Two of the world’s three largest armies are in the Indian subcontinent. India and Pakistan‘s armies, each larger than the U.S. military personnel, have faced off against each other ever since the British Indian Army was disbanded in 1947. Four major battles have occurred between the two armies over the past seventy years.
The Chinese MBT-2000 served as inspiration for the Al-Khalid. Heavy Industries Taxila is producing a variant of this vehicle designed specifically for the Pakistan Army (HIT). The main cannon, a 125mm smoothbore gun, provides devastating firepower.
Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) researched and developed the Indian Main Battle Tank Arjun with only German assistance during the design phase (MkI only). Compared to its predecessor, the MkI variant, the MkIA is a major upgrade with numerous improvements.
What would happen if an Al-Khalid from the Pakistani army fired on an Arjun Tank?
Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), High-Explosive Anti-Tank Warhead (HEAT-FS), and High-Explosive Fin-Stabilized (HE-FS) rounds can be fired from Al-48 Khalid’s caliber long smoothbore, auto-fretted, and chrome-plated gun barrel.
One 120mm rifled gun with a thermal sleeve, fume extractor, and muzzle reference system is the main armament of the Arjun Mk II main battle tank.
The gun can fire various projectiles, including the Israeli Laser Homing Anti-Tank (LAHAT) missile and the FSAPDS (Fin Stabilized Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot) round.
The gun can fire various projectiles, including the Israeli Laser Homing Anti-Tank (LAHAT) missile and the FSAPDS (Fin Stabilized Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot) round. Israel Aerospace Industries’ MBT Division created the cutting-edge Laser Homing Attack Missile (LAHAT) (IAI).
The “Kanchan” modular composite armor that protects the Arjun MBT is made by sandwiching composite panels between layers of Rolled Homogeneous Armor. It is indigenous, lightweight, compact, and proven (not battle-proven, but proven) (RHA). Essentially, it uses the same compression and decompression principles as a standard computer. The RHA compresses the projectile upon impact, and the composite decompresses it as it passes through.
Even against Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds and High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds, Kanchan armor provides a 97% guarantee of safety.
All high-explosive squash head (HESH) and APFSDS rounds were defeated during testing in 2000, including Israeli APFSDS, demonstrating the armor’s capability to resist against heavy anti-tank munitions.
In addition to the Kanchan composite armor surrounding Arjun’s turret, the vehicle is fortified by a Laser Warning and Countermeasure System (ALWACS) that was created in conjunction with the Israeli firm Elbit Systems.
The turret’s four ALWACS components are positioned to observe all directions simultaneously. Independent rotary launcher for detecting and classifying laser threats and discharging smoke grenades.
As you can see, even if Al-Khalid manages to get the jump on their target and fire first, that is no guarantee of a “kill” on the first try. Most Western experts underestimate Arjun’s significance because it took 35 years to construct.
The MkI indeed had some major flaws, but the MkIA is definitely a step in the right direction. However, further enhancements are required because of excess weight. Even the MkIA version has flaws, most notably in the turret and hull. This is why efforts are being made to improve turret protection against anti-tank weapons by creating explosive reactive armor (ERA).
Al Khalid
The Al Khalid, Pakistan‘s primary battle tank, is largely a product of China. It is a Chinese-made variant of the Type 90-IIM tank from the 1990s. The first version, known as the MBT-2000, was created by Norinco of China. The Pakistani military christened this tank Al Khalid. In 2014, Pakistan received about 310 Al Khalid tanks. Bangladesh, Morocco, and Peru’s armed forces operate this tank model.
Al Khalid relies heavily on his 125 mm cannon.
The Al Khalid tank has a 125mm smoothbore cannon gun and can be operated by a crew of three. This tank has auto-load technology, a fire control system, and the ability to operate at night. Diesel engines manufactured by the Ukrainian firm KMDB Design Bureau are currently in use at Al Khalid. In 2001, the Pakistan Army began using this particular tank. Pakistan has since upgraded this tank as well.
Al Khalid is armed with two machine guns.
Pakistan has three different versions of the Al Khalid tank in use. To name a few: Al Khalid, Al Khalid 1, and Al Khalid 2. This tank is 33 feet long and 11 feet wide and weighs 46 tons. This tank has been outfitted with composite armor.
Moreover, it has a 7.62 mm machine gun that can pump out 3000 rounds per minute. Added to its arsenal is a 12.7 mm machine gun that can pump out 500 rounds per minute. It has a 6-cylinder engine that can produce up to 1200 horsepower.
