iLION12345_1
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Kindly read through the VT4 and Al-Khalid thread, both the turret and the engine have been discussed there.
The VT-4 is definitely significantly larger. The AK-1 tops out at around 49 tons with ERA. The VT-4 (specifically the Pakistani variant) is closer to 54 tons.
The Al-Khalid has needed a redesign for some time now, but with HIT shifting to VT4 production (they’re building a new factory for VT4 hulls, alongside using the existing AK factory, likely hints towards higher volume of locally produced parts and increased production capacity), it’s unlikely we will see a major redesign for the AK anytime soon. They are however working on integrating several new technologies to existing AK and AK-1 models including the VT4s ERA package and powertrain (the latter of which is not an easy task at all). They’re also working on CITVs, LWRs and RWS among other things, we should see tech getting carried over from VT4 to AKs eventually as upgrade programs.
The VT4s engine is already plenty powerful, 1500 or 1200HP doesn’t make much difference in tanks, the torque figure (specifically low-RPM torque) does. The engine in the VT4 can be uptuned or downtuned to make anywhere from 1100-1500HP. The Thai and Nigerian models are tuned to 1300~ HP, PAs are downtuned to 1200HP, despite weighing more than the Thai and Nigerian ones. (that’s by PAs own request, they wanted better efficiency and reliability because the engine has significantly worst mileage and is a bit more maintenance heavy when compared to the understressed AK engines, which are conversely underpowered as well, but in turn give better reliability and longer range, it’s a balance). PA can always tune them up for more power if needed. It also depends on the fuel that’s being used, tank engines are multi-fuel and not all fuel will produce the same power. The last element is the Transmission, the AK has an extremely complex, maintenance heavy transmission, one that allows it to have decent forward and excellent reverse mobility despite low power (both tanks engines are 1200HP, but the VT4s engine makes nearly 1.5-1.8x more torque). The VT4 has a simpler, more reliable transmission, but it does limit its reverse speed a bit when compared to the AK.
This is perhaps the most important point that people tend to overlook when they complain about FCs use (or lack thereof) of tanks, APCs, helicopters and MRAPs. Those things require a dedicated team of trained engineers to back them up wherever they go, especially the older tanks. Sure they are still very potent against COIN threats, but AFAIK FC does not have its own proper setup or regiment of EME and largely relies on army engineers, so the FC can’t just start using them as frontline machines or do offensive ops, for that they’d need to call in the army, and at that point it just makes more sense to use the army’s own assets. If the FC really wants to use these machines in roles other than just static guards at the border, they need to start hiring their own combat engineers.
