Al-Khalid, Al-zarrar & APC's being handed over to the army

F

fieldmarshal

New Member
Army to get 88 Al-Khalid,Al-Zarrar tanks next month

Aroosa Alam

link http://www.pakobserver.net/200408/18/view/?page=1&id=5

Islamabad—The second batch of 44 Al-Khalid MBT and equal number of Al-Zarrar tanks will be handed over to Pakistan Army in the second week of September, well placed defence sources told Pakistan Observer. Besides handing over of two batches of Tanks, Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) is also proud of handing over of a larger number of APCs (Armoured Personnel Carrier) to various formations of Pakistan Army. These APCs amongst others include 250 Al-Talha APC s for troops transportation. Vice Chief of Army Staff General Mohammad Yousaf will hand over 44 Al-Khalids to the Guides Cavalry as his last prestigious and memorable engagement before his retirement in October. Guides Cavalry, one of the oldest, has a strong heritage and has produced many Chiefs for Pakistan Army. The first batch of Al-Khalid was handed over to 31st Cavalry.

The new batch of Al-Khalids is an improved version of the previous batch with a number of modifications mostly related to the greater survivability of the machine in the battle ground. The other vital feature of the upgraded Al-Khalid is Data-Link systems which allow the tanks to exchange data with each other and with the Command Center. These upgradations have been conducted by the HIT keeping in view the modern day war strategies. Al-Khalid is powered with a Ukrainian 6TDF diesel engine, has a 125 mm smooth bore gun and auto-loader coupled with a Western Fire Control System.
There are however some reports which strongly suggest that the new Batch of Al-Khalid has been produced on the prototype IV which was intended for export market. Saudi Arabia has emerged as biggest customer for this type of Al-Khalid and it is believed that a few pieces will soon be dispatched to Saudi Arabia for final trials.

The export version has been designed with western 120mm gun and Fire Control System. It is also fitted with a 1200hp German MTU-871/ TCM AVDs-1790 diesel engine coupled with an LSG-3000 transmission. Al-Khalid is also equipped with ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) to its hull and turret for improved battlefield survivability. ERA has been developed by NDC for HIT.

The Tank is also equipped with Crew Bay Explosion Detection and Suppression System to lend confidence to the crew in the battlefield. Engine Compartment Fire Detection and Extinguishing System makes Al-Khalid free of any possible engine fire caused by fuel leaks or overheating of the engine.

This system takes just few seconds to suppress the fire and temperature detection is rapid. Induction of new batch of Al-Khalid will certainly be an added jewel for Pakistan Army which remains under pressure due to its aging mechanized assets.

Sources said that a batch of Al-Zarrar will also be handed over to Pakistan Army in September. Al-Zarrar is upgraded version of T-59 and in last 12 years the tank has gone through three major upgradations.

It is believed that Al-Zarrar is now equipped with 730HP Engine and improved transmission, 125 smooth bore gun, semi automatic loading system, image stabilized fire control, thermal imager and improved gun control system, improved suspension and enhanced armour protection with explosive reactive armour. Sources said that a large number of APCs will also be handed over to various units and formations of Pakistan Army very soon. These APCs are equipped with anti-tank guided missiles. These also include Air Defence and Command vehicles.
 
P

P.A.F

New Member
thats good news. we should speed up the production so that the army is armed with pakistani weapons and not american. that way we don't need to rely on others that much ;)
 
P

P.A.F

New Member
something like that anyway. it might be the square type of armor you get on tanks. :? i'll let someone else answer that :p
 
A

adsH

New Member
Revival_786 said:
What is explosive reactive armor?

I'm guessing... does it "absorb" the energy of a blast in some way or form?
Click to expand...
it is a jacket of small charges that react on impact from Anti tank rounds they neutralize the Weapons capability to penetrate the armored hull, its replaceable so and cheap to make, but alot of research goes into the development of such armour.
 
A

adsH

New Member
production is very slow, i guess quality has precedence over quantity. the thing is that Saudi's want this tank but they want good a good one in large ammount and so HIT is working hard on quality. apparently they are using Approved western Standard Main Gun, western fire control computer and the Engine is german and supposedly very powerful. 1200 bhp for the weight of the tank is alot and i mean speed would not be a problem for this tank. it looking impressive now
 
S

Skygrasper

New Member
Is there any chance of some of those western systems, like the fire control computer being integerated onto Pakistani Al Khalids?
 
A

adsH

New Member
Skygrasper said:
Is there any chance of some of those western systems, like the fire control computer being integerated onto Pakistani Al Khalids?
Click to expand...
i think these 40 plus have them they are probably going to be used to evaluate the effectiveness. its possible that that Pak army may only purchase these kinds, since Ukraine was told not to selll the engines Russia asked Ukraine not to sell the engine. so it might be that Pak army is redeveloping the Al-khalid to make it more western orientated. the 120 mm gun might be to make it to a more Coalition standard. so there might be a market for Al Khalid i am guessing Turkey wants the Al Khalid and since turkey is Nato it would like to aquire weapons that are Nato standard.
 
