Type 63 (light tank)

Type 63
Chinese Type 63-I tank at the China People's Revolution Military Museum.
Type	Amphibious light tank
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	1963 – present
Used by	See Operators
Wars	See Combat History
Production history
Designer	Military Engineering Institute (MEI) and the No. 60 Research Institute of Fifth Ministry of Machine Building
Designed	1960 - 1963
Manufacturer	Norinco Factory 615 Shaanxi Weiyang Diesel Engine Plant (陕西渭阳柴油机厂) and Factory 256 Southwest Vehicles Factory (西南车辆制造厂)
Produced	1963 - ? (ended)
No. built	More than 1,550
Variants	See Variants
Specifications (Type 63-I)
Weight	19.83 tonnes
Length	8.44 m 7.15 m (hull only)
Width	3.2 m
Height	3.122 m (with the AA HMG) 2.522 m (without the AA HMG)
Crew	4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Armor	Welded rolled steel 11 mm hull front 14 mm hull upper side 10 mm hull rear 10 mm hull bottom 10 mm hull top
Main armament	85 mm Type 62-85TC rifled gun (47 rounds)
Secondary armament	7.62 mm Type 59T coaxial medium machine gun (2,000 rounds) 12.7 mm Type 54 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun (500 rounds) 7.62 mm Type 59T anti-aircraft medium machine gun (optional)
Engine	12150L-2 12-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel 402 hp (300 kW) at 2,000 rpm
Power/weight	20.3 hp/tonne (15.1 kW/tonne)
Transmission	Manual, planetary
Suspension	torsion bar
Ground clearance	400 mm
Fuel capacity	545 litres
Operational range	370 km (road) 340 km (cross country) 120 km (water)
Speed	64+ km/h (road) 30+ km/h (cross country) 12 km/h (water)

The Norinco Type 63 (Chinese: 63式; pinyin: Liùsān shì) is a Chinese amphibious light tank. First fielded in 1963, it is in many ways similar to the earlier Soviet PT-76. However, contrary to the popular belief, it does have some essential differences from the PT-76 in the vehicle's waterjet propulsion system, etc. It is also known under its industrial designation, the WZ-211.

The Chinese obtained a few PT-76 amphibious light tanks from the Soviet Union in the mid-1950s. In October 1958, the PLA decided to develop an indigenous amphibious tank based on the PT-76 design. The development program was carried out by 201 Institute and the 615 Factory. A prototype known as WZ-211 (Type 60) was built and tested in 1959, but the design suffered from a number of problems including engine overheating. The PLA wasn't satisfied with the performance of the vehicle, which led to the development of an improved version. It was jointly developed by Military Engineering Institute (MEI) and the No. 60 Research Institute of Fifth Ministry of Machine Building. The prototype was completed in 1962 and was sent to Norinco Factory 615, the Shaanxi Weiyang Diesel Engine Plant (陕西渭阳柴油机厂), for continued research. After it later passed the extensive trials (mostly dealing with crossing river, lake and sea water obstacles), the amphibious light tank was finally approved for design finalization in April 1963, and was officially designated Type 63.

Because of continuing tension with Taiwan, the PRC felt the need to upgrade its fleet of amphibious tanks as the original Type 63 was rapidly becoming obsolete and incapable of facing modern tanks. To prepare for a possible amphibious assault on Taiwan Island, the PLA requested a new amphibious tank that can be launched from tank landing ships over 10 kilometres offshore and reach the shore at a high swimming speed of 14 kilometres per hour. This improved mobility would reduce the risk to PLA Navy ships from enemy missiles, aircraft, ships, speedboats and mines and increase the survivability of the tank in the amphibious assault stage. The new version was designated Type 63A.