This is a discussion on Iran's supposed Zolfaqar-3 MBT actually captured Abrams? within the Army & Security Forces forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; Pro-Iranian internet often cites certain photographs of a recent military parade as evidence of the new Zulfigar3 MBT (also spelt ...
I was going to say that the front and rear where different, but then i realised that the turrest was just turned around to fit on the truck, don't knwo much about tanks, but they do lot very similer.
Or do they really have an indiginous tank that looks that 'modern'?
I don't think it's an M1 - unless they've grafted a new design hull on top. It would be interesting to see free standing shots to get an idea of dimensions.
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
This definitely is a M1 schematic. Some one must have mislead you or given you the wrong link.
the line drawing is definitely an M1-A1 - it says so in the link.
are you saying that the Iranian web sites have been saying that the line drawing is supposed to be of an Iranian Tank? if thats the case, then they are off in fantasy land.
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
Highly suspect except that the info is in turn ripped from Jane's Armour & Artillery.
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Defence Industries organization
Zulfiqar MBT
Early in 1994, Iran unveiled a new MBT called the Zulfigar which has been developed by 'Construction Crusade', an arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Russia is known to have provided Iran with a quantity of T-72 MBTs and recent reports have indicated that the Zulfigar uses some components of the Russian T-72 including the 125 mm smoothbore gun and automatic loader. The T-72S, which Is an export version of the T-72 and is fitted with ERA, is now being manufactured in Iran under license.
A detailed analysis of available information and photographs of the Zulfiqar reveal that the hull and turret are of welded steel construction and bear little resemblance to the T-72 at all.
The Russian T-72 MBT, like the earlier T-54/T-55/ T-62, is powered by a diesel engine with the air Intakes/ outlets in the hull roof and the single exhaust outlet on the left side of the hull towards the rear.
The new Iranian MBT is powered by a diesel engine with two exhaust outlets in the rear of the hull; this could indicate the engine is a V-type. The layout of the Zulfigar MBT is conventional with the driver front left, turret in the centre and the power pack at the rear. The driver has a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the right and three day periscopes for driving when closed up. Suspension appears to be of the torsion bar type with six dual rubber-tired roadwheels, idler at the front and large drive sprocket at the rear; there are five return rollers.
The roadwheels and other parts of the suspension appear to be very similar to those of the US M60 series MBT which has been in service with Iran for many years. The hull of the Iranian MBT is of the box shape rather than the boat shape of the M48/M60 series.
The front of the turret is well sloped and is angled to the rear to provide the maximum possible level of protection. There is a domed ventilator in the turret roof on the right side and this is similar to that fitted to the US M48/M60 series MBTs, as are the day/night driving lights mounted on the glacis plate.
The commander is seated on the right with the gunner on the left. The two examples of the Zulfiqar do have a number of minor differences in the commander's cupola. The first one is similar to that used in the T-72 while the second one has a cupola that is similar to that developed in Israel and has an externally mounted 12.7 mm MG.
Main armament comprises a 125 mm smoothbore gun which is fitted with a fume extractor and may well be fed by an automatic loader. The 125 mm gun is positioned in a very narrow mantlet and there does not appear to be a coaxial machine gun fitted.
Iran may well have the capability to assemble an MBT, but it must be considered very doubtful if every single component used in the Zulfigar is produced in Iran. Some key subsystems must still be imported. No detailed specifications of the Zulfigar have been released but Iran sources have stated that it has a combat weight of 40 tonnes, is powered by a 1,000 hp diesel and has a maximum road speed of 70 km/h.
Iranian sources also claim that the Zulfigar is fitted with a weapon stabilization system and a computerized fire-control system which includes a laser range-finder. Night vision equipment is also fitted.
Late in 1999, it was stated that development of the third-generation Zulfiqar MBT had been completed and volume production for the Iranian ground forces had commenced.
Since the existence of the Zulfiqar MBT was first revealed in 1994, further development has taken place with the latest version claimed to have fundamental differences, especially in the turret.
According to Iran, the Zulfigar MBT features an NBC system, good cross-country mobility, advanced fire control system (possibly of European origin) and laser range-finder for improved first round hit capability and reinforced passive armor.
It is believed that the 125 mm smooth bore gun and its associated automatic loading system is the same as that installed in the T-72S MBT which is now being manufactured in Iran under a deal signed with Russia several years ago. This feeds the 125 mm projectile and then the charge into the 125 mm gun. A 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted coaxial with the main armament.
Russia and Poland have also supplied Iran with about 200 T-72 series MBTs which were delivered between 1993 and 1995. In many respects the Zulfigar MBT is very similar in. appearance to the now defunct Brazilian ENGESA Osorio MBT but with suspension similar to that of the 105 mm armed M60 MBT already in service with Iran. Prototypes of the Osorio were armed with a 105 mm rifled tank gun or a 120 mm smoothbore gun, both of which were manually loaded.
It is believed that the power pack of the Zulfiqar MBT may also be used in the upgraded Iranian T-54/T-55/ Type 59 MBT which is also called the Type 72Z and covered in a separate entry. This consists of a Russian V-46-6 V-12 diesel developing 780 hp coupled to a SPAT 1200 transmission. This gives Zulfiqar a maximum road speed of 65 km/h.
Status
In production. In service with the Iranian Army. There are no known exports of the Zulfiqar.
Courtesy: Janes Armor & Artillery
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From the above, it would seem that the Iranians are very practical in getting the best out of the Russian T-72 series and the American M48/M60 series. Time and war will tell if they had it right.
Last edited by WebMaster; July 13th, 2005 at 11:40 AM.
Reason: external forum URL edited as proper source is stated.
Well rather boxy and flat topped. But if half their claims are even true, then they will 2nd after India in terms of modern tanks available. Interestingly ominious.
So does that mean they have only copied the outer body of M-1?
Yes, it's a poor copy. US policy towards immobilised M1's is to either protect and recover or to destroy completely. The technology is classified. When an Abrams has been immobilised its assigned a protective crew to stop anyone stealing or removing components. If the vehicle can't be safely recovered, they physically destroy the carcass after removing any portbale and removable components.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SABRE
Avionics & Specifications are inferior?
Yes, as far as drawing a parallel to modern MBT's.
________________ A corollary of Finagle's Law, similar to Occam's Razor, says:
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
Iran's supposed Zolfaqar-3 MBT actually captured Abrams? 
Re: Iran's supposed Zolfaqar-3 MBT actually captured Abrams? 
