| WZ-523 M1984 | |
| Origin: | People's Republic of China |
| Service: | 1984-Present |
| Type: | Armored personnel carrier |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Used By: | See Operators |
| Crew: | 2 + 10 passengers |
| Length: | 6.02m (19.75feet) |
| Width: | 2.55m (08.37feet) |
| Height: | 2.73m (08.96feet) (including machine gun) |
| Weight: | 11700kg (25,800lb) |
| Armour: | welded steel20 mm front14 mm sides6 mm rear |
| Primary Armament: | 12.7 mm heavy machine gun |
| Engine: | Water-cooled petrol engine |
| Engine Power: | 165hp |
| Suspension: | Wheeled 6x6 |
| Speed: | 85km/h (road speed) 7km/h (water speed) |
| Vehicle Range: | 600km (400miles) |
The WZ-523 (NATO reporting name M1984) is a six-wheeled Chinese armored personnel carrier designed to be amphibious. Built on the chassis of the Hanyang HY472 truck, it can carry a crew of three and seat up to eight additional passengers. Two primary models were produced - one with a roof-mounted 12.7mm heavy machine gun, and the other with a small turret armed with a 35mm grenade launcher and a 7.62mm co-axial general purpose machine gun. An export model that entered service in 2008 as a fire support vehicle was also marketed successfully to the Namibian Army; this is armed with a 73mm 2A28 Grom smoothbore cannon using the same turret as the Soviet BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle.
The WZ-523 was unveiled at a military parade in Beijing in October 1984, gaining the NATO designation M1984,[1] although it was destined for export and did not enter large scale service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).[2] An internal security vehicle based on the WZ-523, the ZFB-91, which has a turret armed with a 35 mm grenade launcher and a 7.62 mm machine gun replacing the roof mounted 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun of the WZ-523, is in service with PLA units in Hong Kong and Macau.[2]
The WZ-523 is based on the domestic Dongfeng EQ245 truck platform, with a new chassis. It was developed in parallel with the competing project WZ-551.[3] Due to utilizing old technologies, WZ-523 was developed much faster with initial production starting in 1983. It first appeared on the 35th National Day parade in 1984. However, it WZ-523 chassis eventually lost its bid due to having worse performance than WZ-551.[4] WZ-523 project was then refocused for export effort and did not enter large scale service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).[5] [6]
When the WZ-523 was first exhibited publicly, there were many observations by international defence analysts regarding its design origins. Although the hull design resembled that of the South African Sandock-Austral Ratel infantry fighting vehicle, subsequent studies have found that while there may have been some South African influence, the WZ-523 has many unique characteristics in overall dimensions and technical features.[7] For example, its driving compartment is somewhat reminiscent of the BTR-60, with a single passenger seated next to the driver.[7] The location of the turret ring is also similar that of the BTR-60 series rather than the Ratel, being located near the hull center.[7]
The People's Liberation Army has deployed the WZ-523 primarily for reconnaissance purposes, and for specialized tasks involving artillery and combat support units.[8] Despite being designed as an armored personnel carrier, it was not adopted by Chinese mechanized or motorized infantry forces.[8]
Outside of China, Sudan's Military Industry Corporation also produces the WZ-523 under license.[9]
WZ-523s have relatively good range and payload, and may seat up to ten passengers who enter and debus from a single door in the rear hull.[7] The vehicle has a long, boat-shaped hull with a trim vane mounted on the glacis plate.[1] It is fully amphibious once this vane is raised, being propelled at speeds of up to 7 km by two water jets at the rear.[7] A two-piece windscreen is provided for the driver and a passenger seated to his right. During combat, the windscreen may be covered by hinged armored shutters.[1]
Export models of the WZ-523 are offered with a variety of turreted armament options, including a 12.7mm machine gun and a one-man conical turret incorporating a single 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun to the right and a heavier armament of the customer's choice to the left.[10]
WZ-523s in Nigerien and Gabonese service have been re-engined with German Deutz BF6 diesel motors.[11]
60 in service, not including ZFB91 variant.[12]
10[13]
20[11]
3[11]
58 delivered in 2009–2010;[14] 4 ambulance version delivered in 2012 and 24 others in 2013.[11]
21;[11] export model incorporating the BMP-1 turret.[15]
2[11]
produced under license as the Shareef 2.[9]
China
Chad
Ethiopia
Gabon
Ghana
Namibia
Niger
Sudan