Zulfiqar-1 Iranian Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Zulfiqar-1, Zulfiqar
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Other
Basic Information
Name
Zulfiqar-1 Iranian Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Designation
Zulfiqar-1, Zulfiqar
Alternate Designation
Zulfiqar-1, Zulfiqar
Equipment Type
Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Manufacturer
Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex
Date of Introduction
1994
Description
Zolfaqar is a second generation of Iran's main battle tank (MBT). The test prototypes of the tank were evaluated in 1993. Six semi-industrial prototypes of the tank were produced and tested in 1997. The tank has a distinctive box-shaped, steel-welded turret of local design. Zolfaqar combat weight is reported to be 36 tons and has a 780 hp diesel engine; the tank has a 21.7 hp per ton ratio. Zolfaqar is operated by a crew of three personnel. The automatic loader is believed to be the same one from the T-72 tank. The Iranian Zulfiqar (also written Zolfaqar) main battle tank is believed to be pieced together or developed from major components of the Russian T-72 and American M48 and M60 tanks. This tank, which is claimed to be in production in Iran, is said to be similar in configuration to the M-48 and M-60. Other reports suggest that it bears a close resemblance to the American M1 Abrams.t is named after the sword of Shia leader Hazrat Ali.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Engine
V-12 Diesel (1000 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Variants
Zulfiqar-2
The Zulfiqar-2 is an interim main battle tank prototype used as a test bed. This variant is fitted with a new and more powerful engine. It has an extended chassis and possibly uses an improved autoloader.
Zulfiqar-3
The Zulfiqar-3 is the most advanced variant of the Zulfiqar family. It features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun. The new variant is equipped with the 2A46 125 mm smoothbore cannon with an autoloader, a laser rangefinder and a new fire control system.
System
Alternative Designation
Zulfiqar-1, Zulfiqar
Manufacturer
Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex
In Service
1996-Present
Type
Main Battle Tank
Family
Zulfiqar Class
Crew
3 (commander, gunner and driver) ea
Passenger Capacity
INA
Dimensions
Length (Gun Forward)
9.2 m
Length (Hull)
7 m
Width
3.6 m
Height
2.5 m
Weight, Combat
40 tons
Ground Pressure
INA kg/m
Automotive
Engine Name
V-46-6-12
Engine Type
V-12 Diesel
Engine Power
1,000 hp
Power-to-Weight Ratio
21.7 hp/metric ton
Cruising Range
450 km
Speed, Maximum Road
70 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
40
Speed Maximum Swim
Not Amphibious km/h
Gradient
60 deg
Side Slope
30 deg
Vertical Step
0.8 m
Trench
2.8 m
Fording Depth
1.4 m
Transmission
SPAT 1200 automatic
Day/Night Driving Lights
Yes, mounted on the glacis plate.
Communications
Primary Radio
INA
Secondary Radio
INA
Main Gun
Note
The Zulfiqar is armed with a fully-stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun, fitted with an autoloader. This gun and associated automatic loader are understood to be from the Russian T-72 MBT.
