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= Type 15 tank = The Type 15 (Chinese: 15式; pinyin: yīwǔshì) or ZTQ15 is a Chinese light weight main battle tank (MBT). which is developed by Norinco and entered service in 2018.

Development
There are large mountain, plateau and hill areas in China. In order to meet the demand, Chinese army needs a light weight main battle tank that offers more mobility and could be used in areas that are inaccessible for standard main battle tanks which has a weight around 50 tons like the ZTZ99.

The first light weight main battle tank of Chinese army is Type 62, which was designed to be a downscaled Type 59 due to the limit of technology and experience at that time.

While after 2000, Chinese army has acquired various armored vehicles from airborne infantry fighting vehicles to main battle tanks, and the requirement of the new light tank is in the middle, which allows various techniques to be engaged.

First pictures of the new tank appeared back in 2010. The whole development project was kept in secrecy and for a long time were no official comments regarding this new tank. Since 2010 a number of different prototypes were observed. The new tank has an entirely new design. It is possible that is was developed specially for the airborne forces.

Type 15 (VT5) was unveiled to the public during the Zhuhai AirShow China in November 2016, and commissioned by China's army on December 27, 2018.

Armament
The main armament of the VT5 / Type 15 or ZTQ-15 consists of one 105 mm rifled gun with 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 armoured or tanks protected with reactive armour (ERA). 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.

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

Mobility
Type 15 MBT is designated for mountain areas. As a result, it was designed to be lightweight with a powerful diesel engine. 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 Type 15 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 Type 15 consists of six road wheels with idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and track return rollers. The upper parts of the suspension is protected by armour package. The Type 15 can be fitted with external additional fuel drums mounted at the rear of the hull to extend the cruising range.

Accessories
Standard equipment of the VT5 / Type 15 or ZTQ-15 includes NRBC protection and air conditioning system, computerized firing control system, 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 allows commanders to have all-round surveillance on the battlefield without being disturbed by turret motion.