Significant quantities of the China North Industries Corporation Type 63A amphibious light tank have become operational in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and marines.
Fancy that. Why significant quantities? Why now? The Chinese must anticipate a lot of river crossings in their future. No? Then what about Taiwan?
No, not swimming the Taiwan Strait. That's a bit far. But if the Chinese take the Pescadores Islands as a stepping stone to Taiwan, a lot of amphibious tanks would be very useful for the PLA.
Landing all along the coast, they would stretch out the Taiwanese defenders and perhaps overload the Taiwanese ability to react coherently.
And the Peking Olympics are coming up. Is this another step in getting ready to go? Taiwan better keep their powder dry. You don't get anything for coming in second in the Taiwan Strait Vault.
