China Upgrades Type 15 Tanks with Anti-Drone 'Cope Cages' to Counter India's Loitering Suicide Drones Along LAC
In an ongoing show of military preparedness, China has upgraded its Type 15 light tanks with "cope cages," a move that highlights the evolving dynamics of modern warfare along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. These prominent anti-drone defenses are specifically designed to counter the rising threat of India's expanding arsenal of loitering suicide drones.
The Type 15, also known as the ZTQ-15, is a lightweight tank designed for high-altitude and rugged terrains, making it ideal for deployment in the mountainous regions of the LAC. Weighing between 33 to 36 tons, it offers the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) a mobile, versatile option for areas where heavier main battle tanks (MBTs) would struggle. Its 105mm rifled gun allows it to fire both standard high-explosive rounds and anti-tank missiles, giving it an effective punch in a variety of combat situations. However, despite these capabilities, the tank’s comparatively thin armor makes it vulnerable to aerial attacks, particularly from modern drones.
In recent military drills conducted in October 2024, these upgraded Type 15 tanks were seen fitted with large metal cages, which have become commonly known as "cope cages" or "slat armor." These cage-like structures, mounted on the top, sides, and rear of the tank, are designed to pre-detonate incoming explosive projectiles like rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and, more importantly, loitering munitions. These suicide drones, capable of hovering in an area before diving onto a target, can be particularly dangerous, exploiting the thin upper armor of tanks that are generally vulnerable to vertical attacks.
India’s increasing reliance on loitering suicide drones, both domestic and imported, has played a significant role in pushing China towards this upgrade. These drones, designed to hover over battlefields and target tanks from above, present a serious threat to armored units. China’s adoption of cope cages is a strategic response to this growing challenge, adding a passive layer of defense to the active protection systems (APS) already in use on the Type 15. While APS is designed to intercept incoming missiles and RPGs through radar-guided countermeasures, cope cages provide a physical buffer to protect against drone strikes, particularly those with warheads that explode on contact.
The influence of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict can also be seen in this move. Russia’s own experience with widespread drone warfare has led to the increased use of such cage defenses on its tanks, particularly as drones have repeatedly proven effective at disabling even well-armored vehicles. Chinese military experts, including prominent analysts like Jesús Roman, have pointed out that the PLA's shift mirrors the global trend of beefing up tank defenses against these highly mobile, hard-to-detect aerial threats.
The use of cope cages on Type 15 tanks is particularly crucial given the ongoing tensions between India and China along the LAC, a region that has seen numerous military standoffs and skirmishes in recent years. Since the deadly clashes in 2020, both nations have ramped up their military presence and defenses in the area. The addition of these cages reflects China’s recognition that future conflicts in this border region could involve an array of modern threats, including India's drone capabilities.
China’s Western Theater Command, which oversees military operations in Tibet and Xinjiang, has been actively testing these upgraded Type 15 tanks in high-altitude exercises, preparing for potential combat scenarios in areas where drone warfare is expected to play a significant role. While China’s military is technologically advanced, these upgrades suggest that it is still very aware of its vulnerabilities to low-cost, high-efficiency threats like loitering munitions.
In this era of rapid advancements in drone technology, the cope cage upgrade for China's Type 15 tanks is just one example of how military strategies are evolving. As the situation along the LAC continues to simmer, both India and China are likely to explore further enhancements to their armored and aerial arsenals.
