News Pakistan Tanks history

[Test7]

Ukroboronprom's enterprises are constantly upgrading their production facilities and technology.

REUTERS

Ukraine's state-owned defense concern Ukroboronprom, within the IDEX-2021 exhibition, has signed a contract worth US$85.6 million with Pakistan to repair the country's T-80UD tank fleet.
That is according to a statement by the Ukroboronprom press service published on its website on February 22.

"Our armored vehicle manufacturers are constantly upgrading their production facilities, improving technology, which ensures high quality of their works and products. We also discussed with the Pakistani side new orders for the supplies of 6TD1 and 6TD2 engines to this country," the press service quoted Ukroboronprom CEO Yuriy Husyev as saying.

Ukraine-Pakistan cooperation

In 2020, Ukraine and Pakistan more than doubled bilateral trade, bringing turnover to US$238 million.

Memo

Ukraine's state-run Ukroboronprom Concern was founded in 2010 to ensure the effective operation and management of state-run economic entities involved in the development, manufacture, sale, repair, upgrade, and disposal of weapons, military and special equipment, and ammunition. Ukroboronprom's enterprises also participate in military and technical cooperation.

Ukraine, Pakistan strike tank repairs deal worth US$85.6 mln

Ukroboronprom's enterprises are constantly upgrading their production facilities and technology.

www.unian.info

 

[Fatman17]

Pakistan's tank history evolved from inherited British-Indian colonial equipment and American Cold War aid to a self-reliant domestic defense industry built in cooperation with China. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Early Years and American Aid (1947–1965)

• • Inherited Assets: In 1947, Pakistan received a limited mix of outdated World War II armor from the British Indian Army division, including M4 Sherman medium tanks and M3 Stuart light tanks. [1]
  • US Military Assistance: During the 1950s and early 1960s, Pakistan joined Western-aligned pacts (SEATO and CENTO), leading to heavy reliance on U.S. hardware. [1]
  • Patton Era: The backbone of the Pakistan Armoured Corps shifted to American-made M47 and M48 Patton tanks, which famously saw major engagements during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. [1, 2]

The Shift to China and Diversification (1965–1990s)

• • U.S. Embargo: Following the 1965 war, the U.S. placed an arms embargo on Pakistan, forcing a major shift in military procurement.
  • Chinese Partnership: Pakistan turned to China, acquiring large numbers of Type 59 and later Type 69/85 tanks.
  • Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT): Established in 1971 (as a tank rebuild facility) with Chinese assistance, HIT became the crown jewel of Pakistan's military manufacturing, eventually allowing domestic rebuilding, modification, and production.
  • Ukrainian T-80UD: In the late 1990s, Pakistan diversified its heavy armor by purchasing over 300 T-80UD main battle tanks from Ukraine. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Indigenous Production and Modern Era (2000s–Present)

• • Al-Zarrar (2004): HIT upgraded Pakistan’s aging fleet of Chinese Type 59 tanks into a heavily modified, second-generation main battle tank named the Al-Zarrar. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • Al-Khalid (2001): Co-developed with China (based on the Chinese Type 90-II/MBT-2000), the Al-Khalid became the premier indigenous Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the Pakistan Army. [1, 2, 3]
  • Haider and VT-4: Continuing modernization, Pakistan introduced advanced platforms like the Haider MBT (localized variant of Chinese VT-4 tech) built at HIT to keep armored corps capabilities sharp against modern regional benchmarks. [1, 2, 3]

 

[Fatman17]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/905156656815800320

 

[Fatman17]

Al-Zarrar

M-48 Patton

 

[Fatman17]