Karrar (tank)

Karrar (Persian كرار lit. Striker) is an Iranian third generation main battle tank. The tank was announced on 12 March 2017. At the announcement, it was stated that it possessed an electro-optical fire control system, a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer and could fire at both stationary and mobile targets in day or night.[5]

Karrar
Karrar tank on display.
TypeMain battle tank
Place of origin Iran
Service history
Used byIran
Production history
ManufacturerBani Hashim Defense Industrial Complex[1]
Produced2017–present[2]
No. builtUnknown amount built as of April 2022, 800 on order
Specifications
Mass51 tons[3]
Length6.8 m (hull) / 9.78 m (total)
Width3.68 m
Height2.5 m
Crew3 (Gunner, Commander and Driver)
ArmorComposite armor, with ERA (possibly Relikt ERA "copy" for turret)[4]
Main
armament
125 mm 2A46M/M-2/M-5 smoothbore gun with stabilizer
Secondary
armament
12.7mm machine gun / 14.5mm machine gun
Enginediesel
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
Possibly 550 km (plus with 280 km more from fuel tank)
Maximum speed ~70 km/h

Despite its visual similarity to the T-90, Iran has rejected any alleged Russian collaboration in the project.[6]

History

After the Karrar was unveiled to the public, Tehran announced that it would undergo mass production on 12 March 2017.[7] Although at the time it was not clear if pre-production, or production models were being constructed.

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari mentioned that the Karrar would be delivered in 2018.[8]

The IRGC plans to procure up to 800 Karrar main battle tanks.[9] On November 20, 2020, production models of the Karrar were deemed ready to enter service with the Iranian Army.[10]

Design

The main armament of the Karrar consists of a 125 mm smoothbore gun fitted with a fume extractor and a thermal sleeve.[4] A remotely operated weapon station armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun is mounted on the roof of the turret. The main gun is able to fire anti-tank laser-guided missiles.[11] An autoloader is also installed, removing the need of a loader.[12]

The Karrar is supposedly fitted with latest generation of Iranian composite armor, with explosive reactive armor panels mounted on the front of the hull and turret. There is also armour plates on the sides and slat armour at the rear of the hull and turret.[2] The Karrar has 3 main types of ERA present. The first is what appears to be an Iranian copy of Relikt on the sideskirts and turret front, an unknown ERA on the top of the turret, and an extremely thick ERA on the front of the hull previously seen on Iranian M60 tanks.[13][14] The Karrar features 4 electro optical jammers and a 360 degrees laser warning receiver as part of it's soft-kill active protection system.

External fuel tanks can be attached to the rear in order to extend its range.[4]

Variants

In November 22, 2020, a service variant was shown. It lacked the metal sheet on the barrel, was painted in a tan color scheme, some tiny differences to the gunners sights, upgraded optical systems, and an electro-optical jamming system.[15][10]

Similarity to Russian tanks

Defence Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan said that the "tank can compete with the most advanced tanks in the world in three main areas: power, precision and mobility, as well as maintenance and durability on the battleground… The Karrar has the capability to fire missiles and precisely guide them [towards the target], Moreover Karrar can be operated by the gunner and commander from two parallel sights.”

"It is no coincidence that specialists regard the Karrar as some kind of a copy of the Russian-made T-90MS, the most advanced modification of the T-90 platform", according to retired Maj. Gen. Vladimir Bogatyrev, chair of the Board of the Russian National Association of Retired Military Officers. He also added that "It is based on the T-72 platform, but it also has something from the American Abrams and M60 tanks. Some elements are borrowed from the M48 and the British Chieftain tank. They took all these elements and tried to design their own tank."


Operators

See also

References
  1. Production of 800 New Tanks to be Delivered to the Army and the IRGC + Details
  2. "Iran launches production line of new Karrar home-made MBT main battle tank". Army Recognition. 12 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  3. Trew, Bel (14 March 2017). "Iran turns its back on Russia and China with own battle tank". The Times. Cairo. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  4. ARG. "Karrar Main Battle Tank - Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  5. "Iran Unveils Highly Advanced Home-Made Battle Tank". Fars News Agency. 12 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  6. Beckhusen, Robert (25 August 2016). "Iran's 'New' Karrar Tank: "One of the Most Advanced Tanks in the World"?". Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  7. "Iran unveils domestically produced tank, production line". Associated Press. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  8. Administrator. "Karrar MBT tank delivery to Iranian army March 2018 10907171 - July 2017 Global Defense Security news industry - Defense Security global news industry army 2017 - Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  9. "Iran Plans To Manufacture, Upgrade Its Military Tanks". caspiannews.com. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  10. "Production model of Iranian-made Karrar Main Battle Tank MBT ready to enter in service | Defense News November 2020 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year".
  11. "Iran's government rolls out new tank – photos of the Karrar". 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  12. "كرار نخستين تانك پيشرفته بومي كشور با حضور وزير دفاع رونمايي و خط توليد انبوه آن افتتاح شد+گزارش تصویری". Archived from the original on 2018-05-26. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  13. "Karrar Main Battle Tank". Tank Encyclopedia. 2022-02-05. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  14. "https://twitter.com/irandefense/status/1465010850603966469". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-04-27. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  15. Sambo, Scoty (2020-10-14). "The Dead District: Iranian Karrar MBT Walk Around". The Dead District. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  16. "Iranian Tank Used in IRGC Drill - Politics news".
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