Commanders!
Yesterday we unveiled the first vehicle of the Into the West Battle Path (inspired by the Chinese Journey to the West novel) called ZBD-100. Those of you familiar with modern Chinese vehicles and armor in general probably guessed the remaining two vehicles already so it’s probably not a surprise that the second vehicle of the Battle Path will be the Type 100 Combat Support Vehicle.
And, as usual, a bit of history.
Much like the ZBD-100, the Type 100 Combat Support Vehicle was unveiled to the world during the military parade that took place in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Also much like the ZBD-100, the Type 100 is an entirely new platform. However, it is a different one.
The rumors about the development of what would be unveiled as the new Type 100 platform began circulating the Chinese internet around 2022 with several blurry photographs showing mysterious hulls and turrets being tested. The development of the platform however had very likely begun even earlier, perhaps around 2016 in the China North Vehicle Research Institute (also known as Institute 201), a part of the NORINCO company. The platform was developed as a next-gen one with the emphasis being put not on raw performance, but on battlefield synergy. In short, vehicles sharing this platform are supposed to work together, covering each other’s weak spots.
The most notable of these unveiled vehicles was the ZTZ-100 Main Battle Tank, but it wasn’t the only one. Another vehicle using the same platform caught a lot of interest. Unlike (our) ZBD-100, its designation is actually known – the Type 100 Combat Support Vehicle. Various sources also claim THIS vehicle is actually called ZBD-100, but this is not confirmed and quite frankly doesn’t seem right – this is not an IFV, which is why we’ll be referring to it as Type 100.
Compared to the tank version, the Type 100 CSV is actually reversed – its engine is front-mounted with the rear reserved for equipment and drone and electronic warfare kit operators. Its battlefield role is supposed to be similar to the Russian BMPT series – to accompany Main Battle Tanks and engage targets MBTs are not well-suited to fight against.
The turret is unmanned and remote-controlled with the entire crew sitting in front of it in the hull, behind the engine.
The armor of the vehicle is similar to the Main Battle Tank version, relying more on advanced jammers and its GL-6 hard-kill active protection system than on thickness alone. Indeed, the entire vehicle is fairly light at some 35 tons. Despite the low weight, Chinese sources state that the frontal protection is substantial at some 700mm of RHAe against kinetic threats and even more against HEAT warheads. The front and the sides of the vehicle are even reinforced with reactive armor (either ERA or NERA, it is unclear which) and the sides are resistant to 30mm autocannon shells. The top of the vehicle offers sufficient protection against artillery fragments. And last but not least, there’s the Laser Warning system tied to smoke grenades with 360 degree cover.
The firepower consists of a single autocannon. It is actually unclear what kind of cannon that is and Chinese sources mention both 30mm and 40mm (telescopic) caliber. Either way, the cannon is able to engage its targets at very long distances thanks to a state-of-the-art Fire Control System it shares with the MBT version.
The rear of the vehicle is dedicated to reconnaissance, electronic warfare and situational awareness. It is armed with two drone types, including smaller loitering ammunition one, and larger recon drones operated by the crew inside the vehicle. The vehicle is also equipped with a radar. This all is to cover the “weakspots” of the tank version by feeding reconnaissance data straight into the shared battlefield management system. Whatever the Type 100 CSV sees, the tanks in its unit will see as well in real time on their fully digitized screens or via the augmented reality helmets their crews will be equipped with (this too had been showcased during the parade).
And, much like with the ZBD-100, that’s pretty much all that is known. We know that at least 6 vehicles of this type were produced (the ones that participated in the parade) but there are likely more. Just how many and what units they belong to is currently unknown and it’s quite possible these vehicles are interim versions and represent “work in progress”.
In Armored Warfare, the Type 100 CSV will be a Tier 10 Premium Tank Destroyer.
Gameplay-wise, it’ll be the opposite of the ZBD-100 in a sense. Where the ZBD-100 is intended for short-range bursts of extremely high firepower, the Type 100 CSV is intended for medium to long range combat with its autocannon delivering slow but steady stream of devastating firepower.
But let’s start with the armor. Much like other modern vehicles, the Type 100 CSV relies not on sheer thickness, but on active protection in form of hard-kill APS (the same type as on ZBD-100). But even the baseline armor will be sufficient to take some punishment despite the vehicle’s lower weight, especially against HEAT rounds and at long distances. Unlike the ZBD-100, this vehicle’s smoke grenades also provide 360 degree cover.
Mobility-wise, we’re looking at the same engine as on ZBD-100, the 1500hp hybrid engine. For 35 tons, this is a lot and the Type 100 CSV will be quite fast and agile, even in reverse. But, of course, with the weight more than doubled compared to the ZBD-100, it won’t exactly be a racing machine. Still, its mobility will allow it to move quite fast across the battlefield to travel where it’s need the most.
And then there’s the firepower. The gun seems larger than the standard 30mm ZPT-02 autocannon, which is why we leaned towards the 40mm interpretation. As a result, the vehicle will have a relatively slow-firing gun (think some 250 RPM) but it will hit very hard with each shot thanks to its increased damage and penetration. After all, this is cutting edge technology and the autocannon is (aside from a machinegun) the vehicle’s only weapon system.
But that’s not the only trick up Type 100’s sleeve. This vehicle’s battlefield role is support as well as laying down fire, which is why it’ll have excellent spotting range, good camouflage and the Radar active ability, allowing it to spot targets at considerable distances. The vehicle will also be able to launch Recon Missiles (Loitering Reconnaissance Ammunition) from where the drone launching system is located in real-life.
And last but not least, we already mentioned the new Synergy passive ability that’s coming to all three vehicles of the Into the West Battle Path. As was mentioned in the previous article, all three vehicles of the Battle Path share the same super-modern Battlefield Management System, which allows them to work better together. Therefore, if close to each other, the vehicles will improve the performance of each other. Type 100 CSV’s contribution to this system is a firepower buff. We’ll share the details later in a separate article.
In the near future, we’ll tell you more about the third vehicle of the next Battle Path but, for now:
See you on the battlefield!
