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The saga and despair in making of Al Khalid Tank

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  • The saga and despair in making of Al Khalid Tank

    Pakistan's development of the Al Khalid began in 1988, and in January 1990 an agreement was reached with China to jointly design, develop and manufacture system. The design is an upgrade from the originaly failed T902M (also called MBT-2000 ) and work had been going on at China's NORINCO for some years. The Type 90 is an outgrowth of the Type 85 MBT design a varient of Soviet T-72. The initial Type 90 apparently did not meet the PLA's performance expectations during trials in China, and subsequently a major effort was initiated to improve the design, though neither designs have ever been fielded. Another failed attemt was launched called T-90-II. The Chinese ground army has not made any purchase orders and will not use the same tank when it does decide to buy a next-generation armored vehicle. Hence Type 90-II is also known as the MBT 2000 Pakistan is licenced to produce the Type 90-II under a contract signed in May 1990. Initial prototypes were produced in China and fielded for trials in August 1991.

    This failed out dtaed tank was called Al Khalid.

    The Al Khalid project ran into numerous problems, especially with its Chinese power pack. The western powerplants were very cosltly for cash strapped Pakistan and technology denials. Pakistan was finally forced to settle for Ukraine 1200-hp diesel engine. As revealed in latest press release from Pakistani sources, the engines overheated and caught fire. But the other problems remain. Since Pakistani and Chinese sources have not revealed what problems did the failed tank T-90-II had. Al Khalid naturally inherited same problems. If the problems were overcome Chinese army might have been interested in this too.

    In 2003 Another set back occured. In addition to the tank structural, mechanical and performance problems, the corruption in the procurement section led to a case in Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2 A 2LL,
    February 14 2003. There were fradulent deals. Powerpack and Hull arrival from Ukrain suffered another set back.

    The initial AL Khalid was a very basic tank. The crew confidence in the tank was low because of engine fires and other problems

    In August 2004 it was reported by Pakistani sources that the tank is now 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.

    The problem is the engines are still catching fires. Pakistan has to still a long way to go to find the solutions for the major problems faced by Al Khalid tank.

    According to a 2001 report, Pakistan planned to add another 300 indigenous Al-Khalid tanks to its armoured corps by 2007. Since 1991 prototype till 2004, there are no more than 100 tanks produced.

    Citing the religious closeness to some Islamic countries Pakistan has managed show some demonstrations. As per latest report pakistan has used german engines in Al Khalid for demondtration purposes. The inference is that the much hyped Ukranian engine are not upto the mark.

    Contrary to the claim the indegenious content in Al khalid is dismally low. Al Khalid gun and acessoriesis imported from china. Hull, Gear box and Powerpack is imported Ukrain. It also has some western equipment.

    As per an Pakistani analyst, The Al-Khalid, at 47 tons, is probably a decent tank for the Punjabi battlefield. General Musharraf claims that its 125-millimetre gun and fire control system are among the best in the world, but that may be just puffery.

    Globalsecurity
    Global Security
    Pakistan Link
    Article by Brigadier ® A. R. Siddiqi: "HIT: rebuild to manufacture
    Global Security
    Engine Problems reported
    pakistan observer
    Royal Courts of Justice, London
    FIDSNS

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