Iraq unveils indigenous T-55 Al-Kafil-1 MBT main battle tank

[Kailash Kumar]

Iraq unveils indigenous T-55 Al-Kafil-1 MBT main battle tank

13 JULY 2020

T-55 Al-Kafil-1

The new Iraqi tank is based on a T-55 MBT, or, more exactly, on a Chinese Type 59, but largely upgraded. The turret seems to be completely new, namely smaller: its original shape has been completely modified and shows both additional and reactive armor, anti-RPG chain protection hanging from the rear side, a remotely controlled weapon station armed with a heavy machine gun, and grenade launchers.

The hull has also been modified with reactive armor, a new rear shape (additional armor plates or modified original armor?) and new mudguards.

More modifications are likely, mostly in the turret and driver’s compartment. The original engine and transmission remain probably untouched. As no official technical details are available, one can’t take the risk of making groundless assumptions.

The fact that the designation ends with "-1" indicates there will be further modifications.

T-55 Al-Kafil-1

T-55 Al-Kafil-1

T-55 Al-Kafil-1

https://www.armyrecognition.com/def...ous_t-55_al-kafil-1_mbt_main_battle_tank.html

 

[Shah_Deu]

The clean hull lines somehow remind me of arJUNK.

 

[Armchair]

If they can mass manufacture it, it will be a very useful and effective capability. Much more useful than the handful of Al Khalids Pakistan can build.

 

[Saddam Hussein]

It's PMU engineering units upgrading decades old T-55's from 1990's army scrapyards. They're not building the whole tank from scratch, that would be very stupid such an old tank.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

It's PMU engineering units upgrading decades old T-55's from 1990's army scrapyards. They're not building the whole tank from scratch, that would be very stupid such an old tank.

Same obsolete gun and add on armour.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Stick to the topic please.

 

[I S I]

T-55 Al-Kafil-1

Did they took these 'steel jhalars' from Pakistani trucks?

 

[BordoEnes]

Qudos to the Iraqi's for making an effort in their domestic defence industry. This is a step in the right direction.

 

[The SC]

Only the US and even then with more than 50 other countries could beat Iraq.. so there you go all with negative comments.. you just don't know Iraq..

 

[Philip the Arab]

Come on, give it some Kornets on the top.