China races to boost tank power: Is PLA's type 99B a response to Made-In-India Zorawar tank?

China’s latest Type 99B main battle tank is an upgraded, specialised variant of the Type 99, reportedly optimised for high‑altitude and cold‑weather operations, with state media highlighting improved performance in diverse terrain. It features enhanced information‑centric command, control and communication systems, with Chinese outlets describing its electronics and battlefield networking as a “new level of sophistication” in the PLA’s ground combat equipment. Reports suggest that, like earlier deployments, such upgraded armour could eventually be positioned closer to the Himalayan frontier with India to narrow perceived capability gaps.