Posted on 06/30/2017 10:59:06 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
The new Chinese tank (Left) and India’s MBT T-90 (Right).
The Chinese military on Friday said it has conducted trials of a new light weight battle tank in the remote Himalayan region of Tibet near the Indian border.
The 35-tonne tank has carried out trials in the plains of Tibet, People's Liberation Army spokesman Col Wu Qian said at a media briefing here.
He was responding to questions about media reports that the PLA had carried out an exercise involving a new type of 35-tonne light weight tank in Tibet.
When asked whether it is targeted against India, the PLA spokesman said, "The purpose is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country." Though Wu did not provide details of the new light weight battle tank, Chinese news site Guancha recently reported that the PLA had tested the tank named Xinqingtan, in an area of Tibet near the Indian border.
Transcript of the Chinese Defence Ministry’s press conference.
An integrated brigade of the PLA in Tibet deployed an unidentified number of the new tanks, US-based United Press International news agency quoted the Chinese state-owned television network CCTV as saying.
Guancha stated the Xinqingtan's technology and firepower is "far more advanced" than the Russia-made T-90S tanks deployed by India.
The deployment of the tanks expands the Tibet-based unit and has increased their fighting power, the news site reported.
The Xinqingtan includes a 105-millimeter tank gun, a 35- millimeter grenade launcher and a 12.7-millimeter machine gun. The guns have already been adjusted to a high angle so that they are ready for mountain operations, the report said.
The tank is relatively light at 35-38 tons. It produces 1,000 horsepower on an 8V150-type engine, the report said.
Reminds me, somewhat, of the old Tiger.
“light main battle tank”
Is there such a thing?
the indian one reminds me a little of the abrams tank
Good on the plains of Tibet, worthless in the mountains.
The bottom of that T-90’s turret looks like a rocket and shell catcher.
I heard India is working on a new “one up China” tank.
The Chinse Tank to use an OL Bridh term, should, “BREW UP” Nicely.
There’s still a lot of bitterness over the 1962 conflict. India was largely routed, due to ill-prepared troops and treacherous exploitation of a supposed friendship by the Chinese. Tensions have ratcheted up in the Sikkim region. It’d be an interesting rematch.
I can see that. A lot of vertical or near vertical plate.
I have always wondered the purpose of the reverse angles at the base of some tank turrets. It seems you would want to make them blend into the hull to make rounds tend to glance up over the turret instead of lodging between turret and hull.
35-tons? That’s not going to cut it when your opponents MBT’s weigh-in at 60 tons on up to 70+ tons. It’s essentially a lightweight, sporty looking tank that probablY sacrifices protection to gain mobility & firepower (maybe).
The engine deck is higher than the sloped frontal armor. I suspect the gap beneath the front of the turret & the drivers hatch is necessary to clear the engine deck.
Reminds me of a Sheridan. A little heavier, but probably the same role — light recon.
IF that 60 ton MBT is present, sure, the lightweight would lose. No MBT at the battle site, this little one wipes up trucks and PC’s and ground troops. And it is hard to get a MBT up there.
Yes, and the main reason the Russians developed, and widely used, the PT-76 Amphibious Tank. Russia is laced with rivers & streams, and the ability to get firepower across a river without being reliant on capturing a bridge (or bringing one with you) is a major advantage. The PT-76, like our Sheridan, was dead meat if caught outside a prepared defensive position by an enemy MBT.
BTW, I’m guessing that this Chinese Tank may use advanced composite armor. So while it’s a light tank by mission & design, it’s probably considerably tougher to kill.
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