Overview
The Type 15 is designed to fulfill the requirement for a lighter, more mobile modern tank that can effectively operate in highland/plateau, woodland and water-rich regions where the heavier Type 99 and Type 96 main battle tanks might have difficulties traversing.[2][6]
In high altitude regions like Tibet, the air becomes thin and engines start to lose power. Heavily armored vehicles such as the T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks will have difficulty traversing in the hypoxic environment, but the Type-15 light tank can operate at high altitudes with its powerful engine and oxygen generators. The Type-15 is also much more mobile than heavier main battle tanks due to its light weight and high power-to-weight ratio.[2]
Armament
The Type 15 light tank features a fully stabilized 105 mm rifled gun, which is reportedly superior to the old ZPL-94 105 mm rifled gun fitted on the Type 88 and Type 59 tanks. It is reported that the main gun has an effective firing range of 3 km and is compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition.[7][8] The sustained fire rate is supported by a bustle-mounted autoloader system, which reduces the crew to 3. The Type 15 tank can hold 38 rounds of various 105 mm shells.[2]
The ammunition selections include APFSDS, HEAT and HE (High explosive) rounds and gun-launched ATGM. APFSDS and HEAT rounds are used against enemy armor while HE rounds are used against enemy infantry positions, light/non-armored vehicles, buildings, and field fortifications. The APFSDS
Electronics
Type 15 features modern sensory and fire control systems, including laser rangefinder, advanced ballistic computer, meteorological sensors, gunner thermal imaging sight, millimeter-wave radar,[12] and commander's panoramic sight. The fire control system supports automatic target tracking, hunter-killer capabilities, and commander takeover.[2]
Other equipment includes air conditioning system, oxygen-production equipment for the crew,[13] command and control equipment, battlefield management system, and navigation suite fitted with both inertial navigation system (INS) and satellite navigation system.[7][2][8]
Protection
Unlike previous Chinese tanks with carousel-style autoloader, the ammunition in Type 15 is retrieved from a tail autoloader[14] with blowout panels. The ammunition is stored in the turret bustle for improved safety.[14][8]
The Type 15 tank features two sets of armor packages providing different tactical mobility.[6] Standard armor package features steel armor protection with additional layers of advanced composite armor panels covering the tank turret, hull, and two sides, with additional lightweight explosive reactive armor blocks protecting the front hull. The enhanced package features thicker explosive reactive armor (ERA) blocks, in addition to the composite armor panels underneath, covering the whole tank turret and hull.[15] ERA mounted armor-skirt[16]
Mobility
The Type 15 is powered by a 1,000 hp (746 kW) electronically controlled diesel engine, with hydro-mechanical full automatic transmission.[6] The tank is also capable of neutral steering and features hydropneumatic suspension.[6]
Due to its lighter weight, the Type 15 tank can be more easily airlifted. Xi'an Y-20 transport planes can only carry one Type 99 tank but can carry up to two Type 15 tanks and achieve long-range deployment of 7,800 kilometers.[22] ZTQ-15 can also be paradropped by the transport aircraft.[2]
