VT5 Light tank (China)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 25/01/2023

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 The VT5 is a new Chinese light tank. First pictures of the new light tank appeared back in 2010. The whole development program was kept in secrecy and there were no official comments regarding this new tank. This vehicle has entirely new design. It looks like it was developed as a successor for the ageing Type 62 light tanks, used by the Chinese armed forces. Chinese requirement might be for at least 300 new light tanks. Though according to NORINCO it was developed exclusively for export. It was first publicly revealed in 2016. The VT5 is an export designation. It is being offered for various possible customers. In 2020 Bangladesh became the first customer of this tank. An order was placed for 44 tanks and deliveries commenced in 2020.

   Mobility is the key factor of this new machine. It is intended mainly for reconnaissance and infantry support operations. It can operate in terrains such as mountainous areas, jungles and river regions, that are not accessible to heavier main battle tanks. It might be also used by airborne troops. Development of this new tank shows the high level of resources China is devoting towards its offensive capabilities.

   The VT5 has a welded armored hull and turret, reportedly made of steel armor. The tank is also fitted with add-on armor kit. It can be either passive composite armor, or explosive reactive armor. Some areas of the VT5 tank are covered with cage armor, which provides protection against anti-tank missiles and rockets. NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems are fitted as standard. The tank weights 33-36 t, depending on armor package. Various armor configurations were observed.

   There is also a passive protection system with a laser detector. It triggers smoke grenade dischargers once the tank is illuminated by a laser beam. This system reduces the chance of being hit by anti-tank missiles with laser guidance.

   This new Chinese tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 105 mm rifled gun. It is compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition. The gun it has got an automatic bustle-mounted ammunition loading system, which allowed to reduce the crew to 3 men. Also smaller crew allowed to reduce overall dimension of the tank, making it a smaller target on the battlefield. The VT5 has got an effective firing range of 3 km. With APFSDS round can penetrate up to 500 mm of rolled homogenous armor. Such penetration capabilities are not sufficient to defeat modern main battle tanks over the front arc. However the VT5 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 hit probability of over 90% against stationary targets. Furthermore the missiles have tandem HEAT warheads and pose serious threat to main battle tanks, and can even target low-flying helicopters. Also there are ordinary HEAT and HE rounds for use against light armored vehicles, buildings and field fortifications.

   A total of 38 rounds and missiles are carried for the main gun. Spent cases are automatically ejected via a hatch at the rear of the turret.

   Secondary armament consists of a remotely-controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. There is also a provision for coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.

   The VT5 has got a modern fire control system. It includes laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, wind sensor, gunner's thermal sight and commander's panoramic sight with thermal vision. Thermal vision allows to engage targets at night and during adverse weather conditions.

   This light tank has got a hunter-killer engagement capability, which is present on all modern main battle tanks. Commander uses his panoramic sight to search for targets. Once the target is selected the gun is laid on the target automatically and the gunner completes al the aiming and firing process. During that time commander looks for the next target.

   The tank is fitted with a navigation, satellite communication and battlefield management systems.

   The VT5 is operated by a crew of 3, including commander, gunner, and driver. Crew seating is standard for modern tanks. The driver is seated at the center of the hull. Commander and gunner are seated in the turret.

   This new Chinese tank is powered by an FX0012 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. The engine is mounted at the rear of the hull. It is mated to a fully-automatic transmission. The VT5 is a very nimble vehicle. The tank has got steel tracks with optional rubber pads. Maximum range on fuel is 450 km, though it can be extended to around 650 km by mounting external fuel tanks.