China’s latest armored duo—the Type 100 Main Battle Tank and its support vehicle—are not just new machines. They’re a statement. A declaration that the PLA is ready to leapfrog into the realm of fourth-generation warfare, where sensors, drones, and data links matter more than raw armor thickness. Visual Identification: A Break from the Past Forget the familiar lines of the Type 99A or the boxy silhouette of the Type 96. The Type 100 MBT is a different beast: Unmanned turret with jagged, multi-faceted armor geometry. - Compact hull with a low profile and reduced weight (~40 t). - Remote Weapons Station perched atop the turret, often with a 12.7 mm HMG. - No visible reactive armor blocks—everything is integrated and digital. The support vehicle is equally distinct: - Smaller chassis with a 40 mm cannon. - Vertical launch cells (3×2) for missiles or loitering munitions. - A radar mast and drone bay—earning it the nickname “mini Aegis destroyer on land.” Capabilities: More Than Just Metal...
News and analysis from security and warfare related topics with the focus mostly on Russia and Scandinavia. Occasional de-tours to the current hot spots around the world can be expected. -Petri Mäkelä