BZ-79

A project for a Chinese heavy tank from the mid-1970s, including design solutions that were advanced for the time. Among these were a 152 mm rifled gun, a powerful multifuel opposed-piston engine, and a welded, complex-shaped hull and turret with additional armor modules. To develop the chassis, the engineers drew on experience from American Patton series tanks and West German Leopard tanks. The vehicle's main feature was liquid jet boosters, which improved mobility in swampy areas and on rough terrain. However, by 1979 the project had been abandoned in favor of a tank with an autoloader and composite armor, offering better firepower and protection with the same dimensions and weight.