System
Name
2A46M/2A46M-5
Type
125mm Smoothbore
Max Rate of Fire
8 rds/min
Manually Load Time
1-2 rds/min
Autoloader
Yes, Carousel-Type Autoloader
Fire on the Move
Yes, Main Gun
Traverse Range
360 deg
Traverse Left
180 deg
Traverse Right
180 deg
Maximum Elevation
+14 deg
Minimum Elevation
-6 deg
Fume Extractor
Yes
Ammunition (Option 1)
Name
3VBM3
Type
Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS)
Caliber
125 mm
Muzzle Velocity
2,050 m/s
Basic Load
39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Effective Range
2,000-3,000 m
Armor Penetration
1,000 mm
Projectile Weight
11 kg
Variants
1.1 3VBM3/3BM9/10 1.2 3VBM6/3BM12/13 1.3 3VBM7/3BM15/16 1.4 3VBM8/3BM17/18 1.5 3VBM9/3BM22/23 1.6 3VBM10/3BM29/30 1.7 3VBM11/3BM26/27 1.8 3VBM13/3BM32/33 1.9 3VBM17/3BM42 (3BM44 "Mango") 1.10 3VBM19/3BM42M (3BM44M "Lekalo") 1.11 3VBM20/3BM46 (3BM48 "Svinets") 1.12 3VBM22/3BM59 (3BM59 "Svinets-1") 1.13 3VBM23/3BM60 (3BM60 "Svinets-2") 1.14 3VBM?/3BM69 "Vacuum-1" 1.15 3VBM?/3BM70 "Vacuum-2"
Ammunition (Option 2)
Name
3VOF22
Type
High Explosives (HE)
Purpose
High explosive fragmentation fin stabilised. General purpose rounds, for use against infantry, bunkers and light vehicles and other "soft" targets.
Caliber
125 mm
Muzzle Velocity
850 m/s
Basic Load
39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Projectiles
Max Dispersion
0.23 mrad
Maximum Range
5,000 m
Charge
A-IX-2 (73% RDX, 23% aluminium powder, phlegmatized with 4% wax) 3.0 kg
Projectile Weight
23 kg
Round Weight
33 kg
Variants
3VOF22/3OF19, 3VOF36/3OF26, 3VOF128/3OF82
Ammunition (Option 3)
Name
3VBK27/3BK31 "Start"
Type
High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)
Caliber
125 mm
Muzzle Velocity
915 m/s
Basic Load
39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles
Max Dispersion
INA
Maximum Range
3,000 m
Charge Type
HEAT
Charge Weight
1.62 kg
Projectile Weight
18.4 kg
Armor Penetration
Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT
Variants
3VBK7/3BK12, 3VBK10/3BK14, 3BK12M, 3BK14M, 3VBK16/3BK18, 3BK18M, 3VBK17/3BK21, 3BK21B, 3VBK21/3BK25, 3VBK25/3BK29 "Breyk", 3VBK25M/3BK29M
Auxiliary Weapon System
Note
The Zulfiqar-1 lacks a coaxial machine gun
System
Name
Type 54 (DShKM)
Type
12.7 mm Type 54 Heavy Machine Gun
Proliferation
+1 Million
Length, Total
1,625 mm
Barrel length
1,070 mm
Weight (Gun Only)
34 kg
Weight (On Wheeled Mounting)
157 kg
Rate of Fire
600 rds/min
Action
Gas-Operated, Flapper Locking
Feed System
50 Round Belt
Sights
Iron/Optical
Variants
DK, DShKM, DSHKS, Type 54 HMG
Ammunition
Type
heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge
Caliber
12.7 mm
Cartridge
12.7x108 mm
Muzzle Velocity
850 m/s
Basic Load
1,200 ea
Maximum Effective Range
2,500 m
Armor Penetration
API: 21 at 500 m & 13 at 1000 m (RHA)
Fire Control
Name
Slovenian EFCS-3 fire-control system
Computerized FCS
Yes
Thermal Sight Tank Commander
Yes
Thermal Sight Gunner
Yes
Thermal Sight Driver
Yes, passive periscope for night driving.
Main Gun Stabilization
Yes
Domestic System
Yes
Laser Rangefinder
Yes
Fire on the Move
Yes
Driver Periscopes
three day periscopes for driving
Protection
Hull Armor
Reinforced composite armor on the front arc.
Turret Armor
Turret mounts a laser-warning pod
Applique Armor
Available
Explosive Reactive Armor
Available
Active Protection System
INA
Mine Clearing
INA
Self-Entrenching Blade
No
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
INA
Details
Country of Origin
Iran
Category
Tanks
Land > Tanks
Filter Label
Z
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
—
Width
3.6 m
Height
2.5 m
Weight
40000 kg
Operators (1)
Iran
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