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Chinese Armour Designation Styles
Type-xx (rendered xx-Type in Mandarin) are kind of like US 'Mxx' designations.
ZTZxx (and similar) are role-specific PLA designations.
- ZTZ (Zhuangjia Tanke Zhongxíng) = Main Battle Tank ('Armoured Tank, Medium')
WZxx are officially-applied industrial designators.
- WZ (Wuqì Zhuangjia zhan che) = Armoured Vehicle ('Weapon, Armoured Combat Vehicle')
To this must be added a bewildering array of export designations (which also seem to be official) For example, the PLA ZTZ-96 or Type 96 MBT is exported as the VT-2 (although Pakistan calls it the Type 85-IIAP/IIM while Sudan has named it the Al-Bashir). I don't know the meanings of the export acronyms.
An attempt at translating PLA role acronyms follows. As always, additions and corrections are most welcome.
PLA Armoured Vehicle Role Designations
CSK (Che ? Kuang? or Kache?) = 4×4 tactical utility vehicle/truck
CSZ (Che ? Zhang?) = long-wheelbase 6X6 multi-purpose support vehicle
CTL (Che ? ludai shì?) = 6X6 protective chassis vehicle
CXB (Che Xiuli Baoyang) = Field Maintenance/Repair Vehicle (spares carrier)
CXJ (Che Xiuli Jixie) = Field Maintenance Vehicle (electro-mechanical)
GBL (Gongchéng Bàozhà? ludai shì?) = Mine-launching engineering vehicle, tracked
GCL (Guanchá Che ludai shì) = Forward Observation Vehicle (FOV), tracked
GCZ (Gongchéng Che Zhuangjia) = Armoured Engineering Vehicle (AEV)
GJT (Gongchéng Junyòngdoza Tuituji) = AEV, Bulldozer Blade
GSL (Gongchéng Saoléi che Ludai shì) = AEV, Mineclearing
PCP (???) = SP Mortar Carrier, wheeled (light armoured utility)
PCL (Paobing ? Lún shi) = Multiple-Launch Rocket System, wheeled
PCZ (Paobing ? Zìxíng) = Ammunition Support Vehicle (ASV), tracked
PGZ (Paobing Gaoshèpào Zìxíng) = Tracked SP AAA ('Artillery, Anti-Aircraft Gun, Self-Propelled)
PHL (Paobing Huojian Lún shi) = Wheeled SP Rocket-Launcher ('Artillery, Rocket, Wheeled)
PHZ = Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), tracked
PHZ (Paobing Huojian Zìxíng) = Tracked SP Rocket-Launcher ('Artillery, Rocket, Self-Propelled)
PLL (Paobing Liudanpào Lún shi) = Wheeled SP Howitzer ('Artillery, Howitzer, Wheeled)
PLZ (Paobing Liudanpào Zìxíng) = Tracked SP Howitzer ('Artillery, Howitzer, Self-Propelled)
PTL (Paobing Tuji Lún shì) = Wheeled SP Gun ('Artillery, Assault, Wheeled)
PTZ (Pao Tanke Zìxíng) = Tracked SP Gun ('Gun, Tank, Self-Propelled)
ZBD (Zhuangjia Bubing zhan che ludai shì) = IFV (Armoured Vehicle, Infantry, Tracked')
ZBL (Zhuangjia Bubing zhan che lún shì) = IFV (Armoured Vehicle, Infantry, Wheeled')
ZCL (Zhihui Che Lián) = Artillery CP, Battery ('Battery Command Vehicle')
ZCY (Zhihui Che Yíng) = Artillery CP, Battalion ('Battalion Command Vehicle')
ZDF (Zhihui Dao-dàn? Fánghù?) = Guided missile carrier
ZFB (Zhuangjia Fángbào) = Internal Security Vehicle ('Armoured vehicle, Anti-riot)
ZHB (Zhuangjia Hòuqín Buji) = Armoured Supply Vehicle ('Armoured Logistics Supply')
ZLS (Zhuangjia Shusong Lún shi) = Wheeled APC (Armoured Personnel Conveyor, Wheeled)
ZJX (Zhuangjia Qiangjiù Xiuli) = Armoured Recovery Vehicle ('Armoured Rescue Vehicle, Repair')
ZSD (Zhuangjia Shusong che ludai shì) = APC ('Armoured Vehicle, Conveyor, Tracked')
ZSL (Zhuangjia Shusong che Lún shì) = APC ('Armoured Vehicle, Conveyor, Wheeled')
ZTL (Zhuangjia Tanke Lún shì) = Tank Destroyer ('Armoured Tank, Wheeled')
ZTQ (Zhuangjia Tanke Qingxíng) = Light (Reconnaissance) Tank
ZTZ (Zhuangjia Tanke Zhongxíng) = Main Battle Tank ('Armoured Tank, Medium')
ZTS (Zhuangjia Tanke Shuilu) = Amphibious Tank ('Armoured Tank, Amphibious')
ZZC (Zhuangjia Zhenchá Che) = Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
A note on designation style ... In Chinese sources, it is common to see Roman letter prefix designations rendered with and without hyphens in the same paragraph. However, recent arms show display boards tend not to show hyphens. I have arbitrarily taken that as my cue and will avoid hyphens (except where directly quoting).
