Non-Subscriber ExtractChinese 'Rakushka' drops into view |
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By Ted Parsons
27 November 2009
This new Chinese tracked vehicle bears a close semblance to the Russian BTR-MD, indicating that it may be intended for China's airborne forces (Via Sina.com)
The existence of a new Chinese small-tracked armoured vehicle bearing a strong similarity to the new Russian BTR-MD/BTR-D3 Rakushka ('Shell') air-deployable armoured vehicle was recently revealed by Chinese Internet sources.
The vehicle, also seen at a Chinese armour display, could still be a prototype and Chinese sources have yet to reveal any of its technical details.
Assuming the vehicle is intended for use by airborne forces of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), its introduction would be consistent with the PLA's ongoing effort to mechanise its airborne forces after the Russian pattern. The Chinese ZBD-03 airborne infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) that emerged in 2004 is similar to the Russian BMD series, but it offers greater room for troops and is so far only armed with a 25 mm or 30 mm cannon compared with the combined 100 mm/30 mm gun system on the latest BMD-4.