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Karrar MBT l Updates, News & Discussion

Sadly the resolution still isnt any better,you just cant make out any fine detail on the thing,too bad.
I think the quality of the images that @SOHEIL posted is much better. Videos are usually downgraded for web applications. I just posted it as I know some naysayers will soon start to say where is the video.
 
Here is some analysis:

First footage of the Karrar MBT

The Iran is working on a new main battle tank (MBT), which has been nick-named the Karrar MBT. While most details are unknown, first footage of the new MBT has been released on state-owned TV and found it's way onto the internet. According to the Iranian TV, the tank is supposed to be completely built and designed in Iran.



The tank appears to be very similar to the Russian T-90MS tank in terms of shape and layout; it features a welded hull and turret, which is protected by explosive reactive armor (ERA) and on the rear sections by slat armor. In fact the vehicles appear so similar, that the Karrar tank should be either a licence-made version of the T-90MS or an intentional attempt to copy it. Claims about the Karrar being a locally developed tank might be propaganda or be result of a planned licence-assembly (Iran already manufactured a number of T-72S tanks under licence.)
The tank has six roadwheels partially covered by the side skirts. These skirts have the same wave-pattern found on the T-90MS' side skirts, but currently found on no other Russian, Chinese or Ukrainian tank. Ontop of the side-skirts are two rows of flat ERA tiles, the engine compartment is protected by slat armor only.
The welded turret has a rhombus shape with a noticeable rear-extension, which in case of the T-90MS acts as external storage and is not accessable from the internal. The frontal arc of the tank is protected by very flush aligned ERA tiles, which in case of the T-90MS is the latest Relikt ERA and not the older Kontakt-5. The rear side section of the turret is protected by a flat layer of spaced composite armor, while the rear is only protected by slat armor.



There are a few differences between the Karrar and the T-90MS noticeable even in the low quality footage. The remote weapon stations (RWS) appears to be of a different type and is equipped with a larger machine gun (most likely a 12.7 mm or 14.5 mm HMG). It might not only replace the original RWS, but also the commander's independent sight, unless the placement of the latter was altered. There is also a new distinctive polygonial sleeve at the base of the gun barrel. This feature is not found on any T-90MS prototype.
Another apparent difference is the lack of additional fuel barrels at the rear of the hull. While this certainly could be a result of different doctrines (or the fuel barrels have been disconnected from the tank, after they were empty), this also could be another reason to assume that this tank is a copy of the T-90MS rather than the original.


Zulfiqar 3 tank
While using different technology, the Iranian Zulfiqar 3 tank (actully Zolfaqar would be a more correct name, but the tank has become known as Zulfiqar in the English-speaking internet) is known for intentionally resembling the US M1 Abrams tank.
This is supposed to be result of two different aspects: some sources claim that this way the Zulfiqar 3 tanks should be spared from US airstrikes (being mistaken for Abrams tanks by the pilots) or the US should suffer from higher amounts of friendly-fire incidents in case of attacking Iran. Other sources claim that the design similarities to the Abrams are the result of the Iran lacking knowledge in tank production and simply trying to copy the Abrams with the available technology, because it proved to be hugely successful against Iraqi tanks.


T-72 Khorramshahr
Regardless of being a copy or a licence-built variant, the main armament of the Karrar MBT is most likely a 125 mm smoothbore gun. The T-90MS is fitted with the improved 2A46M-5 tank gun; this is designed for enhanced barrel life and greater accuracy. Unlike the 2A46M, the gun has an internal chrome-plating, which increases the barrel life by the factor 1.7. The gun assembly includes two additional elements with rollers to take up some of the play. Together with other modficiations, this is claimed to reduce dispersion by 15% and thus increases the accuracy and range.
If the Karrar MBT is not a T-90MS, but an elaborate attempt to copy one, it most likely would be armed with the slightly worse 2A46M-2 gun, which has been used on the T-72S Shilden MBT. This gun is a bit less accurate and durable than the 2A46M-5. In terms of penetration power, both of these guns are build for an increased maximum chamber pressure of 650 MPa, compared to the 510 MPa of the earlier 2A46 and 2A46M tank guns used on the T-72M and T-72M1 (and encountered by the US military during Gulf War and Operation Iraq Freedom). Iran is known to produce the 3BM-42 "Mango" APFSDS, which is currently the most advanced APFSDS exported by Russia (despite being introduced in Soviet service in 1986). It uses a two-piece tungsten penetrator in a steel sheat to penetrate on average about 470-500 milimetres of steel armor at 2,000 metres distance.
While the Mango APFSDS does fit into the T-72S and T-90MS - thus most likely also in the Karrar MBT - using longer APFSDS for increased armor penetration is only possible in the upgraded autoloader of the T-90MS.