There may be some online confusion on PLA artillery command post designations. Seen listed are 'GLC' and 'ZSY' which, I believe, should be GCL (FOV) and ZCY (Battalion-level CP).
Another common typo is 'ZLT' for ZTL tank destroyers. Typos probably also explain 'ZTK' (I've seen both 'ZTK-09' and 'ZTK-11', especially in Japanese sources). AFAIK, 'ZTK-11' is a garbling of ZTL11 while 'ZTK-09' derives from ZBL09.
Export Designations
Export Prefixes/Manufacturer Name's Short Forms
CS = China South Industries product (eg: CS/VN10 4×4 MRAP, CS/VP11 Lynx)
-- Sometimes joint projects with either Norinco or Poly Technologies
-- Sometimes branded as Dajiang (Dragon)
XL = Xiaolong Automotive Technologies (XAT) (eg: XL2060L Hummer H1 copy*)
-- * Xiaolong XL2060L Xiao Lóng (Fierce Dragon)
YJ = Beijing Zhongzi Yanjing Automobile (eg: Yanjing YJ2080C & YJ2081C*)
-- * 4x4s based on Russian Tigr, border patrol/anti-riot vehicles
Export Designation Role Prefixes
AR = Multiple Launcher Rocket Systems (eg: 6x6 truck-based AR3)
BK = Export assault gun prototypes (eg: 6x6 BK1970 and 8x8 BK1990)
CM = Mortar carriers (eg: CS/CM2A, CM4 on CS/VN9 APC hull)
CT = Command Post vehicle (eg: modular CT2, CT3 based on VN1 hull)
SA = Self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery (eg: CS/SA1 truck-mounted twin 35mm)
SH = Self-propelled Howitzer, wheeled (eg: SH1, SH2, SH9, SH11)
SM = Self-propelled Mortar, wheeled (eg: 120 mm 6x6 SM4, 120 mm 6x6 SM6/WMA09)
SR = Modular Rocket Carrier, wheeled MLRS (eg: SR5 122 mm on 4x4 chassis)
ST = 'Self-propelled Tank destroyer'* (eg: 8x8 ST1, tracked ST2)
-- * Tank Destroying Vehicle (TDV)
VA = Export light strike vehicle (eg: CS/VA1)
VL = Export internal security vehicle [1]
VN = Export IFVs (eg: VN-11/VN-12 and VN-50 Heavy IFV proposal)
VP = Export ATV and MRAP style utility vehicles (eg: Yiwu Xibeihu CS/VP4 and Norinco VP11)
VT = Export Tanks (eg: VT4, aka MBT3000)
There are also some odd Chinese designations based on joint projects with foreign firms. An early example (with a prototype was displayed in 1986) was the NFV-1 - an IFV based on the Type 86 with an American FMC turret with 25mm M242. So NFV-1 = Norinco/FMC/Vehicle). Other examples are the WZ551-based NGV-1 (for Norinco/Giat/Vehicle) or proposed NVH-1 and NVH-4. The latter were to be Norinco Type 85s fitted with Vickers turrets (armed with 30 mm Rarden or 25 mm Bushmaster, respectively) but I don't know what the 'H' in NVH stands for ;(
[1] I've only seen one mention of a VL1, described as a short-hulled WZ 551 accommodating 8 personnel.
