VN20 explained
| VN20 |
| Origin: | China |
| Type: | Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Designer: | NORINCO |
| Manufacturer: | NORINCO |
| Weight: | 50 tonnes |
| Crew: | 3 |
| Passengers: | 6 |
| Armour: | Level 6 STANAG 4569 |
| Primary Armament: | - 30mm autocannon RCWS and ATGM launcher (exhibit) or
- 100mm cannon, coaxial 30mm autocannon, and twin HJ-12 launchers (catalogue)
|
| Secondary Armament: | One of:
2 remote-controlled 7.62 mm machine guns (rear hull, optional)
|
| Engine: | diesel |
| Suspension: | torsion bar |
The VN20 is a Chinese "Heavy-Duty Infantry fighting vehicle" developed by Norinco, revealed on the Zhuhai Airshow 2020.
Norinco uses the "VNxx" designation for exported Infantry fighting vehicles.
Design
The VN20 was developed from the VT-4 main battle tank chassis and uses the same suspension, the motor is placed at the front to keep space for troops in the back. The driver seat is placed on the left side next to another seat on the right side.[1]
ERA protects its front and sides.
Armament
The VN20 vehicle was advertised with 2 different turrets:
- The exhibit was fitted with 30mm autocannon RCWS, which also houses a coaxial machine gun and a missile launcher.[2]
- The catalogue video shows a 2-man turret which consists of a 100mm cannon and a 30mm autocannon similar to a BMP-3/ZBD-04. The turret also fits HJ-12 launchers and a smaller RCWS mounted on top.[3] [4] An early version was shown as a tabletop model in the UAE.[2]
2 remote controlled 7.62mm machine guns can be mounted to the rear.
See also
Heavy infantry fighting vehicles
- 60 tons, developed from Merkava
- 60 Tons, developed from Centurion
- up to 50 tons, developed from ASCOD
- up to 50 tons
- 48 tons, developed from the Armata Universal Combat Platform
- up to 45 tons, developed from OF-40
- tracked up to 45 tons, wheeled up to 38,5 tons
- 44 tons, developed from T-55
- up to 43 tons)
- up to 42 tons, developed from ASCOD
- up to 42 tons
- 40 to tons, developed from Type 59
- 38,5 tons, developed from T-55
- up to 38 tons
- up to 37 tons
Notes and References
- Web site: 2023-09-17 . БМП VN20: tiberius66 — LiveJournal . 2023-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230917212639/https://tiberius66.livejournal.com/1820029.html . 2023-09-17 .
- Web site: 3 Dec 2022 . The VN20 Is The Largest Combat Vehicle In Asia . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230211155213/https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2022/12/03/the-vn20-is-the-largest-combat-vehicle-in-asia/ . 11 Feb 2023 . 2023-02-18 . 21st Century Asian Arms Race.
- Web site: 13 Nov 2022 . Discover VN20 from China most protected and armed tracked armored IFV in the world . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221113163747/https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/discover_vn20_from_china_most_protected_and_armed_tracked_armored_ifv_in_the_world.html . 13 Nov 2022 . 2023-02-13 . Army Recognition.
- Web site: 9 Nov 2022 . China launches its VN20 most protected and armed tracked armored IFV in its category . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213233714/https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/china_launches_its_vn20_most_protected_and_armed_tracked_armored_ifv_in_its_category.html . 13 Feb 2023 . 10 May 2023 . Military Recognition.
