VN22

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]

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.^[2] The vehicle features a fully adjustable suspension.^[3]

The first VN22 shown at Zhuhai Airshow 2021 was armed with a remotely operated turret housing a 30 mm autocannon, along with two HJ-12 anti-tank guided missiles on a retractable mount that is protected inside the turret when not in the firing position. Both the gunner and commander are equipped with independent panoramic sights with thermal imagers.^[1][3]

Since the VN22 was designed to be modular, the platform can be mounted with a variety of different turrets housing various weapon systems.^[4][5]

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 (NATO STANAG 4569 Level 4 equivalent) from all directions.^[6]

The VN22 also features a V-shaped hull for enhanced protection against landmines and IEDs.^[7]

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.^[8] The GL6 functions similarly to the Israeli Iron Fist active protection system.^[1]

• VN22 - Original infantry fighting vehicle variant. It features the UW-5 remote controlled turret armed with a 30 mm autocannon, two HJ-12 missiles and equipped with the GL6 hard-kill active protection system. The original turret can be swapped out for various other remote weapon stations with differing configurations.^[4]

• 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.^[9]

• VN22 ARV - Armoured recovery vehicle based on the VN22 platform.^[4]

• VN22 Ambulance - Armoured ambulance based on the VN22 platform.^[4]

• VN22 Directed Energy Weapon - Variant with a directed energy weapon.^[10]

•  Iraq - Iraqi Ground Forces: Localised version manufactured under license by the Defence Industries Commission of Iraq. An Iraqi version features a unique manned, open-top turret armed with the Chinese 12.7 mm CS/LM5 triple-barreled, rotary heavy machine gun capable of achieving a rate of fire of either 1000 or 2000 rounds per minute, depending on gear selection.^[11][12]
•  Ivory Coast - Armed Forces of the Republic of Ivory Coast: 6 VN22B.^[13]
•  Senegal - Armed Forces of Senegal: 1 VN22 ARV, 1 VN22 Ambulance, 3 VN22B.^[14]