Zulfiqar (tank): Difference between revisions

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	\|engine= 12-cyl. diesel		\|engine= 12-cyl. diesel
	\|engine_power= Zulfiqar 1: 780 hp (630 kW)		\|engine_power= Zulfiqar 1: 780 hp (630 kW)
	Zulfiqar 3: AVDS-1790 1000 hp<ref name= tanknutdave></ref>		Zulfiqar 3: AVDS-1790 1000 hp<ref name=tanknutdave>{{cite web\|url=http://www.tanknutdave.com/component/content/article/78 \|title=Archived copy \|accessdate=February 12, 2010 \|deadurl=yes \|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110503041223/http://www.tanknutdave.com:80/component/content/article/78 \|archivedate=May 3, 2011 }}</ref>
	\|pw_ratio= 21.7 hp/ton (Zulfiqar 1),17.85 hp/ton (zulfiqar 3)		\|pw_ratio= 21.7 hp/ton (Zulfiqar 1),17.85 hp/ton (zulfiqar 3)
	\|transmission= 6-gear SPAT 1200 automatic transmission		\|transmission= 6-gear SPAT 1200 automatic transmission
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	===Zulfiqar-3===		===Zulfiqar-3===

	The '''Zulfiqar-3'''<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2013_army_military_defense_industry_news/iranian_army_plans_to_unveil_optimized_version_of_its_home-made_main_battle_tank_zolfaqar_0302132.html\|title=Iranian Army plans to unveil tomorrow optimized version of its home-made main battle tank Zolfaqar\|publisher=\|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> is the most advanced variant of the Zulfiqar family. It features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun. The new variant is equipped with the ] 125 mm smoothbore cannon with an ], a laser rangefinder and a new fire control system.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8902281623\|title=Iran to Unveil New Generation of Zolfaqar Tanks\|accessdate=2010-05-18}}</ref> It is also fitted with a reinforced turret and the wheels are covered by an armoured skirt.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.tanknutdave.com/component/content/article/78\|title=The Iranian Zulfiqar Main Battle Tank\|accessdate=12 February 2010}}{{Self-published inline\|date=June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2013_news_defence_security_industry_military/latest_generation_of_iranian-made_main_battle_tank_zulfiqar_zolfaqar_with_new_reactive_armor.html \|title=Latest generation of Iranian-made main battle tank Zulfiqar with new reactive armor \|date=June 4, 2013}}</ref>		The '''Zulfiqar-3'''<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2013_army_military_defense_industry_news/iranian_army_plans_to_unveil_optimized_version_of_its_home-made_main_battle_tank_zolfaqar_0302132.html\|title=Iranian Army plans to unveil tomorrow optimized version of its home-made main battle tank Zolfaqar\|publisher=\|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> is the most advanced variant of the Zulfiqar family. It features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun. The new variant is equipped with the ] 125 mm smoothbore cannon with an ], a laser rangefinder and a new fire control system.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8902281623\|title=Iran to Unveil New Generation of Zolfaqar Tanks\|accessdate=2010-05-18}}</ref> It is also fitted with a reinforced turret and the wheels are covered by an armoured skirt.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.tanknutdave.com/component/content/article/78 \|title=The Iranian Zulfiqar Main Battle Tank \|accessdate=12 February 2010 \|deadurl=yes \|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110503041223/http://www.tanknutdave.com:80/component/content/article/78 \|archivedate=May 3, 2011 }}{{Self-published inline\|date=June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2013_news_defence_security_industry_military/latest_generation_of_iranian-made_main_battle_tank_zulfiqar_zolfaqar_with_new_reactive_armor.html \|title=Latest generation of Iranian-made main battle tank Zulfiqar with new reactive armor \|date=June 4, 2013}}</ref>

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==

Revision as of 18:31, 21 July 2016

For other uses, see Zulfiqar (disambiguation). Main battle tank

Zulfiqar, Zolfaghar
An Iranian Army Zulfiqar-3 in September 2012.
Type	Main battle tank (MBT)
Place of origin	Iran
Service history
Used by	Islamic Republic of Iran
Production history
Designed	1993
Manufacturer	Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex
Produced	1996–present
No. built	~100 Zulfiqar 1 in 2012
Variants	Zulfiqar 1, Zulfiqar 2, Zulfiqar 3
Specifications (Zulfiqar 3)
Mass	52 tonnes
Length	9.20 m (30 ft 2 in)
Width	3.6 m (11 ft 10 in)
Height	2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew	3

