Interaction Team
The Al-Zarrar is a second-generation Main Battle Tank (MBT), manufactured by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), the hub of Pakistani tanks and tracked vehicles. It has been in service with the Pakistan Army since 2004. The tank is named after the renowned Muslim warrior and companion of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), Zarrar bin Al-Azwar R.A. (Diraar ibn al-Azwar in Arabic).
Development history
In 1990, the Pakistan Army chose to upgrade their extensive inventory of Chinese-origin Type 59 tanks rather than discarding them. Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) spearheaded a phased modernization program to improve the tanks’ firepower, mobility, and protection, offering a more economical solution compared to acquiring new main battle tanks (MBTs). The initial phase of this upgrade was completed in 1997, and the subsequent phase commenced in 1998. This effort culminated in the creation of a significantly enhanced tank, featuring over 50 modifications and integrating advanced systems from HIT’s Al-Khalid MBT. Following rigorous testing, this new tank was finalized and named Al-Zarrar.
The Al-Zarrar emerged as a cost-effective alternative for the Type 59 fleet, boasting modern armament, sophisticated fire control, and enhanced ballistic protection. Furthermore, the Al-Zarrar upgrade package was made available to other nations seeking to modernize their T-54/T-55 or Type 59 tanks to this advanced standard. Mass production of the Al-Zarrar officially began on 6 May 2003, under the leadership of Engineer Mahmood Khan. The first batch of 88 tanks was delivered to the Pakistan Army on 26 February 2004, in a ceremony attended by General Pervez Musharraf, the then-President of Pakistan.
Key features
It features a 125 mm smoothbore gun as a primary weapon. The Al-Zarrar can achieve a maximum speed of 65 km (40 mi) per hour, weighs around 44 tons, and has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader, and driver.
Armament and fire-control
Al-Zarrar’s primary armament is a 125 mm smoothbore tank gun with an auto frettaged, chrome-plated gun barrel. It is capable of firing a variety of munitions, including Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), High-Explosive Anti-Tank Fin-Stabilized (HEAT-FS), and High-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FS) rounds. It can also launch anti-tank guided missiles and the Pakistani depleted uranium (DU) round, known as the 125 mm Naiza, designed to penetrate heavy armor and used by the military for targeting armored vehicles. Naiza is capable of penetrating 550 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) at a distance of 2 km. The gun has a dual-axis stabilization system and thermal imaging sights integrated into the fire-control system for the commander and gunner, giving it enhanced night-time target acquisition capabilities. The image-stabilized fire-control system includes a laser range-finder for accurate range information and a ballistics computer to improve accuracy. An improved gun control system is also fitted.
The secondary armament consists of an external 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the roof of the turret, which can be aimed and fired from inside the tank, and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.
Mobility and power
Powered by an upgraded liquid-cooled 12-cylinder diesel engine, the Al-Zarrar’s power output is increased from 580 to 730 horsepower. This gives the tank a power-to-weight ratio of 18.3 hp/tonne and a top speed of 65 km/h. The modified torsion bar suspension system enhances crew comfort compared to the original Type 59 design.
Protection and survivability
The Al-Zarrar employs modular composite armor for improved protection against anti-tank missiles, mines, and other threats. It is equipped with the Pakistani ATCOP LTS-1 laser threat warning system, smoke grenade launchers on the turret sides, and an automatic fire-extinguishing and explosion suppression system to enhance crew survivability.
Conclusion
The Al-Zarrar has proven to be a cost-effective and highly capable upgrade for the Pakistan Army’s Type 59 fleet. With its modern armament, advanced fire control systems, and enhanced protection, the Al-Zarrar stands as a robust and reliable main battle tank, ready to meet the demands of modern warfare. The upgrade package has also been offered to other nations seeking to modernize their T-54/T-55 or Type 59 tanks, showcasing Pakistan’s growing expertise in military technology.
