24 March 2020

Update: Norinco's VP22 armoured transport vehicle possibly in PLA service

by Juan Ju

Chinese state-owned media have released images showing the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) VP22 armoured transport vehicle being used in what appear to be training exercises with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), suggesting that the 6×6 vehicle is either being trialled by or is already in service with the Chinese military.

A screengrab of a CCTV 7 report showing the Norinco VP22 armoured transport vehicle being deployed alongside what appear to be PLA infantry troops. (CCTV 7)

The images, which were published on 20 March as part of a report by the China Central Television 7 (CCTV 7) channel about the importance of armoured vehicles in the modern army, show the vehicle, which is painted in what appears to be PLA Ground Force camouflage, being operated alongside what appear to be PLA infantry troops in off-road terrain at an undisclosed location. The report did not reveal when the images were taken, or whether they were part of a real PLA training exercise.

The VP22 was first unveiled in 2017 during Norinco’s Armour Day held on 15–16 August in the city of Baotou in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The deployment of the Norinco VP22 armoured transport vehicle in what appear to be PLA training exercises indicates that the platform is either being trialled by or is already in service with the Chinese military. (CCTV 7)

Norinco has described the VP22 as an all-terrain vehicle that provides protection against mines and bullets for its crew and critical components. It is derived from the company’s BeiBen Kaijia heavy-duty high-mobility tactical truck and is powered by a 323 kW (439 hp) diesel engine with an automatic transmission.

This article, first published on 23 March, has been updated with new imagery.

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