The Al-Khalid, a main battle tank (MBT) with a name that honors the great Muslim general Khalid ibn al-Walid, is a powerful symbol of Pakistan’s military-industrial capabilities. Jointly developed by Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) and China’s NORINCO, this tank is an adaptation of the Chinese Type 90-II platform, tailored to the specific operational requirements of the Pakistan Army. The Al-Khalid is distinguished by its compact, low-profile design and a crew of three, thanks to the inclusion of a carousel-style autoloader for its main gun. This feature allows for a high rate of fire and eliminates the need for a fourth crew member, the loader, which in turn reduces the overall size and weight of the tank. Its primary weapon is a 125mm smoothbore gun capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including advanced armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions. A key combat advantage of the Al-Khalid is its ability to launch laser-guided anti-tank missiles from its main gun, giving it a critical standoff range to engage enemy tanks and fortified positions from a distance. The tank is powered by a Ukrainian-designed 6TD-2 liquid-cooled diesel engine, which gives it a high power-to-weight ratio and excellent mobility. This allows the Al-Khalid to keep pace with and maneuver alongside mechanized infantry. The tank’s survivability is ensured by a robust protection suite that includes both composite and explosive reactive armor (ERA), a modern fire-control system with a “hunter-killer” capability, and a laser warning system. The Al-Khalid I and Al-Khalid II variants signify successive upgrades, focusing on improved fire control, enhanced armor packages, and a more powerful engine in the latest version, ensuring the tank remains a formidable and relevant asset on the modern battlefield.
- Type: Main Battle Tank (MBT)
- Armament: 125mm smoothbore gun with autoloader
- Engine: KMDB 6TD-2 diesel, 1,200 hp
- Armor: Composite armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA)
- Crew: 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver)
- Weight: ~46 tons
- Speed: 72 km/h on road
- Operational Range: 500 km
- Key Features: Autoloader for reduced crew, “Hunter-Killer” fire-control system, capable of firing gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles, and a high power-to-weight ratio.