Armour	composite armour
Main armament	125 mm smoothbore tank gun
Secondary armament	12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns
Engine	12-cyl. diesel Zulfiqar 1: 780 hp (630 kW) Zulfiqar 3: AVDS-1790 1000 hp
Power/weight	21.7 hp/ton (Zulfiqar 1),17.85 hp/ton (zulfiqar 3)
Transmission	6-gear SPAT 1200 automatic transmission
Suspension	torsion-bar
Operational range	450 km (280 mi)
Maximum speed	70 km/h (43 mph)

v t e Tanks of the post–Cold War era
Main battle	Al-Khalid tank Al-Zarrar Ariete Arjun Challenger 2 Durjoy K2 Black Panther Karrar Leclerc (Leclerc XLR, Leclerc Evolution) Leopard 2 (Leopard 2E, Leopard 2PL) M1 Abrams Merkava IV Pokpung-ho PT-91 Twardy Ramses II Sabra Stridsvagn 122 T-72M4CZ T-84 T-90 Type 10 Type 72Z Type 96 Type 99 VT-4 Zulfiqar
Light / medium	Sabrah Sabre CVRT 2S25 Sprut-SD Tosan Type 15 / VT-5 Type 63A ZTD-05 / ZLT-05
Prototypes, experimentals	AbramsX Altay Black Eagle Challenger 3 CV90105 / CV90120 Kaplan MT / Harimau K21-105 M8 armored gun system M10 Booker M2020 M60-2000 M-84AS M-84AS1 M-84D M-95 Degman Main Ground Combat System Marder medium tank Panther KF51 Patagón PL-01 Tiam T-14 Armata T-55AGM T-95 Tank EX Zorawar
Cancelled or derelict project Post–Cold War tanks List of modern armoured fighting vehicles Background: History of the tank, Tank classification

Zulfiqar (ذوالفقار) is an Iranian main battle tank (MBT), conceived by Brigadier General Mir-Younes Masoumzadeh, deputy ground force commander for research and self-sufficiency of the armed forces. It is named after Zulfiqar, the legendary sword of Ali, the fourth Caliph and the first Shiite Imam.

The test prototypes of the tank were evaluated in 1993. Six semi-industrial prototypes of the tank were produced and tested in 1997.

Design specifications

Features

The tank has a distinctive box-shaped, steel-welded turret of local design. The Zulfiqar is believed to be developed from major components of the Soviet T-72 and American M48 and M60 tanks. The suspension is modelled on the M48 /M60 Patton tanks supplied to Iran by the U.S. The SPAT 1200 transmission also seems to be a local development of that of the M-60. Zulfiqar-1's combat weight has been reported to be 36 tonnes with a 780 hp diesel engine; giving the tank a 21.7 hp per ton ratio. Some sources see resemblances between the Zulfiqar design and the Brazilian prototype Osório.

The Zulfiqar is operated by a crew of three personnel. The automatic loader is believed to be the same one from the T-72 tank.

Armament

The tank is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun 2A46 derived from that of the T-72, which is fitted with a fume extractor. Its secondary armament consists of a 7.62 mm coaxial and a 12.7 mm machine gun. For the Zulfiqar/T-72 fleet, the Ammunition Group of the Iranian Defense Industries Organization mass-produces a standard high explosive 23 kilograms (51 lb) propellant charge which fires the 3 kg warhead at a muzzle velocity of 850 metres per second (2,800 ft/s).

The Zulfiqar-1 uses the Slovenian EFCS-3 fire control system, the same model used on the Type 72Z ("Safir-74"), providing 'fire-on-the-move' technology. The Zulfiqar allegedly mounts a laser-warning pod on the turret. Its design enables the tank to use an Iranian-made package of reactive armor.

Production

In April 1997 Acting Commander of the Ground Forces of the Iranian Army, Lieutenant General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani announced that the mass production of Zulfiqar tanks, which began in 1996, was still in progress. He stated that the manufacture of 520 different kinds of tank parts, 600 artillery parts, repair of 500 tanks and armored vehicles have been carried out. In late July 1997 Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani formally inaugurated a production line for the domestically manufactured Zulfiqar main battle tanks and Boragh tracked armoured personnel carrier. The facility, the Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex, will also produce the BMP-2 armored personnel carrier.

Variants

Zulfiqar-1

The Zulfiqar-1 is based on the M60 Patton model acquired under the pre-revolution era. The Zulfiqar-1 was first revealed in public in 1994. A total of six prototypes were completed and field tested in 1997. The Zulfiqar-1 is protected by a welded steel hull and the turret is reinforced by a composite armour. The Zulfiqar-1 is armed with a 125mm Smoothbore gun taken from a T-72.

Zulfiqar-2

The Zulfiqar-2 is an interim main battle tank prototype used as a test bed. This variant is fitted with a new and more powerful engine. It has an extended chassis and possibly uses an improved autoloader.

Zulfiqar-3

The Zulfiqar-3 is the most advanced variant of the Zulfiqar family. It features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun. The new variant is equipped with the 2A46 125 mm smoothbore cannon with an autoloader, a laser rangefinder and a new fire control system. It is also fitted with a reinforced turret and the wheels are covered by an armoured skirt.

