Chinese state-owned media revealed on 25 March that a new type of amphibious armoured vehicle configured for medical evacuation (medevac) missions has entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) Xinjiang Military Command. The vehicle appears to be an ambulance variant of the Type 09 family of 8×8 wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs).
A screengrab from CCTV footage released on 25 March showing the new amphibious medevac armoured vehicle that recently entered service with the PLAGF’s Xinjiang Military Command. (CCTV)
Broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the vehicle can be used to transport up to four severely injured and eight lightly injured personnel, in addition to medical staff.
The occupants are provided with protection from small arms fire and shrapnel, with the vehicle armoured against 7.62 mm rounds from the front and sides. The platform is also reportedly provided with protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) threats.
The video footage showed the vehicle to be equipped with a variety of medical equipment, including electrocardiogram monitors, respirators, and infusion pumps to help conduct on-site treatment of the wounded.
No details were given about the top speed or range of the vehicle, although it is likely that the vehicle has mobility characteristics fairly similar to those of the ZBL-09, which has a maximum speed of 100 km/h and a range of 800 km. However, CCTV did report that the platform can travel for 100 km at a top speed of 40 km/h after its tyres have been punctured by gunfire, indicating the presence of run-flat inserts in the tyres.
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