The Chinese defense industry has begun production of a new engineering vehicle based on a tank chassis

Production of a new engineering vehicle based on a tank chassis

The Chinese defense industry has begun production of a new engineering vehicle based on a tank chassis. The assembly is carried out at the Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Corporation plant, part of the Norinco state conglomerate.

The plant is located in the city of Baotou, which is one of the centers of Chinese tank building. It produces a variety of tanks, including the modern Type 99, and now a new engineering vehicle that can significantly expand the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA).

Engineering vehicles based on tank platforms play an important role in modern military operations, performing tasks to overcome obstacles, build fortifications and evacuate equipment. The new vehicle will enhance the PLA's engineering capabilities, increasing the mobility and survivability of troops.

China shows laser "anti-drones" — how to shoot down UAVs with a beam of light

OW5-A50 laser system

China has once again reminded the world that it is not lagging behind in the technology race — Norinco (aka China North Industries) conducted live firing of its new OW5-A50 laser system at a training ground in Inner Mongolia. And they weren't firing guns, but a beam of light.

The OW5-A50 system is part of the "anti—drone" solutions that are currently trending in all armies of the world. Its mission is to detect, escort, and destroy drones, including small and cheap ones that can be dangerous in large numbers. The laser heats the target to a critical temperature, and the drone simply falls as if de—energized.

The tests were conducted as part of a specialized event dedicated to unmanned technologies and protection against them, and, importantly, with an export orientation. That is, Norinco clearly wants to sell the OW5-A50 to other countries, especially those who are looking for an inexpensive and effective way to combat drones.

Why is this interesting? Because lasers are accurate, fast, and cheap compared to rockets. One shot and you're done, the main thing is to have a reserve of energy. And although such systems will not completely replace traditional weapons yet, they are already becoming a serious element of the air defense of the future.

So China isn't just watching trends — it's actively playing into them. And OW5-A50 is another signal that "lightsabers" are no longer from fiction, but from real arsenals.

China has revealed how its VU-T10 combat robot is causing hell on the battlefield

 

VU-T10

China continues to actively increase the pace in the development of robotic systems for the army — and the latest striking example is the new tracked unmanned ground vehicle (UAV) VU-T10, which recently passed field tests. Footage from these tests was published by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), one of the leading Chinese weapons developers.

Imagine: an 11-ton combat robot that maneuvers through difficult terrain without human intervention, accurately identifies targets and strikes them. All this is within the framework of the Chinese strategy for the introduction of robotics in modern and future scenarios of warfare. The VU-T10 is not just a toy, but a full—fledged participant in the battle.

The device is equipped with a remote—controlled modular combat turret armed with a serious 30-mm cannon, which is excellent for both fighting with manpower and for hitting lightly armored targets. A twin 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted next to it, an additional tool for suppressing enemy infantry.  

But that's not all. For self-defense, the VU-T10 has electric smoke grenade launchers, which allow the device to hide from observation or distract the enemy at a critical moment.

The VU-T10 is not just an experimental prototype. This is an important step forward in China's plans to modernize its army. Such vehicles can be used as scouts, firing points accompanying infantry, or even as autonomous attack platforms.  

In addition, all this suggests that Chinese engineers are actively working to make robots not just auxiliary tools, but full—fledged participants in combat operations - without risking the lives of soldiers.

The VU-T10 is a prime example of how rapidly military robotics is developing in China. And if such devices begin to en masse to the troops, it can seriously change the face of modern combat.

China is developing an inexpensive alternative to the Russian T-90: the mysterious Norinco tank based on the T-72

The T-72-based Norinco tank

In recent weeks, the Chinese segment of the Internet has been actively discussing the appearance of a new main battle tank on the streets of Baotou (Inner Mongolia), which has caused a wave of rumors and speculation about its origin and purpose. Videos of the column of tanks and armored vehicles quickly went viral, with users initially mistaking the car for a Russian T-90 allegedly shipped to China. However, experts quickly refuted these guesses.

Origin and design features

- Soviet base, Chinese modernization: A detailed analysis showed that the tank was built on the chassis of the Soviet T-72, but underwent a deep modernization by the Chinese defense concern Norinco.

- Unique tower: The tower of the machine does not look like any of the Russian modernization options for the T-72 or T-90. It is made in the typical style of new Chinese tanks.

 Dynamic protection: Dynamic protection units (ERA) FY-2 are installed on the turret, which increases the survivability of the tank on the battlefield.

- Modern combat module: The tank is equipped with a remote-controlled combat module similar to the one installed on the export model VT-4, which indicates Norinco's desire to unify components and reduce cost.

- Commander's Thermal Imager: The commander's independent Thermal Imaging Sight (CITV) is seen on the roof of the tower, which meets modern fire control standards.

 Importance for the Chinese defense industry

- An affordable alternative: The new tank is positioned as an inexpensive alternative to the Russian T-90, which is important for countries with limited military budgets.

- Export potential: The use of the proven T-72 platform combined with modern Norinco technologies makes this tank attractive for export.

- Technological independence: China demonstrates the ability not only to modernize Soviet designs, but also to create its own solutions adapted to modern requirements.

Reactions and perspectives

- Experts' attention: The appearance of the tank has aroused the interest of military analysts, who note that China continues to actively develop a family of main battle tanks, focusing on exports and domestic needs.

- Opportunities for modernization: The tank's design provides for further improvements, including the integration of new protection and fire control systems.

