Type 63 (armoured personnel carrier)

Last updated
Type 63 (YW531)
Type 63 APC at the Beijing Military Museum - 1.jpg
Type 63 APC
Type Armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin China
Service history
Wars
Production history
Manufacturer618 Factory / Norinco
Specifications
Mass12.6 tonnes
Length5.476 m
Width2.978 m
Height2.58 m
Crew2 + 10

Armor 14 mm maximum, welded steel
Main
armament
Type 54 12.7 mm machine gun
Engine8-cylinder air-cooled, turbo-charged diesel KHD BF8L 413F
320 hp
320 hp
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed 65 km/h, off-road 46 km/h
Top-shot of a Type 63 APC (A531) at the Beijing Military Museum Type 63 APC at the Beijing Military Museum - above.jpg
Top-shot of a Type 63 APC (A531) at the Beijing Military Museum

The Type 63 (industrial designation YW531) is a Chinese armoured personnel carrier that entered service in the late 1960s. It was the first armoured vehicle designed in China without Soviet assistance. [1] The design is simple and is comparable to other APCs of its time such as the M113.

Contents

Approximately 8,000 all types and variants were produced by Norinco. It also equips several armies around the world and has seen action in different conflicts including the Vietnam War, the Sino-Vietnamese War, the Iran–Iraq War, and the Gulf War.

Development

In 1958 July, the central government of the People's Republic of China proclaimed in a national scientific development strategic plan that called for a tracked armoured personnel carrier that can be ready for mass production in 1960, in less than two years, and Yong Ding Machinery Factory (永定机械厂) – later incorporated into the NORINCO group was to be responsible for the manufacturing of the new APC.

The design work was left to No. 1 Institute of the First Machinery works (then focusing on tanks design) and the Fourth faculty of the Harbin Engineering Academy to be under the supervision of the Scientific department of the PLA Armour Corp., Fifth Department of First Machinery Works and Soviet experts.

Description

The hull is made of welded steel, and provides protection against small arms fire. The vehicle carries a maximum of 15 including crew, which depending on the particular configuration may be two or four, the rest of the passengers are infantry who sit in a compartment at the rear of the vehicle. The driver sits in the front left of the hull, and has a single piece hatch, which opens to the left. The driver is provided with two day periscopes which cover the front and right of the vehicle. One of the drivers periscopes can be replaced by a night vision device. The commander sits on the front right of the hull, and has a single piece hatch which opens to the right. The commander hatch has a periscope on the top surface that may be rotated through 360 degrees. Export variants of the vehicle with BF8L engine did away with the commander's position in the front right of the hull. Behind the driver, on the left side of the hull is a third crew position, which is provided with a hatch that opens to the left, and like the commander's position has a 360-degree rotating periscope.

The engine sits to the right rear of the driver. It has a large intake located in the top of the hull, with an exhaust on the right hand side. The engine is either a Type 6150L 260 hp diesel engine or, on export versions, an 8-cylinder air-cooled, turbocharged diesel engine KHD BF8L 413F which develops 320 horsepower at 2,500 rpm. The engine feeds a manual transmission with five forward gears and one reverse gear. Track is driven at the front by a drive sprocket, and passes over four rubber-typed road wheels, then loops over an idler at the rear, before returning to the front again. No return rollers are fitted, the track rests on the top of the road wheels. Suspension is of the torsion bar type. The vehicle has a fuel capacity of 450 litres, which gives it a road range of around 500 kilometers. [2]

A 12.7 millimetre calibre machine gun is located in an open mount at the front of a small hatch in the center of the hull which opens into the troop compartment. The gun can traverse through 360 degrees and can be elevated to an angle of 90 degrees. Two roof hatches and a large rear door provide access to the troop compartment.

The vehicle is amphibious, a folding trim board stowed at the front of the hull needs to be raised, and the vehicle can then propel itself in the water using its tracks.

Variants

Variants are often designated by their manufacturer. WZ stands for Wu Zhuang Jia (armored vehicle 5) and designates the vehicles produced by the Fifth Machinery Works. YW stands for Yongding Wai Mao (Yongding external trade). [3]

63-2 (WZ531) at the Military Museum Type 63-2 (WZ531) 20131004.JPG
63-2 (WZ531) at the Military Museum
63 Amphibious APC at the Military Museum Type 63 Amphibious APC 20131004.JPG
63 Amphibious APC at the Military Museum

Export

Former Iraqi YW701 command vehicle at the Puckkapunyal Military Museum Puckapunyal-YW701-2.jpg
Former Iraqi YW701 command vehicle at the Puckkapunyal Military Museum

Combat history

A destroyed Type 63 at the Iran-Iraq border. Type 63 Shalamcheh.jpg
A destroyed Type 63 at the Iran-Iraq border.

