Al-Zarrar tank

{{Short description|Pakistani Main battle tank}} {{infobox weapon | name = Al-Zarrar | image = Alzarrar.jpg | caption = Al-Zarrar MBT during the Pakistan Military Parade. | type = Main battle tank | is_vehicle = Yes | service = 2004–present | wars = War in North-West Pakistan | designer = Heavy Industries Taxila | number = | spec_label = | length = {{convert|31.17|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="MF"/> | width = {{convert|10.83|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="MF"/> | height = {{convert|8.20|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="MF"/> | diameter = | passengers =  | action = | sheath_type = | head_type = | haft_type =  | image_size = 260px | alt = | origin = Pakistan | is_ranged = No | is_bladed = No | is_explosive = No | is_artillery = No | is_missile = No | is_UK = No | used_by = Pakistan Army | design_date = 1990s | manufacturer = Heavy Industries Taxila | unit_cost = | production_date = 6 May 2003 | variants = None | weight = {{convert|44|t|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="MF">{{cite web|title=HIT Al-Zarrar Main Battle Tank|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=605|website=MilitaryFactory.com website|access-date=2 October 2021}}</ref> | part_length = | crew = 4<ref name="MF"/> | cartridge = 125mm smoothbore | cartridge_weight = | caliber = 125 mm<ref name="MF"/> | barrels = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = | feed = | sights =  | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse =  | blade_type = | hilt_type = | filling = | filling_weight = | detonation = | yield =  | armour = Modular composite armour<br />Explosive reactive armour<ref name="Army Technology">{{cite web|title=Al-Zarrar Main Battle Tank (MBT)|url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/alzarrarmianbattleta/|website=ArmyTechnology.com website|access-date=2 October 2021}}</ref> | primary_armament = 125 mm smoothbore ammunition<ref name="Army Technology"/> | secondary_armament = 12.7 mm external anti-aircraft machine gun<ref name="Army Technology"/><br />7.62 mm coaxial machine gun<br/>8 × smoke grade dischargers | engine = 1xKMDB 12 cylinder liquid cooled diesel<ref name="Army Technology"/> | engine_power = 730 hp<ref name="Army Technology"/> | pw_ratio = 18.3 hp/tonne<ref name="Army Technology"/> | payload_capacity = | transmission = | suspension = High-hardness-steel torsion bar<ref name="MF"/> | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = {{convert|450|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="MF"/> | speed = {{convert|65|km|abbr=on}}/h<ref name="MF"/> | guidance = | steering =  | wingspan = | propellant = | ceiling = | altitude = | depth = | boost = | accuracy = | launch_platform = | transport = }} {{T-54/55 navigation}} 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.<ref name=Dawn/>

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<ref name="MF"/> 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.<ref name=Dawn/> The Al-Zarrar can achieve a maximum speed of {{convert|65|km|abbr=on}} per hour, weighs around 44 tons and has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader and driver.<ref name="MF" /><ref name=GlobalSecurity>[https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/t-59.htm Al-Zarrar tank is a modified version of Tank T-59] GlobalSecurity.org website, Retrieved 2 October 2021</ref>

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<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=1987 |title=The Military Balance 2024 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/04597228708459639 |journal=The Military Balance 2024 |volume=87 |issue=2024 |pages=223–246 |doi=10.1080/04597228708459639 |issn=0459-7222|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 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.<ref name=DefenceReviewAsia>{{cite web|last1=Arthur|first1=Gordon|title=Main Battle Tanks in Asia|url=http://www.defencereviewasia.com/articles/204/MAIN-BATTLE-TANKS-IN-ASIA|website=Defence Review Asia website|access-date=2 October 2021|date=15 April 2013|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710154921/http://www.defencereviewasia.com/articles/204/MAIN-BATTLE-TANKS-IN-ASIA|archive-date=10 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History== It was decided by the Pakistan Army that their inventory of Chinese origin Type 59 tanks was too large to be discarded and replaced, so a phased upgrade programme was started by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) in 1990.<ref name=Dawn/> The idea was to upgrade the firepower, mobility and protection of the Type 59 to allow it to compete on the modern battlefield at a fraction of the cost of a modern main battle tank (MBT). The first phase of the upgrade programme was completed in 1997. The second phase started in 1998 when HIT began development and testing of a new tank, a Type 59 re-built with over 50 modifications, resulting in three prototypes with slightly differing specifications (different fire-control systems, for example). Many systems originally developed for HIT's Al-Khalid MBT were incorporated. The prototypes underwent extensive testing by HIT and the Pakistan Army, who selected the final version of the tank, dubbed Al-Zarrar.

