Jump to content

VN22

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
VN22
TypeArmoured fighting vehicle
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2023–present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerNorinco
ManufacturerNorinco
Produced2021–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Crew3
Passengers8
Main
armament
Secondary
armament
Suspensionwheeled 6x6

The VN22 is a family of Chinese wheeled 6x6 armoured fighting vehicles intended for export. Designed and produced by Norinco, it was first unveiled at the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2021.[1]

Design

[edit]

Like many contemporary wheeled AFVs, the design of the VN22 is split into three main sections. The front situates both the driver, along with the engine that is mounted in a separate compartment to the right of the driver. The middle houses both the commander and the operator of the remote controlled weapon station mounted on top of the hull. The rear space is reserved for accommodate for up to eight mounted infantry.[2]

Armament

[edit]

The first VN22 shown at Zhuhai Airshow 2021 was armed with a remotely operated turret housing a 30 mm autocannon, along with two HJ-12 anti-tank guided missiles on a retractable mount that is protected inside the turret when not in the firing position. Both the gunner and commander are equipped with independent panoramic sights with thermal imagers.[1]

Since the VN22 was designed to be modular, the platform can be mounted with a variety of different turrets offering various weapon configurations.[3]

Protection

[edit]

The vehicle has appliqué armour plating covering the majority of the vehicle. When fully equipped, they give the vehicle the ability to protect against 14.5 mm amour-piercing rounds from all directions.[4] The VN22 also features a V-shaped hull for enhanced protection against landmines and IEDs.[5]

In terms of active protection, the vehicle is equipped with 10 smoke grenade dischargers on the front of the turret. The VN22 is also equipped with the GL6 hard-kill active protection system (APS), with one launcher containing two charges being mounted on top of both sides of the turret.[6] The GL6 functions similarly to the Israeli Iron Fist active protection system.[1]

Variants

[edit]

People's Republic of China

[edit]
  • VN22 - Original infantry fighting vehicle variant. It can be equipped with various different turrets featuring differing armament configurations.[3]
  • VN22B - Assault gun variant featuring a larger, manned turret that resembles the one used on the WMA301. It is armed with a 105 mm cannon that is capable of firing all standard NATO 105 mm ammunition.[7]
  • VN22 Ambulance - Armoured ambulance based on the VN22 platform.[3]

Operators

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "VN22——高性价比的新型轮式装甲战车_设计_车体_成熟技术". www.sohu.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  2. ^ admin (2024-09-08). "Iraq Unveils Locally Produced VN22 6x6 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  3. ^ a b c d "VN22大六轮战车疑似装备我军！有两点比新型大八轮还强，已出口多国！_风闻". user.guancha.cn. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  4. ^ "Czy Irak produkuje VN22?". www.altair.com.pl. Archived from the original on 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  5. ^ "The VN22 Is The Ultimate Wheeled APC". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2021-11-18. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  6. ^ "帅气！维和部队试用VN22轮战，装备主动防御系统，已出口2国_腾讯新闻". new.qq.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  7. ^ "WKS odebrało pojazdy VN22B". www.altair.com.pl. Archived from the original on 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  8. ^ Redacción (2024-10-22). "The Chinese company Norinco has equipped one of its 6×6 VN-22 armored vehicles with a directed energy weapon system". Zona Militar. Archived from the original on 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  9. ^ Redacción (2024-12-25). "China delivered a new batch of 6x6 VN22 and WZ-551 ACVs to the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso". Zona Militar. Archived from the original on 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  10. ^ Redacción (2024-09-09). "Iraq unveils the first of its new locally produced 6x6 Norinco VN22 armored combat vehicles (VCBR) of Chinese origin". Zona Militar. Archived from the original on 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  11. ^ Lionel, Ekene (2024-01-12). "Ivory Coast boosts its military with Chinese VN22B wheeled armored assault vehicles". Military Africa. Archived from the original on 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  12. ^ "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. Retrieved 2024-04-11.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=VN22&oldid=1272340986"