The Type 63 has been fielded by Vietnamese and Chinese armies during the Vietnam War and the Sino-Vietnamese War. [5] During the Chinese invasion of Vietnam, it proved to be very valuable because of its protection and its cross-country abilities. [8] The Zairan forces used it during the Angolan Civil War,[ citation needed ] as did the Tanzanians during the Uganda–Tanzania War. [9] During the Iran–Iraq War, China exported quantities of Type 63s to Iraq. [5] These vehicles have seen further service during the Gulf War [10] [11] and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. [12] The Peshmerga forces used at least one Type 63 APC against the Islamic State. [13]

Operators

Current operators

Former operators

Evaluation purposes

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia - Captured and given to Australia in 1972 by the South Vietnamese government and then tested [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T-62</span> 1961 Soviet medium tank

The T-62 is a Soviet main battle tank that was first introduced in 1961. As a further development of the T-55 series, the T-62 retained many similar design elements of its predecessor including low profile and thick turret armour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMP-2</span> Soviet infantry fighting vehicle

The BMP-2 is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following on from the BMP-1 of the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PT-76</span> Amphibious light tank

The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank that was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like India, Indonesia, Iraq, Syria, North Korea and North Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 59 tank</span> Chinese Main Battle Tank

The Type 59 main battle tank is a Chinese-produced version of the Soviet T-54A tank, an early model of the ubiquitous T-54/55 series. The first vehicles were produced in 1958 and it was accepted into service in 1959, with serial production beginning in 1963. Over 10,000 of the tanks were produced by the time production ended in 1985 with approximately 5,500 serving with the Chinese armed forces. The tank formed the backbone of the Chinese People's Liberation Army armoured units until the early 2000s, with an estimated 5,000 of the later Type 59-I and Type 59-II variants in service in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BRDM-2</span> Amphibious armored scout car

The BRDM-2 is an amphibious armoured scout car designed and developed in the Soviet Union. It was also known under the designations BTR-40PB, BTR-40P-2 and GAZ 41-08. This vehicle, like many other Soviet designs, has been exported extensively and is in use in at least 38 countries. It was intended to replace the older BRDM-1, and has improved amphibious capabilities and better armament compared to its predecessor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-60</span> Wheeled amphibious armored personnel carrier

The BTR-60 is the first vehicle in a series of Soviet eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APCs). It was developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the BTR-152 and was seen in public for the first time in 1961. BTR stands for bronetransportyor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AMX-10P</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

The AMX-10P is a French amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. It was developed from 1965 onwards to replace the AMX-VCI in the French Army. It served with the French Army from its introduction in 1973 until its retirement in 2015, when it was fully replaced by the VBCI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-40</span> Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier

The BTR-40 is a Soviet open-topped, wheeled armoured personnel carrier and reconnaissance vehicle. It is often referred to as the Sorokovka in Soviet service. It was eventually replaced in the APC role by the BTR-152 and in the scout car role by the BRDM-1.

SK-105<i> Kürassier</i> Light tank

The SK-105 Kürassier is an Austrian light tank armed with a rifled 105 mm gun in an oscillating turret. It is estimated that over 700 have been produced, with initial deliveries in 1971. It shares its CN 105-57 main gun with the French AMX-13, which was widely produced and deployed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 62 light tank</span> Chinese light tank

The Norinco Type 62 is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s, based on the Chinese Type 59 with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment to help reduce weight. The Type 62 is retired from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Forces, but is still in use with other nations. It had recently been upgraded to modern standards and to provide the PLA with a dedicated light tank. It is also known under its industrial designation, WZ-131.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 63 (tank)</span> Chinese amphibious light tank

The Norinco Type 63 is a Chinese amphibious light tank. First fielded in 1963, it is in many ways similar to the earlier Soviet PT-76. However, contrary to the popular belief, it does have some essential differences from the PT-76 in the vehicle's waterjet propulsion system, etc. It is also known under its industrial designation, the WZ-211. Type 63 is being replaced by Type 63A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 89 AFV</span> Armoured personnel carrier

The Norinco Type 89 tracked armoured fighting vehicle is a Chinese armoured personnel carrier. It was developed from the earlier export market Type 85 AFV vehicle. It entered service in the late 1990s and was first shown publicly in 1999. There are approximately 1,000 in service. It has the industrial index of WZ534 and although it was mainly developed for the PLA, there is also an export version YW534.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panhard M3</span> Armoured personnel carrier

The Panhard M3 VTT is an amphibious armoured personnel carrier. Developed as a private venture for the export market, the M3 was built with the same mechanical and chassis components as the Panhard AML range of light armoured cars. The two vehicle types share a 95% interchangeability of automotive parts. The M3 is an extremely versatile design which can be configured for a wide variety of auxiliary battlefield roles. The most popular variants of the base personnel carrier included an armoured ambulance, a mobile command post, and an internal security vehicle. It could also be fitted with a wide variety of turrets and armament, ranging from a single general-purpose machine gun to medium calibre autocannon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MLVM</span> Armoured personnel carrier

MLVM is a Romanian armoured personnel carrier. The vehicle was designed and used as an infantry fighting vehicle for the vânători de munte of the Romanian Army, though technically it is a tracked armoured personnel carrier according to UN classification because of its light armor and armament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 85 AFV</span> Armoured personnel carrier

