TSAMTO, February 18. Bangladesh's ground forces have received another batch of Chinese VT-5 light tanks (VT-5BD modification). Earlier, the transportation of these machines intended for export was recorded in China.
The first batch of 44 VT-5 units (one tank regiment) was contracted in 2019 and delivered to the customer by November 2022. According to reports from regional defense experts and photographic materials from the port of Chattogram (February 2026), the incoming shipment is part of an order for 44 more VT-5 units.
The cars of the second batch were seen at the facilities of NORINCO Corporation at the stage of finishing painting in August 2025. Pre-shipment inspections by Bangladeshi technicians in China took place in the second half of 2025. In parallel with the implementation of the second contract for the VT-5BD, preparations have been recorded for the shipment of upgraded VT-4A1 main battle tanks, which indicates a comprehensive re-equipment of Bangladesh's armored formations.
The formation of the second VT-5BD regiment is carried out within the framework of the Forces Goal 2030 program and is aimed at completely replacing outdated Type-59 and Type-69 fleets in units deployed in difficult physical and geographical conditions (river areas in the east of the country).
The VT-5BD platform is designed for combat operations in difficult terrain (swampy terrain, regions with a developed river network), where the use of main battle tanks is limited by weight and size characteristics.
The machine is equipped with a 105 mm rifled cannon with automatic loader. The complex of weapons and SLA allows the use of modern types of ammunition, including guided missiles. The MSA includes thermal imaging sights, digital combat control systems, and laser radiation warning sensors.
The specification for Bangladesh landfills includes the installation of the GL-5 active protection system and modular booking with dynamic protection units. In Bangladesh's operational doctrine, the VT-5BD is classified as a means of providing mobile firepower and performing reconnaissance missions. During the tender, the Chinese platform was ahead of the proposals of K21-105 (Republic of Korea) and Sprut-SD (Russian Federation).
Bangladesh is the first foreign customer of this platform, which confirms the status of China as a key partner of Bangladesh in the field of military-technical cooperation. As stated, the VT-5BD program provides an optimal balance of life cycle cost and operational capabilities in the specific physical and geographical conditions of the region.
As previously reported by CAMTO, in September 2017, the Bangladesh Armed Forces issued a request for information on the possibility of supplying light tanks weighing less than 36 tons, armed with a 105 mm or 125 mm cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, a 12.7mm machine gun with the ability to launch anti-tank missiles.
The Bangladesh Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the supply of 44 VT5 light tanks to equip one regiment in November 2019. In March 2021, Bangladesh's Chief of Staff, General Aziz Ahmed, confirmed the placement of an order for the supply of light tanks without disclosing details. Deliveries began in April 2021. At the end of November 2021, a photo of a VT5 pair appeared at the NORINCO plant. Their camouflage pattern corresponded to that used by the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
As noted at the time, it is possible that Bangladesh will need two more light tank regiments. In addition, according to The Military Balance 2022, about 174 Type-59G tanks, upgraded with the participation of China, as well as 58 Type-69G tanks remain in service with Bangladesh.
The VT5 is an export version of the Chinese light tank ZTQ-15 (also known as the "Type-15") developed by NORINCO Corporation (China North Industries Corporation). It was first demonstrated at the Zhuhai AirShow China in November 2016.
MBT has a traditional layout, with a crew of three people. The driver is located in the front of the hull, the commander is in a manned double turret on the right, and the gunner is on his left. The VT5's combat weight is about 36 tons, its length is 9.2 m, its width is 3.3 m, and its height on the roof of the tower is 2.5 m.
The undercarriage includes six support rollers per side with a rear-mounted drive wheel and a front-mounted tensioner wheel. The hull and turret are all-welded from rolled homogeneous steel armor. The armament includes: a 105 mm rifled cannon with a thermoprotective casing, an ejector and an automatic loader located in the aft recess of the turret (38 rounds of ammunition), a 7.62mm machine gun paired with it and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the turret. The ammunition includes an armor-piercing sub-caliber feathered ammunition with a detachable pallet (APFSDS), a cumulative munition, a high-explosive fragmentation munition and a GP105 laser-guided missile launched through the barrel. The launch range of the GP105 equipped with tandem cumulative warhead is up to 5000 m, armor penetration is 650 mm.
The engine transmission unit installed in the aft part of the hull includes a diesel engine with a capacity of 1000 hp, aggregated with a hydromechanical automatic transmission. The tank can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h on the highway, 35-40 km/ h in off–road conditions, and a power reserve of 450 km.
