good day,

Can anybody here tell me if the type 69 II tank is still being used in the current middle east conflicts and if the type 69 II was ever equipped with the KMT mine plow?

thanks in advance
Michel

I think you would receive more answers and faster if this was posted in the Armorama:Armor/AFV forum.

Let me know if you want it moved.
Cheers / Robin

Hi Robin,

noted with thanks; please do move it

kind regards,
Michel

This image is claimed to be from 2015, fighting against ISIL/ISIS.


Iraq received a large number of these from China but I think most of them had been upgraded. About 200 seem to still exist in 2002, unsure how many of those were still functional after 2012.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_69_tank
"Iraq

Type 69-QM – Also known as T-55B inside the Iraqi Army. Type 69-II with standard 100 mm rifled main gun, armour reinforced with layer armour on the front glacis, an observation mast and, on some units, a 60 mm mortar. Command vehicles often fitted with blocks of appliqué spaced armour, similar to the so-called Enigma T-55s. Produced 1986–1988.
Type 69-QM1 – Type 69-II upgraded with NATO standard 105 mm rifled gun and laser range-finder. Produced 1984–1988.
Type 69-QM2 – Type 69-II upgraded with Warsaw Pact standard 125 mm (L80) smoothbore main gun and laser range-finder. Produced 1986–1991."

I would assume that if any were still around for the fights against ISIS it would probably have been the upgraded versions but I am NOT certain about this.
ISIS may also have captured some from Iraqi units and used them.

/ Robin

Yes not only Iraq but the Kurds,various militias in Iraq and ISIS have been using the Type 69-II.I have not seen any of the upgraded versions in combat,only from photos from a arms show in Baghdad in 1990.

Robin, Jason,

Thanks for your info. I will proceed and purchase the Takom kit, still considering whether or not to also use the KMT mine plow....

appriciate your time and info
rgds
Michel

I don't think you'd be able to mount the KMT on a Type 69-2. AFAIK, none of the 69's produced had the mounting plates on the front hull needed to employ them.

Officially - no you can't, but I've seen ex-Iraqi Type 69s with KMT plows fitted using locally manufactured mounting points welded onto the hulls. I have photos of one I saw in Germany back in 1991 somewhere - will try to dig them out.

Regards,
John

At least it looks like it can be fitted with a BTU-55 dozer blade :

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235050276-type-69-with-btu-55-dozer/

H.P.