MW4 DMZ: How to Get a Tank (All Tank Parts)

TL;DR

There is a repairable tank hidden in the Air Base Armory at Chang-san Air Base in MW4 DMZ.
You need four parts to fix it: Tank Battery, Tank Alternator, Tank Plugs, and Tank Water Pump.
The Tank Alternator is the hardest to get — it requires the Air Base Armory Access Card from Operation Iron Citadel.
You do not need to find all four parts in a single deployment — stash them across multiple runs.
Once repaired, the tank is yours to drive anywhere on the Hajin map for that match.
Refuel the tank at Gas Stations on the tac map when the fuel gets low.

Table of Contents

Why the Tank in MW4 DMZ Is Worth Getting

Most players in DMZ never even know the tank exists. It sits broken inside the Air Base Armory, waiting for someone patient enough to collect all four repair parts. If you get it running, it is almost unstoppable — it can wipe out enemy vehicles, tear through AI squads, and put enormous pressure on other player squads who are not carrying anti-armor gear.

It takes effort to get. But once you have it, it changes how an entire match plays out.

This guide covers every tank part location and exactly how to repair and deploy it.

Where Is the Tank in MW4 DMZ?

The tank is located inside the Tank Workshop at the back of the Air Base Armory in Chang-san Air Base, on the west side of the Hajin Exclusion Zone map. The Armory is inside the Air Base Hangar. Once you enter the Armory, take a right on the ground floor and you will walk directly into the Tank Depot where the tank sits.

The tank is already there every match — it just needs four parts installed before it will run. You interact with the back of the tank to insert each part.

MW4 DMZ How to Get a Tank 1

All Tank Part Locations in MW4 DMZ

All four tank parts are found within or around Chang-san Air Base. Here is where to find each one:

1. Tank Battery

The Tank Battery is found inside the Bunker Tunnels beneath the Air Base Hangar. Head down into the underground tunnel section of the Air Base — the battery spawns somewhere in this area. It does not sit in a container, so look for it on the floor, shelves, or surfaces as you move through the tunnels.

This is one of the more accessible parts. You do not need a special key or mission active to get into the bunker tunnels — just watch out for AI enemies down there, as the area is heavily guarded.

2. Tank Plugs

The Tank Plugs spawn inside mechanic shacks and buildings on the western side of Chang-san Air Base. Look for small maintenance or repair-style buildings — the kind with tools, shelves, and equipment scattered around. The Tank Plugs will be sitting somewhere on the shelving or surfaces inside these mechanic structures.

Check every mechanic building you pass in the west section. The spawn is randomized between buildings, so you may need to check more than one.

3. Tank Water Pump

The Tank Water Pump can be found near fuel tanks and the Hangar entrance in the north area of the Air Base. Specifically, look around the large external fuel tank to the left of the Hangar entrance, on top of cabinets, and on rooftops and shelves in the surrounding buildings. Community players have also spotted it on corners of buildings in the north section of the base.

This one has the widest spawn range of the four, so do a full sweep of the north fuel tank area and nearby structures.

4. Tank Alternator

The Tank Alternator is locked inside the Air Base Armory — and this is where things get complicated. To access it, you need two things:

The Air Base Armory Access Card — obtained by running Operation Iron Citadel as your selected Story Mission at deployment. During this mission, you find an access card, upgrade it at the Server Room in Admin Complex No. 2, and receive the single-use Air Base Armory Card.
The Armory Keycode — found by locating three notes inside the Chang-san Air Base Bunker that together reveal a multi-digit code. The code changes between matches, so you have to find the notes fresh each time.

Once you have both, enter the code at the Armory keypad, use the access card on the door, and proceed inside. The Tank Alternator spawns within the Armory or the adjacent bunker area in the north section of the base.

If you want to understand Operation Iron Citadel better before running it, our guide on the Supreme Leader’s Bunker Access Card in MW4 DMZ covers the same mission in detail, as the keycard obtained during Iron Citadel also unlocks that bunker.

All MW4 DMZ Tank Parts at a Glance

Tank Battery — Bunker tunnels beneath the Air Base Hangar
Tank Plugs — Mechanic shacks on the west side of the Air Base
Tank Water Pump — Near fuel tanks and the Hangar entrance, north area of the Air Base
Tank Alternator — Inside the Air Base Armory (requires Operation Iron Citadel + Armory Code + Access Card)

Do You Need All Four Parts in One Match?

No — and this is important to know. You can collect parts across multiple deployments and stash them. The parts are never inside containers — they always spawn loose in the map, which means they are easier to spot but also means you cannot “force” them to appear by opening loot. Their spawn locations are randomized.

A smart approach is to dedicate one or two runs just to gathering the easy parts — Battery, Plugs, and Water Pump — and then do a full Operation Iron Citadel run when you are ready to tackle the Alternator and repair the tank in a single deployment.

For more DMZ planning tips, check out our guide on DMZ Deployment Bonuses in MW4 to make the most out of every run you do.

How to Repair the Tank in MW4 DMZ

Once you have all four parts either in your stash or on your person, here is exactly what to do:

Select Operation Iron Citadel at the deployment screen. This is required because it gives you the Air Base spawn and access to the Armory where the tank is located.
Make your way to Chang-san Air Base and enter the Air Base Hangar.
Proceed through the Armory entrance — use your code and access card if needed to open the doors.
Once inside the Armory, turn right on the ground floor to enter the Tank Depot.
Walk to the back of the tank and interact with it to install all four parts.
Once all parts are in, the tank will display “Vehicle Repaired” — and you are ready to drive.

How to Drive and Maintain the Tank

After repairing the tank, you can drive it anywhere across the Hajin map for the rest of that match. It is a powerful vehicle — it can destroy enemy vehicles, flatten AI squads, and dominate any outdoor engagement. Use it to push enemy squads off objectives, clear high-threat compounds, or just create chaos.

Fuel Management

The tank consumes fuel as you drive it. When fuel gets low, head to any Gas Station on the map — open your tac map and look for the fuel pump icon. Park the tank under the gas station canopy near the pumps and it will automatically refuel and repair. Gas Stations are scattered across the Hajin map, so keep one pinged as a waypoint whenever you are driving.

Combat Tips for the Tank

Stay mobile. A stationary tank is an easy target for players with launchers like the RPG-8 or JOKR. Keep moving between engagements.
Use it to clear compounds. The tank’s firepower makes it excellent for pushing into heavily fortified areas that would be dangerous on foot. Check our guide on all DMZ compound locations and how to clear them for the best targets.
Watch for operators with anti-armor. Other players who know what they are doing will come prepared if they see a tank. Do not assume you are invincible — exit the tank and engage on foot if you are being cornered in a tight space.
Pair with a squad. One person drives, others provide infantry support and watch for flanking players. The tank alone can be isolated and destroyed by a coordinated squad.

Is the Tank Worth the Effort?

Honestly? Yes — especially if you enjoy playing DMZ with a squad and want a completely different kind of match. The setup time is real, particularly for the Alternator and the Operation Iron Citadel requirement. But a working tank fundamentally shifts the power dynamic in any match it appears in.

For solo players, the value depends on how much time you want to invest. The parts collection alone might take three or four deployments. But once you drive that tank into a fight, you will understand why people put in the effort.

If you are building out your overall DMZ strategy, here are some other guides that pair well with this one:

Get the game on your preferred platform if you haven’t already: