ZFB-05 Armored Personnel Carrier (China)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-01-18

The ZFB-05 armored personnel carrier has been developed primarily for export. It is also known as the Xinxing or New Star in its commercial name. It is a low-cost APC, which is simple in design and technology. The ZFB-05 has been sold to a number of African countries. It has also seen service with Chinese UN peacekeeping forces, armed police and public security forces. It is estimated that about 100 of these APCs were in service with China by 2008.

   The ZFB-05 has an all-steel armored hull, which provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Developers claim, that it withstands Soviet 7.62 mm ball rounds. An NBC protection system is proposed as an option. However experience of the Chinese peacekeeping police in Haiti showed, that its hull has been penetrated by small caliber automatic weapons. This armored personnel carrier it is not well suited for intensive operations.

   Vehicle is armed with a roof-mounted 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun. Alternatively the ZFB-05 can be fitted with a roof-mounted 35 mm automatic grenade launcher, or 23 mm turret-mounted cannon.

   This armored personnel carrier has a crew of two, including commander and driver. Troop compartment is located at the rear of the hull. This armored vehicle provides seating for seven to nine soldiers or policemen. There are some firing ports, so the occupants can fire their weapons from within the armored cover.

   The ZFB-05 armored personnel carrier is based on the chassis of Nanjing NJ2046 light utility vehicle, which is a locally-produced copy of Iveco 40.10WM. Vehicle is powered by SOFIM 8142.43 or SOFIM 8142.45 turbocharged diesel engines, developing 118 hp and 130 hp respectively.

   Variants of the ZFB-05 include armored ambulance, command vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, anti-riot vehicle (fitted with water cannon), or broadcasting vehicle (fitted with roof-mounted speakers).