When ever I see Al Zarrar, a lot of questions pop up in my Mind.
Any tank (be its T-59 II or AK) that shows up on battlefield makes an instant impact on the friendly as well as enemy forces. a tank on the battlefield gives a 1000% morale boost to own infantry.
Then things start happening:
The sound of tracks, smoke of engine, smell of fuel, dust all around, constant wireless communication between infantry commander and troop leader of tanks.
If you see one tank, be sure there will be 3 more lurking around, totalling 4. Own infantry knows that their mission success rate has increased so they will do everything to protect these tanks. enemy infantry knows that taking out these tanks is priority now. Tanks themselves present a huge target opportunity. However, taking out any tank is never easy.
Any infantry AT/ ATGM team becomes priority target for own infantry. If the first ATGM is fired from enemy position, its location is noted and retaliationary fire is directed towards it. If direct fire isnt an option, mortar fire is directed otherwise artillery bombardment is required to suppress enemy till own forces make contact with enemy and come very close to enemy positions giving enemy less reaction time to assess the attacking force and its direction of assault.
Now before all this happens. an intel is provided on enemy location: its strength, bunkers, weapons at disposal to assess capabilities, supply routes incase reinforcements make their way to it, which means also locations of nearby garrison or deployments, artillery support in the area.
In case of defense of an area from enemy, the infantry digs in and in rare cases sometimes the tanks dig in too although they can reverse and get out of pit and change positions. Digging in has its advantages and disadvantages. In most cases, tanks are used as flanking force to counter the attacking enemy and its tanks.
I have explained all this to you to convey a simple point that unlike shown in movies/games, there are many factors contributing in the use of tanks and taking out tanks. 1 tank vs 1 tank is extremely rare.
Distance, ammunition used, infantry support, artillery support, terrain, crew fitness/fatigue, commander planning, mission priority all play their factors.
Like How good it will perform against IA T72, T90 and Arjun?
There are a lot of obstacles, mines, trenches, water works, hills, natural concealments, lots of infantry action in the areas that AZ will operate, punjab and southern part of kashmir.
AZ 125mm gun is suitable for taking out T-72/T90/Arjun. Infact T-59 II 105mm can also do that and T-59 II will also be used in the same terrain, although its role is a little different, infantry support.
The usage of AZ can be predicted from its primary user, 6th Armoured division based in Gujranwala. Its the main strike force of the northern force of PA. its poised to penetrate towards Jammu in North, Gurdaspur/Pathankot area in North east, Amritsar in East, till Bhatinda in South East.
In a defensive manner, it can be used anywhere in Pakistan. 6th AD has the support of 17th Infantry Div for infantry support. The lesson learnt from 1965 war was that tanks will not battle without infantry support. 6th AD has no infantry units.
Now, before the war begins, the deployment areas of AZ has been thoroughly exercised by PA. The intel on the type of tanks used by IA in this area is also there. What kind of reinforcements of tanks and from which garrison/cantt of IA can reach the operations(ops) area is also in consideration and in how much time.
Its obvious that the terrain in which AZ vs any IA tank will take place may have maximum 1500m Line of sight (LOS) in most cases, rare cases are always there. The 125mm is extremely effective, in or under this range. However with so much infantry around PA and IA forces, a tank's main enemy maybe ATGM rather than enemy tank.
99% of armoured warfare is driving the tank: getting the tank to the area where its required, moving the tank around throughout battle, getting the tank back to own lines after combat for re-arming and refuelling as well as repairs.
1% of armoured warfare is targeting/firing etc.
In the end its upto the training standard of tank crew and both PA/IA have excellent training methods.
How many AZ are produced so far?
Probably half of T-59 numbers, around 600.
This number means roughly 13 regiments out of which 5 regiments are in 6th AD. Out of the rest of 8 regiments, i think it will be 2 each for atleast 4 independent armoured brigades in the Northern area like 8th IAB of X Corps, 3rd IAB of IV Corps, 2nd IAB of XXX Corps, IAB of IX corps (to be sent as reserve on eastern sector in case of war from Nowshera)
The reason could be that rest of 600 T-59 are already upgraded to T-59 II standard. Cost factor for upgradation from T-59 to AZ is also there.
when T-59 II/T-69 are put to storage, the AK series will make up for the numbers.
How long they are meant to serve our armored cores?
Till enough numbers of AK are in service to be handed over to 6th AD and other IAB formations of the North.
Will rest of Type 59-69 (1000 of them) will be converted in AZ standards?
Valid answers will be appreciated, not wikipedia info plz ..............
Most probably not. Cost factor and also T-59 II is a formidable tank still and used as infantry support in Infantry divisions along with T-69
