ZTL-09 / ZTL-11 / ST1 / The Only Fully Amphibious Fire Support Vehicle of its Kind

ZTL-09 or ZTL-11 or ST-1. The ZTL-09 is a Chinese fire support vehicle. This fire support vehicle is currently in production. It seems that it is fielded in large numbers. The ZTL-09 is based on the ZBL-09-wheeled 8x8 armored personnel carrier chassis and is fielded alongside similar vehicles. Currently, China builds rapid deployment units, similar to American Striker Brigade combat teams. Each unit consists of various armored vehicles with different battlefield roles. All variants are based on the same platform of the ZBL-09 armored personnel carrier. The ZTL-09 supplements the previous PTL-02 fire support vehicle, based on the 6x6 APC chassis. However, the ZTL-09 is overall a more capable vehicle, fitted with a more powerful gun. Turret of this fire support vehicle resembles that of the ZBD-2000 amphibious light tank. The ZTL-09 is armed with a 105 mm gun. The gun is loaded manually. It has an effective range of over 2,000 meters against armored targets. It is speculated that its heat round penetrates between 460 and 500 mm of rolled homogenous steel armor. This vehicle also fires APFSDS, HE rounds. Furthermore, the ZTL-09 is also compatible with anti-tank guided missiles. These laser-guided missiles are launched in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. Anti-tank missiles are based on the Russian 9M117 Bastion technology. Missiles have a maximum range of 5,000 meters and penetrate 550 to 600 mm of steel armor behind explosive reactive armor blocks. Hit probability against static targets is 90%. Missiles can also target low-flying helicopters. It is claimed that the ZTL-09 is fitted with modern and accurate fire control system. However it lacks a commander's panoramic sight. So it has got no hunter-killer capability that is present on most modern vehicles of this class. Still though this fire support vehicle is fitted with digital battlefield management system that is also present on all recent Chinese armored vehicles. Such system increases situational awareness and improves cooperation between various units on the battlefield. Defensive armament consists of coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and roof-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun. This vehicle has a welded steel armor hull with add-on ceramic armor modules. Chinese sources claim that maximum level of protection is against 25 mm armor-piercing rounds at the front and 12.7 mm armor-piercing rounds all round. It is speculated that vehicle utilizes design elements and technologies protecting occupants from landmines and IED blasts. Vehicle is also likely to have NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. The ZTL-09 has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver. This fire support vehicle is based on the ZBL-09 wheeled armored personnel carrier. However significant changes have been made to the chassis. Engine was relocated. On the ZBL-09 it was mounted at the front. On the ZTL-09 it is just behind the turret. It is possible that the new fire support vehicle uses the same engine as on the APC. In this case it is a Deutz Bf6M10-15C diesel engine, developing 440 hp. It is a German engine, produced in China under license. Engine is mated to an automatic transmission. Vehicle is fitted with a central tire inflation system. This system improves mobility over difficult terrain. The ZTL-09 is fully amphibious. It is an unusual feature for this class of vehicles. Most other fire support vehicles cannot cross lakes and rivers on their own. On water this vehicle is propelled by two water jets.