Non-Subscriber Extract
NORINCO markets new Chinese APC
By Christopher F Foss
07 May 2008
China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) has begun to market a new 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) called the VN1.
For many years the standard wheeled APC of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been the NORINCO WZ 551 6x6 series, which has also been exported in small quantities. At this stage it is not known whether the VN1 is in service with the PLA.
Many countries are now moving away from 6x6 vehicles to larger 8x8 vehicles that have increased volume and payload, thereby enabling armies to undertake a wider range of battlefield roles.
While similar in appearance to traditional vehicles such as the MOWAG Piranha, the VN1 APC has a number of major differences, especially internally. In the VN1 the driver is seated front left with the vehicle commander to the right and the powerpack to their immediate rear. These two crew members can access the troop compartment at the rear.
The crew of the VN1 normally consists of the commander, driver, gunner and seven infantry, the number of the latter depending on the vehicle weapon fit. Troops can rapidly enter and leave the vehicle via a large power-operated ramp at the rear, or via roof hatches.
Unlike many recently developed 8x8 APCs of this type, the rear troop compartment is provided with firing ports to allow the infantry to use some of their weapons from within the vehicle.