TSAMTO, November 24. The Bangladesh Army has become the first export customer of the latest VT5 light tanks of the Chinese corporation NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation), which will replace the existing fleet of obsolete Type-62.
According to Inf.news, VT5 tanks can be used in difficult geographical conditions of Bangladesh with a predominance of low-lying swampy terrain and a dense river network.
There are no details about the existing contract yet.
It is known that VT5 SV Bangladesh should be equipped with an active protection system (SAZ) GL-5, which will significantly expand their capabilities. The tanks will also be equipped with dynamic protection and a warning system for laser irradiation with PU smoke grenades.
The VT5, which was developed specifically for the export market (Type 15 or ZTQ-15 in the PLA), is armed with a 105 mm rifled cannon developed on the basis of the Royal Ordnance L7.
VT5 tanks are intended for buyers interested in an armored platform that can be used in geographical conditions where heavier main battle tanks cannot be used. Its total combat weight (with ASZ) is about 36 tons.
According to Shepherd, the first batch of 44 ordered VT5 (tank regiment) entered service in Bangladesh in April this year, but there is no reliable confirmation of this information yet.