The Bangladesh Army is in negotiations with China for a new light amphibious tank for use in its riverine and coastal regions, having superior capabilities to existing platforms.
The new generation tank is said to be capable of operating in mountainous regions, participate in amphibious landings, and even operate in urban environments.
It is speculated the new tank will be equipped with a radar system for improving battlefield situational awareness, a remotely operated weapon station, and a more powerful engine, and self-defence capabilities by the way of modular armour and active protection systems.
Components from the VT-5 will be used for the new light amphibious tank, including the 105 mm rifled gun. The tank will have a maximum weight of around 40 tons, and a speed exceeding 80 km/h.
Several media outlets from neighbouring countries wrongly reported the Bangladesh Army is seeking to purchase Tulpar light tanks from Türkiye, however the VT-5 has been standardized to fulfil the requirements in the ‘light tank’ category.
The Bangladesh Army inducted the VT-5 light tank in November 2022.
According to Army Recognition, the VT-5 is a lightweight battle tank designed and manufactured by the Chinese defence company NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation). It was unveiled for the first to the public during the Zhuhai Air Show China in November 2016.
The main armament of the VT-5 consists of one 105 mm rifled gun with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor which has a maximum firing range of 3,000 m. The main gun is coupled to an automatic loading system. The tank carries a total of 38 rounds of 105mm ammunition which can include Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT), High Explosive (HE), and gun-launched anti-tank guided missile. The missile has a maximum range of 5,000m and is fitted with a tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead able to destroy armoured or tanks protected with reactive armuor (ERA).
The VT-5 has a crew of three including a driver, commander, and gunner. The hull and the turret of the VT-5 is made with all-welded steel armour which provides stand protection against the firing of small arms and shell splinters. To increase protection, the VT-5 can be equipped with advanced composite armour and/or explosive reactive armour (ERA).
The VT-5 light tank is motorized with a 1,000 hp electronically controlled diesel engine mounted at the rear of the hull. and coupled to a hydro-mechanical full automatic transmission with a pivot steering capability and a cooling system. It can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km/h, 35 to 40 km/h in off-road conditions with a maximum cruising range of 450 km.