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Al-Zarrar tank

Pakistani Main battle tank From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The Al-Zarrar (Urdu: الضرار), is a second generation main battle tank (MBT), currently in the services of the Pakistan Army since 2004. The tank is named after Muslim warrior Zarrar bin Al-Azwar.[3]

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It is a highly upgraded version of Pakistan's ageing Chinese Type 59 tanks (a design that in turn was based on the Soviet T-54A from the mid-1950s), developed with Ukrainian assistance[1] and manufactured by the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) the hub of Pakistani tanks and tracked vehicles, featuring a 125 mm smoothbore gun as primary weapon.[3] The Al-Zarrar can achieve a maximum speed of 65 km (40 mi) per hour, weighs around 44 tons and has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader and driver.[1][4]

Although the upgrade program started in 1990 the Al-Zarrar did not enter military service with the Pakistan Army Armoured Corps until 2004, gradually replacing the Type 59s. It is the most plentiful tank in Pakistan's arsenal, with over 500 units in service[5] and an additional 600 Type-59s to be upgraded. Attempts were made to export the Al-Zarrar to the Bangladesh Army in 2008 to replace its massive fleet of Type 59 tanks through the technology transfer. However, Bangladesh Army later upgraded its Type-59 tanks to Type 59 Durjoy, Pakistan Army remained its sole operator.[6]

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History

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It was decided by the Pakistan Army that their inventory of Chinese origin Type 59 tanks was too large to be discarded and replaced, so a phased upgrade programme was started by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) in 1990.[3] The idea was to upgrade the firepower, mobility and protection of the Type 59 to allow it to compete on the modern battlefield at a fraction of the cost of a modern main battle tank (MBT). The first phase of the upgrade programme was completed in 1997. The second phase started in 1998 when HIT began development and testing of a new tank, a Type 59 re-built with over 50 modifications, resulting in three prototypes with slightly differing specifications (different fire-control systems, for example). Many systems originally developed for HIT's Al-Khalid MBT were incorporated. The prototypes underwent extensive testing by HIT and the Pakistan Army, who selected the final version of the tank, dubbed Al-Zarrar.

By mid 2004, it was expected that 50 AL-Zarrar tanks would be exported to other countries.[3] The Al-Zarrar is a modern MBT developed and manufactured by HIT of Pakistan for the Pakistan Army. An upgraded variant of the Chinese Type 59 tank, the Al-Zarrar is cost-effective modern replacement for the Type 59 fleet of the Pakistan Army. Equipped with modern armament, fire control and ballistic protection, the Al-Zarrar upgrade is also offered by HIT to the armies of foreign countries to upgrade their T-54/T-55 or Type 59 tanks to Al-Zarrar standard. 54 modifications made to the Type 59 make the Al-Zarrar effectively a new tank.[3][6]

The Al-Zarrar development programme started in 1990. HIT began mass production of Al-Zarrar on 6 May 2003 under a renowned project manager, Engineer Mahmood Khan. The first batch of 88 Al-Zarrars were delivered to the Pakistan Army on 26 February 2004 and General Pervez Musharraf attended the delivery ceremony.[7][4]

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Design

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Al-Zarrar MBTs of the Pakistan Army's 27th Cavalry regiment stationed at Kharian
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Al-Zarrar MBTs of the Pakistan Army's 27th Cavalry regiment stationed at Kharian

Armament and fire-control

Al-Zarrar's primary armament is a 125 mm smoothbore tank gun with an autofrettaged, chrome-plated gun barrel. It is a Chinese non-licensed clone of 2A46 capable of firing APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FS rounds as well as anti-tank guided missiles and a Pakistani DU (depleted uranium) round, the 125 mm Naiza. Naiza is capable of penetrating 550 mm of RHA armour at a distance of 2 km. The gun has a dual-axis stabilization system and thermal imaging sights integrated into the fire-control system for the commander and gunner, giving it enhanced night-time target acquisition capabilities. The image stabilized fire-control system includes a laser range-finder for accurate range information and ballistics computer to improve accuracy. An improved gun control system is also fitted.[3][7]

The secondary armament consists of an external 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the roof of the turret, which can be aimed and fired from inside the tank, and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.[3]

Mobility

The Al-Zarrar is powered by an upgraded version of the Type-59's original liquid-cooled 12-cylinder diesel engine, boosting the power output from 580 horsepower to 730 hp (540 kW) and torque output of 305 kg.m at 1300–1400 rpm. A combat weight of 40 tonnes gives Al-Zarrar a power-to-weight ratio of 18.3 hp/tonne and a top speed of 65 km/h. Crew comfort is improved over the Type 59 by a modified torsion bar suspension system.[4]

Protection

Al-Zarrar uses modular composite armour and explosive reactive armour to give improved protection from anti-tank missiles, mines and other weapons. The Pakistani ATCOP LTS-1 laser threat warning system is fitted to inform the tank crew if the tank is targeted by a laser range-finder or laser designator. Smoke grenade launchers are fitted to the sides of the turret. An automatic fire-extinguishing and explosion suppression system is installed to improve crew survivability.

Comparison against T-72

The Al-Zarrar is an upgraded version of the Chinese Type 59 tank, while the T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank. The Al-Zarrar was developed by Pakistan, incorporating improvements in firepower, protection, and fire control. The T-72, on the other hand, is known for its relatively simple design and widespread use, but it has also been criticized for vulnerabilities in its ammunition handling.

Al-Zarrar:

  • Origin: Developed by Pakistan as an upgrade to the Type 59 tank.
  • Key Features: Features a 125mm smoothbore gun, modular composite armor, laser threat warning system, and automatic fire suppression systems.
  • Purpose: Designed to replace Pakistan's aging Type 59 tank fleet.
  • Export Potential: Pakistan has offered the Al-Zarrar upgrade package to other countries for their T-54/T-55 or Type 59 tanks.

T-72:

  • Origin:
  • Designed by the Soviet Union and first produced in 1973.
  • Key Features:
  • Known for its relatively simple design, automated ammunition loading system, and widespread use by various countries.
  • Vulnerabilities:
  • The automated loading system places ammunition near the crew compartment, making it vulnerable to explosions from penetrating hits.
  • Modernization:
  • Some T-72s have been upgraded with features like composite armor and missile systems, but the core design remains relatively unchanged.

Comparison:

  • Firepower:
  • Both tanks are equipped with 125mm guns, but the Al-Zarrar's fire control system is considered more advanced.
  • Protection:
  • The Al-Zarrar features modular composite armor and other defensive systems, while the T-72's armor is generally considered less advanced.
  • Mobility:
  • The Al-Zarrar's mobility is comparable to the T-72, with a maximum speed of around 40 mph.
  • Vulnerabilities:
  • The T-72's automated ammunition loading system is a major vulnerability that the Al-Zarrar aims to mitigate with its improved protection.
  • Operational Costs:
  • T-72s are generally cheaper to operate and maintain than more advanced tanks
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Operators

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See also

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