Beijing, December 31
China has put into service its much-touted lightweight battle tank which the military seeks to deploy in the mountainous regions, like Tibet, to boost its combat capabilities in the high-altitude areas.
The new-generation tank, identified as Type-15 by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), was displayed for the first time at an exhibition organised last month to mark the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up.
Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian confirmed that the tank has been handed over to troops for deployment.
The indigenously-developed tank had undergone combat ready exercises on the plateaus of Tibet in June last year when the armies of China and India were engaged in an eye-ball to eye-ball 73-day-long standoff at Doklam in the Sikkim sector.
Indian troops had opposed the construction of a road by Chinese soldiers near a trijunction border, as it was too close to the main highway, the Chicken Neck corridor, connecting the North-East with rest of India. The area was also claimed by Bhutan.
The relations between India and China as well as the militaries normalised this year with concerted efforts by both sides after the PLA halted the road construction.
Beijing-based military affairs commentator Song Zhongping said the PLA Marine Corps needed to upgrade some of its key equipment. “The Type-62 tank is lagging behind. The Type-15 tank has much better protection capability and manoeuvrability,” he was quoted as saying. — PTI
Type-15 set to be deployed in Tibet
105 mm gun is its main weapon that can fire armour-piercing shells and launch guided missiles
1,000 hp engine is significantly lighter than PLA's other main battle tanks
32-35 tonnes is the weight of Type 15 tank
Next-gen asset
- Type-15 is equipped with a hydro-pneumatic suspension system that ensures good manoeuvrability and survivability in mountainous regions
- Analysts say tank could be quickly deployed to sensitive regions such as Tibet and the plateau border area if a dispute broke out
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