Kasrkin
RETIRED MOD
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 1,471
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The US was trying hard to sell M1/A1 Abrams tanks to Pakistan. Production tanks were provided for trials and evaluation, which did not go well. It’s not just the weight problem that discouraged us (though the sands of Rajistan desert are probably some of the thinnest in the world), this deal would have tied Pakistan to the US spare parts pipeline for years to come (which given the US’s singular lack of loyalty as an ally, would have been problematic to say the least).
Also the tank trial itself was a shambles. The 55-ton behemoth, designed for cleaner climes and hard surfaces of Europe and North America, did not fare too well in the desert of Tamewali. A film of the trials shows the tank trying to fire on the move and from a stationary position, surrounded by clouds of dust. But the movement of the tanks was seriously constrained by the fact that its engines sucked up the fine dust of Tamewali and clogged its filters, jamming the Chrysler turbine engines. The most pathetic sight was of the tank trying to climb up a dirt ramp built at the site, getting stuck, and then sliding sideways off the ramp like a drunken sailor. Clearly, this was not the tank for the Pakistan Army...
In other accounts I’ve read about how the tank failed to hit even half of its targets…All observers concur that rejecting the offer was the right decision for Pakistan (as subsequent US imposed sanctions would prove beyond doubt).
Also the tank trial itself was a shambles. The 55-ton behemoth, designed for cleaner climes and hard surfaces of Europe and North America, did not fare too well in the desert of Tamewali. A film of the trials shows the tank trying to fire on the move and from a stationary position, surrounded by clouds of dust. But the movement of the tanks was seriously constrained by the fact that its engines sucked up the fine dust of Tamewali and clogged its filters, jamming the Chrysler turbine engines. The most pathetic sight was of the tank trying to climb up a dirt ramp built at the site, getting stuck, and then sliding sideways off the ramp like a drunken sailor. Clearly, this was not the tank for the Pakistan Army...
In other accounts I’ve read about how the tank failed to hit even half of its targets…All observers concur that rejecting the offer was the right decision for Pakistan (as subsequent US imposed sanctions would prove beyond doubt).