Saudia will purchase 300 AL-KHALID tank
- Thread starter super7fc1
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During President Hu's recent visit to the Kingdom, Arab News reported that the Chinese Government had proposed a significant security package as the PRC courts the World's largest oil producer.
I have since been able to talk to a few RSLF staff and they indicated that the package initially involved ground equipment for one of the RSLF's armoured brigades (probably the 4th Brigade at Tabuk) as well electronic border protection systems. Two specific systems that were mentioned have been the Type 98 MBT and PZL-45 SPH as well as other equipment. China has been eager to break into the Middle East defence market and Type 98 has been actively marketed throughout the region.
http://www.menewsline.com/sample.html
For a very brief hint on the defence deal, see the CNN link below.
www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/23/hu.saudi.reut/index.html?section=cnn_latest
But as for actual strong details, unsurprisingly I have yet to see anything in print and what I do know has come second hand. Still we should not be surprised by such deals, China wants oil and Saudi wants to engage with the economic powers in Asia and not be so "US-centric" as it has been. I don't think it will be long before more Sino-Saudi deals are in the making.
I have since been able to talk to a few RSLF staff and they indicated that the package initially involved ground equipment for one of the RSLF's armoured brigades (probably the 4th Brigade at Tabuk) as well electronic border protection systems. Two specific systems that were mentioned have been the Type 98 MBT and PZL-45 SPH as well as other equipment. China has been eager to break into the Middle East defence market and Type 98 has been actively marketed throughout the region.
http://www.menewsline.com/sample.html
For a very brief hint on the defence deal, see the CNN link below.
www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/23/hu.saudi.reut/index.html?section=cnn_latest
But as for actual strong details, unsurprisingly I have yet to see anything in print and what I do know has come second hand. Still we should not be surprised by such deals, China wants oil and Saudi wants to engage with the economic powers in Asia and not be so "US-centric" as it has been. I don't think it will be long before more Sino-Saudi deals are in the making.
Totally agree Big-E and in regards to the Al Khalid and Saudi, I am still a bit surprised the RSLF is even having a look. Especially when you consider other offers that are supposed to be on the table.
Al Khalid offers little in the way of superior performance to most current RSLF in-service tanks. Introducing a 4th MBT system will also further degrade a logistics chain that has enough problems copping with those MBT already in-service.
As I have said before however, this is a political buy rather than one of need or capability and I would not be surprised if these MBTs found their way to another friendly-Arab country very soon.
Al Khalid offers little in the way of superior performance to most current RSLF in-service tanks. Introducing a 4th MBT system will also further degrade a logistics chain that has enough problems copping with those MBT already in-service.
As I have said before however, this is a political buy rather than one of need or capability and I would not be surprised if these MBTs found their way to another friendly-Arab country very soon.
Yes it is surely better than the Arjun. Because the Arjun was a dismall faillure. The Al Khalid has passed it's trials on the track. The Arjun will be used for training only. Dumb....
But There are rumors that Turkey will co-produce the Al Khaled? Because 100 arms dealers went to Pakistan this month (may 2006). Turkey want's to create locally their MBT's and Germany refused to co-produce the Leopard-2A6 in 2000 and in 2003 they kissed our feets to sign. No way Germany, where were you when I need you? Go find out yourself...
But the Al-Khalid tank is not more than a modernized T-72. The armor is comparable the same and has the 2A46 125mm or at least a copy of it from China. The Al Khalid is from the Type-85II also known as the Type-85IIAP. It is slightly better than the original Type-85II served in the PRA. Big plus is the new turret armor and the 125mm SB gun. But when Turkey involves, it will gain more potential, because ASELSAN has a 3rd generation tank electronics. Like the Volkan upgrade for the Leopard-1A1's. If Turkey want to produce the Al Khalid á la Turkey (Type-85IITR)
, then the tank will armed with the 120mm SB gun from the Sabra tank and up armored with more armor.
But There are rumors that Turkey will co-produce the Al Khaled? Because 100 arms dealers went to Pakistan this month (may 2006). Turkey want's to create locally their MBT's and Germany refused to co-produce the Leopard-2A6 in 2000 and in 2003 they kissed our feets to sign. No way Germany, where were you when I need you? Go find out yourself...
But the Al-Khalid tank is not more than a modernized T-72. The armor is comparable the same and has the 2A46 125mm or at least a copy of it from China. The Al Khalid is from the Type-85II also known as the Type-85IIAP. It is slightly better than the original Type-85II served in the PRA. Big plus is the new turret armor and the 125mm SB gun. But when Turkey involves, it will gain more potential, because ASELSAN has a 3rd generation tank electronics. Like the Volkan upgrade for the Leopard-1A1's. If Turkey want to produce the Al Khalid á la Turkey (Type-85IITR)
, then the tank will armed with the 120mm SB gun from the Sabra tank and up armored with more armor.