IOC: November 2000
Production: 600
Unitary Cost: USD$4.0 million
Also Known As
Al-Khalid (Pakistani Army's designation) MBT2000 (Export designation) Type 90-II Type 90-IIA (Variant equipped with a French 1,500-hp diesel engine)
Origin China
Contractor/s Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) NORINCO Family Members Type 96
Description:
The MBT2000/Type 90-IIM is an improved variant of Type 90-II main battle tank (MBT) aimed at the export market. Type 90-II was developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC or NORINCO) in the 1980s to meet the requirements of People's Liberation Army (PLA) for a third generation MBT which ultimately led to the development of Type 98/99. Originally, Type 90-II was the Chinese counterpart to the Soviet Union's T-72 MBT.
In the late 1990s Pakistani Army ordered the MBT2000 designated as the Al-Khalid. Pakistan's requirement calls for the procurement of approximately 600 units. Al-Khalid is built under license by Heavy Industries Taxila from November 2000. Production is expected to cease in 2007. In 2006, Pakistan announced that Saudi Arabia may be interested in purchasing 150 MBT200s worth $600 million.
MBT2000/Al-Khalid features a three-man crew with a 125mm smoothbore cannon equipped with autoloader, 39-round magazine and capable of firing laser-guided missile rounds such as Refleks. In addition to the 125mm gun, MBT2000 is provided with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm air defense machine gun. The tank's protection is based on steel armor, modular design, composite parts and optional Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). The model chosen by the Pakistani Army is driven by a 1,200-hp 6TD liquid-cooled diesel engine from Ukraine.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 3
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 125 mm
Number of Weapons: 39
Dimensions: Height 2.4 m, Length 10 m, Width 3.5 m
Weights: Max Weight 48 t
Performance: Cross Country Speed 45 kph (28 mph), Max Range 450 km (243 nm), Top Speed 65 kph (40 mph)
Pakistan / 600