Infantry Fighting Vehicle
ZBD-04A
The ZBD-04A is a Chinese tracked infantry fighting vehicle made by Norinco for the People’s Liberation Army, an upgrade of the ZBD-04 that entered service around 2007–08. It combines a 100 mm gun with a 30 mm cannon and carries seven troops.
China|NorincoOverview
The ZBD-04, also known as the Type 04, appeared around 2005 and entered service in 2007–08. Its weapon layout, a 100 mm low-pressure gun that can fire a missile through the barrel, a coaxial 30 mm 2A72 cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun, echoes the Russian BMP-3. The ZBD-04A, seen from about 2018, adds a new turret with better sensors, improved protection, a new engine and upgraded fire control with a laser rangefinder, thermal imager and ballistic computer. Weight is about 25 t, with three crew and seven troops.
Engine output is quoted as 735 hp for the ZBD-04A, and some sources give 520–735 hp for the original; top speed is about 65 km/h. Estimates put ZBD-04 and ZBD-04A numbers in PLA ground forces at around 1,500–2,000 (hedged), used by combined-arms brigades. The only operator is the PLA, since the ZBD-04A has not been exported, and China’s export IFVs include the VN17 and VN-1. The unit price is not published, estimated at 1.5–2.5 million USD (hedged). It is often confused with the amphibious ZBD-05.
Key Specifications
Variants
The ZBD-04 is the original Type 04 IFV introduced in the mid-2000s.
The ZBD-04A is the upgraded version with a new turret, better protection and improved fire control.
The ZBD-04A with Type 100 gun refers to the 100 mm low-pressure gun configuration carried by the vehicle.
Operators
ChinaFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the ZBD-04A cost?
The ZBD-04A has no published price, but estimates put it at about 1.5–2.5 million USD per vehicle (hedged). Chinese procurement prices are not disclosed, so the figure is an outside estimate.
ZBD-04A vs BMP-3: which is better?
The ZBD-04A shares the BMP-3’s 100 mm plus 30 mm weapon layout, so they are similar in concept. The ZBD-04A has newer sensors and an upgraded fire-control system, while the BMP-3 has more export users.
What weapons does the ZBD-04A have?
The ZBD-04A is armed with a 100 mm low-pressure gun that can fire a missile through the barrel, a coaxial 30 mm 2A72 cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun.
Which countries use the ZBD-04A?
Only China’s People’s Liberation Army uses the ZBD-04A. It has not been exported, and China’s export IFVs include the VN17 and VN-1. The PLA fields it with its combined-arms brigades, as it has not been offered for export.
How many ZBD-04A does China have?
China has an estimated 1,500–2,000 ZBD-04 and ZBD-04A vehicles in PLA ground forces (hedged). The split between the two versions is unclear. Official figures are not published, and the vehicle is used by PLA combined-arms brigades.
Is the ZBD-04A the same as the ZBD-05?
No. The ZBD-04A is a separate tracked IFV, while the ZBD-05 is a different amphibious IFV design. The two are often confused. The ZBD-05 is China’s amphibious IFV, and the two vehicles have different roles and designs.