On April 27, 2025, newly released images on Telegram showcased China‘s latest development in amphibious warfare: a self-propelled anti-tank missile system mounted on the tracked chassis of the ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle. Equipped with the formidable HJ-10 Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system, this vehicle represents a major advancement in the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (PLANMC), enhancing its capability to execute precise strikes against armored targets during sea-to-shore operations.
The ZTD-05 amphibious light tank, created by the Chinese defense firm Norinco, is a highly mobile and seaworthy platform designed for swift deployment from amphibious assault ships. Its aluminum alloy hull, reinforced with composite armor, offers protection against small arms fire and shell fragments while maintaining a lightweight profile crucial for amphibious operations. Powered by a high-performance diesel engine, the ZTD-05 can achieve speeds of up to 65 km/h on land and between 28 to 30 km/h in water, utilizing twin waterjets for outstanding maritime maneuverability.
In this new anti-tank configuration, an advanced missile launch module has replaced the conventional 105mm gun turret. The turret is equipped with two blocks of six containerized missile launchers, each containing a single HJ-10 missile. This arrangement provides the vehicle with twelve ready-to-fire missiles, significantly enhancing its capacity to deliver sustained, long-range anti-armor firepower. The enclosed containerized design safeguards the missiles from environmental exposure and facilitates rapid rearming in combat situations.
The HJ-10 missile, referred to as the AFT-10 in its export form, stands as one of China’s most sophisticated long-range anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). It is engineered to neutralize contemporary main battle tanks and fortified installations with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead that can penetrate over 1,200 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) after overcoming explosive reactive armor (ERA).
With an effective range of about 10 kilometers, the HJ-10 delivers essential standoff capabilities, allowing for the engagement of enemy armored units from a safe distance. The missile is guided by an advanced system that integrates inertial navigation, imaging infrared (IIR) or television guidance, and a two-way fiber-optic data link, providing various engagement options. It can function in a fire-and-forget mode, enabling autonomous targeting, or utilize man-in-the-loop guidance for real-time trajectory adjustments, including post-launch retargeting.
This adaptability is crucial in dynamic battlefield scenarios where threats may be hidden or rapidly changing. Additionally, the system’s capacity to strike from concealed positions enhances its survivability and tactical advantage. The deployment of this amphibious anti-tank system significantly boosts the firepower and operational capabilities of China’s naval infantry, allowing the People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps (PLANMC) to target enemy armor and fortifications from offshore or during land advances without direct exposure. This capability is especially pertinent in potential conflict areas like the Taiwan Strait or South China Sea, where amphibious operations necessitate swift, precise strikes against fortified targets.
The newly developed ZTD-05-based anti-tank missile system exemplifies the PLA’s strategic transition towards modular, network-centric, and precision strike warfare. By incorporating sophisticated ATGM features into a rapid, amphibious platform, China is enhancing its naval forces’ capabilities to excel in intricate, multidomain combat scenarios. This vehicle, integral to the PLA’s modernization efforts, not only bolsters China’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy but also transforms the function of amphibious assets in intense warfare situations.
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