The Type 15 tank has much better protection capability and manoeuvrability,' he was qouted as saying in the SCMP. He said they were using the Type 62 tank, which only has about 500 horsepower and an 85mm main gun.

Beijing-based military affairs commentator Song Zhongping said the PLA Marine Corps needed to upgrade some of its key equipment. Military analysts said the tank could be quickly deployed to sensitive regions such as Tibet and the plateau border area if a dispute broke out, the SCMP report said. China’s 3rd generation Main Battle Tank, the Type 99, is comparable to other 3rd. The Type 15 tank has a 1,000 horsepower engine which is significantly lighter than the PLA's other main battle tanks in service, and weighs about 32 to 35 tonnes, compared to the Type 99 tank, which weighs 54 to 58 tonnes, and the Type 96 one weighing about 42.8 tonnes, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The PLA armored corps comprises a mix of older, obsolete tanks and a variety of more modern tanks. Its main weapon is the 105 mm gun that can fire armour-piercing shells and launch guided missiles, it said. According to Chinese official media, the lightweight battle tank is equipped with a hydro-pneumatic suspension system that ensures good manoeuvrability and survivability in mountainous regions. Washington’s reported promise on 24 February to deliver a significant number of its own Abrams tanks appears to have broken the deadlock.Īn official US announcement on delivering Abrams is expected in the coming days.The relations between India and China as well as the militaries normalised this year with concerted efforts by both sides after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) halted the road construction.

Germany has tried to tie the supply of Leopards to a wider coalition that would supply other tanks, including US Abrams – a tank viewed by experts as being less suitable for the war in Ukraine because of its heavy consumption of fuel. The army of the Republic of China (the formal name for Taiwan) on paper possesses around 1,200 main battle tanks 480 American-made M-60A3s plus 450 CM-11s and 250 CM-12s. The supply of main battle tanks had been seen as problematic because of their much more obviously offensive capabilities. It prefers a multilateral approach on arms supply to Ukraine rather than being seen to be moving unilaterally.Īlthough Germany has supplied a large amount of equipment to Ukraine, including armoured cars, it has also been wrestling with its post-second world war tradition of anti-militarism. Germany’s position on sending heavy weaponry has been conflicted. Chart of Leopard 2 inventories of European and Nato countries Why the delay?

Chinese main battle tanks