Note:
(a)
(i) Type 96 96式
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_96(entered service in 1997; tale: Engine diesel 1000 hp (735 kW))
(ii) T-72
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-72
(a Soviet second-generation main battle tank; table: In service 1973–present; section 2.1 Models: T-72B ([starting in] 1985): "improved 840 hp (630 kW) engine. NOTE: Despite popular belief the T-90 is NOT a modified version of the T-72. But they do share some characteristics;" section 4.4 War in South Ossetia)
(iii) T-80
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-80
(a third-generation main battle tank (MBT); In service 1976 – present; section 4.3 Exported T-80s: 4.3.1 United Kingdom, 4.3.6 United States)
(iv) T-90
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-90
(a Russian third-generation main battle tank that is essentially a modernisation of the T-72B; table: In service 1991 – present/ Engine model 84 or V-84 840 hp, V-92 950 hp, V-96 1,250 hp (930 kW)--all 3 models are diesel engine with 12 cylinders)
(b) RIA Novosti published English-language news reports on Aug 5 and 6 only (but not later), neither of which mentioned China.
(i) Russia Tops Standings at World Tank Biathlon Championship, RIA Novosti, Aug 5, 2014. http://en.ria.ru/military_news/2 ... n-Championship.html
the last three paragraphs:
"The first tank biathlon championship started in Alabino, a town southwest of Moscow, on Monday and will run through August 16.
"Teams from 12 countries, including from Russia, Angola, Armenia, Belarus, Venezuela, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, are participating in the competition. Delegations from more than 20 countries took part as observers.
"A tank biathlon is a mechanized military sport invented by the Russian military that has similarities to the sport of biathlon. Tanks have to complete a course of up to 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) avoiding obstacles, crossing rivers and bridges and firing at a set of targets positioned at distances from 900 to 2,200 meters (2,900 to 7,200 feet).
(ii) There are indications tank biathlon was held in 2013 also, with the final phase at Alabino, too. Thus some called this year's event the second biathlon, though RIA Novosti calls it the first.
(iii) US to Compete in Russia's Tank Biathlon. RIA Novosti, Jan 23, 2014.
In the end, neither US nor NATO participated, due to strain caused by the crisis over Ukraine.
(c) Russia wins World Championship Tank Biathlon 2014. RT, Aug 16, 2014
rt.com/in-motion/180820-final-russia-tank-biathlon/
("The Chinese team also experienced technical difficulties," besides the Kazakh team)
What surprises me in the video clip is a shot by a tank can almost hit the bull's eye.
(d) Ron Brydge, Chinese Main Battle Tank: Tank Biathlon World Championship 2014. YouTube, Aug 8, 2014 (video clip from RT Ruptly). www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHwDu5sUYGs
My comment: The breakdown of the first Chinese tank occurred at 2:25 out of 7:45, unable to complete the course. It appeared that that tank ahead of time radioed a second Chinese tank to wait for the former at mid-course.
(e)
(i) Ruptly
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruptly
(a video news agency belonging to the RT; based in Berlin, Germany; launched in 2013; Ruptly works 24 hours a day)
(ii) RT (TV network)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT_(TV_network)
([from] its former name "Russia Today [2005-2009];" table: Launched 2005, Owned by (ANO) TV-Novosti, various language, Broadcast area Worldwide, Headquarters Moscow)
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Published time: August 16, 2014 15:47
Russia wins World Championship Tank Biathlon 2014
[video] COURTESY: RT's RUPTLY video agency, NO RE-UPLOAD, NO REUSE - FOR LICENSING, PLEASE, CONTACT http://ruptly.tv
Russia was crowned winner at the World Tank Biathlon after the last round at Alabino, in the Moscow Region.
The last round was won by Russia in a face-off against teams from Armenia, Kazakhstan, and China. The contest was also attended by teams from Serbia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, India, Mongolia and Kuwait. They all competed in Russian T-72B tanks, save for the Chinese team who used their own Type-96A tanks.
The tank contest followed the model of a human biathlon, with each vehicle aiming to cover around 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) in the shortest time possible while shooting at various targets. The tanks also have to overcome various obstacles such as water troughs and ridges.
During the last round, the Kazakh team had an accident on one of the troughs, shearing off the protective sheet surrounding their treads. The Chinese team also experienced technical difficulties.