VN20

The VN20 is a Chinese "Heavy-Duty Infantry fighting vehicle" ^[3] developed by Norinco, revealed on the Zhuhai Airshow 2020.

VN20
VN20 in Zhuhai airshow 2024
Type	Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Place of origin	China
Production history
Designer	NORINCO
Manufacturer	NORINCO
Specifications
Mass	50 tonnes
Crew	3
Passengers	6
Armor	Level 6 STANAG 4569
Main armament	30mm autocannon RCWS and ATGM launcher (exhibit) or 100mm cannon, coaxial 30mm autocannon, and twin HJ-12 launchers (catalogue)
Secondary armament	One of: Coaxial machine gun (exhibit) or Light machine gun RCWS (catalogue) 2 remote-controlled 7.62 mm machine guns (rear hull, optional)
Engine	diesel
Suspension	torsion bar
References	[1][2]

Norinco uses the "VNxx" designation for exported Infantry fighting vehicles.^[3]

Design

The VN20 was developed from the VT-4 main battle tank chassis and uses the same suspension, the motor is placed at the front to keep space for troops in the back. The driver seat is placed on the left side next to another seat on the right side.^[4]

ERA protects its front and sides.^[3][1][2]

Armament

The VN20 vehicle was advertised with 2 different turrets:

1. The exhibit was fitted with 30mm autocannon RCWS, which also houses a coaxial machine gun and a missile launcher.^[3]
2. The catalogue video shows a 2-man turret which consists of a 100mm cannon and a 30mm autocannon similar to a BMP-3/ZBD-04. The turret also fits HJ-12 launchers and a smaller RCWS mounted on top.^[1][2] An early version was shown as a tabletop model in the UAE.^[3]

2 remote controlled 7.62mm machine guns can be mounted to the rear.^[1][2]

See also

Heavy infantry fighting vehicles

• Namer IFV – (Israel) 60 tons, developed from Merkava
• Temsah – (Jordan) 60 Tons, developed from Centurion
• Griffin III – (United States) up to 50 tons, developed from ASCOD
• Lynx KF41 – (Germany) up to 50 tons
• T-15 Armata – (Russia) 48 tons, developed from the Armata Universal Combat Platform
• Sabiex – (Italy) up to 45 tons, developed from OF-40
• Boxer – (Germany, Netherlands) tracked up to 45 tons, wheeled up to 38,5 tons
• Achzarit – (Israel) 44 tons, developed from T-55
• Puma – (Germany) up to 43 tons)
• Ajax – (United Kingdom) up to 42 tons, developed from ASCOD
• Tulpar – (Turkey) up to 42 tons
• Type 59 HIFV – (China) 40 to tons, developed from Type 59
• BTR-T – (Russia) 38,5 tons, developed from T-55
• Marder – (West Germany) up to 38 tons
• CV90 Mk IV – (Sweden) up to 37 tons