Al-Zarrar tank

Al-Zarrar
Al-Zarrar MBT during the IDEAS Convention in Karachi Expo Center, c. 2008.
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originPakistan
Service history
In service2004–present
Used byPakistan Army
WarsWar in North-West Pakistan
Production history
DesignerHeavy Industries Taxila
Designed1990s
ManufacturerHeavy Industries Taxila
Produced6 May 2003
VariantsNone
Specifications
Mass44 t (97,000 lb)[1]
Length31.17 ft (9.50 m)[1]
Width10.83 ft (3.30 m)[1]
Height8.20 ft (2.50 m)[1]
Crew4[1]

Shell125mm smoothbore
Calibre125 mm[1]

ArmourModular composite armour
Explosive reactive armour[2]
Main
armament
125 mm smoothbore ammunition[2]
Secondary
armament
12.7 mm external anti-aircraft machine gun[2]
7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
8 × smoke grade dischargers
Engine1xKMDB 12 cylinder liquid cooled diesel[2]
730 hp[2]
Power/weight18.3 hp/tonne[2]
SuspensionHigh-hardness-steel torsion bar[1]
Operational
range
450 km (280 mi)[1]
Maximum speed 65 km (40 mi)/h[1]

The Al-Zarrar (Urdu: الضرار), is a second generation main battle tank (MBT), currently in the services of the Pakistan Army since 2004. The tank is named after Muslim warrior Zarrar bin Al-Azwar.[3]

It is a highly upgraded version of Pakistan's ageing Chinese Type 59 tanks (a design that in turn was based on the Soviet T-54A from the mid-1950s), developed with Ukrainian assistance[1] and manufactured by the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) – the hub of Pakistani tanks and tracked vehicles, featuring a 125 mm smoothbore gun as primary weapon.[3] The Al-Zarrar can achieve a maximum speed of 65 km (40 mi) per hour, weighs around 44 tons and has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader and driver.[1][4]

Although the upgrade program started in 1990 the Al-Zarrar did not enter military service with the Pakistan Army Armoured Corps until 2004, gradually replacing the Type 59s. It is the most plentiful tank in Pakistan's arsenal, with over 500 units in service[5] and an additional 600 Type-59s to be upgraded. Attempts were made to export the Al-Zarrar to the Bangladesh Army in 2008 to replace its massive fleet of Type 59 tanks through the technology transfer. However, Bangladesh Army later upgraded its Type-59 tanks to Type 59 Durjoy, Pakistan Army remained its sole operator.[6]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "HIT Al-Zarrar Main Battle Tank". MilitaryFactory.com website. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Al-Zarrar Main Battle Tank (MBT)". ArmyTechnology.com website. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Dawn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Al-Zarrar tank is a modified version of Tank T-59 GlobalSecurity.org website, Retrieved 2 October 2021
  5. ^ "The Military Balance 2024". The Military Balance 2024. 87 (2024): 223–246. 1987. doi:10.1080/04597228708459639. ISSN 0459-7222.
  6. ^ Arthur, Gordon (15 April 2013). "Main Battle Tanks in Asia". Defence Review Asia website. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2021.