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Al-Khalid, Type 98, and T-90 Dominate World Tank Market

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Al-Khalid, Type 98, and T-90 Dominate World Tank Market
Forecast International | Mar 26, 2008

NEWTOWN: In its annual analysis, "The Market for Tanks," the Forecast International Weapons Group expects that the international market will produce over 6,900 main battle tanks, worth nearly $27.9 billion, through 2017. However, while increased modernization and retrofit remains transparent to our analysis of new-production tanks, this factor remains a significant component of the international market.

Dean Lockwood, Weapons Systems Analyst at Forecast International and author of the analysis, noted, “In 2007, U.S. Department of Defense contract awards for the maintenance, RESET, and upgrade of the existing M1 Abrams inventories carried a total value of over $1.223 billion.” That was equivalent to nearly 33.25 percent of the total value of all new-production main battle tanks entering the international market in 2007 (over $3.68 billion - Defence Talk.com).

Last year, the Chinese Type 98 program maintained its position as the single largest new-production program. Yet, with a total value of $402.62 million (for 118 new-production tanks), the Type 98 program was worth less than 33 percent what the U.S. DoD spent on the M1 Abrams in 2007.

The expense associated with the modernization and retrofit of high-end main battle tanks pales in comparison with the prospect of new tank procurement. Thus, we expect that new production of high-end tanks will remain relatively low, accounting for 14.03 percent of all production and worth 22.25 percent of the market, during the forecast period.

In terms of sheer numbers, we expect that Pakistan’s Al Khalid, the Type 98 of the People’s Republic of China, and the Russian Federation’s T-90 (including India’s licensed T-90S production program) will continue to dominate the market, accounting for 60.38 percent of all new tanks rolling out worldwide, worth 52.82 percent of the market, through 2017.

In the international market for main battle tanks, the days of U.S. and European domination over new production appear to be long gone. Nevertheless, the established U.S. and European players continue to make their presence felt. The 120mm Rh 120 smoothbore ordnance, the state-of-the-art Leopard 2, and the combat-proven M1 Abrams continue to set the standard for main battle tank design worldwide.

Second only to the infantryman in terms of combat effectiveness, the “mailed fist” of heavy armor remains the arm of decision on the modern battlefield. Further, as Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-present) evolved from a war of movement into a security operation, the main battle tank has proven surprisingly adaptable. According to Lockwood, “In the congested streets of Iraqi cities, the Abrams serves as a significant force multiplier, fully up to meeting the challenges of an asymmetric warfare environment.”

Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments utilized by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.
http://www.****************/news/pu..._T-90_Dominate_World_Tank_Market110015374.php
 
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That's very encouraging to hear! We should be able to rake in lots of money through the Al-Khalid venture. India's Arjun wasn't mentioned, lol.
 
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Al-Khalid, Type 98, and T-90 Dominate World Tank Market
Forecast International | Mar 26, 2008

In terms of sheer numbers, we expect that Pakistan’s Al Khalid, the Type 98 of the People’s Republic of China, and the Russian Federation’s T-90 (including India’s licensed T-90S production program) will continue to dominate the market, accounting for 60.38 percent of all new tanks rolling out worldwide, worth 52.82 percent of the market, through 2017.

http://www.****************/news/pu..._T-90_Dominate_World_Tank_Market110015374.php

its a forecast upto 2017 - but a good forecast.
 
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Al-Khalid probably wont get any orders. Probably the high-end Al-Khalids will (Al-Khalid 2 in the line of Type-99 with western stuff) depending on the customer.
 
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undoubtedly a story of success for Pakistan's Al-khalid ...
Some said .. Arjun is not mentioned ...well come on now .. it is atrocious that you even mention the name your self ...
One of the greatest sad stories of modern times, Arjun is only...good as far as papers are concerned ... other than that .. it is a miserable failure and the world knows it ....
 
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Good insights sir. Can you shed me light as to what is indegenous about Alkhalid

Did Pakistani engineers design it from scratch?
Did your institutions develop composite armour or era armour?
Did any institutions design the gun?
Did you design thermal systems?
It would be interesting for this layman to know what was Pakistans role in designing and developing Al Khalid. If you think that completely manufacuring it in Pakistan will make it indegenous then Isin't T 90 or T72 equally indegenous..

After reading your comments on Arjun, I am startin to suspect whether you are a real tanker after all, one suspected by Zraver himself.

Design a tank completely indegenously with pathetic funding , I can see only Pakistanis calling it a failure.

First of all pakistanies never said its completely indegenious it was co-developed with china based on the Type-90 chinese version. Now here are the details about Al-Khalid and pakistan incoopertion in it:

The Al-Khalid or MBT 2000 (Type 90-IIM) is a modern main battle tank co-developed by China and Pakistan. It is produced in Pakistan, and in service with the Pakistan Army. It is operated by a crew of three, and armed with 125mm smoothbore gun with mechanical autoloader, capable of firing anti-tank missiles, with modern fire-control and night-fighting equipment.