By mid 2004, it was expected that 50 AL-Zarrar tanks would be exported to other countries.<ref name=Dawn>{{cite news|title=50 Al Zarrar tanks to be exported this year|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/77650/50-al-zarrar-tanks-to-be-exported-this-year|access-date=2 October 2021|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|date=15 January 2003}}</ref> The '''Al-Zarrar''' is a modern MBT developed and manufactured by HIT of Pakistan for the Pakistan Army. An upgraded variant of the Chinese Type 59 tank, the Al-Zarrar is cost-effective modern replacement for the Type 59 fleet of the Pakistan Army. Equipped with modern armament, fire control and ballistic protection, the Al-Zarrar upgrade is also offered by HIT to the armies of foreign countries to upgrade their T-54/T-55 or Type 59 tanks to Al-Zarrar standard. 54 modifications made to the Type 59 make the Al-Zarrar effectively a new tank.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=DefenceReviewAsia/>

The Al-Zarrar development programme started in 1990. HIT began mass production of Al-Zarrar on 6 May 2003 under a renowned project manager, Engineer Mahmood Khan. The first batch of 88 Al-Zarrars were delivered to the Pakistan Army on 26 February 2004 and General Pervez Musharraf attended the delivery ceremony.<ref name=Dawn2>[https://www.dawn.com/news/403884/newspaper/newspaper/column 80 Al-Zarrar tanks handed over to army] Dawn (newspaper), Published 27 February 2004, Retrieved 2 October 2021</ref><ref name=GlobalSecurity/>

===Armament and fire-control=== Al-Zarrar's primary armament is a 125 mm smoothbore tank gun with an autofrettaged, chrome-plated gun barrel. It is a Chinese non-licensed clone of 2A46 capable of firing APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE-FS rounds as well as anti-tank guided missiles and a Pakistani DU (depleted uranium) round, the 125 mm Naiza. Naiza is capable of penetrating 550 mm of RHA armour at a distance of 2 km. The gun has a dual-axis stabilization system and thermal imaging sights integrated into the fire-control system for the commander and gunner, giving it enhanced night-time target acquisition capabilities. The image stabilized fire-control system includes a laser range-finder for accurate range information and ballistics computer to improve accuracy. An improved gun control system is also fitted.<ref name=Dawn/><ref name=Dawn2/>

The secondary armament consists of an external 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the roof of the turret, which can be aimed and fired from inside the tank, and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.<ref name=Dawn/>

===Mobility=== The Al-Zarrar is powered by an upgraded version of the Type-59's original liquid-cooled 12-cylinder diesel engine, boosting the power output from 580 horsepower to {{convert|730|hp|abbr=on}} and torque output of 305 kg.m at 1300–1400 rpm. A combat weight of 40 tonnes gives Al-Zarrar a power-to-weight ratio of 18.3 hp/tonne and a top speed of 65 km/h. Crew comfort is improved over the Type 59 by a modified torsion bar suspension system.<ref name=GlobalSecurity/>

===Protection=== Al-Zarrar uses modular composite armour and explosive reactive armour to give improved protection from anti-tank missiles, mines and other weapons. The Pakistani ATCOP LTS-1 laser threat warning system is fitted to inform the tank crew if the tank is targeted by a laser range-finder or laser designator. Smoke grenade launchers are fitted to the sides of the turret. An automatic fire-extinguishing and explosion suppression system is installed to improve crew survivability.

==Operators== ===Current operators=== *{{PAK}} ** Pakistan Army: 500 in service.<ref name=":1" />

==See also==

;Related development * Type 59 ;Comparable tanks * {{lwc|T-72|T-72 A}} * {{lwc|T-55AGM}} * {{lwc|Tifon 2a}} * {{lwc|Type 59G(BD) Durjoy}} * {{lwc|Type 72Z}} ;Related Lists * List of armoured fighting vehicles

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090724174938/http://usmanansari.com/id15.html Heavy Metal - Pakistani AFVs, by Usman Ansari] * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/02/mil-040226-irna03.htm GlobalSecurity.org - Pakistan Army gets first consignment of 80 Chinese-origin tanks]

Category:Main battle tanks of the Cold War Category:Main battle tanks of Pakistan Category:Main battle tanks of the post–Cold War period Category:Tanks of Pakistan Category:China–Pakistan military relations Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2000s Category:Tanks named after individuals Category:Heavy Industries Taxila vehicles