Al-Khalid is the Main Battle Tank of the Pakistan Army, and is produced by Heavy Industries Taxila. Based on the Chinese Type 90, the army plans to induct 600 of these by 2007.
Ukraine provided the 1200-hp model 6TD diesel engine, designed for desert and hot climates allowing it to withstand extremes of temperatures.
The tank has the capability of fighting at night as well as the ability to automatically track targets. It is a smaller tank than many of its contemporaries, with a crew complement of three. It also has state of the art automatic fire extinguishing and explosion suppression systems. The enemy engagement system of the tank is one of the best in Asia.
The fire control system of the Al-Khalid MBT is produced by the China North Industries Group Corporation with the following characteristics:
* Effective range: 200 m to 5000 m
* Sensor: laser ranging from 200 m to 9990 m
* Auto-tracking, fit to four different types of munitions, thermal image for gunner and light-enhanced night vision for the tank captain, gyro-stablised and UPS power supply system.
General characteristics
Crew 3
Length 10.07 m
Width 2.40 m
Height 3.50 m
Weight 46 tonnes
Armour and armament
Armour
[secret]
Main armament 125mm smoothbore gun
Secondary armament 12.7mm roof machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun
Mobility Power plant 12-cyl. diesel model 6TD
1,200 hp (895 kW)
Suspension torsion bar
Road speed 70 km/h
Power/weight 26 hp/tonne
Range 400 km
(source :
http://www.pakmilitary.net/army/arsenal/al_khalid.html)
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.
Initial prototypes were produced in China and fielded for trials in August 1991. Pakistan's manufacturing plant at Taxila was completed in 1992. Since then development efforts have focused on improving the design for Pakistan's terrain and high temperatures. The engine of the T90 2M is replaced by the Ukrainian 6TD 1200hp engine, and a newly developed thermal viewer system has been added to improve nocturnal fighting capability. US$20 million were reportedly spent on the indigenous development of the Al-Khalid tanks over a period of eight years.
Heavy Industries Taxila started production of Al-Khalid in November 2000. 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. As of early 2002 Pakistan had about twenty Al-Khalid tanks in service. It had received its first consignment of 15 Al-Khalid MBTs in July 2001.
In February 2002 Ukraine announced that the Malyshev plant would provide another 315 engines for Al-Khalid tanks over three years. The contract's estimated value was $125-150 million. Pakistan's Army reportedly hopes to produce a total of 300 more tanks by 2005. According to a 2001 report, Pakistan planned to add another 300 indigenous Al-Khalid tanks to its armoured corps by 2007.
(source:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/mbt-2000.htm)
Some facts i could find form net:
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 46.5 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 a claim as there has never been any supporting documentation, thay are just rumors.
source :
Royal Courts of Justice, London
http://www.hrothgar.co.uk/YAWS/reps/165b.htm