General Raheel Shareef in front of Altay Tank

I hope people wont start quoting this as "Pakistan signs deal for ALTAY MBT"

This sure looks a great system. Unfortunately there were some issues so there is almost NO chance for PA going for this tank. The best solution for us would be to get ToT for different parts and make a customized one for our self. This wont only be great for the current MBT procurement but will be beneficial for the future as well.

General Raheel was Also standing in front of Aster 30 Sam System but no deal was done just a Photo Session

Muhammad Omar said:

General Raheel was Also standing in front of Aster 30 Sam System but no deal was done just a Photo Session

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Aster 30 is being discussed with Italy. So it wasn't just a photo session. As for Altay I hope to see it in Pakistani colors but till now no discussions are taking place

Arsalan said:

I hope people wont start quoting this as "Pakistan signs deal for ALTAY MBT"

This sure looks a great system. Unfortunately there were some issues so there is almost NO chance for PA going for this tank. The best solution for us would be to get ToT for different parts and make a customized one for our self. This wont only be great for the current MBT procurement but will be beneficial for the future as well.

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@Arsalan, In your opinion, are best MBT options for Pakistan?

Press Release
No PR195/2016-ISPR Dated: May 30, 2016
Rawalpindi - May 30, 2016:
COAS arrives Turkey today on an official visit to witness joint exercises being conducted near city of Izmir. The Exercise will be conducted in two phases, i.e tonight and tomorrow day, and he will witness both phases.

graphican said:

@Arsalan, In your opinion, are best MBT options for Pakistan?

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The best MBT option for Pakistan would be to make our own customized version with the help of TOT of different parts from Turkey's Altay and China's MBT 3000 tanks, like we did with Al-Khalid in the past.

Zarvan said:

Aster 30 is being discussed with Italy. So it wasn't just a photo session. As for Altay I hope to see it in Pakistani colors but till now no discussions are taking place

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We did looked at it and there are some problems and that is why that chapter was closed for good.
Little bit unfortunate but true.

graphican said:

@Arsalan, In your opinion, are best MBT options for Pakistan?

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As i mentioned, it would be in our best interest to go for customization. Instead of choosing a MBT choose sub systems, put them together and make a tank that best suites our needs. We have worked on AK and AK-1 project along with Al Zarar upgrades for long enough that this project wont pose many technical difficulties. The costs involved wont surpass those involved in selecting and buying a MBT from one source. The Ukrainians have an excellent engine to offer in KMDB 6TD-2 (a 1500hp variant wont be impossible either)], the body can be designed and developed based on VT-4 or type 99A. Design the command and control and battle systems based on the C4 with Turkish/Chinese help to improve on that. Same for sights and other sub systems, may even consider French or Italian systems here. The Ukrainians also have some good APS to look at. ERA can be researched or developed, Chinese Russians or Ukraine can be of assistance.

The MAIN benefit of this, as we (myself and @Quwa ) discussed in another thread a few days back (here is a link to that thread in case you are interested in details: https://defence.pk/threads/pas-new-haider-mbt-is-the-t99a-type-99-mbt.397187/page-11) would be that we may well pursue something along the lines of "Universal Combat Platform". That engine along with that main body/chassis can be the platform for the next generation of our APS, IFV, Recovery and engineer vehicles etc. That is what the Russian Armata is all about, it is one of the main advantages of that system, the commonality of platform across a wide spectrum of battle field applications. Nothing will come close to such a venture if we are to under take this as far as long term benefits are concerned. Also it is not that difficult to execute financially or technically. What it needs most is honest and devoted working and good persuasion on part of concerned government authorities so that the procurement go on with out a glitch.

Zarvan said:

Aster 30 is being discussed with Italy. So it wasn't just a photo session. As for Altay I hope to see it in Pakistani colors but till now no discussions are taking place

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Hmm Discussions ok we will wait for the next news.

Isn't Altay to Heavy for Pakistan??

Muhammad Omar said:

Hmm Discussions ok we will wait for the next news.

Isn't Altay to Heavy for Pakistan??

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Well yes for our trains but not for terrain. And Train issue can be resolved. @Arsalan If you are talking about Aster 30 chapter being closed than you are wrong on that. We are discussing Aster 30 with Italy.

Zarvan said:

Well yes for our trains but not for terrain. And Train issue can be resolved.

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both, AND more!!
Plus even if you consider this one aspect, resolving train issue will cost much more then a handful of other possible solutions to this issue will. Impractical.

@Arsalan If you are talking about Aster 30 chapter being closed than you are wrong on that. We are discussing Aster 30 with Italy.

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I was talking about the MBT and i am not so sure about ASTER either because there were some other options available that are traditionally more attractive to us. The Aster interest was about an year ago.

One very important and basic thing that our members often fail to understand that every interest and even evaluation do not necessarily mean that we are even considering to BUY that system. There are a lot of other things at play.

@Arsalan We are keeping an eye on Altay but till now it's not seriously being considered but you never know when things change

Muhammad Omar said:

General Raheel was Also standing in front of Aster 30 Sam System but no deal was done just a Photo Session

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But why is he always so serious? Never seen him smile!

Zarvan said:

View attachment 308054
@Arsalan We are keeping an eye on Altay but till now it's not seriously being considered but you never know when things change

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we "were"....

Subsystems at best and that too not under consideration for now.

OrionHunter said:

But why is he always so serious? Never seen him smile!

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Aur kuch hmaray laik

He do smile when he gets time from leading the army in killing those TTP scums being funded and supported by God knows how many elements! That is a tough job!!

I better scoot from here before this intoxicating fanboyism engulfs me too . So what if he got his pic taken with a tank, is it really something to drool over? Mr Zarvan as usual using the words of 'facebook defence pages' as his source of "authentic" info.........BTW some of which are also claiming that Pakistan is negotiating for SU-35 and if not successful there then EuroFighter Tranche 3(I sincerly hope this one is true ) Oh i think i have already been afflicted