According to a Reddit post published on April 15, 2024, China recently developed a new heavy infantry fighting vehicle (HIFV) based on the Type 59 Main Battle Tank. The origin of this unnamed vehicle can be traced back to August 2017 at the Baotou training ground, where Norinco, a leading defense manufacturer in China, unveiled its initial version.
The origin of this unnamed heavy infantry fighting vehicle (HIFV) can be traced back to its debut in August 2017 at the Baotou training ground, where Norinco, a leading defense manufacturer in China, first presented the initial version. At the time, it was little more than a functional mock-up, with scant attention from potential foreign buyers. However, by the spring of 2023, an updated iteration of the vehicle was spotted either in Hohhot or Baotou, both significant cities within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, renowned for their ties to China’s military-industrial complex.
There is speculation among Chinese military observers that the development of this HIFV may have occurred at Plant No. 617, a facility under the Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group (FIRMACO), a subsidiary of Norinco, potentially for an undisclosed international client.
Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Co., Ltd., also known as FIRMACO, is a prominent defense manufacturing company in China that specializes in the production of armored vehicles, including several models of main battle tanks like the Type 59, Type 88, Type 96, and MBT-2000. Established in 1954 in Baotou, it operates under the China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) and serves as the only production base for main battle tanks in China for both domestic and international demand.
Embracing a strategy of military-civil integration, FIRMACO has expanded its manufacturing portfolio beyond defense equipment to include civilian products such as heavy trucks and railway vehicles. This diversification aligns with China’s broader industrial and economic objectives, fostering technological innovation through institutions like the Vehicle Engineering Research Institute and the Beijing Heavy Vehicle R&D Center, which focus on advancing both military and civilian vehicle technologies.