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ZBD86

ZBD86

China · Light tank · Rank 5

Battle Ratings

Arcade8
Realistic8
Simulator8

These are archived ratings; check the game for current values. The history below shows recorded ratings and announced changes.

Vehicle Overview

Nation
China
Class
Light tank
Rank
5
Acquisition Type
Tech Tree

View official War Thunder Wiki entry ↗

Battlefield Role

Use cover on the flanks to spot enemies and pick your shots. Use active scouting if your vehicle has it.

Strengths

Look for a covered position that gives you side shots while teammates hold the enemy’s attention.

When to spawn

Bring it to scout from cover or to attack from a new angle after losing your first vehicle.

Common Mistakes

  • Repeating the same peek. Once an enemy has your range, move to another angle before firing again. A second shot from the same opening is easier to anticipate.
  • Firing without a retreat. Choose cover you can reach during the reload. Do not cross into an enemy firing lane just to finish a damaged target.

Survivability and Armor

Crew
3 persons

Machine guns, autocannons and nearby explosions can be dangerous. Stay hidden and know how you will get out before firing.

Composite armor, ERA and impact angle change the result. Use Protection Analysis for the specific round and impact point you expect to face.

Ammunition

HJ-73 anti-tank guided missile · ATGM

Check seeker and guidance requirements before launch. Keep the target within the weapon’s tracking limits and retain cover for the engagement.

DYP-73 · HEAT

Weapon
73 mm Type 86 cannon

Use against armor where the jet can reach the crew. Composite armor and ERA can defeat it; fences and other obstacles may trigger the shell before impact.

DYS-73 · HE

Weapon
73 mm Type 86 cannon

Use against exposed crews, aircraft where applicable and lightly protected targets. Avoid spending the shot on heavy frontal armor.

HJ-73E anti-tank guided missile · ATGM (tandem)

Weapon
HJ-73E

Check seeker and guidance requirements before launch. Keep the target within the weapon’s tracking limits and retain cover for the engagement.

Ready Rack and Carry Load

Maximum capacity
4 rounds

Carry enough for the route and resupply plan. A listed first-stage capacity alone does not establish a safe spawn load or prove that another rack is empty.

Mobility

Maximum forward speed
65 km/h
Maximum reverse speed
11 km/h
Power-to-weight ratio
22.6 hp/t
Engine power
300 hp
Weight
13.3 t

Top speed is not cross-country pace. Check the reverse route before taking a firing position.

Optics

Gunner

Night equipment
Night vision device
Magnification
5.6×–6.0×

Commander

Night equipment
Night vision device
Magnification
5.0×

Driver

Night equipment
Night vision device

Armaments

Primary weapon
HJ-73
Secondary weapons
73 mm Type 86 cannon · 7.62 mm Type 86 machine gun (coaxial) · HJ-73E
Fire on the move
up to 5 km/h

Economy

Crew training
86,000 SL
Expert crew
300,000 SL
Ace crew
1,200 GE
Ace crew research
720,000 RP
Reward multiplier · SL (AB/RB/SB)
110/160/210%
Reward multiplier · RP
196%
Total cost of modifications · RP
87,600 RP
Total cost of modifications · SL
146,700 SL

Battle Rating History

ZBD86 · confirmed changes
DateGame modeBattle rating
No confirmed battle rating changes are recorded.
Archived rating records
Recorded snapshots
Date / sourceArcadeRealisticSimulator
October 8, 2026Site profile snapshot8.08.08.0
August 26, 2025Observed · Wiki archive ↗8.08.08.0
November 26, 2024Observed · Wiki archive ↗7.78.08.0
Sources and data checks

Vehicle data checked October 8, 2026. Crew optics checked October 22, 2026. Speeds use Realistic Battles values. Reload depends on crew skills and qualification; damage can reduce performance. Unknown equipment is not a confirmed absence.

Community discussion

ZBD86 vehicle guide · 0 comments

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