Type 15 tank

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Type 15 light tank
File:ZTQ-15 in preparation of 2019 parade.jpg
Type 15 light tank preparing for the 2019 National Day Parade in Beijing, China.
Typelight tank
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2015-present [citation needed]
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerNorinco
ManufacturerNorinco
Producedc. 2010-present [citation needed]
No. builtClassified.
Specifications
Mass33 tonnes (standard), 36 tonnes (With armor package)[1]
Length9.2 metres (30 ft)[1]
Width3.3 metres (11 ft)[1]
Height2.5 metres (8.2 ft)[1]
Crew3[1]
ArmorStandard steel armour protection against firing of small arms and shell splinters.
Additional armor package with advanced composite armor and/or explosive reactive armor.
Main
armament
105mm rifled gun (38 rounds)
Secondary
armament
Remotely operated weapon station armed with coaxial 12.7mm machine gun and QLZ-04 automatic grenade launcher
EngineElectronically controlled diesel engine with fully-automatic transmission
1,000 hp (746 kW)[1]
Power/weight30.30 hp/tonne
SuspensionHydropneumatic suspension[1]
Operational
range
450 kilometres (280 mi)–800 kilometres (500 mi)[1]
Maximum speed 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph)

The Type 15 light tank (Chinese: 15式轻型坦克; pinyin: shíwǔ shì qīngxíng tǎnkè), known as ZTQ-15, is a Chinese third generation light tank. The vehicle was a replacement for the antiquated Type 62 light tank introduced in 1963. Type 15 tank is designed to fulfill the requirement from Chinese army for a lighter, mobile modern tank that can effectively operate in China's plateaus, forests, and water-heavy regions in which heavier Type 99 tanks have difficulties traversing.[1]

Development

Sightings of Type 15 were reported by Chinese citizens, but its existence was formally confirmed by the Chinese Ministry of Defense in December 2018. The tank is confirmed in service as of 2018[2][3][1] and was showcased in the 70th National Day parade on Oct 1st 2019.

Design

Armament

Type 15's rifled gun with new 105 mm ammunition, which is superior to the 105mm tank gun (Type 94) fitted on Type 88 tank and Type 59 tank. When launching 105 mm armor-piercing projectiles, Type 15 is capable to effectively penetrates the active main battle tanks equipped by various countries and regions in southern and southwestern China.[4]

Features

The tank is equipped with NRBC protection, an automatic loading mechanism with ammunition stored in the turret bustle, air conditioning system, command-and control equipment, commander's panoramic sights, a tactical command system and a navigation system that includes INS (Inertial Navigation System) and satellite communications. [5][6]

Mobility

This new tank can be airlifted by military cargo aircraft as well as be paradropped.[6]

Variants

Type 15
Designation for military version.
File:ZTQ-15 or Type 15 light tank.jpg
Type 15 light tank being transported to Beijing in preparation for 2019 National Day Parade.
File:VT-5 light tank.jpg
VT-5 being demonstrated during the Zhuhai Airshow
A footage of VT-5 tank taken in 2018.
VT-5
Different design similar to the ZTQ-15 that is made for export. There are noticeable design differences. The driver's hatch on the VT-5 is positioned at the center front hull whereas the ZTQ-15 driver's hatch is located on the left. The upper front hull of the VT-5 is noticeably curved whereas the ZTQ-15 is straight. The modular add-on armor kits are also noticeably different.

Operators

  •  Bangladesh
    • Bangladesh Army On November 30, 2019. The Bangladesh Ministry of Defence officially announced it will buy the first batch of 44 VT-5s to form a regiment with an additional option to purcahse 100 more in the future. [7] [8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Type 15 VT5 ZTQ-15 light weight main battle tank".
  2. ^ "Introducing China's New Type 15 Tank. Here's What You Need To Know".
  3. ^ "China's new light tank for mountainous areas goes into service".
  4. ^ "ZTQ-15 / Type 15 30-ton-class light tank".
  5. ^ https://mil.news.sina.com.cn/jssd/2019-10-04/doc-iicezzrr0034416.shtml
  6. ^ a b "New Chinese Light Tank".
  7. ^ https://mil.sina.cn/sd/2019-12-02/detail-iihnzahi4685968.d.html?vt=4&pos=108
  8. ^ https://www.guancha.cn/military-affairs/2019_12_03_527196.shtml

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