ZTL-05 / VN-16
In 2015 Venezuela ordered from China the VN-16 series vehicle, and two vehicles were delivered to the military. After receiving the equipment, the army conducted a test on the new tank. This test process was challenging - the VN-16 amphibious assault vehicle was in sea speed testd, with the turret full of soldiers. This whould to test the maximum manned sea speed, in order to ensure the safety of personnel to prevent accidents, The officers climbed to the turret, not inside the body.
The VN-16 is an export model for China's ZTD-05 amphibious tank equipped with a 105-mm main gun. In the arms sales contract, there are also six VN-18 amphibious armored vehicles and 120 North Benz trucks (based on the license of NG2629 from Mercedes-Benz, Germany) in Venezuela's order.
Venezuela became the first overseas user of the VN-16 amphibious tank. The first appearance of the VN-16 amphibious tank was in 2006. At that time, the Chinese military was numbered ZTD-05. VN-16 is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle developed by China North Industries Corporation. The car was developed on the basis of the ZBD-2000 infantry fighting vehicle. The VN-16 is equipped with a welded turret to shoot effectively with regional light weapons and 12.7-mm rounds and armor-piercing bullets. And equipped with a tripartite system that can be carried out under nuclear and biological conditions. The VN-16 armored car chassis has six pairs of road wheels and three pairs of towing wheels, armor protection can be installed in the upper part of both sides of the body.
The VN-16 has a maximum range of 500 km and can cross a gradient of 60% or 30%. It is also possible to pass a deep trench of 0.7 m in depth and 2 m in width. The amphibious landing craft can be launched directly on the beach head long-range impact, the maximum speed of 45 kilometers / hour on the water.
On 05 July 2017, Venezuela held a commemoration of Independence Day in Caracas, capital of China, and held a grand parade to display a large number of weapons from China, showing that China was good with this South American nation's military cooperation. On more than one occasion, China had extended its aid to Venezuela at the most difficult time.
The Chinese weapons demonstrated on this parade include weapons such as the VN-16 amphibious assault gun, the VN-18 amphibious combat vehicle, the CS / VP4 Bobcats and the K-8 trainer. In a precarious country, the prompt and timely conduct of a large military parade can be of great help in enhancing confidence and morale. The Chinese weapons demonstrated in this parade show only the tip of the iceberg of the Chinese arms and equipment deployed by this country. China has exported a considerable amount of various kinds of weapons and equipment to Venezuela these years, and has become the mainstay of the national defense strength of this country.
According to media statistics, the types of weapons purchased by Venezuela from China cover the Armed Forces, including the VN-4 armored vehicle, the VN-16 amphibious assault vehicle, the VN-18 amphibious vehicle, the SR-5 122/200 mm multi-barrel rocket, Mm and 120 mm self-propelled mortars, Bobcats ATVs, various air defense radars and anti-aircraft missiles, and Air Force K-8 trainer aircraft, L-15 instructor aircraft, and Yun-8 transport aircraft. China has surpassed Russia as Venezuela's largest supplier of weapons.
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