The GL5 is very, very old... A product during the 3rd gen tank development program (first prototype in 1994) but wasn't qualified enough to be installed on the 99, so it was turned for export. Newer APS are under development (that's for sure) and have made certain breakthroughs recently.
ZTQ-15 and PRC Light Tanks
- Thread starter by78
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Any hints what sort of breakthroughs?
Hi RichardGao
Can I add Is there any new breakthrough in Optic, thermal , gun and engine?
No idea.
What do you mean "breakthrough", is it research frontier or simply new gear to be put in service?Can I add Is there any new breakthrough in Optic, thermal , gun and engine?
Sorry , both if you can share to us your info. thanks
Type 15s aren't designed to take on T-90s because the T-90s are MBTs while ZTQ-15s are light tanks for mountain regions and swamps.
On the other hand, the issue is more how to conduct reconnaissance? Conventional MBTs can do recon-by-force because they're well-armored and well-protected so that if they get ambushed, the tanks are unlikely to get routed. Drone reconnaissance is good, since drones are cheap and disposable, but copter reconnaissance by Z-19s and Z-10s are going to end up meeting MANPADS and getting slaughtered. Type-15s, on the other hand, are more limited to being infantry support tanks because of their inability to knock out a T-90 in a fair fight.
Moreover, if you want to do deep penetration into Indian lines, the only tank that can actually get there would be the ZTQ-15, and when you set them up as requiring Z-10 and Z-19 support to take out T-90s, both the ZTQ-15 and helicopters are vulnerable in the assault role.
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I'm not bashing the ZTQ-15 as a bad tank, for what it provides (extreme high-altitude mobility, excellent infantry support functions), but it would be better if it had more robust anti-tank capability. As others have suggested, fire-and-forget top-attack gun-launched ATGMs would allow it to contest T-90s successfully without requiring Z-10s to do the tankbusting for it. We just have no indication that Norinco et al have developed such a missile.
On the other hand, the issue is more how to conduct reconnaissance? Conventional MBTs can do recon-by-force because they're well-armored and well-protected so that if they get ambushed, the tanks are unlikely to get routed. Drone reconnaissance is good, since drones are cheap and disposable, but copter reconnaissance by Z-19s and Z-10s are going to end up meeting MANPADS and getting slaughtered. Type-15s, on the other hand, are more limited to being infantry support tanks because of their inability to knock out a T-90 in a fair fight.
Moreover, if you want to do deep penetration into Indian lines, the only tank that can actually get there would be the ZTQ-15, and when you set them up as requiring Z-10 and Z-19 support to take out T-90s, both the ZTQ-15 and helicopters are vulnerable in the assault role.
***
I'm not bashing the ZTQ-15 as a bad tank, for what it provides (extreme high-altitude mobility, excellent infantry support functions), but it would be better if it had more robust anti-tank capability. As others have suggested, fire-and-forget top-attack gun-launched ATGMs would allow it to contest T-90s successfully without requiring Z-10s to do the tankbusting for it. We just have no indication that Norinco et al have developed such a missile.
SteelBird
Colonel
So, at this point is it safe to say that ZTQ-15 has no APS?
Definitely not the Type 99 or Type 96 and the breach looks smaller than a 125mm while still looks like it belongs to a tank rather than an IFV with some gun on top. So yeah 99% sure it's the Type 15. Nice find!
No there isn't.