Pakistan unveils first locally made Haider main battle tank

Pakistani Haider Main Battle Tank

The presentation of Pakistan's first locally produced Haider (Lionheart) main battle tank (MBT) marks an important milestone in the development of domestic defense production. The cooperation between Pakistan's Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) and China's NORINCO highlights the depth of cooperation between the two countries in strengthening Pakistan's military might. Haider, based on the Chinese VT4, represents a continuation of the defense technology partnership between Pakistan and China. Its design is based on the Chinese VT-4, its existence became known at the IDEX exhibition in the UAE in 2023, which was presented in the Pakistan pavilion. This partnership goes beyond tank development, with notable examples such as the JF-17 Thunder, a multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan Aviation Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC).

The design of the Haider MBT is traditional: the driver is located in the front central part of the hull, the tower is in the middle, and the engine is at the rear. The tank's crew consists of three people: a driver, a commander and a gunner. The main armament of the tank consists of a 125 mm smoothbore cannon, which is capable of firing various ammunition. Additional armament consists of one paired 7.62 mm machine gun and a remote-controlled combat station mounted in the rear of the commander's hatch and armed with a 12.7mm machine gun. The tank's suspension system consists of six support rollers on each side, with the first and previous wheels mounted on hydraulic shock absorbers. The tank is also equipped with an electronically controlled four-stroke turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 1,200 hp and a hydromechanical automatic transmission. It can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h (with a maximum range of 500 km).

The turret and hull armor of the Haider tank is a mixture of composite, reactive and spaced armor. Composite armor consists of layers of ceramics, metals, and polymers that help resist the penetration of external threats. They are lighter in weight and effective. Ceramic materials absorb the penetration of fragments, reducing penetration. Reactive armor uses explosive charges to deflect incoming projectiles. ERA is installed at the most vulnerable points of the tank, such as the hull and the entire turret. Spaced armor consists of two layers of armor with a gap between them, slowing down the momentum of flying projectiles and increasing the collision time. In addition, the front of the hull is protected by a package of explosive reactive armor.

The Haider MBT is equipped with an advanced fire control system that contains multiple sensors and a guidance device to increase the accuracy and lethality of the tank. This system is designed to help the tank crew see the battlefield clearly, as well as effectively identify and combat threats. The main gun of the tank is equipped with a thermal imaging sight, a laser rangefinder and a panoramic commander's sight. The fire control system also includes a ballistic computer that calculates the firing solution for the main gun based on the distance to the target, the angle of inclination and various other parameters. This helps the crew make sure that the tank's projectiles hit the target accurately and with maximum effect. In addition to these features, the tank's lethality is further enhanced by the addition of a sophisticated ballistic computer that calculates the firing solution for the main gun with extreme accuracy. This feature promises accuracy.

China is exploring the military potential of DeepSeek artificial intelligence models to create a new generation of weapons and unmanned systems

 China's military industry has drawn attention to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies developed by DeepSeek, considering them as a possible basis for creating advanced military systems. According to a recent report by Chongqing Landship Information Technology, a company specializing in autonomous driving solutions, DeepSeek AI models have significant potential for use in various military applications, including unmanned vehicle control, communications systems, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks.

DeepSeek is a company specializing in creating powerful language models and other AI—based solutions. Its products have already become widely used in the commercial sphere, but Chinese experts are beginning to explore the possibilities of using these technologies in the military field. DeepSeek models are characterized by high performance and the ability to quickly analyze large amounts of data, which makes them attractive for use in complex conditions of modern military operations.

According to representatives of the Landship company, DeepSeek technologies can be adapted to perform the following tasks::

1. Control of unmanned vehicles: DeepSeek AI models can be used to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground-based robotic platforms. Due to their ability to make decisions in real time, these systems will be able to carry out complex missions without human intervention.

2. Communication and coordination systems: DeepSeek can become the basis for creating distributed communication networks that ensure reliable interaction between various elements of combat systems. This will improve coordination between departments and increase the efficiency of operations.

3. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): DeepSeek's AI models are capable of analyzing data from a variety of sources, including satellite imagery, radio signals, and video streams. This capability makes them an ideal tool for collecting and processing information within ISR operations.

4. Automation of decision-making: In the context of modern conflicts, speed and accuracy of decision-making play a crucial role. DeepSeek can help military commanders analyze the situation on the battlefield faster and choose the best strategies for action.

One of the leading Chinese military analysts noted that the use of DeepSeek technologies could be an important step in the development of new types of weapons and tactical approaches. In his opinion, such AI models are capable not only of automating routine tasks, but also of offering innovative solutions to complex military problems.

"DeepSeek models are a powerful tool that can be adapted for various purposes. They can become the basis for creating smarter and more autonomous systems that will work more efficiently than human operators," the expert said.

If China really starts to integrate DeepSeek technologies into its military programs, this could lead to major changes in the global geopolitical situation. Autonomous AI-controlled systems are becoming an increasingly important part of modern weapons, and countries that are able to effectively use such technologies will gain a significant advantage.

However, the development of military AI also raises questions about security and ethics. The possibility of creating fully autonomous systems that make decisions about the use of force requires careful regulation and control by the international community.

Norinco demonstrates CS/VP16B, an unmanned vehicle with a DeepSeek engine

China vs. South Korea: The battle for the global self-propelled howitzer market unfolds at IDEX in Abu Dhabi

 Competition between China and South Korea for the sale of self-propelled howitzers is intensifying: defense contractors from both countries are putting their latest models in the spotlight at one of the world's largest arms exhibitions.

This week, at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, the Chinese company Norinco invites the public to get acquainted with its 155-mm SH16A self-propelled howitzer.

South Korea's self-propelled howitzers