Based on its Chinese and Soviet design ancestry, the MBT2000/Al-Khalid is considerably smaller and lighter than most western main battle tanks. The design is based on the Chinese model Type 90 main battle tank project, which combines technologies from several Soviet and western tanks, and is ultimately a descendant of the widely-produced Soviet T-54A. The MBT 2000 is unusual in that it is adaptable for manufacture with any of a variety engines and transmissions of foreign origin.

The Al-Khalid is a version of this tank produced in Pakistan, with a compact diesel engine supplied by Ukraine's KMDB design bureau. The first tanks were completed and entered Pakistan Army service in 2001, and Pakistan plans to induct 600 of these by 2007.

[edit] Development history
In the 1970s, the leadership of China's People's Liberation Army was concerned about the Soviet threat, and requested an improved main battle tank (MBT) to replace the Type 59. The existing Chinese tanks were direct descendants of the Soviet T-54A, and had become outmatched by more advanced Soviet models like the T-62 and T-64. Norinco and the Inner Mongolia First Machine Group Corporation were tasked to develop a series of new tanks.

After examining samples of T-72 tanks delivered by Iran in the late 1980s (captured from Iraq), the Chinese military realized that contemporary Chinese tanks were still vulnerable. Design features of the T-72 and some western tanks were used to develop a second generation of Chinese tanks, eventually incorporating a redesigned hull and suspension, a new welded turret, and 125-mm autoloaded tank gun. The Type 80 and Type 85 tanks led to the Type 90. The Type 90 was rejected for Chinese service, in favour of other designs, but it influenced further development which would lead to China's third-generation Type 98 and Type 99 tanks.

The Type 90 is an evolutionary design: the Type 90-II version shares 10% of its components with the Type 59, 15% with Type 69, 20% with Type 85/88C, and is built with 55% new components. This model was put up for sale on the international market.

A development deal was signed with Pakistan in January 1990. Initial Chinese-built prototypes were tested in Pakistan in August 1991. Pakistan spent more than USD $20 million over the next ten years on the co-development of a model suitable for their needs, and on creating a capability to manufacture it locally, under the direction of Brigadier (now Major General) Mohammad Asaad. The design team modified the tank to accept a foreign-built power pack. A number of different prototypes were evaluated.

An early version was armed with the Chinese gun and fire-control system, but had German-designed MTU-396 diesel engine which was built under licence in China. Another version was equipped with a more advanced western digital fire-control system, and powered by a Perkins 1,200-hp Condor diesel engine (as in the British Challenger) and ESM-500 automatic transmission (as in the French Leclerc). This version was considered too expensive and under-performing in the extreme heat of southern Pakistan. Finally, a version was tested with the Ukrainian 6TD-2 1,200-hp diesel engine (Ukraine also supplied Pakistan with T-80UD tanks, powered by a similar compact diesel engine). This configuration was chosen for the production version of the tank and came to be known as Al-Khalid.

Yet another version—employing more western technology—had been envisaged as an export product for Pakistan. The prototype had a 1,200-hp German MTU-871/TCM AVDS-1790 diesel engine and an LSG-3000 transmission. But this concept was abandoned due to the arms embargo imposed on Pakistan after the 1998 Pakistani nuclear tests.

The final tank design resulting from a decade of co-operative development was designated Type 90-IIM. Chinese company Norinco showed the new Type 90-IIM during the March 2001 Abu Dhabi Defense Expo, under the export name MBT 2000.

The version powered by the Ukrainian power plant, intended for domestic production in Pakistan, was named Al-Khalid after the prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad(S) named Khalid Ibn Al Walid.


[edit] Production
During the development period, Heavy Industries Taxila gained experience building the Chinese Type 85-IIAP, and prepared to begin production of the Al-Khalid tank in 1999. A pilot batch of fifteen tanks was inducted into the 31st Cavalry Regiment of Pakistan’s Armoured Corps on 20 July 2001. Pakistan signed a contract with Ukraine's Malyshev Factory in May 2002, for the delivery of 315 6TD-2 engines over three years.[2] An additional batch of Al-Khalid tanks was delivered on 23 September 2004.


