Chinese Type 15 Lightweight Tanks Will be blasted to smithereens by Mighty Indian T90s : No one Should have any doubts
Indian and Chinese forces are now positioned face to face in Eastern Ladakh and build up is taking place from both the sides. According to Global Times, Type 15 lightweight tanks of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been engaged in military drills in a low-temperature mountainous plateau region.
An infantry battalion at the PLA Tibet Military Region organized the infantry-tank cooperation drills at an “undisclosed location” at an elevation of more than 4,700 meters, putting the troops’ teamwork and rapid-response capabilities to a comprehensive test.
The Type 15 lightweight tank is highly agile even on plateaus, a type of terrain which heavy tanks can struggle in due to the lack of oxygen to support the engine; any lesser armoured vehicle that can operate on plateaus are no threat to the Type 15. This means that the Type 15 is basically more maneuverable.
The Type 15 is a 33-ton tank weighs around half as much as a typical MBT. However Its armour is thinner and it carries a 105-millimeter gun rather than the 120- or 125-millimeter cannons that many heavier tanks carry. This light build makes it more nimble for high-altitude operations like Ladakh.
However these light tanks may inconvenience the Indian Infantry, they stand no chance against the Indian Armour already stationed there.
India had first moved tanks to capture the Zozi La pass in 1948 itself under the famous Rajender Singh Sparrow. Next it had moved and stationed some light tanks near Chusul in 1962. However the Chinese failed to move ahead of REZANGLA to face these tanks.
Then in 1987 during OP TRIDENT, India moved a battalion of Mechanized infantry followed by a squadron of T72 tanks. After raising of HQ14 Corps, there has been further consolidation. Today there is an entire armoured brigade stationed in the Corps Zone. Now even the super T90 s are deployed there. These Russian-designed T-72 and heavyweight T-90 tanks are fully capable of operating in the cold temperatures Ladhak plateau.
The recent clashes between India and China in Galwan Valley has put the defence forces of both the nations on high alert. Military deployment in and around Ladakh has drastically increased and both nations have deployed their latest defence war machinery including drones, figter jets, artilleries and main battle tanks.
India has deployed the T-90 ‘Bhisma tanks’ in Ladakh along with fighter jets and helicopters from the Indian Air Force. The T-90 Bhisma tanks are considered one of the deadliest tanks in the world with the capability to deal with biological and chemical weapons.
The Indian Ministry of Defence has placed a $2.8bn contract with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to licence-build 464 additional T-90S tanks at its heavy vehicle factory (HVF), Avadi, for the Indian Army. They are scheduled for delivery later this year.
Recently, the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the procurement and signed a contract with M/s Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for procurement of 1,512 Mine Plough (MP) for Tank T-90 S/SK at an approximate cost of Rs 557 crore.
Mine ploughs are mounted on tanks and help clear minefields allowing the tanks to manoeuvre freely and minimises risks to men and machines. The decision comes amid the hostilities with China. The T-90 tanks have been deployed in Ladakh as part of Indian Army’s enhanced deployment at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A report in a tabloid called Eurasian Times says that swift deployment of Chinese Type 15 tanks has confounded the Indian Army so much that
government of India has given its green light to the Indian army for emergency procurement of lightweight tanks similar to Chinese Type 15 tanks that the Chinese PLA recently deployed in Eastern Ladakh.
Yes, these lightweight tanks had been asked for by the Indian Army for deployment in some of the narrow valleys along with infantry because unlike China, India doesn’t have an elaborate road network along the border and heavy tanks like T-90 are difficult to transport and manage at high altitude regions.
A detailed study by Centre for Joint Warfare Studies recommended the reintroduction of light tanks. It has suggested that light tanks would add to the credible deterrence posture and war-fighting capability on the northern front where medium-category tanks cannot reach. He has also suggested that these new tanks be made in India.
However till the light tanks, the Indian infantry will take on the Chinese light tanks with their anti tank missiles. Also these Chinese light tanks will be blown to smithereens, if they happen to come in the sights of the T90. No wonder it has been named as BHISMA.
