The Dead District: 2020-10-04

Sappers launch mine-clearing line charge

An GSL-130 assault breacher vehicle (ABV) attached to a brigade under the PLA 72nd Group Army fires a rocket-projected mine clearing line charge (MICLIC) to clear the mines during a live-fire field training exercise in early September, 2020.

Reloading the GSL-130 assault breacher vehicle (ABV)

Description:

The GSL-130 is a Chinese minefield breaching vehicle. It is based on a Type 59 medium tank chassis. Industrial designation of this engineer vehicle is WZ763. The GSL-130 was adopted by the China's military, including China's army and marines. This minefield breaching vehicle saw service with Chinese forces serving with the UN in Lebanon in 1987. The GSL-130 was deployed by UN units in Lebanon yet again in 2007. The GSL-130 was exported to Sudan and possibly some other countries.
This armored vehicle was specially designed to clear pathways through minefields. It creates safe lanes for troops and vehicles to pass through minefields. This allows assault units to move rapidly through minefields, before enemy forces establish defenses. It is used by engineer battalions.
The GSL-130 is based on the Type 59 medium tank chassis. Surplus Type 59 tanks were refurbished and converted to minefield breaching vehicles. The turret has been removed and replaced by an armored superstructure. Specialized equipment was added.
There is a wide mine plough mounted at the front. Also there are launchers for mine clearing line charges, mounted at the rear of the superstructure. Mine clearing line charges are essentially rockets carrying explosives up to 100 m forward. These are launched from a large superstructure. These charges detonate mines, bombs or improvised explosive devices at a safe distance. Demining charges create a passage in the minefield with a length of 100 m and a width of 4-5 m. In this way the GSL-130 makes safety lanes in the minefields to pass for the troops and vehicles. Also the GSL-130 has a cleared lane marking system, installed at the rear. It deploys pennants into the ground as the machine moves forward.
This armored vehicle is operated by a crew of 2. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare the vehicle for minefield breaching.
Protection level of this machine should be similar to that of the Type 59 medium tank. This armored engineer vehicle carries no defensive armament.
The GSL-130 is powered by a 12150L V12 diesel engine, developing 520 hp.