China Lists Weapons to be Used in Border Conflict with India

Chinese State-owned media has listed tanks, howitzers, Helicopters and other weapons to be used in a potential border conflict with India.

“Since the Doklam standoff with India in 2017, the Chinese military has expanded its arsenal with weapons like the Type 15 tank, Z-20 helicopter and Wing Loong II (GJ-2) combat drone that should give China the advantage in high-altitude conflicts should they arise,” Chinese military analysts were quoted as saying by Global Times on Sunday.

At last year’s edition of National Day parade, China unveiled a new 30-ton Type 15 tank and a 25-ton PCL-181 vehicle-mounter howitzer. Both of these latest Chinese military equipment were spotted in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region in January, very close to India’s Ladakh.

“With its advanced fire control systems and 105 millimeter caliber armor-piercing main gun, the Type 15 lightweight tank can outgun any other light armored vehicles at high elevations,” experts claim.

The PCL-181 can fire a variety of armaments including laser-guided projectiles and satellite-guided artillery shells with a maximum range of 50km. It can carry 27 rounds of ammunition and 15 barrels of propellant, according to reports in the Chinese media.

At 25 tons, the PCL-181 is lighter, faster and can endure longer than the previous 40-ton self-propelled howitzer on crawler tracks. It can digitally deploy its gun at the press of a button, with automatic calibration and semi-automatic reloading.

During the October 1 parade, China’s new multiple-rocket launcher system also made its debut. The weapon uses an 8x8 wheeled high-mobility chassis and carries two sets of four 370-millimeter rockets, making it viable for high-altitude deployment.