JPMRC VISMOD ZTQ-15 (Type 15) Chinese Light Main Battle Tank (MBT)
ZTQ-15
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Other
Basic Information
Name
JPMRC VISMOD ZTQ-15 (Type 15) Chinese Light Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Designation
ZTQ-15
Alternate Designation
ZTQ-15; Type 15
Equipment Type
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Date of Introduction
2017
Description
The ZTQ-15 (Type 15) Chinese Light Main Battle Tank (MBT) is a Chinese third-generation lightweight main battle tank (MBT). 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 the 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. 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. and was showcased in the 70th National Day parade on Oct 1st, 2019. 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 penetrating the active main battle tanks equipped by various countries and regions in southern and southwestern China. The tank is equipped with NRBC protection, an air conditioning system, command-and-control equipment, a tactical command system, and a navigation system that includes INS (Inertial Navigation System) and satellite communications.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Tracked
Main Weapon
105 mm rifled gun
Engine
Diesel (1000 hp)
Active Protection
Yes
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
70.0 km/h
Range
450.0 km
Variants
VT5
Export version.
System
Alternative Designation
ZTQ-15; Type 15
Type
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Manufacturer
Norinco
Crew
3 ea
Airlift Capable
Yes
Dimensions
Hull Length
7.5 m
Length, Gun Forward
9.2 m
Width
3.3 m
Height
2.5 m
Weight, Combat
33 - 36 tons
Automotive
Engine Name
INA
Engine Type
Electronically controlled diesel engine with fully-automatic transmission
Engine Power
1,000 hp
Range
450 km
Speed, Maximum Road
70 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
INA
Speed Maximum Swim
Not Amphibious
Gradient
60 %
Side Slope
30 %
Vertical Step
0.85 m
Trench
2.5 m
Fording Depth
1.1 m
Main Gun
System
Name
INA
Type
Rifled Gun
Caliber
105 mm
Loading System
The gun has an automatic bustle-mounted ammunition loading system, which allowed to reduce the crew to 3.
Barrel Length
INA
Diameter
INA
Effective Firing Range
3 km
Elevation
INA
Traverse Range
INA
Note
This tank can also launch 105 mm anti-tank guided missiles in this tank can also launch 105 mm anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These extend the effective range to up to 5 km and have a hit probability of over 90% against stationary targets. Furthermore these missiles have tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warheads and pose serious threat to main battle tanks, and can even target low-flying helicopters. Also the gun can launch ordinary High Explosive (HE) and HEAT rounds for use against light armored vehicles, buildings, field fortifications and infantry.
Ammunition
Name
INA
Type
APFSDS
Caliber
105 mm
Penetration
up to 500 mm of rolled homogenous armor.
Basic Load
A total of 38 rounds or missiles are carried for the main gun.
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name
1 x Type 67 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun
Type
General-Purpose Machine Gun
Caliber
7.62 mm
Manufacturer
China North Industries Corporation
In Service
1967-Present
Proliferation
Widely Proliferated
Length
1,650 mm
Barrel Length
605 mm
Weight
11 kg
Action
Gas-operated, tilting breechblock
Rate of Fire
650-700 rounds/min
Effective Firing Range
800-1000 m
Feed System
100/250-round belt
Sights
Rear leaf sight, forward post
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartridge
7.62×54 mmR
Basic Load
500 Rounds
Auxiliary Weapon System #1
System
Name
1 x QLZ-04 37mm Automatic Grenade Launcher
Type
Automatic Grenade Launcher
Caliber
37 mm
Manufacturer
Norinco
Proliferation
Widely Proliferated
In Service
1970s-Present
Length
1026 mm
Barrel Length
380 mm
Weight
20 kg
Muzzle Velocity
190 m/s
Rate of Fire
350-400 rounds per minute
Effective Firing Range
1750 m
Feed System
Belt
Sights
Optical sight, backup iron sights
Ammunition
Type
Grenade
Caliber
37mm
Cartridge
HE-FRAG; HE-DP
Basic Load
30 rounds
Auxiliary Weapon System #2
System
Name
1 x W85 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun
Type
Heavy Machine Gun
Caliber
12.7 mm
Manufacturer
Norinco
Proliferation
Widely Proliferated
In Service
1980s-Present
Length
INA
Weight
18.5 kg (gun only)
Action
Gas
Rate of Fire
550-600 rounds/min
Muzzle Velocity
850 m/s
Feed System
Belt
Sights
Iron/Optical
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
12.7 mm
Cartridge
12.7×108 mm
Basic Load
INA
Fire Control
Name
INA
Computerized FCS
Yes, a modern Fire Control System.
Main Gun Stabilization
Yes
Laser Rangfinder
Yes
Ballistic Computer
Yes
Wind Sensor
Yes
Gunner's Thermal Sight
Yes
Commander's Panoramic Sight with Thermal Vision
Yes, Thermal vision allows to engage targets at night and during adverse weather conditions.
Hunter-Killer Engagement Capable
Yes
Navigation
Yes
Satellite Communication
Yes
Battlefield Management System
Yes
Protection
Hull Armor
Standard steel armour protection against firing of small arms and shell splinters.
Turret Armor
Standard steel armour protection against firing of small arms and shell splinters.
Applique Armor
Yes, modular add-on armor kit.
Explosive Reactive Armor
INA
Active Protection System
Yes
Mine Clearing
INA
Self-Entrenching Blade
INA
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
Yes, This system triggers smoke grenade dischargers once the tank is illuminated by a laser beam.
Note
Some areas of the hull and turret can be covered with cage armor which provides protection against anti-tank rockets and anti-tank guided missiles.
Real World Image Sources
Notes
https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/16gntsm/chinese_type_15_light_tankit_ditched_the_carousel/; https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-of-the-best-modern-light-tanks-that-a-small-country-like-New-Zealand-and-many-other-might-be-interested-in-using-rather-than-the-modern-expensive-main-battle-tanks-like-the-Abrams-tank-and-Leopard-2; https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/main-battle-tanks;
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Tanks
Land > Tanks
Filter Label
J
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
9.2 m
Width
3.3 m
Height
2.5 m
Weight
33000 kg
Operators (2)
China
Bangladesh
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