Al Zarrar

Infobox Weapon
name="Al Zarrar"


caption= Al Zarrar MBT in Pakistani service
origin=PAK
type=Main battle tank
is_vehicle=yes
design_date=
production_date=1990
designer= Heavy Industries Taxila
manufacturer= Heavy Industries Taxila
length=
width=
height=
weight= 40 tons
suspension= torsion bar
speed=
vehicle_range=
primary_armament= 125 mm smoothbore gun
secondary_armament= 12.7 mm roof machine gun, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
armour= Modular Composite & Explosive Reactive Armour
engine= Diesel
crew=4
engine_power= 730 hp
pw_ratio=18.3 hp/tonne

The Al Zarrar tank series was designed to improve and rebuild the Pakistan Army's Type 59 main battle tank by modernizing its armaments, fire control and ballistic protection. The prototype was developed at Heavy Industries Taxila. With this example Pakistan provides suitable upgrade facility for foreign armies equipped with T-54/55 or Type 59 tanks. It is understood that there are fifty-four modifications that make the Al Zarrar effectively a new tank.

The programme started in 1990, and the first batch of 80 upgraded tanks were delivered to the Pakistan Army on 26 February 2004.

Sri Lanka has been considering the purchase of 25 Al Zarrar tanks [ [http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2007/10/20206_space.html Pak trying to palm off substandard military equipment to Lanka.] ] .

Modifications

*125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FS
*730 hp engine
*Semi-automatic loader
*Image stabilized fire control and improved gun control system
*Improved suspension
*Improved protection with explosive reactive armour and anti-mine protection.

Operators

*PAK - 320

References

ee also

*T-54/55
*Type 59
*Type 69/79
*Al-Khalid
*Ramses II

External links

* [http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/army/tanks/alzarrar.html Pakistan Military Consortium]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/02/mil-040226-irna03.htm Pak army gets first consignment of 80 Chinese-origin tanks] , at globalsecurity.org