The Type 85 is a tracked armoured fighting vehicle produced by Chinese company Norinco. It is an improved version of the Type 63 armoured personnel carrier. The vehicle is bigger, has additional firing ports and periscopes, a longer chassis with an additional road wheel on each side, and is equipped with an NBC protection system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 90 AFV</span> Armoured personnel carrier

The Type 90 is an armoured fighting vehicle produced by Chinese company Norinco; it is the successor for the Type 85 AFV of which it uses some components. The Type 90 series was developed for export, and consists of at least 10 different types; its industrial index is YW535.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mk F3 155 mm</span> Self-propelled artillery

The 155 mm self-propelled gun Mk F3, or the Canon de 155 mm Mle F3 Automoteur (Cn-155-F3-Am), was developed in the early 1950s by the French Army to replace their American M41 Gorilla 155mm self-propelled guns. The Mk F3 is the smallest and lightest 155 mm motorized gun carriage ever produced, and because of its size and low cost it has found considerable success on the export market. Constructed on a modified AMX-13 light tank chassis, the Mk F3 is novel in incorporating room inside for only two of the eight required crewmen. This allows the 155 mm gun to be placed on a smaller chassis than that employed by other armies, but exposes the outside crew members to enemy fire and other hazards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 63 multiple rocket launcher</span> Type of multiple rocket launcher

The Type 63 multiple rocket launcher is a towed, 12-tube, 107mm rocket launcher produced by the People's Republic of China in the early 1960s and later exported and manufactured globally. Although no longer serving with active infantry units, the Type 63 is still in People's Liberation Army service with specialized formations such as mountain infantry units and special forces detachments. The Type 63 was widely used in the PLA until the late 1980s. It was adopted as the successor of the Type 50-5 of 102mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZ-523</span> Armored personnel carrier

The WZ-523 is a six-wheeled Chinese armored personnel carrier designed to be amphibious. Built on the chassis of the Hanyang HY472 truck, it can carry a crew of three and seat up to eight additional passengers. Two primary models were produced—one with a roof-mounted 12.7mm heavy machine gun, and the other with a small turret armed with a 35mm grenade launcher and a 7.62mm co-axial general purpose machine gun. An export model that entered service in 2008 as a fire support vehicle was also marketed successfully to the Namibian Army; this is armed with a 73mm 2A28 Grom smoothbore cannon using the same turret as the Soviet BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 86 (infantry fighting vehicle)</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

The Type 86, also known as WZ501, is a Chinese copy of the Soviet BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Type 63". Sinodefence.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2011.
  2. Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lai 2016 , p. 177
  4. Foss, Christopher F. (10 October 2001). "VTT-323 armoured personnel carrier". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2001–2002.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Foss, Christopher F. (10 October 2001). "Norinco YW 531 armoured personnel carrier". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2001–2002.
  6. Foss, Christopher F. (12 February 2002). "Norinco 122 mm self-propelled howitzer Type 54-1/Type 70-1". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002–2003.
  7. Foss, Christopher F. (12 February 2002). "Norinco 130 mm (19-round) Type 63 and Type 70 multiple rocket systems". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002–2003.
  8. 1 2 3 Lai 2016 , p. 178
  9. Cooper, Tom; Fontanellaz, Adrien (October 2016). "La guerre du Kagera". Batailles et Blindés (in French). No. 75. Caraktère. pp. 72–81. ISSN   1765-0828.
  10. Tucker-Jones, Anthony (31 May 2014). The Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm 1990–1991. Pen and Sword. p. 47. ISBN   978-1-78159-391-2.
  11. Press, D. G. (1997). "Lessons from Ground Combat in the Gulf: The Impact of Training and Technology". International Security. 22 (2): 137–146. doi:10.1162/isec.22.2.137. S2CID   57571514.
  12. Green, Michael (30 October 2014). Armoured Warfare in the Vietnam War: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives. Pen & Sword Military. p. 109. ISBN   978-1-78159-381-3.
  13. Kurdish Peshmergas Lead Fightback Against ISIS In Iraq. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 via youtube.com.[ better source needed ]
  14. The Military Balance 2016, p. 491.
  15. The Military Balance 2016, p. 265.
  16. The Military Balance 2016, p. 289.
  17. The Military Balance 2016, p. 297.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  19. The Military Balance 2016, p. 478.
  20. The Military Balance 2016, p. 241.
  21. "Archived copy" (PDF). www.rand.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. "From Conflict To Conflict: Sudan's Fighting Vehicles".
  23. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2001). "Central and South Asia". The Military Balance 2001. Vol. 101. Routlegde. pp. 152–171. doi:10.1080/04597220108460156. S2CID   219624390.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  24. "Armored vehicles converted by Sri Lankan rebels/Bangladesh". min.news. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  25. Cecil, Mike (August 2008). "Remember when … we got a YW531?". Archived from the original on 21 March 2012.

Bibliography