I’m sure the thermals are 3rd gen since it’s a 2017 tank.
3rd Gen for Gunner, 2nd for commander AFAIK. Any thermals is better than no thermals. Most tanks don’t have CITVs at all.
And just because it’s 2nd Gen doesn’t mean it’s bad or worst than third generation, Abrams uses a 2nd Gen thermal (or did so until very recently) which was better than most third gens on the market. It’s a change in the technology that makes the system work, and while yes 3rd Gen is generally better than second, such is not always the case.
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If the plan is to indigenize the tank, i think pulling resources from the alkhalid program and spending them on new capabilities for the new VT4 variant (IMO call it HAIDER MBT). Is a great decision.
Things for my personal upgrade wishlist are:
-New APS( that covers top attack atgms)
-Modular armour packages (light-heavy)
-New DU round e.g NAIZA mk2
-Loitering munition launching capability
And atlast if possible or financially feasible removal of carousel-type for turret bustle ammorack with blast doors.
Haider is already confirmed designation for VT-4.
Pakistan does not have the capability to make an APS. GL-5 is a decent option but doesn’t cover top attack.
VT-4 doesn’t need a different armor package, it’s mobile enough and the armor is good enough, could use with a major redesign in general, the design is very dated, but that’s a different can of worms.
New ammo already inducted with VT-4 (BTA-4 APFSDS) which is compatible with all Of PAs older tanks. It’s about as good as we can get, for anything better we’d need to change the auto-loaders. It’s better than Naiza and local production of it is likely.
Carousel auto loader is fine, there are other, cheaper ways to make it safer, for bustle system you’d need to redesign the entire tank, not feasible.
How can Ukraine supply any engines, they are finished.
They don’t need to, Pakistan has a decent stock of them to last until an alternative is found. Currently HIT is working on integrating the Chinese engine and transmission into AK. Which is no simple task, remains to be seen if they’re successful.