Al-Hussein MBT
Type: Main Battle Tank
Domain: land
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: KADDB (Jordan) / Vickers Defence Systems (UK)
First Deployed: 2003
Overview
The Al-Hussein is the Jordanian Army's primary main battle tank — a heavily modernized version of the British Challenger 1 (FV4030/4) modified by the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) with significant local adaptations for Middle Eastern conditions. Upgrades include improved fire control with thermal imaging, a laser rangefinder, and locally-developed reactive armor packages. Approximately 390 units are in service. The Al-Hussein retains the original 120mm L11A5 rifled gun and Chobham composite armor, giving it strong protection against older threats. Efforts to upgrade or replace the Al-Hussein are ongoing, with Jordan in discussions for Leclerc and other alternatives.
Technical Specifications
| crew | 4 |
|---|---|
| armor | Chobham composite second-generation |
| engine | Rolls-Royce CV12 Condor diesel, 1,200 hp |
| width_m | 3.5 |
| height_m | 2.5 |
| length_m | 11.5 |
| main_gun | 120mm L11A5 rifled |
| range_km | 450 |
| secondary | 7.62mm L8A1 coaxial + 12.7mm/7.62mm cupola |
| max_speed_kmh | 56 |
| weight_tonnes | 62 |
Operators
- Jordan
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