Gallery

Zulfiqar 1
Zulfiqar 1
Zulfiqar 1
Zulfiqar 3
Zulfiqar 3
Zulfiqar 3

Notes

Iranian Ground Forces Equipment globalsecurity.com
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 3, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ John Pike. "Zulfiqar". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
^ Cordesman & Kleiber, page 46
Tucker, Spencer (2004). Tanks: an illustrated history of their impact. ABC-CLIO, p. 164. ISBN 1-57607-995-3
Strategy Page, 25 November 1999, article signed by Stephen V. Cole
"Commander: Upgraded Zolfaqar Tanks under Field Tests". Retrieved 2010-09-06.
"Zulfiqar 2 Main Battle Tank". Retrieved 2010-04-06.
"The Zulfiqar 2 main battle tank". Retrieved 2010-04-06.
"Iranian Army plans to unveil tomorrow optimized version of its home-made main battle tank Zolfaqar". Retrieved 13 November 2014.
"Iran to Unveil New Generation of Zolfaqar Tanks". Retrieved 2010-05-18.
"The Iranian Zulfiqar Main Battle Tank". Archived from the original on May 3, 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
"Latest generation of Iranian-made main battle tank Zulfiqar with new reactive armor". June 4, 2013.

References

Cordesman, Anthony H. & Kleiber, Martin (2007). Iran's Military Forces and Warfighting Capabilities: The Threat in the Northern Gulf. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-313-34612-7
Zulfiqar Global Security

External links

External media
Images
Zulfiqar 3
Zulfiqar 2
Zulfiqar 1
Video
Zulfiqar 3 video

Zulfiqar or Zolfaqar 3 main battle tank
Description of the different versions Template:Fr
ACIG.org: Photos of the Zulfiqar 3 at a 2003 parade in Tehran
: Photos of the Zulfiqar 3 at the 2011 Army Day parade

Weapons and military equipment designed or manufactured in Iran

Firearms

Service rifles	Karabiner 98k Persian Brno G3A6 KL-7.62 S-5.56 KH-2002
Pistols	PC-9 ZOAF
Submachine guns	PPSh-41 MPT-9
Machine guns	MGA3 PKM-T80 MGD-12.7 Tabas
Gatling guns	Akhgar Muharram
Sniper rifles	Nakhjir Sayyad Shaher Taktab (Under development) Arash

Armoured
fighting vehicles
and other
land-based vehicles

Tanks	Type-72Z Safir-74 Mobarez T-72S Zulfiqar Tosan Sabalan Tiam Karrar
Tankettes	Sayyad
APCs	Boragh Rakhsh Cobra BMT-2 APC Sarir Hoveizeh Makran
Self-propelled artillery	Raad-1 Raad-2 Bahman (SPAAG)
Other vehicles	Safir Samandar Kaviran Neynava Sepehr Ranger Zoljanah

Artillery

HM 40
HM 41

MLRS

Recoilless rifles

M40
SPG-9

Fajr-27

Rocket-propelled
grenades

Artillery rockets

Artillery shells

Basir

Guided missiles

Short-range ballistic missiles	R-17E Shahab-1 Shahab-2 Qiam 1 Fateh-110 Fateh-313 Ra'ad-500 Zolfaghar Persian Gulf Fateh Mobin Hormuz-1 Hormuz-2 Fateh Mobin
Medium-range ballistic missiles	Shahab-3 Ghadr-110 Emad Khorramshahr Fajr-3 Ashoura Sejjil Dezful Shahid Haj Qasem Kheibar Shekan Fattah
Intermediate-range ballistic missiles	Shahab-4/IRIS (shelved) (alleged) Shahab-5 (alleged) Shahab-6 (alleged) Project Koussar (alleged)
Surface-to-air missiles	Misagh-1 Misagh-2 Sayyad-1 Sayyad-2 Shahab Thaqeb Mersad Bavar 373 Khordad 15 Talaash Raad Ya Zahra
Anti-helicopter missiles	Qa'em Raad
Anti-tank guided missiles	Saegheh RAAD Toophan Toophan 2 Toophan 5 Towsan Dehlaviyeh Tondar
Anti-ship missiles	Zafar Qader Noor Kowsar Nasr-1 Raad Sadid-1 Abu Mahdi
Cruise missiles	Meshkat (Under development) Sagheb Soumar Hoveizeh Ya-Ali Abu Mahdi
Torpedoes	Hoot Valfajr
Air-to-surface missiles	Zoobin Shafaq Shahin 3 Sattar Asre-67 Bina Fajr-4
Air-to-air missiles	Fatter Sedjil Fakour-90
Anti-ship ballistic missiles	Khalij Fars/Persian Gulf Hormoz-1 Hormoz-2 Zulfiqar Basir
Electro-optically guided bombs	Qadr Qassed 1