New Type 05-based amphibious reconnaissance vehicle in PLA service

Chinese state-owned television has released footage showing what appears to be a new amphibious armoured reconnaissance vehicle operated by the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) 74th Group Army.

The PLAGF’s new amphibious reconnaissance vehicle has been fitted with a telescopic mast mounting what appear to be an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, a laser-range finder, and an X-band radar. (CCTV 7)

Released on 19 September by the China Central Television 7 (CCTV 7) channel, the footage shows the tracked platform, which seems to be based on the chassis of the Type 05 family of amphibious armoured vehicles, taking part in exercises both on land and at sea.

The footage shows that the vehicle has been fitted with a telescopic mast mounting what appear to be an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, a laser-range finder, and an X-band radar.

The vehicle is also equipped with a manned weapon station mounting what seems to be a Type 88 (QJC‐88) 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.

It has also been fitted with a retractable catapult system for launching a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to augment the range of the platform’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.

The video later shows a reconnaissance UAV being launched from the platform while at sea during an amphibious assault exercise conducted with other units off the coast of China’s southeastern Guangdong Province.

The footage shows how the data provided by the UAV is used in the exercise to detect targets. The data is shared with other PLA units, which then engage the targets to enable a less perilous beach landing.