Type 89 AFV
The Norinco Type 89 is a Chinese tracked armored personnel carrier developed from the Type 85. In service with the Chinese army since the late 1990s, it is known to export customers as YW534 and in the PLA as ZSD-89. About 1,000 have been built and remain in service.
The Type 89 weighs about 14.3 tonnes and measures roughly 6.15 m long, 3.13 m wide, and 2.59 m high. It is powered by a 320 hp Deutz diesel engine, reaches up to 66 km/h, and has a range of about 500 km. The hull is welded steel and protects against small arms fire. It carries a crew of two (driver and commander) plus up to 13 passengers.
Armament consists of a single 12.7 mm QJC88 heavy machine gun mounted at the front of the hull. Access to the troop compartment is via two roof hatches and a rear door; smoke dischargers are fitted on the sides. The vehicle is amphibious, using its tracks for water movement after raising a trim board.
Variants include the Type 89A, developed in the 2010s for PLA heavy mechanized brigades. The 89A has a longer chassis, higher roof, and reinforced vertical side armor with a distinctive wave-pattern side skirt, offering better protection than the original Type 89.
The Type 89 family uses designations WZ534 (PLA) and YW534 (export).
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:25 (CET).