T-72S Shilden
If the Karrar is in fact just a local designation for the T-90MS, it will result in a major upgrade to the capabilities of the Iranian Army and Revolutionary Guards. In some aspects the T-90MS tank is ahead of the current M1A2 SEP, in others at least on par and in some still worse. With modern ammunition and skilled crews, this tank could pose a serious threat even to current NATO MBTs.
If the Karrar is just a copy made to resemble the T-90MS however, the tank will probably be a failure. Not only is the Iranian industry still lacking behind in terms of capabilities compared to the current Russian, Chinese and NATO tanks, the production capacities are also too limited to produce a larger amount of tanks. Supposedly the amount of produced Zulfiqar tanks is highly limited, some sources claim that less than hundred Zulfiqars have been made. No version of the Zulfiqar is protected by ERA, while only the later versions have composite armor. In so far, the T-72S is probably the backbone of the tank force operated by the Iranian Army and Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Still large amounts of T-55/Type 59 tanks, Pattons and Chieftains have remained in service - some of them have been upgraded to Type-72Z Safirs, Mobarez tanks or to the Sabalan and Tiam configurations.

Until the Karrar MBT is ready, the most advanced tank in Iranian service might still be the T-72 Khorramshahr, a rare upgraded version of the T-72, featuring an Ukranian welded turret with Kontakt-5 ERA and a more modern fire control system than the T-72S. It is however a very rare tank, the numbers of T-72 tanks converted to T-72 Khorramshahr might be smaller than the production of the latest Zulfiqar 3 tank.

http://below-the-turret-ring.blogspot.ca/2016/08/first-footage-of-karrar-mbt.html
 
من ویدئو رو نگاه کردم ... موقع چرخش ۳۶۰ درجه (‌دریفت )‌مثل تانک های ایرانی شنی های یک محور رو قفل می کرد و بعد چرخش رو می داد ...

درست مثل ذوالفقار

http://www.aparat.com/v/G0NVW/دریفت_تانك_ذوالفقار_3

در حالی که تانک های مدرن غربی و تی ۹۰ اینکار رو با معکوس کردن حرکت شنی ها انجام می دهند ...
من به یوتیوب دسترسی ندارم برای همین نتونستم دریفت تی ۹۰ رو ببینم تا از این قضیه مطمئن بشم ...

به نظر می رسه که کرار ساخت داخل باشه ولی از موتور قدرتمندتری نسبت به ذوالفقار استفاده می کنه .... یا بهتر بگیم که کرار ادامه ی طبیعی پروژه ی ذوالفقار هست
 
من ویدئو رو نگاه کردم ... موقع چرخش ۳۶۰ درجه (‌دریفت )‌مثل تانک های ایرانی شنی های یک محور رو قفل می کرد و بعد چرخش رو می داد ...

درست مثل ذوالفقار

http://www.aparat.com/v/G0NVW/دریفت_تانك_ذوالفقار_3

در حالی که تانک های مدرن غربی و تی ۹۰ اینکار رو با معکوس کردن حرکت شنی ها انجام می دهند ...
من به یوتیوب دسترسی ندارم برای همین نتونستم دریفت تی ۹۰ رو ببینم تا از این قضیه مطمئن بشم ...

به نظر می رسه که کرار ساخت داخل باشه ولی از موتور قدرتمندتری نسبت به ذوالفقار استفاده می کنه .... یا بهتر بگیم که کرار ادامه ی طبیعی پروژه ی ذوالفقار هست
اونجور دریفت تکنولوژی خاصی نیست و بسته به اتخاب راننده داره. حتی بولدوزر ها هم می تونن این کار رو بکنن.
 
Here is some analysis:

First footage of the Karrar MBT

The Iran is working on a new main battle tank (MBT), which has been nick-named the Karrar MBT. While most details are unknown, first footage of the new MBT has been released on state-owned TV and found it's way onto the internet. According to the Iranian TV, the tank is supposed to be completely built and designed in Iran.



