The Type 15 (Chinese: 15式轻型坦克; pinyin: yīwǔ shì qīngxíng tǎnkè, also designated ZTQ-15), codenamed the Black Panther[4] (Chinese: 黑豹; pinyin: hēi bào), is a Chinese third generation light tank family operated by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps, and People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps.

[3][1] In high altitude regions like Tibet, the air becomes thin and engines start to lose power.

Type-15 is also much more mobile than heavier main battle tanks due to its light weight and high power-to-weight ratio.

It is reported that the main gun has an effective firing range of 3 km and is compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm tank ammunition.

[3] The ammunition selections include APFSDS, HEAT and HE (High explosive) rounds and gun-launched ATGM.

The APFSDS projectiles are capable of penetrating 500 mm (20 in) of armored steel at 2,000 metres (1.2 mi).

[3] To defeat well-protected opponents, the tank would use the 105 mm gun-launched ATGM with tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads, offering much higher penetration.

The fire control system supports automatic target tracking, hunter-killer capabilities, and commander takeover.

[15][9] The Type 15 tank features two sets of armor packages providing different tactical mobility.

[21] The Type 15 is powered by a 1,000 hp (746 kW) electronically controlled diesel engine, with hydro-mechanical full automatic transmission.

The main armament 105 mm rifled gun is improved with thermal sleeve and fume extractor system.