Images of a new amphibious anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) carrier has emerged on Chinese social media in late April.
Based on the tracked Norinco Type 05 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) chassis, the unnamed vehicle featured a missile launcher carrying a pair of four-cell containers, which are presumably equipped with the HJ-10 or HJ-13 ATGM typically associated with this particular launcher type.
The Type 05 family of tracked amphibious vehicles, which comprise the ZBD-05 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) armed with the ZPT-99 30mm autocannon and HJ-73B anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), the ZTD-05 assault vehicle armed with a 105mm low recoil gun, and complemented by armoured command and control (C2) and recovery vehicle variants.
The type intended to be deployed at sea and swim under its own power to contested landing sites at speeds of up to 16 knots (30km/h), with the IFV variant delivering up to eight fully equipped People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps (PLAMC) dismounts under armour protection and providing supporting fires following disembarkation.
Ship-to-shore operations is supported by the ZTD-05 assault vehicle, which shares the same hull as the IFV variant but is instead equipped with a 105mm low recoil rifled gun. According to official specifications, the ZTD-05 is claimed to be capable of employing its main armament against stationary targets while swimming in conditions of up to Sea State 4. Armour piercing and high-explosive ordnance enables the vehicle to engage armoured vehicles and fortifications.
It is likely that gun and ATGM-equipped Type-05 vehicles will be used to target higher-value threats protecting landing sites, particularly armoured fighting vehicles and coastal artillery systems.
Once a beachhead is secured, PLAMC units would seek to establish an anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) bubble in anticipation of follow-on forces, deploying anti-ship and air defence assets in addition to their organic armour and artillery capabilities to stymie any intervention by defending forces or their reinforcements.
by Jr Ng
