First model of fourth-generation main battle tank debuts at V-Day parade

China makes public its first model of a fourth-generation main battle tank on Sept 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China made public on Wednesday its first model of a fourth-generation main battle tank, which features an unmanned turret, an advanced radar, an active protection system as well as augmented reality technology.

Looking at its exterior, the biggest difference between the new Type 100 tank and its predecessors is the futuristic, unmanned turret that houses the main weapon, which appears to be a 105-millimeter-caliber gun, a coaxial machine gun and a remote-controlled weapon station.

Before it, all of Chinese tanks have manned turrets with a commander and a gunner inside.

An unmanned turret has several advantages such as more space for armaments, ammunition and mission payloads, and it allows more armor to be used on the tank's hull that houses the crew.

Also mounted on top of the turret is an active protection system that works with a quad-faced phased array radar.

The radar is responsible for conducting a 360-degree threat detection. As soon as it spots an incoming shell, rocket or missile, it will track the threat and guide the active protection system to fire a mini rocket to destroy the target at short range.

There are also multiple cameras and sensors distributed around the battle machine to detect potential threats.