Type 97

The Type 97, or ZBD-97, was developed in the late 1990s as China moved beyond BMP-1-derived Type 86 infantry fighting vehicles. Army Guide describes it as a tracked IFV reportedly using a two-man turret almost identical to that of the BMP-3, while the hull appeared to be a new Chinese design. This made the vehicle a bridge between imported or reverse-engineered concepts and indigenous Chinese mechanized infantry development. It addressed the need for heavier firepower and better support to mechanized infantry than earlier 73 mm gun IFVs could provide.

The Type 97's technical profile is defined by its turret armament rather than only its chassis. Public references compare its turret to the BMP-3 arrangement, typically including a 100 mm gun capable of firing projectiles and guided missiles, a 30 mm autocannon, and a coaxial machine gun. This gives the vehicle greater firepower than older IFVs, especially for engaging fortifications, light armor, and infantry positions. The tradeoffs include weight, ammunition complexity, and crew workload. Its hull was intended to carry infantry under armor while keeping pace with mechanized formations.

Operationally, ZBD-97 represented a major improvement over Type 86-class vehicles. It offered heavier fire support for dismounted infantry and better integration with mechanized formations. Even if later ZBD-04 and other variants became more prominent, the Type 97 concept helped establish the PLA preference for IFVs with substantial direct-fire capability. The page should frame it as a transitional but important vehicle: more capable than a BMP-1 copy, influenced by Russian turret technology, and part of the broader modernization of Chinese ground forces.