The Chinese ZBD05 infantry fighting vehicle on the Baltiysk main base of  Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy (Kaliningrad region).

Teams of the People’s Liberation Army of China  arrived in the Kaliningrad Region in order to participate in the “Seaborne assault” contest within the International Army Games 2016. Chinese military servicemen will operate their own armament and hardware upon the agreement reached with organizers of the contest.

ZBD-05 is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle produced by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), for the People’s Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (PLAMC). The vehicle was developed based on ZBD2000 amphibious armoured fighting vehicle.

The “Seaborne assault 2016” international contest among marine units is taking place in August at the Khmelyovka training area. Teams of Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Iran, Angola, Pakistan, Venezuela, and Indonesia are taking part in the contest.

The ZBD-05 is powered by a high performance diesel engine and can operate at higher speeds in water. The power-pack is mounted at the forward of the vehicle and gives the IFV a maximum speed of 65kmph on road.

The fully amphibious vehicle is propelled in water by two large water jets mounted to the rear side of the hull. It also features a hydraulically operated bow with transom flaps ensuring hull skimming on the water.

The large bow wave plate is hinged and hydraulically extended when the vehicle enters the water. The plate covers the bow and glacis plate to form another layer of frontal protection when stowed.

In the nearest future, they will arrive at the Khmelevka training area in order to familiarize with targets and route of the contest.