Subcontinental thunder

Both India and Pakistan have upgraded their fire powerJANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLYThe Pakistan Army has shown for the first time a prototype of t...

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Both India and Pakistan have upgraded their fire power

JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY
The Pakistan Army has shown for the first time a prototype of the AI Zarrar (Striker), an upgraded Type 59 main battle tank (MBT), during Pakistan’s 60th National Day parade held in Islamabad on March 21.

Amidst continuing tension with India, Pakistan is seeking to bolster its fleet of more than 2,300 MBTs. The army received the last of 320 T-80 UDs which also participated in the parade.

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The Chinese-built Type 59 forms the backbone of Pakistan’s armoured force, with an estimated 1,200 in service. The Type 59s have been undergoing a progressive three-phase upgrade programme over the past few years under the leadership of Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) facility. Besides improving the Type 59’s armour, mobility and firepower, the upgrade also offers improved reliability and reduced maintenance.

Phase I included the installation of: a 105 mm rifled tank gun; computerised fire control system; a two-axis stabilisation system for the 100 mm main armament and image intensification sights for the tank commander, gunner and driver. Phase II includes a more powerful diesel engine and thermal night vision equipment rather than image intensification night vision devices.The latest Phase III upgrade includes: the installation of a 700 hp diesel engine; the replacement of the 100 mm rifled gun by a 125 mm smooth bore gun; an improved suspension system; enhanced armour protection; an improved fire control system new gun control equipment and thermal imaging system.

* * * * * * * BOFORS Weapons Systems’ 155mm/45-calibre FH-77BD 6 x 6 self-propelled artillery system will be sent to India for extensive fire power and mobility trials in May.

India’s Ministry of Defence accepted Bofors Weapons Systems’ offer to send the FG-77BD for trials on a no-cost, no-commitment basis.

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Jane’s Defence Weekly understands that the MoD will issue invitations to a number of companies to demonstrate their 155mm towed artillery systems in India. The FH-77BD and the French Giat Industries (CAESAR 6 x 6 155 mm/52 calibre systems) are seen as possible alternatives to the towed weapon requirement.

Compared with conventional full-tracked self-propelled artillery systems, these weapons would be cheaper to procure, operate and maintain, and offer greater strategic mobility.

The FH-77BD is a further development of the prototype system, which mounts the elevating mechanism of the FH-77B 155 mm/38-calibre towed artillery system on a commercial VME A25C 6 x 6 articulated all-terrain chassis. This was originally developed as a private venture, but was subsequently funded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration with two versions developed and tested by the Swedish Artillery School. Bofors delivered 410 FH-77Bs to India from 1986 to 1990 but, following allegations of corruption, India froze plans to put the weapon into local production.

The FH-77B was used extensively during the 1999 India/Pakistan border conflict. Last year India placed contracts with Bofors for vital FH-77B spare parts…

Jane’s Defence Weekly, March 29