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Among the very few countries in the world that still operate the dedicated amphibious tank, China is the only one that has developed a modern model. This was mainly driven by the growing tension between China mainland and Taiwan. To prepare for a possible amphibious assault on Taiwan Island, the PLA requested a new amphibious tank that can be launched from tank landing ships over 10km offshore and reach the shore at a high speed (14km/h). This improved mobility would reduce the risk to PLA Navy ships from enemy missiles, aircraft, boats, and mines, and increase the survivability of the tank in the swimming stage.
The main armament of the Type 63A is a fully stabilised 105mm rifled gun. It is similar to those fitted on the Type 59D and Type 88 main battle tank (MBT), but with reduced recoil force for firing in swimming. The main gun can fire armour piercing fin stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS), high explosive (HE), and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) ammunitions. The fire test showed that when firing APFSDS, the gun could penetrate 500 mm steel armour at a distance of 2,000m.
Originally posted by Lucretius
my question is what should Taiwan do about it?
[edit on 6-5-2005 by Lucretius]
and has a good chance of defeating Taiwan’s M-48 and M-60 main battle tanks from the moment of landing.
Originally posted by mirza2003
what about shore based a guns i hope taiwan must had .
Originally posted by Lucretius
A 30mm cannon can disable an M1A2
You are correct though... armour is the tanks major weakness, which is why they spend so much time designing powerfull offensive capability.
I guess the idea is that it can fire an anti-tank missile or HEAT/SABOT round before it can be engaged
[edit on 7-5-2005 by Lucretius]
Originally posted by Lucretius
because it is not a dud product...
It will pose a very serious threat to taiwanese defenses. It has an accurate a powerfull gun and can make short work of anything Taiwan can currently throw at it.
Taiwan has none of these weapons you all so elabourately throw up...