The People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) has begun receiving its latest generation of 8×8 wheeled assault vehicles, a new model based on the upgraded Type 19 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) platform. This development marks a significant step forward in China’s military modernization and reflects a clear intent to sharpen its operational edge in high-mobility combat scenarios, including amphibious operations and rapid-deployment missions.
Visual evidence of military trains delivering these vehicles to new deployment zones has surfaced in recent weeks, confirming their integration into active units. Analysts believe these deliveries are part of a broader PLAGF strategy to expand and adapt its medium-weight combat formations, which balance the firepower of heavy armor with the speed and flexibility of lighter units.
The new 8×8 assault vehicle builds upon the Type 19 chassis—an evolution of the Type 08 family of modular wheeled vehicles—but introduces major upgrades that put it in a different class altogether. Central to these upgrades is an integrated power pack that combines a more powerful diesel engine with an advanced automatic transmission system. This not only improves acceleration and speed across rough terrain but also simplifies maintenance and reduces breakdown frequency, two critical factors in sustained combat operations.
Supporting the engine improvements is a refined suspension system, which enhances off-road performance and stability. This upgraded suspension system draws on lessons learned from the ZLT-11, the primary wheeled assault gun currently used by China’s medium brigades and naval infantry. The ZLT-11, though formidable, has faced operational limitations in amphibious performance and onboard firepower—a gap the new vehicle appears designed to close.
Perhaps the most visually noticeable change is the addition of twin ducted water jet propulsors mounted at the rear of the hull. These jets enable amphibious travel at speeds of 8 to 10 kilometers per hour in calm water, a significant improvement over previous models. This capability transforms the vehicle into a viable asset for cross-river and littoral missions, aligning with the PLAGF’s expanding interest in “wet-gap” crossings and island seizure operations.
At the core of the new assault variant is its weapon system: a newly developed low-recoil 105mm high-pressure rifled gun. This weapon represents a leap forward in Chinese military technology, incorporating heat-resistant materials and precision manufacturing to increase barrel longevity, firing accuracy, and rate of fire. Notably, the gun does not feature a traditional muzzle brake, a choice that reduces the firing signature and diminishes internal recoil impact—improving crew survivability and allowing for a more compact turret design.
Ammunition options are extensive and tailored to multi-role combat:
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APDS (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot): Capable of defeating up to 600mm of rolled homogeneous armor at 2 km range.
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HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank): Effective against reactive armor and light armored vehicles.
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HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation): Optimized for infantry and soft-skinned vehicle targets.
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Bunker-Busting Rounds: For neutralizing fortified enemy positions.
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Gun-Launched Missiles: Laser-guided rounds that engage static or moving targets—including ships or helicopters—up to 5 km away.
This firepower is managed through a next-generation turret design that integrates a fully automated loading system and a digital panoramic sight. The configuration provides “hunter-killer” targeting capability, allowing the vehicle commander and gunner to track and engage multiple targets with minimal delay—a significant edge in high-intensity, fast-moving battles.
Despite a full combat weight of around 25 tons, the vehicle maintains high levels of protection while retaining its mobility. The armor package combines hardened steel with advanced composite materials in a modular configuration. This allows for quick repair and field upgrades while maintaining protection levels appropriate for frontline operations.
Baseline protection includes:
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360-degree resistance to 7.62mm armor-piercing rounds
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Frontal protection against 14.5mm AP rounds
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Limited survivability against 25mm and 30mm kinetic projectiles
The hull is reinforced with anti-mine architecture—V-shaped underbellies, energy-absorbing seats, and decoupled floor plates—offering enhanced resistance against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-tank mines.
Additional survivability features include:
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Smoke grenade dischargers
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Laser warning receivers
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Modular ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) compatibility
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Integrated CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) defense systems
These enhancements position the new assault vehicle as a contender not only against infantry fighting vehicles but also against medium tanks in asymmetrical and hybrid warfare environments.
The introduction of this new platform is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a strategic signal. As the PLAGF transitions into a more networked and mobile force, systems like these offer the speed and flexibility required for “informatized” warfare. Their ability to rapidly deploy via rail, road, or amphibious transport extends China’s power projection envelope, particularly along its periphery and in contested maritime regions.
Military analysts suggest that these vehicles could play a pivotal role in scenarios involving:
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Taiwan Strait operations
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South China Sea island patrols and potential seizures
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Border skirmishes in rugged, riverine environments
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Rapid reinforcement of forward positions
Additionally, the modular nature of the platform hints at further variants being developed—such as command vehicles, air-defense versions, and battlefield recovery variants—using the same 8×8 chassis for logistical ease and operational cohesion.
In global terms, China’s new 8×8 assault vehicle bears comparison to the U.S. Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) and the Russian Bumerang-based 2S25 Sprut-SDM1. While the Stryker MGS has been criticized for mobility and protection shortfalls, China’s entry appears more refined in amphibious capability and gun system reliability.
In particular, the PLAGF’s integration of gun-launched guided missiles offers a level of versatility not currently seen in most Western counterparts. By investing heavily in precision engagement technologies and mobility solutions, the Chinese military is positioning itself for flexible engagements across a range of battle environments.
The rollout of the new 8×8 assault vehicle based on the Type 19 IFV chassis marks a pivotal moment in China’s defense modernization. With its blend of speed, firepower, amphibious capability, and survivability, the platform addresses long-standing capability gaps within the PLAGF and opens new tactical possibilities.
This vehicle is not simply a replacement for older systems—it represents a rethinking of what a mobile assault platform. As geopolitical tensions continue to simmer in Asia, such advancements underscore the pace and seriousness with which the Chinese military is preparing for future conflicts—ones that may be fought on beaches, in cities, or across muddy rivers, at short notice and in high stakes.
