Production of the Type 96 itself went on to total an estimated 2,500 and is thought to be ongoing as of this writing.
The arrival of the newer, more modern and capable Type 96 also canceled any further production of the aforementioned Type 88 series - the Type 96 essentially replacing the Type 88 in battlefield function for the PLA. Despite the designation, the Type 96 did not begin frontline service until 1997. In this revised form, the Type 85 was evaluated successfully and formally accepted into the inventory of the Chinese Army as the "Type 96". For improved protection, Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks were added to critical facings. This included the installation of a more reliable and powerful 1,000 diesel engine. The Chinese then took their Type 85 and produced the "Type 85-III" pilot vehicle and added much to expand her battlefield qualities. Production of the type lasted until 1995 to which some 450 examples were built. China continued development of the Type 85 to produce the improve Type 88 family line, these entering service in number in 1988.
Ultimately, the Type 85 was revised to become the Type 90 prototype series which, though not selected for serial production by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), it was the basis for the joint venture and locally-produced Pakistani MBT-2000, perhaps better known as the "Al-Khalid" Main Battle Tank. Much experience was garnered in its development cycle and the evolution of the series further emboldened Chinese engineers to further their capabilities. NORINCO (NORth INdustries COrporation) unveiled their Type 85 second general battle tank in 1988. With decades of experience in owning and operating Soviet/Russian combat tanks, it was only natural for the Chinese military complex to begin design, development and manufacture of their own indigenous tans.
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