Type 15 tank

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Type 15
TypeLight tank
Place of originChina (PRC)
Service history
In service2018-present[1]
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerNorinco
ManufacturerNorinco
Producedc. 2015-present[1]
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 with optional 4th gunner[1]
ArmorStandard steel armor protection with additional advanced composite armor and/or explosive reactive armor package.[1]
Main
armament
105mm rifled gun (38 rounds) with autoloader[1]
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
27.8 hp/tonne (Armor package installed)
SuspensionHydropneumatic suspension[1]
Operational
range
469 kilometres (291 mi)(without external fuel drums)[1]
Maximum speed 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph)

The Type 15 light tank (Chinese: 15式轻型坦克; pinyin: yīwǔ shì qīngxíng tǎnkè, also designated ZTQ-15), nicknamed the Black Panther[2] (Chinese: 黑豹; pinyin: hēi bào), is a Chinese third generation light tank operated by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps. It could become a successor to the Type 62 light tank that was retired from the Chinese army in 2013.[3]

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 was confirmed to be in service by 2018[4][5][1] and was showcased in the 70th National Day parade on October 1, 2019.

Design[]

Overview[]

The Type 15 is designed to fulfill the requirement for a lighter, more mobile modern tank that can effectively operate in highland/plateau, woodland and water-rich regions where the heavier Type 99 and Type 96 main battle tanks might have difficulties traversing.[3][1]

In the high altitude region like Tibet, the new Chinese light tank should not encounter any heavily-armored opponents like T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks. Because in high altitude air becomes thin and engines start to lose power.[3] But Type-15 light tank can operate at high altitudes with its powerful engine and oxygen generators. The new tank is also much more mobile than heavier main battle tanks due to its light weight and high power/weight ratio.[3]

Armament[]

Type 15 light tank uses a new fully-stabilized 105 mm rifled gun, which is superior to the Type 94 105 mm guns fitted on Type 88 and Type 59 tanks. It is reported that the gun has a range of 3 km and compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition. The Type 15 tank can hold 38 rounds of 105 mm shells.[6][7] It is capable of firing APFSDS, HEAT and HE (High explosive) rounds and gun-launched ATGM. Generally APFSDS and HEAT rounds are used against enemy armor while HE round is used against enemy infantry positions, light/non armored vehicles, buildings, field fortification. The APFSDS projectiles capable of penetrating 500 mm (20 in) of armored steel at 2,000 metres (1.2 mi).[3][8] Such penetration capabilities are not considered as sufficient to penetrate front armor of modern main battle tanks such as T-90 or VT-4.[3] However the tank might be able to penetrate front armor of older generation main battle tanks such as T-64 or early models of T-72. Although the tank can also use 105 mm gun-launched ATGM against well-protected enemy tanks, those are much more expensive than tank shells. The range of this missile is reported to be 5 km and can even target low-flying helicopters.[3] However it is still unknown which model of missile could be fired from this tank gun.

The ammunition is retrieved from an tail autoloader[9] mechanism with ammunition stored in the turret bustle for improved safety. Other equipment includes air conditioning system, command and control equipment, commander's panoramic sight, gunner's thermal imaging sight, laser rangefinder, advanced ballistic computer, a tactical command system and a navigation system that includes inertial navigation system (INS) and satellite communications.[7][10]

Protection[]

Type 15 tank features two sets of protection package providing different tactical mobility.[1] Standard armor package features steel armor protection with additional layers of advanced composite armor panels covering the tank turret, hull and two sides, with additional lightweight explosive reactive armor blocks protecting the front hull. The enhanced package features thicker explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks, in addition to the composite armor panels underneath, covering the whole tank turret and hull.[11] ERA mounted armor-skirt[12] and slat armor can also be mounted on the side and rear side of the tank hull for additional protection.[13] Enhanced armor set is designed for open area battle under heavy defensive conditions.[2]

The Type 15 light tank is equipped with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protection. The vehicle also features oxygen generators to aid in high-altitude operations.[14]

Mobility[]

The Type 15 is powered by a 1,000 hp (746 kW) electronically controlled diesel engine, with hydro-mechanical full automatic transmission.[1] The tank is also capable of neutral steering and features hydropneumatic suspension.[1]

Due to its lighter weight, the Type 15 tank can be more easily airlifted. Y-20 transport planes can only carry one Type 99 tank, but can carry up to two Type 15 tanks and achieve long-range deployment of 7,800 kilometers.[15] ZTQ-15 can also be paradropped by the transport aircraft.[3]

Operational history[]

During the China-India border dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020, Type 15 tanks were reportedly deployed in the Tibetan Plateau.[16]

Variants[]

A footage of export variant VT-5 tank taken in 2018.
Type 15 / ZTQ-15
Designation for military version.
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.[17]

Operators[]

See also[]

  • K21-105 - Korean light tank
  • Kaplan MT / Harimau - Turkish / Indonesian light tank.
  • Type 62 - Chinese light tank
  • 2S25 Sprut-SD - Russian light tank
  • M8 Armored Gun System - American light tank proposal cancelled in the 1990s
  • General Dynamics Griffin II - New American light tank, currently in U S Army trials

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Type 15 VT5 ZTQ-15 light weight main battle tank".
  2. ^ a b "China's Type 15 Light Tank Gains Versatility". defenseworld. 21 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "ZTQ-15". Military-Today. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Introducing China's New Type 15 Tank. Here's What You Need To Know". January 2019.
  5. ^ "China's new light tank for mountainous areas goes into service". 28 December 2018.
  6. ^ "ZTQ-15 / Type 15 30-ton-class light tank".
  7. ^ a b "我军15式轻型坦克炮小威力大 最大射程可达5000米|坦克_新浪军事_新浪网".
  8. ^ http://tv.cctv.com/2020/04/07/VIDEGF5bLefg5DPpbvjVRMBm200407.shtml |《军事科技》20200407 战场上的“小块头”
  9. ^ "Type 15 tank uses new autoloader and 105mm APFSDS". China Arms. 16 July 2020.
  10. ^ "New Chinese Light Tank".
  11. ^ "终于来了！"土豪版"15式正式列装，坦克部队如何突破水际滩头". Sohu News (in Chinese). 16 October 2020.
  12. ^ Larson, Caleb (4 February 2021). "China's Type 15 Light Tank: Built To Fight India In A War?". 19fortyfive.
  13. ^ "中国新一代坦克雏形初显，全电设计，电磁装甲设计石破天惊". cn1n (in Chinese). 23 December 2019.
  14. ^ Osborn, Kris (3 February 2021). "=China's Type 15 Light Tank Matters for Asia's Future Wars". National Interest.
  15. ^ "Y-20 war wagon can transport two Type 15 tanks". 8 April 2020.
  16. ^ "China flexing military muscle in border dispute with India". South China Morning Post. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  17. ^ "VT5". Military-Today. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  18. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance 2021. Routledge. p. 251. ISBN 9781032012278.

Retrieved from ""