In a recent military exercise, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) unveiled a heavily modified version of its amphibious armored vehicle, drawing widespread attention. According to Chinese media citing the military blog Defence Blog, the vehicle is a modified version of the ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle. The original 105mm low-pressure rifled gun turret has been removed and replaced with two launchers for the HJ-10 (“Red Arrow 10”) top-attack anti-tank missile system, with a total carrying capacity of 12 missiles.
The report notes that the HJ-10 operates on the same top-attack principle as the American-made Javelin missile, targeting the vulnerable upper armor of enemy vehicles. While the HJ-10 is usually mounted on the lighter ZBD-04A chassis, this version is based on the more heavily armored ZTD-05, enhancing protection while maintaining the vehicle’s original high mobility and amphibious capabilities. The latest variant of the ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle, equipped with 12 HJ-10 top-attack anti-tank missiles, was revealed on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Military analysts cited in the report say the ZTD-05, developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco), is specifically designed for amphibious operations. It offers excellent water propulsion capabilities and can launch attacks directly from the sea, coordinating with ground forces to strike enemy coastlines. The integration of the HJ-10 is seen as a move to enhance China’s military strike capabilities, particularly in scenarios involving Taiwan or disputes in the South China Sea.
Other Chinese reports highlight that the HJ-10 missile features advanced guidance systems, a longer range, and greater destructive power compared to the U.S. Javelin. It is also larger in size, giving it a tactical advantage in long-range precision strikes. When combined with the ZTD-05 amphibious platform, the system is being described as a new weapon in China’s arsenal for integrated land-sea operations, further expanding its military options in regional conflicts.
