China’s PLA tests new battle tank in Tibet near Indian border

BEIJING: The Chinese military today said it has conducted trials of a new light weight battle tank in the remote Himalayan region of Tibet near the Indian border.

The 35-tonne tank has carried out trials in the plains of Tibet, People’s Liberation Army spokesman Col Wu Qian said at a media briefing here.

He was responding to questions about media reports that the PLA had carried out an exercise involving a new type of 35-tonne light weight tank in Tibet.

When asked whether it is targeted against India, the PLA spokesman said, “The purpose is to test the parameters of the equipment and is not targeted against any country.”

Though Wu did not provide details of the new light weight battle tank, Chinese news site Guancha recently reported that the PLA had tested the tank named Xinqingtan, in an area of Tibet near the Indian border. (AGENCIES)