The Type 62 (Chinese: 62式; pinyin: Liù'èr shì) is a PRC light tank developed in the early 1960s and is based on the American M-41/53 light tank. It is armed with the M3A1 90mm/53-caliber tank cannon as well as lighter versions of the armour, electronics and equipment from the Type 59 tank. It is also known under its industrial designation, WZ131. It was retired from PLA service in 2013.
Variants[]
- Type 41-16: Prototype of the Type 62.
- Type 62: Initial production model, a variant of the M41/53 light tank. It is also known under its industrial designation, WZ131.
- Type 62-I: Upgraded version of the Type 62. It features 33 different improvements including an external double lens laser range finder mounted above the mantlet of the 90mm M3A1 rifled main gun for better firing accuracy and a shield for the 12.7 mm Type 54 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun. It is also known under its industrial designation, WZ131A.
- Type 62G: Most recent Type 62 light tank upgrade with improved armour layout and original cast turret replaced by a new welded flat-plate turret which also incorporates an improved armour layout as well as four smoke grenade dischargers on each side of the turret. It is armed with a more powerful 105mm/52-caliber M68 rifled main gun with fume extractor in center of barrel, vertical stabilization system, modern fire-control system, and night vision equipment.
- Type 70: Rebuild Type 62 and like the Type 62-I it is fitted with an external double lens laser range finder mounted above the mantlet of the 90mm main gun, but without the shield around the AA HMG. It also has improved sights and a gun stabilization system.
- Type 79: Experimental armoured recovery vehicle based on Type 62 light tank.
- GJT-211: Armoured bulldozer based on Type 62 light tank chassis.
- GSL-131: Mine clearing variant of the GSL 211. It is also known as Type 82.
