| VN22 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Armoured fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2023–present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Norinco |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Produced | 2021–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Crew | 3 |
| Passengers | 8 |
Main armament |
|
Secondary armament | |
| Suspension | wheeled 6x6 |
The VN22 is a family of Chinese wheeled 6x6 armoured fighting vehicles intended for export. Designed and produced by Norinco, it was first unveiled at the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2021.[1]
Development
The VN22 was developed by Chongqing Tiema Industrial Group, a subsidiary of Norinco, as the successor to the WZ551 series of wheeled armored vehicles that had been exported to over 30 countries since the 1990s.[2] Development began in 2018, with the design team focusing on addressing feedback from existing WZ551 operators regarding insufficient protection, simple fire control systems, and inadequate engine power.[2] The vehicle was designed with a modular architecture to accommodate various mission requirements through different weapon stations and armor configurations.[3]
Design
Like many contemporary wheeled AFVs, the design of the VN22 is split into three main sections. The front situates both the driver, along with the engine that is mounted in a separate compartment to the right of the driver. The middle houses both the commander and the operator of the remote controlled weapon station mounted on top of the hull. The rear space is reserved for accommodate for up to eight mounted infantry.[4]
Armament
The first VN22 shown at Zhuhai Airshow 2021 was armed with the UW5 remotely operated turret housing a 30 mm autocannon and two anti-tank guided missiles on a retractable mount that is protected inside the turret when not in the firing position.[5] Both the gunner and commander are equipped with independent panoramic sights with thermal imagers.[1]
Since the VN22 was designed to be modular, the platform can be mounted with a variety of different turrets offering various weapon configurations.[6]
Protection
The vehicle has appliqué armour plating covering the majority of the vehicle. When fully equipped, they give the vehicle the ability to protect against 14.5 mm amour-piercing rounds from all directions.[7] The VN22 also features a V-shaped hull for enhanced protection against landmines and IEDs.[8]
In terms of active protection, the vehicle is equipped with 10 smoke grenade dischargers on the front of the turret. The VN22 is also equipped with the GL6 hard-kill active protection system (APS), with one launcher containing two charges being mounted on top of both sides of the turret.[9] The GL6 is similar in both form and function to comparative active protection systems, such as the Israeli Iron Fist.[1]
Variants
People's Republic of China
- 6x6
- VN22: Original infantry fighting vehicle variant. It can be equipped with various different turrets featuring differing armament configurations.[6]
- VN22B: Assault gun variant featuring a larger, manned turret that resembles the one used on the WMA301. It is armed with a 105 mm cannon that is capable of firing all standard NATO 105 mm ammunition.[10]
- VN22 ARV: Armoured recovery vehicle based on the VN22 platform.[6]
- VN22 Ambulance: Armoured ambulance based on the VN22 platform.[6]
- VN22 Directed Energy Weapon: Variant with a directed energy weapon.[11]
- 8x8
- SH16A: Self-propelled howitzer based on the VN22 platform[12]
Operators
Burkina Faso - Burkina Faso Armed Forces: Approximately 25 units received in 2024.[13] Unknown quantity of VN22B delivered in 2025.[14]
Iraq - Iraqi Ground Forces: Manufactured locally under license. Localised variant features a manned, open-top turret armed with a 12.7 mm CS/LM5 heavy machine gun.[15]
Ivory Coast - Armed Forces of the Republic of Ivory Coast: 6 VN22B.[16]
Mali - Malian Armed Forces: VN22 and VN22B received in 2025.[17][18]
Senegal - Armed Forces of Senegal: 1 VN22 ARV, 1 VN22 Ambulance, 3 VN22B.[19]
References
- ^ a b c "VN22——高性价比的新型轮式装甲战车_设计_车体_成熟技术". www.sohu.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ a b "VN22装甲车成中国出口爆款,客户买车还买生产线,出口规模或超千辆". www.sohu.com (in Chinese). 31 December 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "VN22——高性价比的新型轮式装甲战车". www.sohu.com (in Chinese). 1 December 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ admin (2024-09-08). "Iraq Unveils Locally Produced VN22 6x6 Infantry Fighting Vehicle - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ^ Miller, Stephen W. (2022-05-20). "Multi-Role Ready". Asian Military Review. Archived from the original on 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- ^ a b c d "VN22大六轮战车疑似装备我军！有两点比新型大八轮还强，已出口多国！_风闻". user.guancha.cn. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Czy Irak produkuje VN22?". www.altair.com.pl. Archived from the original on 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "The VN22 Is The Ultimate Wheeled APC". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2021-11-18. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "帅气！维和部队试用VN22轮战，装备主动防御系统，已出口2国_腾讯新闻". new.qq.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "WKS odebrało pojazdy VN22B". www.altair.com.pl. Archived from the original on 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Redacción (2024-10-22). "The Chinese company Norinco has equipped one of its 6×6 VN-22 armored vehicles with a directed energy weapon system". Zona Militar. Archived from the original on 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ^ Miller, Stephen W. (2025-07-29). "China's capabilities advance with SPH and UGV developments". Asian Military Review. Archived from the original on 2025-09-13. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Redacción (2024-12-25). "China delivered a new batch of 6x6 VN22 and WZ-551 ACVs to the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso". Zona Militar. Archived from the original on 2024-12-28. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ Malyasov, Dylan (2025-08-08). "China delivers artillery and armor to Burkina Faso". defence-blog.com. Archived from the original on 2025-09-02. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- ^ Redacción (2024-09-09). "Iraq unveils the first of its new locally produced 6x6 Norinco VN22 armored combat vehicles (VCBR) of Chinese origin". Zona Militar. Archived from the original on 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ Lionel, Ekene (2024-01-12). "Ivory Coast boosts its military with Chinese VN22B wheeled armored assault vehicles". Military Africa. Archived from the original on 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ Martin, Guy (2025-09-15). "Mali receives more CS/VP14 and VN22 vehicles from China". Archived from the original on 2025-09-15. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ Martin, Guy (2025-09-30). "Mali's military displays new hardware during anniversary parade". Archived from the original on 2025-09-30. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
| Main battle tank and Light tanks |
|  | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amphibious tanks and fighting vehicles |
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| Infantry fighting vehicles and fire support vehicles |
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| Armoured personnel carriers |
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| Armored car and MRAPs | ||||||
| Self-propelled howitzers and mortars |
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| Tank destroyer/ATMC and Assault guns |
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| SPAAGs and Maneuver SHORADs |
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| MRLs |
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| Prototypes | ||||||
Note: x = retired from service or has ceased development | ||||||
