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An Insight into Al-Khalid II MBT.

If the first picture is of AK2 model then looking at gun mantlet it looks like AK2 has less armor at front. I may be wrong though. What do you think?

I noticed that too but the geometry of turret seems to provide more than 30 degree LOS. If so, thats an improvement over current model.

upload_2020-1-7_1-48-54.png
 
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Any idea when will we see 1st prototype of the tank/turret?

Will there be any APS protection (Hard kill not shtora type).

I think GL-5 was being considered but dont know more. Dont expect much before 2025 as funds are scarce. Keep in mind we had Ak-1s readied by 2010, and batch production only began in 2015.
 
Very interesting turret geometry... notice

- position of gunner and commander,

- gun mantlet

- position of optics,

- frontal and side armor, all look different.

View attachment 598257


for reference, here is the AK-1 turret

View attachment 598258
is it authentic pic how can we say it is actually the design under consideration or selected one. otherwise it looks good though
 
To shore up numbers, we could produce an AK Lite.
Such a tank would look exactly like the current production AK but be a lot cheaper and lighter.
A 600 hp engine.
Cheaper transmission.
Thermal sight technology has been revolutionised so the expensive French sights could be replaced by a Chinese / Korean / Russian sighting system.

This half priced AK lite would give numbers to the PA and since IA won't know which one is AK lite or the real AK, they will have to treat all tanks as an equal theat.

Al Khalid Lite would give numbers to the PA at a time when funds are short and there is a serious shortage of tanks.
 
To shore up numbers, we could produce an AK Lite.
Such a tank would look exactly like the current production AK but be a lot cheaper and lighter.
A 600 hp engine.
Cheaper transmission.
Thermal sight technology has been revolutionised so the expensive French sights could be replaced by a Chinese / Korean / Russian sighting system.

This half priced AK lite would give numbers to the PA and since IA won't know which one is AK lite or the real AK, they will have to treat all tanks as an equal theat.

Al Khalid Lite would give numbers to the PA at a time when funds are short and there is a serious shortage of tanks.
Lite is AZ
 
Lite is AZ

Understand but at a point AZs are not feasible to rebuild this could be an option.
The benefit of an AK Lite over an AZ are:
1. Superior design and performance
2. Greater gun stability
3. Cannot be destinguished by enemy from AK
4. New builds, not rebuild of old, tired, outdated and poorly constructed design
 
I noticed that too but the geometry of turret seems to provide more than 30 degree LOS. If so, thats an improvement over current model.

View attachment 598323
The placement of Commander sight is interesting.
Understand but at a point AZs are not feasible to rebuild this could be an option.
The benefit of an AK Lite over an AZ are:
1. Superior design and performance
2. Greater gun stability
3. Cannot be destinguished by enemy from AK
4. New builds, not rebuild of old, tired, outdated and poorly constructed design
The benefits offered by AZ far exceeds that of AK in terms of mass production and mass deployment.
AZ is simply a convertion albeit a major one. All T55, T59, T69 in our arsenal or available in export market as dirt cheap surplus stock can be acquired and converted into AZ. So if PA needs 500 tanks in time period of half decade, then AZ is right answer. AK and it's advance variants will constitute the tip of sphere, while bulk of armor will continue to be based upon AZ.
 
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Understand but at a point AZs are not feasible to rebuild this could be an option.
The benefit of an AK Lite over an AZ are:
1. Superior design and performance
2. Greater gun stability
3. Cannot be destinguished by enemy from AK
4. New builds, not rebuild of old, tired, outdated and poorly constructed design
Perhaps also consider a new IFV for carrying ATGM and 105 mm guns?
 
Perhaps also consider a new IFV for carrying ATGM and 105 mm guns?

I think we have to have a vision of armoured employment before we pick an IFV (or not). Present doctrine does not allow for IFV as APCs are seen doctrinally as battle taxis.
Countries with a doctrine of a fighting apc tend to employ ifvs.

What we lack is a coherent and original armour philosophy that is not a hotch potch copy paste.

The placement of Commander sight is interesting.

The benefits offered by AZ far exceeds that of AK in terms of mass production and mass deployment.
AZ is simply a convertion albeit a major one. All T55, T59, T69 in our arsenal or available in export market as dirt cheap surplus stock can be acquired and converted into AZ. So if PA needs 500 tanks in time period of half decade, then AZ is right answer. AK and it's advance variants will constitute the tip of sphere, while buld of armor will continue to be based upon AZ.

Question is, will AZ be adequate for the modern battlefield or will a low cost AK version be a better buy?

I personally would go your route after thinking about your and signalians pov.
My vision is to bulk up on low cost numerous tanks and APCs and use this in a blitz over central sindh to northern punjab, grabbing vast territories from India.
 
The placement of Commander sight is interesting.

The benefits offered by AZ far exceeds that of AK in terms of mass production and mass deployment.
AZ is simply a convertion albeit a major one. All T55, T59, T69 in our arsenal or available in export market as dirt cheap surplus stock can be acquired and converted into AZ. So if PA needs 500 tanks in time period of half decade, then AZ is right answer. AK and it's advance variants will constitute the tip of sphere, while bulk of armor will continue to be based upon AZ.
This is the best/right way for you to go. You can also improve the FCS/ERA/Ammo etc of the AZ, making it a very cheap Lite Tank compared to the Heavy Weight Tanks currently avaiable.
 

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