Some tank designers favoured an unconventional, needle-nosed turret appliqué armour for what later evolved into the ZTZ96A. However, due to undisclosed reasons, the PLAGF abandoned this design, and the configuration that ultimately became the ZTZ96A triumphed in the competition. This prototype subsequently vanished from historical records, with only a few images confirming its existence.

Introduced in Update "Wind of Change", the ZTZ96A (P) is a prototype of the ZTZ96A. It features a distinct turret armour arrangement compared to its production counterpart: instead of the arrowhead-shaped ERA mount, it boasts high-hardness spaced armour in an unusual "needle-nose" profile reminiscent of the Chieftain's silhouette. However, its standout feature is the soft-kill APS system comprising two JD-3 jammers mounted on the turret sides, which function similarly to the T-90A's "Shtora". This prototype sacrifices some turret protection in favour of the capability to disrupt enemy ATGM guidance. In all other aspects, the ZTZ96A (P) closely mirrors the production version, boasting thermal sights and a potent gun, making it a valuable addition to any lineup.