China holds mass tank readiness drill in Tibet
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) has conducted a large-scale maintenance drill featuring dozens of Type 15 light tanks, captured in recent imagery from the 54th Heavy Combined Arms Brigade, operating under the Tibet Military Region.
The footages—originally shared by defense observer Jesus Roman and other open-source analysts—show rows of Type 15 light tanks lined up on an open plateau at elevations above 4,500 meters, with snow-covered mountains in the background.
The exercise was held as part of an autumn equipment service session to inspect and maintain armored units deployed in extreme cold and high-altitude environments.
Also visible in the background are Type 04A infantry fighting vehicles and support trucks, suggesting the presence of additional combined-arms assets undergoing similar procedures. The footage and images are consistent with prior PLA logistics routines in Tibet, where high-altitude units require seasonal checks to ensure engine, fuel, sensor, and drivetrain performance under low-oxygen conditions.
The Type 15, manufactured by Norinco, is a lightweight tank optimized for mountainous and plateau operations. It is armed with a 105mm rifled gun and features modular armor, advanced fire control systems, and reduced weight for improved mobility in areas where heavier main battle tanks would be constrained.
Chinese military analysts have described the platform as a solution to terrain-specific challenges in the Western Theater Command, including rapid deployment and operations near the India-China border.
As noted in past reporting by Chinese state outlets, the 54th Brigade has been a frontline unit stationed across key sectors of Tibet, including near sensitive areas of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
