By military analysts, the mainland Chinese invasion of Taiwan is called a matter of time. And regarding D-day which is predicted to bring about these major changes, the Chinese military will certainly deploy a variety of its flagship defense equipment. In the amphibious operation scenario, the one that will be used is the Norinco ZBL-09 8×8 “Snow Leopard”.
According to information published by the Ministry of Defense of China, the 45th Brigade of the Chinese Army's 73rd Army Group has received another batch of ZBL-09 amphibious armored assault rifles.
The unit is under the command of the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command, which covers Guangdong Province in the southeastern part of the country and is in charge of possible operations in the Taiwan Strait.
Norinco, the manufacturer of the ZBL-09, has so far delivered at least 54 of these vehicles to the 73rd Army Group, with the aim of replacing the outdated ZSL-92 armored personnel carrier.
ZBL-09 is a type of Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) designed for high mobility, including in supporting amphibious operations. Sporting eight-wheel drive with an advanced suspension system, allows this ranpur to navigate difficult terrain and overcome obstacles, making it well suited for rapid deployment and maneuverability in the field.
The ZBL-09 is equipped with a 30mm gun, coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and anti-tank missile launcher. The vehicle has a crew of three and can carry up to seven infantry troops. The maximum speed of this vehicle is 100 km per hour and can operate in temperatures between -40°C to +60°C and a cruising range of 800 km.
The ZBL-09 has been in service with the Chinese military since 2009 and has been used in a number of conflicts, including the 2020 Sino-Indian conflict in the Ladakh region. ZBL-09 is also known to have been exported to Pakistan and Nigeria.
Norinco ZBL-09 has amphibious capability, meaning that this vehicle can cross water and move on water at a speed of 10 km per hour. To support the amphibious mission, ZBL-09 is equipped with a pump and rudder system that allows it to control the direction of motion in the water.
For security purposes, this ranpur is equipped with door seals and air inlets that can be installed to prevent water from entering the vehicle when crossing water. After getting out of the water, this ranpur can immediately continue its movement on land without the need for special preparation.
Norinco ZBL-09 adopts a water-cooled turbocharged diesel engine with 450 hp power. In addition, this engine was also chosen to provide enough thrust to withstand the additional load from the vehicle's equipment and armament. The diesel engine used in this vehicle is also known to have good fuel efficiency, which can help reduce overall operating costs.
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