S

Skygrasper

New Member
I doubt that Ukraine is slowing its sales such as engines to Pakistan. However, at the same time Germany is selling Pakistan important items such as engines, fire control systems, etc.

I don't know which is more reliable, the German or Ukrainian engine, the same applies to the fire control systems, 120mm gun, etc.
 
A

adsH

New Member
obviously the germans, thats why HIT chose to put NATO standard Systems on Export models. i reckon they should only use NATO standards on the Al khalids, it adds credibility and makes the Platform more marketable to other nations.
 
SABRE

SABRE

Super Moderator
Verified Defense Pro
I my self dint like tanks but once I saw how Israelis use them n how Tanks battled through in every gulf war I just started to like them. World Class tanks are what Pakistan needs and Al-Khalid and Al-Zarar are world class n it Pakistan who is making them. So its a Good work.

About the Explosive reactors: Isnt it the technolgy attached to our high level minister cars. It protects their cars from Bombs. Remeber attack on Shukat Aziz. The front of the car was destroyed but the back where Shukat Aziz was sitting only got few scratches n he got away with it.

Or is it some thing else?
 
A

Aussie Digger

Guest
Explosive reactive armour, (ERA) is designed to defeat anti-tank weapons, by producing a relatively large explosion that "overpowers" the incoming warhead, by exploding outwards immediately upon impact by a projectile. AFAIK it can only be used on already heavily armoured vehicles, due to the size of the explosion caused upon impact by an ATGW.

It is also for this reason, that tanks that are meant to operate in close combat with infantry can't use ERA due to the danger to the unprotected infantry.Early ERA versions were notoriously unreliable and were often able to be detonated by a sniper firing at the ERA, an unpleasant experience for the crew inside no doubt... There were also reports I read of the armour detonating simply because of the rough ride of the tank...

It is for this and other reasons, that ERA has generally been avoided on Western Tanks (with the notable exception of Israel). Western tanks designers have generally preferred composite "passive armour" due to it's better protection and the problems I have outlined. It IS a lot more expensive though and ERA has gotten a lot better recently though...

Tanks are good. The best anti-tank weapon is still another tank, and there is simply nothing else that can breach defences whilst standing up to the heavy fire that such an action inevitably draws... Light tanks, "wheeled" tank killers and APC's are all well and good, but they can't match a good main battle tank for sheer combat capability, something that people are starting to realise again after GW 1&2, Somalia (Blackhawk Down incident) and other battles.
 
A

adsH

New Member
Aussie Digger said:
It is for this and other reasons, that ERA has generally been avoided on Western something that people are starting to realise again after GW 1&2, Somalia (Blackhawk Down incident) and other battles.
Click to expand...
those were Pakistani Soldiers that were in the rescuing UN Tanks during the Black hawk down incident. when alot of the American Soldiers had to be Moved out of the City through APC
 
M

mysterious

New Member
Yeah! I always wonder, what would've been the case; had the Pakistanis not been there to help the Americans outta the red zone!! It surely have been similar to what General Garrison said at that time; 'If we dont get them out now, hundreds of caskets would be filled by morning'!!

P.S. My suggestion would be to watch the movie Black Hawk Down; gives a perfect account of what happened.
 
P

P.A.F

New Member
http://www.dawn.com/2004/09/24/top3.htm

Al-Khalid tank given to army

ISLAMABAD, Sept 23: Vice Chief of Army Staff, Gen Mohammad Yousuf Khan, on Thursday presided over a ceremony to equip the Guides Cavalry with state-of-the-art indigenously produced tank Al-Khalid - MBT-2000.

While handing over the tank, Gen Yousuf Khan praised the efforts made by the Heavy Industries Taxila chairman, Maj-Gen Israr Ahmed Ghumman, and others involved in the project of Al-Khalid Tank, including the defence production division of the ministry of defence.

He said the production of this tank was a landmark achievement. Al-Khalid tank is comparable with any modern tank of the world with an excellent power to weight ratio, enhanced firepower, high mobility, all-weather day and night capability, excellent protection and 125mm smooth gun.

The vice chief of the army staff emphasized the importance of learning all aspects of the new tank to optimize its potential in battle with regular maintenance to keep it battle ready at all times. He said the Guides Cavalry would in any future conflict attack with the same ferociousness as it had always done since its raising.

Armed with Al-Khalid tank, it would not only repeat its history but add new chapters in the annals of its glorious traditions. Another regiment of Al-Zarrar tank was also present in the ceremony along with other HIT products like Baktar Shikan Carrier - Maaz - command post vehicle - Sakb - and APCs - Talah.

Earlier, on his arrival at the HIT, Gen Yousuf Khan was received by HIT chairman Maj-Gen Israr Ahmed Ghumman. He also reviewed the parade and took the general salute. -APP
 
M

Mike Powell

New Member
Well, all I know is Al-Khalid tank is a version of the Chinese Type 98. And I really hope this tank can beat T-72 just like that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top