Bangladesh Receives New Batch of Chinese VT-5 Light Tanks

Why It Matters

The expanded VT‑5 fleet boosts Bangladesh’s rapid‑reaction armored capability and underscores China’s growing influence in South Asian defence markets, potentially shifting regional force balances.

Key Takeaways

• New VT‑5 batch increases Bangladesh tank count
• VT‑5 equipped with 105 mm gun, modern fire control
• Light design suits riverine, soft‑ground terrain
• China solidifies role as Bangladesh's main arms supplier
• Improves Bangladesh's rapid‑reaction and reconnaissance capacity

Pulse Analysis

Bangladesh’s latest procurement of Chinese VT‑5 light tanks reflects a strategic shift toward lighter, more mobile armored platforms. The VT‑5, known internationally as the Type 15 export variant, combines a stabilized 105 mm cannon with digital fire‑control and thermal imaging, delivering firepower comparable to heavier main battle tanks while weighing far less. For a country with extensive river networks and limited infrastructure, such a vehicle offers the ability to cross bridges and traverse soft soils that would stall traditional MBTs, enhancing the army’s operational flexibility.

The deal also highlights China’s expanding defence export footprint in South Asia. Over the past decade, Beijing has become Bangladesh’s go‑to supplier for naval vessels, aircraft, and missile systems; the VT‑5 program adds a modern armored component at a price point lower than Western or Russian alternatives. This cost‑effective access to contemporary technology not only strengthens Dhaka’s military readiness but also deepens diplomatic and logistical ties with Beijing, giving China a strategic foothold in a region traditionally influenced by India and the United States.

From an operational perspective, the VT‑5’s blend of mobility, protection, and firepower positions it for reconnaissance, rapid‑reaction, and fire‑support missions rather than head‑on tank battles. Its modular armor and digital battlefield‑management system enable quick adaptation to evolving threats, while the 105 mm ammunition is capable of penetrating modern armor, including Russian‑designed T‑90s. As Bangladesh continues to expand its armored corps, the VT‑5 will likely serve as a bridge between legacy platforms and any future acquisition of heavier MBTs, shaping the army’s doctrine for years to come.

Bangladesh receives new batch of Chinese VT-5 light tanks

By Daisuke Sato · Feb 17 2026

Key Points

• Bangladesh received a new batch of Chinese VT‑5 light tanks, expanding an armored fleet that previously included one regiment of 44 vehicles.

• The VT‑5 platform adds mobile armored firepower equipped with 105 mm munitions as Bangladesh continues modernization with Chinese defense systems.

---

The Bangladesh Army has received a new batch of Chinese‑made VT‑5 light tanks, expanding its fleet after previously fielding one regiment equipped with 44 vehicles, according to reports from Bangladeshi media and regional defense observers.

The delivery represents the latest confirmed reinforcement of Bangladesh’s armored forces and follows earlier sightings of VT‑5 tanks photographed during transport inside China last year prior to export. The newly delivered vehicles are believed to join existing operational units already equipped with the platform.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, the VT‑5 light tanks are armed with modern Chinese 105 mm ammunition designed to penetrate heavily armored targets, including tanks comparable to the Russian‑designed T‑90 main battle tank. The reports state that the ammunition enhances the vehicle’s effectiveness against modern armored threats.

The VT‑5, also known as the Type 15 export variant, is a lightweight main battle tank developed by China primarily for export customers requiring armored mobility in difficult terrain. The system is designed for operations in environments where heavier tanks face logistical or mobility constraints, including riverine areas, soft ground, and regions with limited infrastructure.

The tank combines reduced weight with a stabilized 105 mm gun, modern fire‑control systems, and modular armor protection. Its configuration allows rapid maneuvering while maintaining sufficient firepower for engagements against armored vehicles and fortified positions. The platform is typically supported by digital battlefield‑management systems and thermal‑imaging sights to support day‑night operations.

Bangladeshi media reports claim the VT‑5 offers advantages in mobility, protection, and firepower compared with India’s T‑90 tanks, although such comparisons have not been independently verified. The T‑90 remains a heavier main battle tank with different operational roles, while the VT‑5 emphasizes mobility and deployment flexibility.

Operationally, light tanks such as the VT‑5 are often employed in reconnaissance, rapid‑reaction, and fire‑support roles rather than direct heavy‑armor confrontation. Their reduced weight allows deployment across bridges and terrain unsuitable for traditional main battle tanks, expanding maneuver options for commanders.

China has become a primary defense supplier to Bangladesh over the past decade, providing naval vessels, aircraft, armored vehicles, and missile systems. The VT‑5 program fits within this wider defense relationship, offering Bangladesh access to modern armored technology at lower acquisition and maintenance costs compared with heavier Western or Russian systems.