Pakistan produces its first tank gun

[Riz]

Pakistan's first locally-produced tank gun is ready to be fitted for its Main Battle Tanks (MBT), a media report said.

Dawn Monday said that the tank gun is ready to be delivered to the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) for Al-Khalid and Al-Zarar tanks. A tank gun is the main armament of a tank.

HIT used to earlier procure 125 millimetre 'blanks' from France for the army's two main battle tanks. Blanks are the final shape of the gun barrel before it is finished. It was then fitted into the tank at HIT.

While Al-Khalid - a joint venture between Pakistan and China - has been with the army since 2001, Al-Zarar is an upgraded T-59 tank.

The country's first blank was produced at the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) in Taxila.

Dawn quoted an official as saying the army had given a go-ahead for the production of 50 125 mm barrels for the two MBTs.

A specialised weapons grade steel was used to manufacture the tank gun. A block of metal is pressed to become a five-metre-long square bar that is forged into a smooth bore 125 mm barrel.

The HIT has finalised a deal for Rs.200 million for the 50 barrels, which is slightly less than the cost of each barrel bought from France.

The official said that after delivering 50 tank guns, the HMC plans to produce artillery guns for the Pakistan Army.
Pakistan produces its first tank gun | Deccan Chronicle

 

[graphican]

Its great to find more and more components coming from our own industries. Are there any images available for that?

 

[fatman17]

the DAWN article mentioned that HIT has manufactured prototypes of AKII and AKIII

 

[Frankenstein]

well thats a good news

 

[fatman17]

Locally-produced gun delivered to HIT for tanks
By Kalbe Ali

ISLAMABAD, April 17: The first locally-produced tank gun is ready for delivery to the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) for Al-Khalid and Al-Zarar tanks.

So far the HIT used to get 125 millimetre `blanks` from France for the two main battle tanks (MBTs) of the Pakistan Army. Blanks are the final shape of the gun barrel prior to its finishing and its fitting into the tank is done at the HIT.

The first blank has been jointly produced at the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) in Taxila by experts of the HIT, the Peoples Steel Mills Limited (PSML) of Karachi and other defence-related organisations, in coordination with the army — the end-user.

An HIT official told Dawn that the army had given a go-ahead for the production of 50 125mm barrels for the two MBTs at the HMC after a joint team assured it of meeting strict standards.

According to sources, the army and the HIT wanted the barrels to fire at least eight rounds a minute, and for the automatic ammunition handling system, with 24-round ready-to-fire magazine of Al-Khalid tank.

The official said that the manufacturing of the first 125mm tank gun was an achievement of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) set up in 2000 to improve the control of nuclear operations and monitor and develop coordination among various defence production and research organisations in the country.

The specialised weapons grade steel was manufactured at the PSML and the block of metal was retreated at the HMC which has such facilities under the heavy forge and foundry section. The block of specialised metal is pressed to become a five-metre-long square bar that is forged into a smooth bore 125mm barrel.

The HMC also has specialised facilities of large vertical furnace where the blanks are given heat treatments several times. Since it was the first job for the HMC, experts from other defence organisations monitored the process which took almost two to three months to complete.

The HIT has finalised a deal Rs200 million for 50 barrels which is slightly less than the cost of each barrel procured from France.

The official said that after the completion of 50 tank barrels, the HMC would consider producing artillery guns for the Pakistan Army.

Al-Khalid is a product of a joint venture between Pakistan and China. It has been in use of the army since 2001. Al-Zarar is an upgradation of T-59 tanks. The new barrels are likely to be part of the project for upgraded variants of Al-Khalid II and III now under way at the HIT.

 

[muse]

The HIT has finalised a deal for Rs.200 million for the 50 barrels, which is slightly less than the cost of each barrel bought from France.

While certainly this is a development to be applauded, product costs, it is hoped, will improve significantly -- Now lets move on the Engine and transmission -- While HIT Taxila and PAC Kamra are significant achievements, these need to be complemented with dedicated "Propulsion and Power" enterprise, doing basic and advanced research (create their own in house advanced education facilities), to develop propulsion systems for the Army, Air Force and Navy, especially keeping in mind developing mastery over the cutting edge science and technology.

 

[no_koadsheding_plz]

ver nice news,, we need to fulfil our own civilian needs of automobiles ,, only govt and prvt enterprises can do such a task then we can have them handy in our mil projects,,

 

[cross1993]

congratz to pakistan

 

[khurasaan1]

The HIT has finalised a deal for Rs.200 million for the 50 barrels, which is slightly less than the cost of each barrel bought from France.

Why it is so expensive....? 50 guns for 200 million Rs ..just slightly less than France ..that is too much...

 

[Imran Khan]

any pics please

 

[LEGENDARY WARRIOR]

great news. . .

 

[rcrmj]

going step by step, u guys will be there with our support..

 

[Xeric]

Making an artillery gun barrel should be the next step. If i can explain it, we were capable of making barrels in the past also, but the real issue with was writing a Firing Table for the barrel. This require much more effort then making the barrel itself - making a barrel is one thing and making sure that it works as you have planned it to work is another. Tanks being direct firing weapons dont require elaborate Firing Tables, Artillery being an indirect firing weapon on the other hand are total dependent upon them. Another factor that was against indigenous production of such items was the lack of export potential. i hope we know that fulfilling ones own needs is one thing and them making up for the cost of research through exports is another. In short, it is guud to know that atlast we have crossed the (fear) threshold, lowering the cost in imports alone is enough a factor that warranted such an initiative.

While certainly this is a development to be applauded, product costs, it is hoped, will improve significantly -- Now lets move on the Engine and transmission -- While HIT Taxila and PAC Kamra are significant achievements, these need to be complemented with dedicated "Propulsion and Power" enterprise, doing basic and advanced research (create their own in house advanced education facilities), to develop propulsion systems for the Army, Air Force and Navy, especially keeping in mind developing mastery over the cutting edge science and technology.

You have a big Aye on this from my side. Nothing is better than these complexes producing their own engineers and experts. They can start this by following the example of HEC where they make sure that if someone completes his HE with the assistance of governmental funds, he or she must work for the HEC for a certain number of years after the award of the degree. Dont confuse this with the procedure that is followed at AMC or MCS/MCE where they produce uniformed professionals.

 

[farhan_9909]

great news

 

[maverick1977]

Gents this is a huge news.. Thats a first step towards not only producing barrels but intime will lead to more powerful ammo locally designed.. less imports more R&D to take a lead in this field over time...

May be pakistan might be able to produce on the worlds top barrel which can make their tanks amongst the best in the world... Good luck Pakistan.