The tank appears to be very similar to the Russian T-90MS tank in terms of shape and layout; it features a welded hull and turret, which is protected by explosive reactive armor (ERA) and on the rear sections by slat armor. In fact the vehicles appear so similar, that the Karrar tank should be either a licence-made version of the T-90MS or an intentional attempt to copy it. Claims about the Karrar being a locally developed tank might be propaganda or be result of a planned licence-assembly (Iran already manufactured a number of T-72S tanks under licence.)
The tank has six roadwheels partially covered by the side skirts. These skirts have the same wave-pattern found on the T-90MS' side skirts, but currently found on no other Russian, Chinese or Ukrainian tank. Ontop of the side-skirts are two rows of flat ERA tiles, the engine compartment is protected by slat armor only.
The welded turret has a rhombus shape with a noticeable rear-extension, which in case of the T-90MS acts as external storage and is not accessable from the internal. The frontal arc of the tank is protected by very flush aligned ERA tiles, which in case of the T-90MS is the latest Relikt ERA and not the older Kontakt-5. The rear side section of the turret is protected by a flat layer of spaced composite armor, while the rear is only protected by slat armor.



There are a few differences between the Karrar and the T-90MS noticeable even in the low quality footage. The remote weapon stations (RWS) appears to be of a different type and is equipped with a larger machine gun (most likely a 12.7 mm or 14.5 mm HMG). It might not only replace the original RWS, but also the commander's independent sight, unless the placement of the latter was altered. There is also a new distinctive polygonial sleeve at the base of the gun barrel. This feature is not found on any T-90MS prototype.
Another apparent difference is the lack of additional fuel barrels at the rear of the hull. While this certainly could be a result of different doctrines (or the fuel barrels have been disconnected from the tank, after they were empty), this also could be another reason to assume that this tank is a copy of the T-90MS rather than the original.


Zulfiqar 3 tank
While using different technology, the Iranian Zulfiqar 3 tank (actully Zolfaqar would be a more correct name, but the tank has become known as Zulfiqar in the English-speaking internet) is known for intentionally resembling the US M1 Abrams tank.
This is supposed to be result of two different aspects: some sources claim that this way the Zulfiqar 3 tanks should be spared from US airstrikes (being mistaken for Abrams tanks by the pilots) or the US should suffer from higher amounts of friendly-fire incidents in case of attacking Iran. Other sources claim that the design similarities to the Abrams are the result of the Iran lacking knowledge in tank production and simply trying to copy the Abrams with the available technology, because it proved to be hugely successful against Iraqi tanks.


T-72 Khorramshahr
Regardless of being a copy or a licence-built variant, the main armament of the Karrar MBT is most likely a 125 mm smoothbore gun. The T-90MS is fitted with the improved 2A46M-5 tank gun; this is designed for enhanced barrel life and greater accuracy. Unlike the 2A46M, the gun has an internal chrome-plating, which increases the barrel life by the factor 1.7. The gun assembly includes two additional elements with rollers to take up some of the play. Together with other modficiations, this is claimed to reduce dispersion by 15% and thus increases the accuracy and range.
If the Karrar MBT is not a T-90MS, but an elaborate attempt to copy one, it most likely would be armed with the slightly worse 2A46M-2 gun, which has been used on the T-72S Shilden MBT. This gun is a bit less accurate and durable than the 2A46M-5. In terms of penetration power, both of these guns are build for an increased maximum chamber pressure of 650 MPa, compared to the 510 MPa of the earlier 2A46 and 2A46M tank guns used on the T-72M and T-72M1 (and encountered by the US military during Gulf War and Operation Iraq Freedom). Iran is known to produce the 3BM-42 "Mango" APFSDS, which is currently the most advanced APFSDS exported by Russia (despite being introduced in Soviet service in 1986). It uses a two-piece tungsten penetrator in a steel sheat to penetrate on average about 470-500 milimetres of steel armor at 2,000 metres distance.
While the Mango APFSDS does fit into the T-72S and T-90MS - thus most likely also in the Karrar MBT - using longer APFSDS for increased armor penetration is only possible in the upgraded autoloader of the T-90MS.


