Al-Khalid I / II MBT
Type: tank
Domain: land
Country of Origin: Pakistan
Manufacturer: NESCOM (Pakistan)
First Deployed: 2001
Overview
The Al-Khalid (also MBT-2000 in export) is Pakistan's primary main battle tank, developed in a trilateral program between HIT (Pakistan), NORINCO (China), and Morozov (Ukraine for the engine). It features a 125mm smoothbore gun with autoloader, a composite-armour turret, and the Ukrainian 6TD-2 1,200 hp opposed-piston diesel engine. Production is conducted at Heavy Industries Taxila. The Al-Khalid I entered service in 2001; the Al-Khalid II (enhanced turret armour, improved FCS) followed. The Ukraine war has created sourcing challenges for the 6TD-2 engine, prompting evaluation of Chinese alternatives.
Operators
- Pakistan
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