VII

BZ-58

China·Heavy Tank·HT assault

Development began in the late 1950s under the concept of creating "frontier-covering tanks." The project's distinctive feature was the combined hull: Its frontal armor was cast with large upper glacis slopes, while the rest of the hull was welded. The vehicle was supposed to feature an autoloader in the rear recess of the turret. The design of the turret itself was combined: The welded base was complemented by cast blocks on the vehicle's cheeks. No prototypes were manufactured, and the project was canceled in 1970.