The ZBL-08 is a family of modern wheeled armored fighting vehicles that shares many similarities to Western contemporaries like the Piranha, Stryker, and VBCI. The ZBD-08 has the same physical appearance as most modern 8 x 8 AFVs, with a sharply sloped arrow-shaped front and an elongated hull which at 8m in length is the longest among similar vehicles. The driver is seated at the front left with the commander immediately to rear, and the engine compartment ot the right. Both driver and commander are provided with hatch covers and periscopes as well as access to the troop compartment which comprises the remainder of the vehicle. Troops can enter and exit via a power-operated ramp in the rear or via roof hatches, and they are also provided with firing ports. The all-welded steel hull provides protection from small arms and is enhanced by ceramic appliqué armor which offers frontal protectiont against up to 25-mm rounds, and against 12.7-mm rounds all around. Armament of the basic IFV version consists of a ZPT-99 30-mm autocannon (based on the Russian 2A72) mounted on a small two-man turret which also includes a co-axial QLC-86 7.62-mm machine gun. HJ-73C ATGMs can also be optionally equipped. The vehicle is fully amphibious and has NBC protection along with an automatic fire extinguishing system. A central tire inflation system is also incorporated. Aside from the IFV version, there is also a standard armored personnel carrier (ZSL-10), a tank destroyer (ZTL-11), a self-propelled howitzer (PLL-09), and a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (PGL-12) aside from other combat support vehicles. The ZBL-08 family of vehicles is now in widespread service with the PLA including both the ground forces and the marine corps where it is replacing the ZSL-92. It has also been adopted by Gabon, Nigeria, Thailand, and Venezuela.

Initially known as the VN1, the new vehicle was first seen in 2009 in its basic IFV variant and was erroneously referred to as the ZBL-09 before its official designation of ZBL-08 (or Type 08) was revealed. It has also been known by the nickname 'Snow Leopard'. The ZBL-08 refers only to the basic IFV variant while an associated command vehicle is known as the ZBL-08C while an armored reconnaissance variant can carry UAVs as well. An APC version with an expanded troop compartment is known as the ZSL-10. It lacks the 30-mm autocannon which is replaced instead by a QJC-88 12.7-mm machine gun, and also adds shock-absorbent seats for protection against mines and IED. A tank destroyer variant is known as the ZTL-11 and is armed with a 105-mm rifled gun (based on the British L7) mounted on a larger turret based on that of the ZTD-05. Artillery versions include the PLL-09 122-mm self-propelled howitzer for use with rapid deployment brigades. A self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is the PGL-12 which is armed with a single-barrel 35-mm autocannon based on the PGZ-09. It is also equipped with two FN-6 MANPADS. A large number of combat support versions also exist, including armored repair, engineering, bridgelayer, and NBC detection vehicles.