Source: ATN Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG), Aug 2015, page 43
___________________________________
I'll list the variants I've found for export designations below (in reply #4)
Type-xx (rendered xx-Type in Mandarin) are kind of like US 'Mxx' designations.
ZTZxx (and similar) are role-specific PLA designations.
- ZTZ (Zhuangjia Tanke Zhongxíng) = Main Battle Tank ('Armoured Tank, Medium')
WZxx are officially-applied industrial designators.
- WZ (Wuqì Zhuangjia zhan che) = Armoured Vehicle ('Weapon, Armoured Combat Vehicle')
To this must be added a bewildering array of export designations (which also seem to be official) For example, the PLA ZTZ-96 or Type 96 MBT is exported as the VT-2 (although Pakistan calls it the Type 85-IIAP/IIM while Sudan has named it the Al-Bashir). I don't know the meanings of the export acronyms.
An attempt at translating PLA role acronyms follows. As always, additions and corrections are most welcome.
PLA Armoured Vehicle Role Designations
CSK (Che ? Kuang? or Kache?) = 4×4 tactical utility vehicle/truck
CSZ (Che ? Zhang?) = long-wheelbase 6X6 multi-purpose support vehicle
CTL (Che ? ludai shì?) = 6X6 protective chassis vehicle
CXB (Che Xiuli Baoyang) = Field Maintenance/Repair Vehicle (spares carrier)
CXJ (Che Xiuli Jixie) = Field Maintenance Vehicle (electro-mechanical)
GBL (Gongchéng Bàozhà? ludai shì?) = Mine-launching engineering vehicle, tracked
GCL (Guanchá Che ludai shì) = Forward Observation Vehicle (FOV), tracked
GCZ (Gongchéng Che Zhuangjia) = Armoured Engineering Vehicle (AEV)
GJT (Gongchéng Junyòngdoza Tuituji) = AEV, Bulldozer Blade
GSL (Gongchéng Saoléi che Ludai shì) = AEV, Mineclearing
PCP (???) = SP Mortar Carrier, wheeled (light armoured utility)
PCL (Paobing ? Lún shi) = Multiple-Launch Rocket System, wheeled
PCZ (Paobing ? Zìxíng) = Ammunition Support Vehicle (ASV), tracked
PGZ (Paobing Gaoshèpào Zìxíng) = Tracked SP AAA ('Artillery, Anti-Aircraft Gun, Self-Propelled)
PHL (Paobing Huojian Lún shi) = Wheeled SP Rocket-Launcher ('Artillery, Rocket, Wheeled)
PHZ = Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), tracked
PHZ (Paobing Huojian Zìxíng) = Tracked SP Rocket-Launcher ('Artillery, Rocket, Self-Propelled)
PLL (Paobing Liudanpào Lún shi) = Wheeled SP Howitzer ('Artillery, Howitzer, Wheeled)
PLZ (Paobing Liudanpào Zìxíng) = Tracked SP Howitzer ('Artillery, Howitzer, Self-Propelled)
PTL (Paobing Tuji Lún shì) = Wheeled SP Gun ('Artillery, Assault, Wheeled)
PTZ (Pao Tanke Zìxíng) = Tracked SP Gun ('Gun, Tank, Self-Propelled)
ZBD (Zhuangjia Bubing zhan che ludai shì) = IFV (Armoured Vehicle, Infantry, Tracked')
ZBL (Zhuangjia Bubing zhan che lún shì) = IFV (Armoured Vehicle, Infantry, Wheeled')
ZCL (Zhihui Che Lián) = Artillery CP, Battery ('Battery Command Vehicle')
ZCY (Zhihui Che Yíng) = Artillery CP, Battalion ('Battalion Command Vehicle')
ZDF (Zhihui Dao-dàn? Fánghù?) = Guided missile carrier
ZFB (Zhuangjia Fángbào) = Internal Security Vehicle ('Armoured vehicle, Anti-riot)
ZHB (Zhuangjia Hòuqín Buji) = Armoured Supply Vehicle ('Armoured Logistics Supply')
ZLS (Zhuangjia Shusong Lún shi) = Wheeled APC (Armoured Personnel Conveyor, Wheeled)
ZJX (Zhuangjia Qiangjiù Xiuli) = Armoured Recovery Vehicle ('Armoured Rescue Vehicle, Repair')
ZSD (Zhuangjia Shusong che ludai shì) = APC ('Armoured Vehicle, Conveyor, Tracked')
ZSL (Zhuangjia Shusong che Lún shì) = APC ('Armoured Vehicle, Conveyor, Wheeled')
ZTL (Zhuangjia Tanke Lún shì) = Tank Destroyer ('Armoured Tank, Wheeled')
ZTQ (Zhuangjia Tanke Qingxíng) = Light (Reconnaissance) Tank
ZTZ (Zhuangjia Tanke Zhongxíng) = Main Battle Tank ('Armoured Tank, Medium')
ZTS (Zhuangjia Tanke Shuilu) = Amphibious Tank ('Armoured Tank, Amphibious')
ZZC (Zhuangjia Zhenchá Che) = Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
A note on designation style ... In Chinese sources, it is common to see Roman letter prefix designations rendered with and without hyphens in the same paragraph. However, recent arms show display boards tend not to show hyphens. I have arbitrarily taken that as my cue and will avoid hyphens (except where directly quoting).
