Image shows possible new Chinese infantry fighting vehicle | IHS Jane's 360

The gun on the prototype IFV has a diamond-section shroud that differs from the square-section bracing sleeve fitted to the NORINCO 40 mm CTWS revealed at the Zhuhai show. It cannot be confirmed if the new IFV uses a 40 mm CTA gun, or a larger calibre.

Informal Chinese sources suggest that the 40 mm CTA gun may only be for export vehicles and that the PLA uses a different calibre CTA.

For the PLA, a CTA-based gun system would offer weight and volume efficiencies while its high explosive and APFSDS round could attack soft and armoured targets. A projectile similar to the RWM Schweiz AG 35 x 228 mm AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction) ammunition, could attack aircraft as well as unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-tank missile team targets.

It should be noted that both natures of Chinese 40 mm CTA have a performance very similar to that developed under the Anglo-French 40x255 mm CTA International (CTAI) programme.