The Type 85 (also known as YW531H) is the tracked armoured personnel carrier ()APC derived from the Type 63 (YW531C) APC. Initially developed in response to the Thailand Army's order of 200 APCs from China, the Type 85 later evolved into a family of over ten members for different purposes. The Type 85 was purely for export market, its variant in service with the PLA is designated Type 89 (YW534).

The Type 85/89 was derived from the Type 63 APC with a more powerful engine as well as other modifications. The development began in the early 1980s. Compared to the Type 63, the Type 85 is slightly longer, with a bigger troop compartment and better traveling performance. The most apparent difference is to replace the original four large 760mm diameter road wheels on the Type 63 with five smaller 560mm diameter road wheels. Like the YW531C, the Type 85 also uses the German designed air-cooled diesel engine, and is fitted with improved radio sets.

Later NORINCO developed a series of vehicles based on the Type 85 APC, including infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), self-propelled artillery guns and multiple rocket launchers (MRLs), command vehicles, armoured ambulance and armoured recovery vehicles (ARVs).

As a fairly successful design, the Type 85 APC was later accepted by the PLA as the successor to its obsolete Type 63 APC family. The variant specially developed for the PLA was designated as Type 89 (YW-534). Although highly identical to the Type 85 in appearance, the Type 89 is believed to have been fitted with improved powerpack and other equipment such as night visions. During the 1999 national day parade at Beijing, the PLA revealed its Type 89 APC to the public, which finally confirmed the service status of the vehicle.

NVH-1 infantry fighting vehicle, with a Vickers Defence Systems two-man turret, which is also used on the British Warrior IFV. The main weapon is a 25mm M242 automatic gun. Prototype only

Type 85 armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) in service with the PLA

Type 85 tank repairing and maintenance vehicle in service with the PLA

WZ751 armoured ambulance for export market, also in service with the PLA

YW306 30-tube 130mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher (MRL) for export market

YW307 infantry fighting vehicle with a 25mm automatic cannon. Prototype only. A similar variant based on the Type 89's hull might be in service with the PLA

YW309 infantry fighting vehicle, with a BMP-1-style 73mm low-pressure smoothbore gun and a HJ-73 anti-tank guided missile launcher. Prototype only.

YW323 D30 122mm self-propelled howitzer. Prototype only

YW382 120mm self-propelled mortar for export market

YW383 82mm self-propelled mortar for export market

YW531H (Type 85) armoured personnel carrier for export market

YW534 (Type 89) Armoured personnel carrier in service with the PLA

YW534 HJ-8 anti-tank guided missile launch vehicle

YW703H armoured command vehicle for export market

Type 85 was originally developed in 1987 for Thailand Army. The domestic variant Type 89 entered service in the early 1990s, with around 1,000 vehicles deployed so far, mainly in heavy armoured units including 38th and 39th Group Army

The basic variant Type 85 APC has a combat weight of 13.5 tonnes and carries 13 troops. Armour protection against 7.62mm caliber weapon systems is provided all round. The APC has a two-man crew including a driver and a commander. Infantry passengers can dismount the vehicle through the rear exit doors. The powerpack is fitted on the front-right of the vehicle, and the driver is seated on the left of the powerpack compartment. Six roof hatches (including two large ones) are provided for the driver, commander, and troops.

Main armament on the basic variant Type 85/89 APC is a roof-mounted 12.7 mm antiaircraft machine gun (AAMG), and eight (4 on each side) smoke grenade launchers. Seven firing ports on the sides and rear of the troop compartment allows infantry passengers to fire automatic rifles and light machine guns from inside the vehicle on the move. The troop can also carry 7.62mm machine gun, 40 mm rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and shoulder-launch air-defence missiles.

The YW307 IFV is fitted with an one-man 25mm cannon turret and 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun. The 25mm gun has a full 360° traverse with an elevation of -8° ~ 55°. Ammunition load for the 25 mm gun is 400 rounds, with an additional 120 HE (high-explosive) rounds and 80 AP (Armour-Piercing) rounds carried in the turret. The 25 mm gun can fire single, 3-round burst, or 5-round burst. The max rate of fire is 100r/min or 200r/min.

The YW-309 IFV features a 73 mm low-pressure smoothbore gun, with 40 rounds carried inside the vehicle. An HJ-73 anti-tank guided missile rail launcher is mounted above the gun, with 4 missiles carried onboard.

The NVH-1 IFV has a two-man turret featuring British fire-control system enhanced by night vision and laser rangefinder. Options for the main armament include the U.S.-made 25mm M242 'Bushmaster' cannon or British-made 30mm Rarden cannon.

The Type 85 series is powered by a German-designed BF8L413F 4-stroke, 8-cylinder, turbo-charged, air-cooled diesel engine with a standard power of 235kW (320hp) at 2,500r/min. The fuel capacity is 450l.

The vehicle has 5 forward and 1 reverse gears, with mechanical gear box. Torsion bar suspensions with hydraulic shock absorbers on some of the roadwheels.