Type 15 VT5 ZTQ-15

Lightweight light tank - China

The VT5, also named Type 15 or ZTQ-15 in the Chinese army, is a lightweight battle tank designed and manufactured by the Chinese defense company NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation). The VT5 was unveiled to the public during the Zhuhai AirShow China in November 2016. According to NORINCO engineers, the VT5 was developed for the export market. The VT5 has a weight from 33 to 36 tons depending on the armor fitted to the tank. With this weight, the tank offers more mobility than a standard main battle tank offering the same level of firepower. The power-to-weight ratio is between 27 and 30 hp/ton depending on the armor package. This tank can be used in mountain areas and operate in terrains that are inaccessible to standard main battle tanks which a weight of around 50 tons like the ZTZ99. The VT5 features good battlefield awareness, strong information capabilities and high maneuverability. It is suitable for modern joint operations, according to NORINCO. On December 27, 2018, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense Wu Qian announced that the new Type 15 lightweight tank was commissioned by China's army. Type 15 was shown for the first time to the public during the military parade rehearsal for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on September 2019. According to information published in December 2019, the Bangladesh Ministry of Defense officially announced that its army has ordered VT5 light tanks from China. The Type 15 is now deployed by the Chinese army Xinjiang Military Command and Chinese Marines.

Model variants:

- Type 15 ERA: The front of the turret and the hull are fitted with ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor). 
- VT5U: An optionally unmanned driving version of the standard VT5

Armament

The main armament of the VT5 / Type 15 or ZTQ-15 consists of one 105 mm rifled gun with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor which has a maximum firing range of 3,000m. The main armament also includes an automatic loading system. The empty cartridge cases are ejected via a small hatch located at the rear of the turret. The VT5 carried a total of 38 rounds of 105mm ammunition which can include Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT), High Explosive (HE), and gun-launched anti-tank guided missile. The missile has a maximum range of 5,000m and is fitted with a tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead able to destroy armored or tanks protected with reactive armor (ERA). The second armament of the VT5 includes one remotely operated weapon station mounted on the roof of the turret which is armed with a 12.7mm machine gun and one 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Two banks of three electrically operated smoke-grenade dischargers are mounted on each side at the rear of the turret and coupled to a laser detector. The turret is fully stabilized to offer high accuracy against static and moving targets.

The VT5 is fitted a remotely operated weapon station armed with a 12.7mm machine and one 40mm automatic grenade launcher

Design and protection

The layout of the VT5 / Type 15 or ZTQ-15 is similar to the main battle tank with a crew of three, including the driver seated at the front center of the hull, gunner, and commander in the turret. The VT5 can be fitted with two different armor configurations. The hull and the turret of the VT5 is made with all-welded steel armor which provides stand protection against the firing of small arms and shell splinters. To increase the protection, the VT5 can be equipped with advanced composite armor and/or explosive reactive armor (ERA). At AirShow China 2016, the VT5 was also fitted with slat armor (wire cage armor) on the turret sides and either side of the hull to increase protection against rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and anti-tank guided missiles. The VT5 has a combat weight from 33 to 36 tons depending on the armor configuration and measures 9.20 m in length, 3.30 m (with armor package) in width, and 2.50 m in height without the remotely operated weapon station.

Each side of the turret is equipped with wire cage armor

Mobility

The VT5 / Type 15 or ZTQ-15 is motorized with a 1,000 hp electronically controlled diesel engine mounted at the rear of the hull. and coupled to a hydro-mechanical full automatic transmission with a pivot steering capability and a cooling system. It can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km/h, 35 to 40 km/h in off-road conditions with a maximum cruising range of 450 km. The VT5 can climb vertical obstacles of 0.85 m, a gradient of 60%, and a fording depth of 1.1 m without preparation. The suspension of the VT5 consists of six road wheels with an idler at the front, a drive sprocket at the rear, and track return rollers. The upper parts of the suspension are protected by an armor package. The VT5 can be fitted with external additional fuel drums mounted at the rear of the hull to extend the cruising range.

The rear side of the hull can be fitted with additional fuel drums

Accessories

Standard equipment of the VT5 / Type 15 or ZTQ-15 includes CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) protection and air conditioning system, a computerized firing control system, a laser range finder, command-and-control equipment, a tactical command system, and a navigation system that includes INS (Inertial Navigation System) and satellite communications. The gunner and the commander position are equipped with stabilized day/thermal sights incorporating a laser rangefinder. The VT5 has also a panoramic sight that allows commanders to have all-around surveillance on the battlefield without being disturbed by turret motion.

The commander has a panoramic sight