Vietnam demonstrates XTC-03 8×8 armoured combat vehicle

Janes illustration of the XTC-03 8×8 armoured combat vehicle, based on footage released by Vietnam's GDDI in August 2026. (Janes)

Vietnam's General Department of Defence Industry (GDDI) has released footage showing its locally developed XTC-03 8×8 armoured combat vehicle manoeuvring on land and in water for the first time.

Published on GDDI's official social media account in August 2026, the footage demonstrates the XTC-03's mobility and amphibious capability.

Janes analysis of the footage suggests that the vehicle is armed with a 30 mm cannon and eight smoke grenade launchers, with four mounted on each side of the main armament. An electro-optical sight appears to be mounted on the fighting-compartment roof, probably supporting target detection, tracking, and fire control.

The turret visually resembles that of the Soviet-era BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Similarities include an apparent two-person configuration, a long-barrelled main gun, a low-profile silhouette, and a comparable arrangement of optics and weapon mounts.

The BMP-2 turret is armed with a 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and can also be fitted with anti-tank guided missiles. It provides 360° traverse and an elevation range of −5° to +74°, enabling the vehicle to engage ground targets and low-flying aircraft.

The XTC-03 has a sharply angled hull, sloped front glacis, and faceted side armour panels. The hull also appears to incorporate protected vision blocks and compartmentalised side structures, possibly for equipment stowage.

The vehicle's high ground clearance could support cross-country mobility and obstacle negotiation. The rear-mounted waterjets enable amphibious operations.