China's Next-Generation Light Tank 'Type 15 Light Tank'

The Type 15 light tank of the Chinese military, which entered production in 2016, was unveiled under the export name VT-5 at the Zhuhai Airshow in the same year. Photo by Kim Daeyoung, military commentator

[Kim Daeyoung, Military Analyst] Light tanks are a type of tank that are lighter and faster compared to MBTs (Main Battle Tanks), which are the primary battle tanks.

Among the three countries of Korea, China, and Japan, China uniquely develops and continuously operates light tanks alongside its main battle tanks. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2016, China boasts the fourth largest land area in the world. Despite its vast territory, some regions are unsuitable for operating heavy main battle tanks. Two-thirds of China’s total area consists of plateaus or mountains, and some southern regions are covered with jungles and wetlands.

For this reason, since the late 1950s, China began independently developing light tanks based on the Type 59 tank, resulting in the deployment of the Type 62 light tank to the Chinese military starting in 1963. Approximately 1,560 units of the Type 62 light tank were produced, weighing 21.5 tons and equipped with an 85mm tank gun. The Type 62 light tank was adopted not only by China but also by African and Southeast Asian countries.

It is also reported that the North Korean military once operated the Type 62 light tank. During the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979, the Type 62 light tank was deployed and achieved considerable success. However, it was easily destroyed by the Vietnamese army’s RPG anti-tank rockets, resulting in significant losses. The Chinese military undertook upgrades to improve the Type 62 light tank’s defense and firepower. Subsequently, the Type 70 and Type 82 light tanks were introduced.

After a period of relative inactivity, China’s light tank development resumed in earnest in the 2010s. On December 27, 2018, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced in a regular briefing that the Type 15 light tank, currently operated by the Chinese military, would be exhibited for the first time at the 40th anniversary exhibition of the Reform and Opening-up at the National Museum of China. The Type 15 light tank, which began production in 2016, was previously unveiled under the export name VT-5 at the Zhuhai Airshow that same year.

The Type 15 light tank, produced by Norinco, a leading Chinese ground defense manufacturer, also appeared at the National Day military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in October 2019. As China’s next-generation light tank, the Type 15 is equipped with a 105mm tank gun, the same caliber used in South Korea’s K1 tank. It is known to carry 38 rounds of 105mm ammunition and uses an autoloader, reducing the crew by one compared to the Type 62 light tank, with a total crew of three: commander, gunner, and driver. The weight is estimated to be between 33 and 36 tons, powered by a 1,000-horsepower engine capable of reaching speeds up to 70 km/h.

To address the light tank’s greatest weakness?defense?the Type 15 light tank uses reactive and composite armor on the turret and key areas. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art fire control system that enables firing during day and night as well as while on the move. Additionally, the mounted 105mm tank gun is advertised to penetrate 700mm of armor at a distance of 2,000 meters.

Besides the tank gun, the Type 15 is also equipped with a remote-controlled weapon system combining a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 30mm high-velocity grenade machine gun. Outside of China, Bangladesh has ordered 44 units, some of which have reportedly been recently delivered.