[edit] Employment
Pakistan plans to build a total of 600 Al-Khalid tanks for its armed forces.[3]

In March 2006, Jane's Defence Weekly reported that Saudi Arabia was planning to evaluate the Al-Khalid in April 2006. Pakistani defense officials said the Saudi government may be interested in purchasing up to 150 Al-Khalid for $600 million USD.[4]


[edit] Description

[edit] Armament and fire control
Al-Khalid is designed with a 125mm (length: 48 calibers) smoothbore, auto-frettaged and chrome-plated gun barrel which can fire APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FS conventional ammunition and Russian-made 9M119 Refleks ATGM (AT-11 Sniper, also produced in China under licence). Al-Khalid is also one of the few tanks in the world that use DU rounds. The DU round used by Al-Khalid is the indigenous Pakistani made Niaza 125mm DU round (armor penetration: 550 mm at 2 km). Al-Khalid is equipped with a muzzle reference system and dual-axis stabilization. Elevation and azimuth control is achieved by electro-hydraulic power drives. The automatic ammunition-handling system for the main gun has a 24-round ready-to-fire magazine and can load and fire at a rate of eight rounds per minute.[5]

The tank is also equipped with a 7.62mm-coaxial machine gun, a 12.7mm externally-mounted air-defence machine gun that can be fired with the hatch closed, and smoke grenade launchers.

Prototypes have been demonstrated with various fire-control systems of Chinese and western origin.

The gunner is provided with a dual magnification day sight and the commander with a panoramic sight for all-around independent surveillance. Both sights are dual-axis image stabilized and have independent laser range-finders. The commander has the ability to acquire a target independently while the gunner is engaging another one. The automatic target-tracking system is designed to work when tank and target are both moving. Night vision for the gunner and commander is achieved through a dual-magnification thermal imaging sight. Both sights are integrated with the fire-control system.[5] The production Al-Khalid tank has a fire-control system of western origin. In the MBT 2000, the Chinese Norinco fire-control system has inputs from ten sensors. The ballistic computation time is less than one second. The manufacturer claims routine first round hits on standard 8 ft (2.4 m) square targets at ranges over 2,000 meters.

Effective range: 200 m to 5,000 m
Sensor: laser ranging from 200 m to 9,990 m
Auto-tracking, firing four types of munitions, gunner's thermal imaging sight, commander's image intensification night vision sight, gyro-stabilized and UPS power supply system.
The Al-Khalid is equipped with the ATCOP LTS 1 laser threat warner developed by Institute of Industrial Control Systems.[6]

The LTS 1 laser threat warner consists of two key elements, the mast-mounted sensor and the operator's control box complete with 360° display. According to ATCOP, the LTS 1 laser threat warner can detect not only laser rangefinders but also laser target designators. It responds to all current laser sources in the field environment and if required can also be coupled with acoustic alarms as well as smoke generators and other countermeasure systems. The LTS 1 laser threat warner can detect laser devices operating in the 0.8 to 1.06 µm waveband and has a 360° field of view azimuth (resolution of 15°) with a field of view in elevation of -15 to +90°. Operating voltage is 12 V or 24 V DC nominal with power consumption being 8 W nominal. The sensor head is 165 mm in diameter and 35 mm high while the control box is 80 x 130 x 55 mm in size.


[edit] Mobility
The production model Al-Khalid has a Ukrainian 6TD-2 1,200-horsepower supercharged diesel engine and semi-automatic transmission. An under-armour auxiliary power unit allows electrical systems to operate with the main engine switched off. The suspension consists of torsion bars, hydraulic dampers and buffers.

At 46 tonnes, Al-Khalid is easier to transport than a nearly 70-tonne M1 Abrams. Its high power-to-weight of 26 hp/tonne gives it a maximum speed of 70 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 30 km/h in under ten seconds.

The snorkel system allows it to cross prepared water obstacles up to 5 meters deep. Navigation is assisted by the use of Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems.[7]


[edit] Protection
Al-Khalid has modular composite armour and explosive reactive armour, nuclear-biological-chemical defences, an effective thermal smoke generator, internal fire extinguisher and explosion-suppression system. It also has advanced laser detection system developed by Al Technique Corporation.
 
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First of all pakistanies never said its completely indegenious it was co-developed with china based on the Type-90 chinese version. Now here are the details about Al-Khalid and pakistan incoopertion in it

Thanx very informative but I still fail to see, in what part Pakistan contributed in co development apart from funding and customising the tank.
 
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Good insights sir. Can you shed me light as to what is indegenous about Alkhalid

Did Pakistani engineers design it from scratch?
Did your institutions develop composite armour or era armour?
Did any institutions design the gun?
Did you design thermal systems?
...
Design a tank completely indegenously with pathetic funding , I can see only Pakistanis calling it a failure.

Wow that somebody can misread a simple english text so badly was a new experience for me.

What the other person said that Arjun's a failure because it'd probably never be adopted by any army, not even IA in enough numbers to make a difference.

And by your standard that's false just because India designed+built it.
 
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Wow that somebody can misread a simple english text so badly was a new experience for me.

What the other person said that Arjun's a failure because it'd probably never be adopted by any army, not even IA in enough numbers to make a difference.

