Tank force chinese tanks12/22/2023 The PLAGF has also introduced a new ‘light’ battle tank into service alsof from Norinco and known as the Type15, or ZTQ-15 (export designation: VT5). Technical challenges persist and how far this is to becoming an operational capability remains buried in secrecy. China appears to be replicating efforts elsewhere to introduce unmanned combat vehicles in an effort to boost combat mass of armoured formations, as well as reduce the danger for manned operators. Rather than scrap its fleet of Type59s completely, the PLA is now looking at roboticising a number of vehicles. According to local reports, the upgraded Type-96B will now be the main focus for the PLAGF, with limited fielding of the more capable and sophisticated Type-99 due to higher procurement and sustainment costs. Its more modern inventory includes the First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory manufactured Type-96 (ZTZ-96) and Type 96A - numbering over 2,000 according to the state-run China Daily - along with approximately 600 newer China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) Type-99 (ZTZ-99) and Type-99A.Ĭhina’s significant investment in developing a ‘blue water’ navy and advanced stealth aircraft for its air force have clearly taken some focus - and consequently resources - away from developing its land forces. While this number is significant, much of the PLAGF’s inventory is made up of the antiquated Type 59 MBTs, a license produced version of the Soviet T-54. The Pentagon estimates China’s total MBT inventory at 5,800. “Lower level changes are also simultaneously occurring within the PLA, including an ongoing increase in the size of tank platoons from three to four tanks,” noted the DoD assessment. In recent years, the PLAGF has restructured as part of its modernisation with each group army (equivalent to a US Army Corp) now including six combined arms brigades, serving as the service’s primary manoeuvre force. The US Department of Defense’s (DoD) most recent Chinese military assessment, Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2019 (May 2019), noted that production capacity is advancing in nearly every land category, including APCs, assault vehicles, air defence artillery systems, ground artillery systems and main and light armoured vehicles. WIth the largest defence budget in Asia, the People’s Liberation Army Ground Forces (PLAGF) continues to rapidly develop its land capabilities. Today, however, the uncertain security environment, and the return to great power competition between states, has seen a renewed interest in the capabilities of MBTs. MBT numbers have reduced significantly since the end of the Cold War, particularly during the early 2000s when conflict against non-state actors was in vogue. The MBT represents the pinnacle of firepower, mobility and protection - usually having all three in abundance. While much has been made of their operational irrelevancy in recent years, main battle tanks (MBTs) remain the premier armoured vehicle capability for most land forces. While the replacement of old MBTs for new on a 1-to-1 basis is unlikely, Asian governments are seeking new or modernised armour to keep ‘a heavy punch’ available if needed. Steel Gauntlets - Asia's Tank Force Reviewed Asian Military Review | August/September 2019
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