Chinese Defence Today - Type 89 Armoured Personnel Carrier

The Type 89 (also known as YW534) armoured personnel carrier (APC) is successor to the older Type 63 (YW531C) in service with the PLA ground forces. The Type 89 is the domestic variant of the Type 85 (YW531H) APC developed in the 1980s for export market. The vehicle entered service in the late 1990s and was first revealed to the public in the 1999 national day military parade in Beijing.

The Type 89 (YW534) was developed from the Type 85 (YW531H) APC with some minor modifications. The development of the Type 89 probably began in the mid-1980s. Compared to the Type 85, the Type 89 has a slightly longer and wider hull, and more sloped front armours for better protection. The vehicle might also have a more powerful powerpack and other improvements such as night vision. The PLA has also developed the Type 89-II infantry fighting vehicle based on the Type 89 hull and fitted with a 25mm cannon.

The basic variant Type 89 APC has a combat weight of 13.5 tonnes and carries 13 troops. Armour protection against 7.62mm calibre weapon systems is provided all round. The APC has a two-man crew including a driver and a commander. Infantry passengers can dismount the vehicle through the rear exit doors.

The powerpack is fitted on the front-right of the vehicle, and the driver is seated on the left of the powerpack compartment. Six roof hatches (including two large ones) are provided for the driver, commander, and troops.

The vehicle has a driver's left-opening single-piece hatch cover and three forward-facing periscopes, one of which can be replaced by an infrared device for night driving. It also has a commander's single-piece hatch cover with an integral vision device, a large troop compartment door at the rear where that has a vision block and firing port, a single circular roof hatch on each side in the forward part of the troop compartment roof and two oblong roof hatches to the rear of the 12.7mm machine gun installation.

There are two firing ports and periscopes in the left side of the hull and three or four firing ports and periscopes in the right side. The firing ports are fitted with ball and socket type mountings for rifles. (Other vehicles have been seen with three firing ports and periscopes in the left side and four in the right.)

A trim vane is erected at the front of the vehicle before it enters the water.

The basic variant Type 89 is fitted with a roof-mounted 12.7 mm antiaircraft machine gun (AAMG), and eight (4 on each side) smoke grenade launchers. The gunner is protected by a bullet-proof shield surrounding the copula.

Seven firing ports on the sides and rear of the troop compartment allows infantry passengers to fire automatic rifles and light machine guns from inside the vehicle on the move. The troop can also carry 7.62mm machine gun, 40 mm rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and shoulder-launched air-defence missiles.

Type 89-II Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The Type 89-II infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is fitted with an one-man 25mm cannon turret and 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun. The 25mm gun has a full 360° traverse with an elevation of -8° ~ 55°. Ammunition load for the 25mm gun is 400 rounds, with an additional 120 HE (high-explosive) rounds and 80 AP (Armour-Piercing) rounds carried in the turret. The 25mm gun can fire single, 3-round burst, or 5-round burst. The max rate of fire is 100r/min or 200r/min. A small examples have been built for trial and evaluation, but the vehicle did not enter mass production.

The Type 89 has a all-welded steel hull can provide protection against small calibre weapons. It is not clear whether the vehicle is fitted with fire detection and distinguishing system or NBC protections.

The Type 89 is powered by a German-designed BF8L413F 4-stroke, 8-cylinder, turbo-charged, air-cooled diesel engine with a standard power of 235kW (320hp) at 2,500r/min. The fuel capacity is 450l.

The vehicle has 5 forward and 1 reverse gears, with mechanical gear box. Torsion bar suspensions with hydraulic shock absorbers on some of the roadwheels.

Crew: 15 (2+13)
Type: Tracked, armoured, limited amphibious capability
Weight: 13.6 tonnes
Engine: 320hp BF8L413F 4-stroke, 8-cylinder, turbo-charged, air-cooled diesel
Transmission: Mechanical
Suspension: Torsion bar suspensions with hydraulic shock absorbers
Radio: Radio set and telephone
Dimension: Length: 6.125m; Height: 2.590m; Width: 3.060m
Cruising Range: 500km
Speed: Max road 65km/h; max off-road N/A; max swim 6km/h
Weapon: 12.7mm AAMG (APC); or 25mm cannon + 7.62mm coaxial machine gun (IFV)