Mai nai kha tha na
Can't wait for IDEAS 2014
But "upgraded Al-Khalid tank" was unveiled at IDEAS 2012 according to the below article:
Pakistan unveils upgraded Al-Khalid tank, APC
Gordon Arthur, Karachi, Pakistan - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
13 November 2012
An improved Al-Khalid main battle tank (MBT) and an upgraded armoured personnel carrier (APC) were among the armoured vehicles displayed by Pakistan's state-owned Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) at the seventh International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) in Karachi.
The Al-Khalid, a product of Chinese and Pakistani co-operation, is currently being marketed overseas by China as the MBT-2000 without Pakistani permission, an HIT spokesman told IHS Jane's . On 8 November HIT moved to close this loophole by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Al-Khalid exports with Chinese firm Norinco.
The MoU arranges for joint marketing and profit sharing between the two partners, as well as ongoing technology transfer.
An Al-Khalid main battle tank, the premium product of Heavy Industries Taxila, on display at IDEAS 2012. (Gordon Arthur)
(109 of 448 words)
Pakistan unveils upgraded Al-Khalid tank, APC - IHS Jane's 360
_________________________________________________________________________
In December 2012,
Pakistan, China sign contract for manufacturing Al-Khalid-I tank
PTI | December 31, 2012
ISLAMABAD: State-run companies of Pakistan and China today signed a contract for manufacturing the Al-Khalid-I tank, the latest version of the combat vehicle jointly developed by the two countries.
The Al-Khalid tank was developed in the 1990s and introduced in 2001.
The new version has improved capability and systems, an official statement said.
The contract for making the new tanks was signed by Pakistan's Heavy Industries Taxila and China's NORINCO at the Ministry of Defence Production.
The joint marketing of the Al-Khalid tank with China would open up potential markets, the statement said.
Pakistan, China sign contract for manufacturing Al-Khalid-I tank - Economic Times
_________________________________________________________________________
State-owned Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) makes Al-Zarrar and Al-Khalid MBTs in Pakistan. The 46-ton Al-Khalid entered service in 2001 and more than 300 are in Pakistan Army service. HIT manufactures around 20 Al-Khalids annually and the army is expected to eventually induct some 600 examples. A Ministry of Defence Procurement official told Defence Review Asia that an improved Al-Khalid I version is nearing induction, with key modifications including a more powerful diesel engine, better ammunition storage, enhanced fire control system (FCS), faster autoloader, Varta electro-optical jammer, improved command and control, and a Sagem thermal imager.
An Al-Khalid II is in early developmental stages as well, with redesigned turret, modular armour and 1,500hp power pack. Approximately 50 Chinese engineers are now in Pakistan working with HIT on various projects. The Al-Khalid is a license-built version of the Chinese MBT-2000, but HIT has been annoyed that China is marketing it without Pakistani permission. Thus, HIT signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Norinco at IDEAS 2012 in Karachi on 8 November regarding Al-Khalid exports. This MoU arranges for joint marketing, profit sharing and ongoing technology transfer. A HIT spokesman said potential Al-Khalid export markets are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. However, the company acknowledged sales in a competitive international arena are a very difficult prospect. HIT will not even try to market the less-capable Al-Zarrar as its technology is too outdated.
Excerpt from:
MAIN BATTLE TANKS IN ASIA | Asian Defence News Articles | Defence Review Asia
by: Gordon Arthur / Hong Kong (28 January 2013)
________________________________________________________________________
300+ as of January 2013
MAIN BATTLE TANKS IN ASIA | Asian Defence News Articles | Defence Review Asia
