China Lists Weapons to be Used in Border Conflict with India
- Our Bureau
- 05:43 AM, June 1, 2020
- 142028
Z-8 transport helicopter
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.
Wing Loong II combat drone
“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.
PCL-181 vehicle-mounter howitzer
Bejing showcased Z-20 utility helicopter and modified Z-8G large transport helicopter in the same month.
The Z-20 medium-lift helicopter can adapt to all kinds of terrain and weather and can be used on missions including personnel and cargo transport, search and rescue and reconnaissance.
“The Z-20 can operate in oxygen-depleted plateaus thanks to its powerful homemade engine,” Chen Guang, vice general manager of Avicopter, the helicopter branch of state-run AVIC, told the Global Times previously.
Focusing on plateau operations, the Z-8G is the first of its kind in China and can take off from 4,500 meters above sea level with a ceiling higher than 6,000 meters.
“These specially designed weapons have boosted the Chinese military's combat capabilities in high-altitude regions, enabling it to better safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Chinese military analysts said, hinting at Sino-Indian border dispute.
The report stated that Chinese border defense troops “bolstered border control measures and made necessary moves in response to India's recent, illegal construction of defense facilities across the border into Chinese territory in the Galwan Valley region.”