China is also developing a larger variant of the Type 05, with modified road wheel spacing and a redesigned hull. The vehicle, marked with hull number 005, features an updated turret and a partially faceted barrel, suggesting upgraded armament and an expanding amphibious combat vehicle family that may include assault tanks or support variants.
Thus, Beijing’s strategy may involve securing air superiority before deploying these IFVs and amphibious tanks in armored landing operations. Developed in the early 2000s to replace the aging Type 63A amphibious tank, the Type 05 amphibious combat vehicle family was designed to meet the PLA’s need for a high-speed, over-the-horizon deployment vehicle with enhanced firepower.