CriticalThought
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I wish we would adopt an R&D oriented approach towards modernization. Something like this:
https://defence.pk/threads/americas...he-m1-abrams-tank-into-a-super-weapon.469713/
In 2016, planning for an all out war between Pak and India needs to take into account much more than the enemy's armored columns. There are a lot of variables involved. There are the tactical nukes, the missiles, the attack helicopters, the air to ground strikes, the bombers, and the aces which the enemy keeps up his sleeve and only reveals when the time comes.
For Pakistan, a measure of assurance would be a thermobaric missile which could inflict the same type of casualties as a tactical nuke, but would give Pakistan the moral upper ground of avoiding first use. That would literally throw India's calculus into disarray. How do they even reply in the face of thermobaric missiles wiping out entire battalions. Do they want the black spot of first use to be affixed on their forehead?
Anyway, a crucial aspect of our planning has to be air superiority, and then air offense.
https://defence.pk/threads/americas...he-m1-abrams-tank-into-a-super-weapon.469713/
That's a good summary of the Pakistan Tank Corps. I think the top leadership knows very well the lack of the offensive options, for defensive operations, the Tank Corps is very well equipped and can hold his own ground, how many AK and UDs we would need to penetrate and HOLD the Indian territory? Facing 1300 T-90s and ca. 2000 T-72s (already upgraded) is not an easy task. But have forgotten to mention the T-85IIMP?
As you have described, I would also integrate the T-59IIM in mechanized and FC Divisions.
My Analysis and research of the years:
What I had read and heard from Members of the Army , is that during the Zardari Period, HIT had very fewer funds to upgrade and produce more Tanks, we have lost ca. 5-6 years. I did hear that, at some times, the factories even did not have electricity, of course, now the situation has changed, and they continued the program with AK-1 and Maybe AK-2. But you are right still too slow if we compare it to the Indian MBT inventory, which has now upgraded ca. 1100 T-72 to nearly to the T-90 standard. And Indian Army has inducted ca. 1400 T-90 (engine problems already resolved, 300 of these are T-90M especially for the China Border). In my opinion, we have lost our technical superiority for the offensive in that arena.
400 AK+300 T-80UD =700 v.s 1500 T-90=1:2 is not a bad match for a defensive Force.
ca. 750 Al-Zarrar + 250 T-85IIMP upgraded nearly to the Al-Zarrar standard vs. 1100 T-72M = also a ratio of 1:2, is absolutely fine for a defensive Force.
T-85IIM ca. 2002
[attachment=14204:a-goods-train-carrying-pakistan-military-tanks-passes-hyderabad-railway-h0dgmf.jpg]
The Al-Zarrar ca. 2002
[attachment=14205:epa000276957-pakistani-soldiers-stand-in-line-next-to-tank-al-khalid-FEWRRN.jpg]
But when we want to gain success with our Strike Corps, we need more T-80UDs and AK-1s or some new modern MBT like the T-80 Oplot (ca. 300). Which we can't afford now, because of low budget. Tanks can't feed our folk, let Indians waste their resource in an arms race, we can hold the ground in the Future with our current inventory. The economy is now the key to success ! What does help Tanks, when we can't control the floods, can't deliver clean drinking water to the mass of people, can't deliver electricity, no standard education for everyone, no future plans for climate change and water shortage.... I hope India is wasting more billions of Dollars in Tanks and Rockets, one day they will realize how fine the life is on the other side of the Border, where clean water and air are a standard and not a demand !
In 2016, planning for an all out war between Pak and India needs to take into account much more than the enemy's armored columns. There are a lot of variables involved. There are the tactical nukes, the missiles, the attack helicopters, the air to ground strikes, the bombers, and the aces which the enemy keeps up his sleeve and only reveals when the time comes.
For Pakistan, a measure of assurance would be a thermobaric missile which could inflict the same type of casualties as a tactical nuke, but would give Pakistan the moral upper ground of avoiding first use. That would literally throw India's calculus into disarray. How do they even reply in the face of thermobaric missiles wiping out entire battalions. Do they want the black spot of first use to be affixed on their forehead?
Anyway, a crucial aspect of our planning has to be air superiority, and then air offense.