And by your standard that's false just because India designed+built it.
Thanx, I can read clearly and consicely and the statements emnating were nothing but plain stupid
Arjun is in development . There were equal numbre of doubting thomases in the Indian media whose reports were used by Pakistan members to ridicule the project, sadly those thomases are now turning around impressed by the ability of the tank. Any country will have its politics . 124 Arjuns were ordered and the serial production has started at CVRDE.
 
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Thanx very informative but I still fail to see, in what part Pakistan contributed in co development apart from funding and customising the tank.

The Pakistani contributions weer mentioned in Icecolds post.

AS in the case of the JF-17 - Pakistani scientists and engineers worked in China (presumably because we lacked the extensive infrastructure to undertake such a project in Pakistan) with the Chinese during development of the JF-17. Possibly the same in this case.
 
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indiapakistanfriendship,

Why dont you do all of us a favor and search the forum before you post. Arjun is a failure. Take it like a man, and move on. Making retaliatory responses about Al-Khalid is mere stupid, since on the first place it is never claimed to be Pakistans own development. As for Pakistani contribution of the tank.. let me give you a hint.. search Icemans post in the number of tanks thread and avoid turning every thread into defender India.

Lastly as a request to every member. Please dont reply to posts like this.. I do understand that how tempting it is to response to such arrogance, but please report the posts instead.

Thanks.
 
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With all due respect .. please allow me to post one here .. just for the record so that the matter does not drift away on other threads ...

Let me begin here .. and i am going to talk on facts and figures and whims...

After the 1971 war with Pakistan, senior Indian Officers decided that the Army needed more powerful and reliable tanks, ones that were especially suited to the harsh desert conditions on the northwestern frontier that borders on Pakistan. These conclusions led to the initiation of the MBT-80 (later Arjun) tank project in 1974. The Army's requirement or what is known in military jargon as the GSQR (General Staff Qualitative Requirement) in other words the official statement of the users requirement called for the development of a main battle tank weighing 52 tons or less. The Army wanted a tank capable of operating in the extremely hot, dry and sandy conditions found in Rajasthan along the Pakistan border. It wanted a more powerful 120-mm rifled main gun and also state-of-the art, meaning enhanced protection and mobility.
The first prototype of the MBT-80 tank was to be produced by 1983. This was to be followed by the production of 12 more prototypes at the rate of one tank per month. The plan was to enter serial production of the new tank by 1984. It seems the user requirements kept being modified and the Army's Directorate General for Combat Vehicles did not even 'freeze' the design until 1984.
The following year in 1985 another prototype was produced and officially named 'Arjun'. Further production slowed down forcing a major review of the entire tank programme in 1987. A year later in 1988 the first technical trials were carried out. The results were very disappointing, prompting the Army Chief to recommend the cancellation of the entire programme in 1991. The programme, however, continued with the production of more prototypes for field trials. Six were produced in 1993 and another nine in 1994.
The field trials uncovered numerous design flaws, which could only be rectified by several major design changes. After making modifications to rectify the deficiencies uncovered during field trials, the much revised design profile was 'frozen' for a second time in 1996. The new design still did not meet the Army's 'diluted' requirements. Despite the Army's reluctance the Ministry of Defence allowed limited pre-series production of 14 tanks to begin with the hope of presenting the Army with a 'fait accompli' and obtaining its grudging acceptance of the design. 15 pre-series production models were handed over to the Army in April 1997, almost a year behind schedule. These tanks were also tested in extensive field trials, again with unsatisfactory results.
The results of the 1997 field trials were so bad that they prompted India's Comptroller and Auditor General to issue a scathing report in mid-1998 about the serious design flaws in the tank and to complain about a 20-fold increase in development costs. This did not deter the Ministry of Defence from placing an order for another 124 Arjun tanks in 1999. Politics and other considerations, it seems, were taking precedence over the Army's operational requirements. This was being done while India was negotiating for the purchase of Russian T-90S tanks, which were later to be produced under licence in India.
 
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this is just the initial production formalities that failed in case of Arjun .. trust me ..i could write another 5 pages on the technical flaws of Arjun ..... which are internationally accepted and known .... :D
No matter how we have produced Al-Khalid .. it is a success story for sure and the international community recognizes it as a Pakistani tank .. not a Chinese one :D
Thats all i had to say .. please dont promt me to say more ... as the general desires .. the thread should remain on the subject :D
I rest my case
 
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Who cares if we designed or how much Pakistani contribution is to Al-Khalid and Thunder. At the end of the day we will sell the Thunder to many countries and half the money will go to us, and now this article is making the same prediction about the Al-Khalid. India's Arjun is not even yet adoped by the IA let alone other armies of the world.

Money = success
No money = failure
 
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