The Type 15 or Black Panther Light Tank is China's latest armored vehicle to be
introduced into service as part of its ambitious modernization program.
Compared to their own Type 96 and Type 99 main battle tanks, the Black Panther is lighter,
coming up at around 32 tons, with better mobility, speed, and improved performance
at high altitude levels with lower oxygen. It is also known that China has especially
developed this light tank for plateau combat against neighboring India.
Both countries have had territorial disputes for decades, and China has recently deployed
this new tank on the Tibetan Plateau, ready to attack at any moment's notice…
Modern Chinese Tanks
As of 2020, most military analysts estimated that China had a collection of over
7,000 main battle tanks, and that number didn’t even consider other armored vehicles
from the People's Liberation Army or PLA. Although impressive, most of these vehicles
are outdated versions of Soviet Union-era T-series vehicles, such as the battle-tested
T54 heavy tank. And these aging tanks are no longer fit for modern combat.
As such, the Chinese government has spent billions of dollars on new tank technology
during the last two decades. This tremendous economic and military effort has turned China
into an authentic military superpower, matching the United States and the Russian Federation.
One of the latest Chinese innovations is the T99, a third-generation main
battle tank that replaced the old Type 88. First introduced in 2001, the 51-ton vehicle
is equipped with a ZPT98 smoothbore gun, heavy machine guns, and other classified
assets that give it enough firepower to compete with American and Russian tanks.
The Type 99 was further improved with the A variant, making it more powerful and heavy while
expanding its armaments suite and solidifying it as the PLAs main battle tank alongside the T96.
As part of its ambitious tank replacement program, the People's Liberation Army then
turned its attention to the outdated Type 62 light tank developed in the 1960s to begin
preliminary studies for a new and innovative concept design suited for China's geography.
The result would be a light, highly mobile tank perfectly tailored for the Chinese forests,
highlands, and humid regions. It was the Type 15 Light Tank.
A New Light Tank
Chinese personnel with government ties first spotted the Type 15 or ZTQ15 Light Tank in
November of 2018. Liu Xuanzun from Global Times reported that two scale models were
on display at the National Museum of China as part of a grand exhibition to mark the 40th
anniversary of the country's reform. Wei Dongxu, a military analyst,
later reported that: (QUOTE) "The Type 15 is equipped with a 105-millimeter main gun
capable of firing armor-piercing rounds and gun-launched missiles, making its firepower
not much inferior to a heavier main battle tank." Although little information had been leaked about
China's new light tank, Dongxu pointed out that when compared to the more than 50-ton Type 96 and
Type 99 MBTs, the ZBTQ15 was significantly lighter, weighing about 32 and 35 tons.
Other people immediately took to the web to affirm they had spotted Type 15 prototypes
painted with naval camouflage at unknown locations across China.
Days after the exhibition at the National Museum, the People's Liberation Army officially
announced the introduction of the Type 15 to its expanding arsenal of new tanks and
gave some details about the armored vehicle. The Chinese military announced that Type 15
was being developed by NORINCO or China North Industries Group Corporation and
was almost ready for deployment with the People’s Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps.
Also abbreviated as PLANMC in the West, the Type 15s were to be deployed to the Tibetan Plate,
according to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
The Black Panther
The Type 15 is also known as the Black Panther and has a length of over 9.2 meters including its
105-millimeter gun, a width of 3.3 meters, and an approximate height of 2.5 meters.
The 105-millimeter rifled gun is compatible with NATO's ammunition of the same caliber
and has a range of over three kilometers. In addition, it has an automatic bustle-mounted
ammunition loading system with 38 rounds. Meanwhile, the spent cases are ejected
automatically through a hatch located at the rear of the turret, and the gun is capable of
firing different types of shells, such as High Explosive, anti-tank, and armor-piercing rounds.
An additional configuration even allows the tank to fire anti-tank-guided missiles.
Overall, the penetration capabilities of the anti-tank rounds can tear through
500 millimeters of armor at about 2,000 meters. The tank’s secondary armament comprises a QJT-88
5.8-millimeter coaxial machine gun, a remotely controlled QLZ-04 35-millimeter automatic grenade
launcher, and a QJC-88 12.7-millimeter heavy MG. Additionally, the Black Panther is equipped with a
laser rangefinder, wind sensor, thermal sights, navigation, and modern fire control systems.
The Type 15 also has hunter-killer capabilities that allow the commander to use his panoramic
sight to search for hostile targets. And the vehicle is manned by a crew of three:
a commander, driver, and gunner. Like most Chinese military technology,
it has not been tested in actual combat against an opposing force.
Engine and Armor The tank’s power comes from a 1,000-horsepower
electric diesel engine mounted at the rear of the hull, while the transmission is fully automatic.
The light tank also features a hydropneumatic suspension with adjustable ground clearance
for all-terrain capability. Although the standard Type 15 comes
with steel tracks, it can be fitted with rubber pads depending on the desired configuration.
The maximum range is over 450 kilometers, but it can be increased by adding external fuel tanks,
and its estimated top speed is 70 kilometers per hour, but it can vary according to the terrain.
The Type 15 is also air transportable and can be airdropped from several Chinese aircraft.
Recently, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced that the innovative Xi’an
Y-20 strategic airlifter would be able to carry two Type 15 tanks with relative ease.
When it comes to armor, the tank features the latest modular add-on armor kits and can use
composite, explosive reactive, or passive armor modules. The hull and the turret are reinforced
with cage armor to provide additional protection against rockets and missiles.
Fit for High Altitudes China's decision to focus on a new
light tank after coming up with the successful Type 99 main battle tank is not coincidental.
During the last few years, there has been a global trend among the
superpowers to shift the importance of heavy tanks towards more agile vehicles.
The possibilities of new combat scenarios are headed toward the Pacific, where tanks must
be highly maneuverable, quickly deployed, and capable of functioning under tropical terrain
and the various altitudes of Eastern Asia. The US Marine Corps has recently deactivated
its tank battalions in an effort to concentrate its forces toward dynamic
maritime warfare in the Pacific against the North Korean and Chinese threats.
It should be no surprise that China decided to develop the Type 15 with similar ideas in mind,
especially regarding its political and military tensions with India
over the disputed border with them. The South China Morning Post published an
article in June of 2020 stating the country had deployed over 15 new Type 15 tanks to
the Tibetan Plateau, giving a clearer idea of the unique design features of the light tank.
Caleb Larson, a defense journalist from ‘1945,’ reported that the Type 15 features:
(QUOTE) “Plateau engines, likely optimized for cold, oxygen-poor environments. In addition,
the Type 15’s have been supplied with oxygen-production equipment,
probably to ease breaking for tank crews, and possibly to ensure enough
oxygen is supplied to the tank’s engine to support reliability.”
China’s focus on developing a tank that can cover high-altitude regions is directly related
to its ongoing feud with India. It’s also the reason it has been deploying the tanks
with the PLA Tibet Military Command, bolstering a possible combat scenario.
Meanwhile, the Xinjiang Military Command has also received the Type 15,
securing China’s entire West border and getting ready for any potential outcome.
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