A prototype were built on a modified extended T-72 hull, which was equipped with a Russian copied 2A46M 125mm smoothbore main gun and autoloader, as well as a 1200hp diesel engine. China managed to lay its hands on a unknown number of T-72’s from the Middle East and in 1989 NORINCO were tasked with the development of the new vehicle at 201 Institute and 617 Factory. The programme for a new MBT took of again in the early/mid 80’s favouring a similar design to the T-72. The project was very short lived and in 1981 the PLA chose the indigenes Type 80. Two further prototypes codenamed 12F2 were built with Chinese copied Leopard 2 parts including a diesel engine. It was equipped with a 120mm smoothbore main gun, a hydro-mechanical transmission, torsion bar suspension and a German-made MB8V331tc41 diesel engine. Relying on its relationship with the West, China built a prototype codenamed 1224 based and using parts from the German Leopard 2. With the Sino Soviet split in full swing during the 1970’s, the PLA were concerned with its lack of a suitable MBT that could take on Russia’s modern T-72. The Chinese Type 99 Main Battle Tank Development View Our new and expanded Type 99 and Type 98 Tank pages 0n
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