The new production PLA MBT, the Type-98, is a serious threat.
This tank is now equiped with an active counter missile defense system utilising a high powered laser linked to a LWR (laser warning receiver). This system detects enemy ranging and painting lasers, tracks the source, targets the outputting optics, and destroys the offending rig with a high-output pulse.
This system is mounted on the turret roof of the Type-98 and looks like an automatic GL. It has a high elevation mounting and free traverse, indicating an ability to engage systems on oposing helicopters as well as tanks and other ground threats. The sytem can and will likely be, retrofitted to other front-line MBTs in the PLA's main divisions.
A modern Western MBT such as the Abrams, while trying to engage a Chinese MBT could find itself suddenly deprived of it's ranging laser and unable to properly lay it's main gun.
This, coupled with the 98's new laminate armor, FSDSDU ammunition and high mobility make the new MBT a much greater threat than previously projected. Consider also the Pentagon's anti-clever move to abondon heavy armor and adopt a very expensive and not-to-capable LAV.
It is posible that the 98 will also be equiped with a system roughly emulating the Russain Drozd counter-missile device. The Drozd physicaly destroys incomming missiles instead of attacking the source targeting gear. No Drozd device have been seen on the 98, but the laser systems are already in place.
This is all a far cry from the entrenched image of a peasant army equiped with poor clones of Soviet equipment.
The Chinese Infantry, now armed with a unique 6mm bullpup-config rifle have also been seen training with a "LandWarrior-esqe" squad integration communitcation system. Componants of this equipment are monted on the helmet, rifle and backpack. A GPS is known to be included.
This tank is now equiped with an active counter missile defense system utilising a high powered laser linked to a LWR (laser warning receiver). This system detects enemy ranging and painting lasers, tracks the source, targets the outputting optics, and destroys the offending rig with a high-output pulse.
This system is mounted on the turret roof of the Type-98 and looks like an automatic GL. It has a high elevation mounting and free traverse, indicating an ability to engage systems on oposing helicopters as well as tanks and other ground threats. The sytem can and will likely be, retrofitted to other front-line MBTs in the PLA's main divisions.
A modern Western MBT such as the Abrams, while trying to engage a Chinese MBT could find itself suddenly deprived of it's ranging laser and unable to properly lay it's main gun.
This, coupled with the 98's new laminate armor, FSDSDU ammunition and high mobility make the new MBT a much greater threat than previously projected. Consider also the Pentagon's anti-clever move to abondon heavy armor and adopt a very expensive and not-to-capable LAV.
It is posible that the 98 will also be equiped with a system roughly emulating the Russain Drozd counter-missile device. The Drozd physicaly destroys incomming missiles instead of attacking the source targeting gear. No Drozd device have been seen on the 98, but the laser systems are already in place.
This is all a far cry from the entrenched image of a peasant army equiped with poor clones of Soviet equipment.
The Chinese Infantry, now armed with a unique 6mm bullpup-config rifle have also been seen training with a "LandWarrior-esqe" squad integration communitcation system. Componants of this equipment are monted on the helmet, rifle and backpack. A GPS is known to be included.
That'd kinda kill the Christmas tourist trade, don't ya think?