Type 77 (armored personnel carrier)

The Norinco Type 77 is a Chinese amphibious armoured personnel carrier. First fielded in 1978, it is similar to the Soviet BTR-50 in function. Like the BTR-50 designed by putting a higher hull on the PT-76 light tank chassis, Type 77 is based on the Type 63 light tank, which is itself a derivative of PT-76, making both vehicles very similar.

Design
The Type 77 was designed in 1978 based on the Type 63 after certification to manufacture it was received in 1977.

The Type 77 is equipped with a 12.7 machine gun mounted on top with no protection for the gunner.

Base variants

 * Type 77 - Chinese tracked amphibious APC based on the Type 63-I amphibious light tank. The industrial designator is WZ511.
 * Type 77-1 - amphibious armoured personnel/artillery carrier designed to carry a disassembled gun (85 mm towed anti-tank gun or 120 mm towed howitzer) on the roof. The vehicle has hydraulic winch and ramps to load/unload the gun. The industrial designator is WZ511-1.
 * Type 77-2 - amphibious armoured personnel carrier. No winch and ramps. The industrial designator is WZ511-2.
 * Type 76 ARV - recovery vehicle.

Major modifications

 * Type 89 self-propelled howitzer (PLZ-89) - Type 77 converted into a self-propelled howitzer armed with 122 mm gun. Although most vehicles were based on Type 77 APCs, some vehicles were based on Type 63-I amphibious light tanks.
 * Type 77 Armored Engineering Vehicle - Military engineering vehicle variant featuring two water-jets, excavation crane, and hydraulically-operated dozer in a V-blade configuration.

Operators

 * 🇨🇳 China: 200 to 300 Type 77s formerly used by the PLA Marine Corp for combat support.