In the 1960s, Chinese engineers tried to keep up with the leading tank-building countries, so their projects included design solutions of different schools. The distinctive features of the BZ-166 heavy tank were the "wavy" surfaces of the frontal hull armor and the jet boosters. According to the design concept, such armor was to increase the chances of ricochets. The jet boosters could increase the vehicle's speed for a short time. It was planned to equip the tank with 122 to 160 mm guns and use it for operations in fortified areas, as well as to destroy enemy engineering structures. It existed only in blueprints.