Bangladesh Army Expands VT-5 Light Tank Fleet

Reading Time: 2 minutes The Bangladesh Army has continued to strengthen its armoured capabilities with the receipt of a new batch of Chinese-built VT-5 light tanks. Bangladesh operates only the VT-5 variant of China’s Type 15 platform, tailored to meet the country’s operational requirements. The first batch of VT-5 tanks was inducted in 2022, followed by the latest delivery further enhancing the Army’s mobility, firepower, and modern combat readiness. The VT-5 acquisition forms part of a broader modernisation programme designed to replace and upgrade Bangladesh’s ageing armoured fleet, which currently includes around 174 Type 59 main battle tanks and 88 Type 69-IIG tanks. While some of these legacy vehicles are being upgraded to extend service life, the VT-5s provide a new, highly mobile, and technologically advanced option for frontline units. VT-5: Mobility and Firepower for Challenging Terrain The VT-5 light tank, developed by China’s Norinco, is optimised for operations in