T-72S Shilden
If the Karrar is in fact just a local designation for the T-90MS, it will result in a major upgrade to the capabilities of the Iranian Army and Revolutionary Guards. In some aspects the T-90MS tank is ahead of the current M1A2 SEP, in others at least on par and in some still worse. With modern ammunition and skilled crews, this tank could pose a serious threat even to current NATO MBTs.
If the Karrar is just a copy made to resemble the T-90MS however, the tank will probably be a failure. Not only is the Iranian industry still lacking behind in terms of capabilities compared to the current Russian, Chinese and NATO tanks, the production capacities are also too limited to produce a larger amount of tanks. Supposedly the amount of produced Zulfiqar tanks is highly limited, some sources claim that less than hundred Zulfiqars have been made. No version of the Zulfiqar is protected by ERA, while only the later versions have composite armor. In so far, the T-72S is probably the backbone of the tank force operated by the Iranian Army and Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Still large amounts of T-55/Type 59 tanks, Pattons and Chieftains have remained in service - some of them have been upgraded to Type-72Z Safirs, Mobarez tanks or to the Sabalan and Tiam configurations.

Until the Karrar MBT is ready, the most advanced tank in Iranian service might still be the T-72 Khorramshahr, a rare upgraded version of the T-72, featuring an Ukranian welded turret with Kontakt-5 ERA and a more modern fire control system than the T-72S. It is however a very rare tank, the numbers of T-72 tanks converted to T-72 Khorramshahr might be smaller than the production of the latest Zulfiqar 3 tank.

http://below-the-turret-ring.blogspot.ca/2016/08/first-footage-of-karrar-mbt.html
Excellent post and an excellent analysis.Irans armored forces just like its airforce are very long in the tooth and badly in need of replacement/modernisation with something newer than a t72 however upgraded it may be.
 
This tank uses RELIKT armor, no doubt. It's cage armor is also identical to the T-90MS. I doubt that they just copied the unique armor design of the T-90MS just for the looks.

The turret also looks suspiciously similar to the T-90MS. It's not 100% the same but then again different T-90MS prototypes have slightly different turrets. I would say this is likely an T-90MS turret that is either imported or license built or perhaps Russian engineers worked closely on the Karrar.
 
This tank uses RELIKT armor, no doubt. It's cage armor is also identical to the T-90MS. I doubt that they just copied the unique armor design of the T-90MS just for the looks.

The turret also looks suspiciously similar to the T-90MS. It's not 100% the same but then again different T-90MS prototypes have slightly different turrets. I would say this is likely an T-90MS turret that is either imported or license built or perhaps Russian engineers worked closely on the Karrar.

If this tank is similar to capabilities of the T-90ms, then is a very good tank for Iran. I am not sure why Iran would resort of making tank like T-90ms when it would just make the actual T-90ms under license...As you said there is also the probability of Russian working with Iran on this tank. The t-90ms similarities are clear as day.

I think we should wait for more info and find out whether this tank even is the karrar or not and then make further judgement.
 
If this tank is similar to capabilities of the T-90ms, then is a very good tank for Iran. I am not sure why Iran would resort of making tank like T-90ms when it would just make the actual T-90ms under license...As you said there is also the probability of Russian working with Iran on this tank. The t-90ms similarities are clear as day.

I think we should wait for more info and find out whether this tank even is the karrar or not and then make further judgement.
Because Thanks to sanction s that Russians did sign , they can't sell us t90 til 2021 ....
 
This tank uses RELIKT armor, no doubt. It's cage armor is also identical to the T-90MS. I doubt that they just copied the unique armor design of the T-90MS just for the looks.

The turret also looks suspiciously similar to the T-90MS. It's not 100% the same but then again different T-90MS prototypes have slightly different turrets. I would say this is likely an T-90MS turret that is either imported or license built or perhaps Russian engineers worked closely on the Karrar.
Do you know what is the purpose of that hexagonal sleeve that goes 1/3 of the length of the barrel? Is it to fend off bullets that may hit the barrel?
 
Do you know what is the purpose of that hexagonal sleeve that goes 1/3 of the length of the barrel? Is it to fend off bullets that may hit the barrel?
Or maybe there are some mechanism to cool down barrel ( the result will be more accurate shots and more firing rate )
 

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