The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

Chapter 536: Launching the Imitation Project 59

Magach 3

"That's right, the first type—" Zhang Chi stood up, sharing Dr. Wei's line of thought. He raised a finger, "For a main medium tank, the requirements are simple: both offensive and defensive capabilities. The firepower must be sufficient to penetrate the front armor of the main tanks of current and potential adversaries within the next ten years."

"Its protection must be able to effectively withstand mainstream enemy artillery fire at conventional engagement ranges. It must also be highly maneuverable and adaptable to complex terrain. Most importantly, its overall weight must be strictly controlled at around 35 tons, with a maximum limit of 40 tons."

Everyone present gasped in shock. Even though the real thing was in the garage, they still couldn't imagine that a tank weighing 35 tons could have stronger firepower and better protection than the 56-ton Tiger.

Zhang Chi tapped the area on the map that represented rivers, rice fields, and mountains:

"Remember, our battlefield isn't the plains of Europe. It's the mud, waterways, mountains, and jungles of Southeast Asia. Overweight tanks will get bogged down in the mud, crush bridges, and become sitting ducks. We must ensure their strategic and tactical mobility."

Like the Western main battle tanks, blindly piling up weight will eventually produce 70-ton super fat tanks like NATO's Leopard 2 and M1. In Zhang Chi's opinion, this is not suitable for Southeast Asia.

This is determined by the innate natural environment.

"The second type—" Zhang Chi raised his second finger, "a light amphibious assault/reconnaissance tank. The requirements are lightweight, high mobility, strong amphibious capabilities, and the ability to float across without preparation.

And strong enough firepower for attacking, while defense can be sacrificed appropriately.

Its core tasks are rapid penetration, river crossing assault, island landing operations, reconnaissance and guidance, and accompanying infantry assaults.

It will be our spearhead in water network and island warfare."

In fact, if there was no gold version of the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle in the War Thunder technology tree, he would have wanted to directly buy a BMP-1 for reverse engineering.

The BMP-1 can carry an infantry squad, is equipped with a 73mm gun and anti-tank missiles, and is amphibious.

This thin-skinned little car that looks like a flattened iron box is tailor-made for Nanyang.

Now he can only provide the [PT-76-57 amphibious tank] as a prototype to see if the designers can use it as a basis to create Nanyang's own BMP-1.

However, the Joint Research and Development Center for Special Tactical Vehicles of the Southeast Asian States is only responsible for the overall design of the vehicle and the research and development of subsystems such as artillery and engines. As for the development of anti-tank missiles, Zhang Chi handed it over to another unit - the Rocket Research and Development Center of the Southeast Asian States.

As he spoke, Zhang Chi's eyes swept over every researcher present:

"Ladies and gentlemen, based on our existing industrial foundation, accumulated technologies, and these valuable 'references' before us, which route do you think is more suitable as our first core attack? Which prototype vehicle is most valuable as a reference?"

The garage fell into a brief silence, with only the low hum of the ventilation system as the only sound.

The researchers were talking to each other, their eyes constantly roaming around several prototype machines.

Finally, Dr. Wei Guodong took a deep breath and stood up on behalf of the team. His eyes were firmly fixed on the ZTZ59A, which had simple lines but great potential.

"Report, Commander!" Dr. Wei's voice was tinged with excitement. "After repeated comparisons and discussions, combined with our center's scientific research capabilities and the current state of the domestic supporting industry, we believe that Sample No. 4 (the ZTZ59A medium tank) and its technical approach should be our top priority."

"First is this 100mm rifled gun.

Its power is enough to pose a fatal threat to any potential enemy tank currently known within the expected engagement distance.

Its structure is relatively mature, and its technical threshold is more suitable for our reverse engineering and imitation than the 105 gun of sample No. 1 or the 57 gun of sample No. 3, which has a fast firing rate but complex structure.

This will be the cornerstone for us to build an independent tank firepower system."

Zhang Chi nodded. Indeed, apart from human resources, the post-war conditions of New Daxia were far worse than those of the current Nanyang. The fact that they were still able to quickly start producing the Type 59 proved how easy it was to produce.

"Secondly, it's the engine and transmission system. This V-shaped 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine, with its reliability, maintainability, fuel adaptability, and relatively simple structure, is very suitable for our initial development. The accompanying mechanical transmission system (manual transmission) is technologically mature, and the difficulty of reversing is relatively manageable."

Thanks to the weight of the Type 59, this V-type 12-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine only needs to output 520 horsepower to stably drive this medium tank.

Compared to the Tiger's 700-horsepower Maybach 12-cylinder engine, it is much easier to imitate.

"Finally, it's the overall design concept. Compact, balanced, reliable, and easy to produce and maintain. Its torsion bar suspension system is mature and reliable, and easier to replicate than the advanced suspension of Sample No. 1. More importantly—"

Dr. Wei, who frequently communicated with Zhang Chi, had a gleam in his eyes. "Its design leaves enormous room for improvement. Whether it's installing a more powerful engine, upgrading the transmission (semi-automatic/automatic), enhancing the armor you mentioned (composite/spaced), or improving the fire control (night vision, thermal imaging, bistable), there's a clear upgrade path."

It is not an ultimate form, but a perfect starting point and platform.”

Zhang Chi's mouth curled up, revealing a smile that was more painful than crying.

Why do you, Wei Guodong, also look like you want to change 59 to ABCDEFG and use it for 100 years?

Dr. Wei was obviously unaware of the "changing it to the point where the alphabet isn't enough, changing it to the point where even his own mother wouldn't recognize it" meme, and simply continued at his own pace:

"Therefore, we suggest concentrating at least 70% of our center's top capabilities to prioritize the imitation and localization of the three core subsystems of the ZTZ59A.

First, 100mm rifled tank gun and supporting ammunition (armor-piercing shells, armor-piercing shells, grenades).

Second, a V-type 12-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine and a matching mechanical transmission system (gearbox, steering mechanism, side reducer).

Third, we will simultaneously research its hull structure, suspension system, and turret casting process, striving to achieve independent design and manufacturing of the hull based on the core imitation."

As for auxiliary systems such as fire control and radio, Dr. Wei did not say, but he knew that the strength of Nanyang Radio Factory No. 6 and No. 9 had long been the best in the world and could definitely meet his needs.

Zhang Chi listened to Dr. Wei's clear and confident report, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

This was exactly the answer he was expecting.

The 59 series and its technical route have proven their strong vitality and adaptability in another time and space. They are especially suitable for Nanyang, where the industrial base is relatively weak but the demand is urgent.

"Very good." Zhang Chi praised, "Dr. Wei's plan is very much in my favor. We should follow this direction, concentrate our efforts, and prioritize breakthroughs. We will fully guarantee funding, resources, and personnel.

But I want to see a timeline: When will the engine prototype be ready for testing? When will the first qualified gun barrel be pulled out? When will the gearbox be able to withstand the test of full power output?

"Yes! Commander-in-Chief! We will ensure that the mission is accomplished!" Dr. Wei and all the researchers straightened their backs and responded in unison.

What an honor and responsibility it is to be able to personally participate in the creation of the Nanyang country's first generation of main battle tanks!

With the reference of prototype vehicles that are ahead of their time and the country's investment regardless of cost, they are full of confidence.