There may be some online confusion on PLA artillery command post designations. Seen listed are 'GLC' and 'ZSY' which, I believe, should be GCL (FOV) and ZCY (Battalion-level CP).
Another common typo is 'ZLT' for ZTL tank destroyers. Typos probably also explain 'ZTK' (I've seen both 'ZTK-09' and 'ZTK-11', especially in Japanese sources). AFAIK, 'ZTK-11' is a garbling of ZTL11 while 'ZTK-09' derives from ZBL09.
Export Designations
Export Prefixes/Manufacturer Name's Short Forms
CS = China South Industries product (eg: CS/VN10 4×4 MRAP, CS/VP11 Lynx)
-- Sometimes joint projects with either Norinco or Poly Technologies
-- Sometimes branded as Dajiang (Dragon)
XL = Xiaolong Automotive Technologies (XAT) (eg: XL2060L Hummer H1 copy*)
-- * Xiaolong XL2060L Xiao Lóng (Fierce Dragon)
YJ = Beijing Zhongzi Yanjing Automobile (eg: Yanjing YJ2080C & YJ2081C*)
-- * 4x4s based on Russian Tigr, border patrol/anti-riot vehicles
Export Designation Role Prefixes
AR = Multiple Launcher Rocket Systems (eg: 6x6 truck-based AR3)
BK = Export assault gun prototypes (eg: 6x6 BK1970 and 8x8 BK1990)
CM = Mortar carriers (eg: CS/CM2A, CM4 on CS/VN9 APC hull)
CT = Command Post vehicle (eg: modular CT2, CT3 based on VN1 hull)
SA = Self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery (eg: CS/SA1 truck-mounted twin 35mm)
SH = Self-propelled Howitzer, wheeled (eg: SH1, SH2, SH9, SH11)
SM = Self-propelled Mortar, wheeled (eg: 120 mm 6x6 SM4, 120 mm 6x6 SM6/WMA09)
SR = Modular Rocket Carrier, wheeled MLRS (eg: SR5 122 mm on 4x4 chassis)
ST = 'Self-propelled Tank destroyer'* (eg: 8x8 ST1, tracked ST2)
-- * Tank Destroying Vehicle (TDV)
VA = Export light strike vehicle (eg: CS/VA1)
VL = Export internal security vehicle [1]
VN = Export IFVs (eg: VN-11/VN-12 and VN-50 Heavy IFV proposal)
VP = Export ATV and MRAP style utility vehicles (eg: Yiwu Xibeihu CS/VP4 and Norinco VP11)
VT = Export Tanks (eg: VT4, aka MBT3000)
There are also some odd Chinese designations based on joint projects with foreign firms. An early example (with a prototype was displayed in 1986) was the NFV-1 - an IFV based on the Type 86 with an American FMC turret with 25mm M242. So NFV-1 = Norinco/FMC/Vehicle). Other examples are the WZ551-based NGV-1 (for Norinco/Giat/Vehicle) or proposed NVH-1 and NVH-4. The latter were to be Norinco Type 85s fitted with Vickers turrets (armed with 30 mm Rarden or 25 mm Bushmaster, respectively) but I don't know what the 'H' in NVH stands for ;(
[1] I've only seen one mention of a VL1, described as a short-hulled WZ 551 accommodating 8 personnel.
Source: ATN Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG), Aug 2015, page 43
___________________________________
I'll list the variants I've found for export designations below (in reply #4)
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