Al Khalid

The Al-Khalid, also designated as the MBT-2000 or VT-1A, is a main battle tank developed through a joint program between Norinco of China and Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) of Pakistan. Development began in January 1990 to provide a replacement for older armored platforms. Following the evaluation of various engine and fire-control configurations during the 1990s, the design was finalized with a Ukrainian power pack and entered service with the Pakistan Army in 2001.

The tank is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore, autofrettaged gun capable of firing APFSDS, HEAT-FS, and HE-FS ammunition, including the Naiza depleted uranium round. A digital fire-control system provides hunter-killer functionality, automatic target tracking, and dual-axis stabilization for both the commander’s panoramic sight and the gunner’s thermal imaging sight. An automatic ammunition-handling system enables a rate of fire of eight rounds per minute. Secondary armament includes a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm externally mounted air-defense machine gun. The Al-Khalid-1 variant features an upgraded fire-control computer, improved autoloader, and increased ammunition capacity.

For protection, the Al-Khalid utilizes modular composite armor and rolled homogeneous armor supplemented by explosive reactive armor (ERA). The Al-Khalid-1 utilizes the indigenous AORAK Mk.2 ERA. Defensive systems include the VARTA active protection system, an overpressure nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) system, and a laser threat sensor that triggers acoustic alarms and smoke generators upon detecting laser rangefinders or designators.

The vehicle is powered by a Ukrainian 6TD-2 six-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine. This 2-stroke, opposed-piston engine is paired with a semi-automatic transmission featuring seven forward and four reverse gears. The suspension system consists of torsion bars with hydraulic dampers. For deep-fording, the tank can be equipped with a snorkel. Navigation is supported by inertial and satellite-based systems, while command and control are facilitated by the Rebar Integrated Battlefield Management System.

The Al-Khalid is in service with the Pakistan Army and has been produced in multiple batches, including the upgraded Al-Khalid-1. Export variants are operated by the armies of Bangladesh, Morocco, and Myanmar. While the tank underwent trials in Saudi Arabia and was considered for procurement by Peru, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, these evaluations did not result in final contracts.