.
+The earliest batches of the pre-production run ZTZ99As were spotted in the early 2010s equipping an experimental millimeter-wave IFF radar, known simply as New MBT (新型主战坦克) or by the erroneous name ZTZ99A2 (or 99大改) to observers. The debate of the name settled down when it was first shown during the 70th V-J Day Parade in Beijing as the TJ1XX column during the parade; as later batches started to be manufactured in 2016, those in 90th PLA Day Parade at Zhurihe Base (朱日和基地; a Fort Owen-like exercise ground for PLA troops) and during the 70th National Day Parade had slightly different designs with the removal of the MMW radar.
 === [[wt:en/news/7722-development-ztz99a-roaring-tiger-en|Devblog]] ===

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 * Rubber-fabric screens (side skirts)
 * Structural steel (slat armour)
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 35: / Line 34: @@
 ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 |-
-| Hull
+| Hull || 20 mm (70°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 60 + 20 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 30 mm (12°) ''Driver hatch'' || 80 mm ''Top'' <br> 20 mm (28°) ''Bottom'' || 45 mm (0°-47°) <br> 10 mm (0°-65°) ''Engine vent'' || 30 mm (88°) <br> 20 mm ''Rear''
 |-
-| Turret
+| Turret || 20 mm (23°-68°) ''Turret cheeks'' <br> 40-310 mm (26°-70°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 50-60 + 10 mm <br> 130 mm ''Turret ring'' || 35 mm || 30 mm <br> 50 mm ''Rear'' <br> 20 mm ''Optics shield''
 |-
-| Cupola
+| Cupola || colspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | 30 mm (89°)
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 65: / Line 55: @@
 ! Explosive reactive armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Roof
 |-
-| Hull
+| Hull || '''Upper glacis:''' <br> '''FY-4 (67°, 70°, 81°):''' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic''/ 450 mm ''Chemical''
 | '''Upper glacis:''' <br> '''FY-4 (67°, 70°, 81°):''' <br> 140 mm ''Kinetic''/ 450 mm ''Chemical''
-| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | N/A
 |-
-| Turret
+| Turret || '''Upper turret cheeks, gun mantlet:''' <br> '''FY-5 (67°, 70°, 81°):''' <br> 250 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Lower turret cheeks:''' <br> '''FY-5 (22-26°):''' <br> 250 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600 mm ''Chemical'' || '''Front:''' <br> '''FY-5 (3°):''' <br> 250 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Slat armour:''' <br> '''FY-4:''' <br> 50 mm ''Kinetic'' / 350 mm ''Chemical'' || '''FY-1D1:''' <br> 30 mm ''Kinetic'' / 300 mm ''Chemical''
 |-
 |}

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 Another major difference is that the driver is moved to the right side of the hull (from the enemy's perspective), if opponents aren't able differentiate between the 99A and other 99s, it is very likely that shots hitting the UFP will prove fruitless. To say at least, aside from the headlights on the UFP, LFP and the mantlet, the ZTZ99A will have a better protection at its frontal arc than its predecessors.
-'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
+'''Armour type:'''
-<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
-* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
+* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret, engine vents, optics shield)
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 31: / Line 35: @@
 ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 |-
-| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' <br> ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+| Hull
 |-
-| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' <br> ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+| Turret
 |-
-| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
+| Cupola
 |-
 |}
-'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
+{| class="wikitable"
-<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
+! Composite armour !! Frontal effective protection
 === Mobility ===

@@ 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}}''' (Chinese: ZTZ99A式主战坦克; industry code WZ1001; erroneously known as ZTZ99A2 before ratification on the series by late 2010s) is currently the spearhead of PLAGF armored corps and the most advanced tank in PLAGF since 2010s. The plans for a true 3rd generation MBT arose as soon as the WZ123 program was progressing as PLAGF already deemed WZ123 be insufficient against NATO/ Russian tanks in future. The new WZ1001 program was then led by a new chief engineer and planned to be equipped some of the most advanced equipment of PLAGF including new smoothbore gun, FCS and powerplant by early 2000s. Due to the economy of some of its prototypes, one of the design of WZ1001 eventually won as the designated design of the new MBT supposedly named as ZTZ10 which the new tank was eventually named as ZTZ99A and was first shown during the VJ Day parade on September 2015; ZTZ99A now becomes one of the most iconic PLAGF equipment of the 2010s and marks the very end of low-profile design from previous tanks.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: ZTZ99A式主战坦克; industry code WZ1001; erroneously known as ZTZ99A2 before official ratification in the late 2010s) currently serves as the spearhead of the PLAGF armored corps and has been their most advanced tank since the 2010s. The plans for a true 3rd generation MBT emerged during the development of the WZ123 program, as the PLAGF recognized the need for a new tank capable of effectively countering NATO and Russian tanks in the future. This led to the initiation of the WZ1001 program, which aimed to equip the new tank with advanced features such as a new smoothbore gun, FCS, and powerplant by the early 2000s. Through a series of prototype iterations, one particular design from the WZ1001 program emerged as the chosen configuration for the new MBT. It was officially named ZTZ99A and made its first appearance during the VJ Day parade in September 2015. The ZTZ99A has become an iconic piece of equipment for the PLAGF, representing a departure from the low-profile design of previous tanks.
-Introduced in [[Update "Danger Zone"]] as the then-top-of-line MBT for the Chinese tech tree, ZTZ99A is most advanced PLAGF MBT and the second-newest PLAGF tank (the latest is ZTQ15) in service, the ZTZ99A ditches the Warsaw Pact-style low profile design and opts for a larger turret and a new powerpack, while retaining similar protection to the preceding [[ZTZ99-III]]. With all the new features found on ZTZ99A, players can finally make good use of the latest Chinese technologies on tanks to take out enemies with its surprisingly good mobility.
+Introduced in [[Update "Danger Zone"]], it is the most advanced MBT and the second newest tank (after the ZTQ15) in service with the PLAGF. The ZTZ99A deviates from the Warsaw Pact-style low-profile design, featuring a larger turret and a new powerpack while maintaining similar protection levels to its predecessor, the [[ZTZ99-III]]. With its array of new features, players can harness the latest Chinese tank technologies, benefiting from the tank's impressive mobility to effectively engage and eliminate enemy forces.
 == General info ==