In the spring of 2017, the Iranian industry for the first time presented the promising main battle tank "Karrar" ("Attacker"). It was argued that by the end of the year, this machine will go into series, and over the next few years, the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will receive about 800 such MBT. Such plans have not yet been implemented, but the question of the characteristics and capabilities of the latest Iranian tank is still relevant.
Recall that the MBT "Karrar" was developed by Iran independently, although its design is based on solutions and units borrowed from Soviet or Russian technology. Design work was carried out for several years, and in March 2017 the first prototype was presented to the public. Now the tank should go into series production, but the dates for the start of production were shifted several times.
What is good about the tank
The use of borrowed ideas led to the emergence of a tank with powerful anti-cannon defense. The welded hull and turret "Carrara" have a combined frontal projection protection, reinforced with dynamic protection units. The stern and side armor sections are covered with cutting screens.
The exact parameters of the combined and dynamic protection of the tank are unknown, and therefore there are very different estimates - from excessively overestimated to unjustifiably underestimated. However, there is every reason to believe that the level of protection "Carrar" is not inferior to a number of foreign MBT, such as the T-72 or M1 of the first modifications, or can be compared with more advanced models that have overhead elements.
The main armament of the "Carrara" is a smooth-bore gun-launcher, which is a copy of the Soviet / Russian product 2A46 (M). In the recent past, Iran was also able to copy our 9K119M "Reflex" guided weapons complex with the 9M119M "Invar" missile and some other ammunition for 125-mm systems. A copy of 2A46 (M) is coupled with an automatic loader, but the main part of the ammunition, apparently, is transported not in the hull, but in the rear of the tower.
According to various sources, MBT "Karrar" is equipped with a fire control system of the KAT-72 type or its modernized version. This system is based on the Slovenian Fotona EFCS3-55 MSA, previously purchased for other Iranian tanks. Improvement of electronics is carried out both on its own and with the help of Chinese developments. A self-defense system of its own Iranian design makes it possible to realize the potential of the existing artillery and missile weapons.
Taking into account modern threats and trends, "Carrar" was equipped with a combat module with a machine gun. The remotely controlled system allows for self-defense without risk to tankers. It is curious that at different times different modules appeared on the experimental MBTs. All such products have their own surveillance equipment, which is probably proposed to be used as a panoramic sight of the commander.
What's wrong with a tank
A number of features of the MBT "Carrar" can be considered both ambiguous features and significant shortcomings. In some cases, such estimates are facilitated by the lack of accurate data, while in others the problems are well known and even obvious.
According to foreign sources, the Iranian tank can be equipped with a local version of the 840 hp B-84 diesel engine. Combat weight is declared at the level of 51 tons, which gives a specific power of no more than 16, 5 hp. on t. The maximum speed on the highway is declared at 65-70 km / h. Low power density can severely limit mobility in rough terrain. To obtain mobility at the level of modern MBT, the Iranian "Karrar" needs an engine with a capacity of at least 1000-1100 hp. As far as is known, Iran cannot yet make such an engine, which interferes with tank building.
The LMS and its components raise big questions. Lacking its own experience in this area, Iran is forced to modify foreign systems, and with the help of imported element base. It is not known for certain what the real results of this approach are. The LMS for "Carrar" is based on a good foreign model, but it can no longer be called fully modern.
A serious problem from the point of view of modern concepts is the lack of situational awareness of the commander. It is proposed to monitor the situation using periscopes on the hatch, as well as using the optics of a remotely controlled combat module. A full-fledged panoramic sight of the commander would be much more useful for the tank.
Iran was unable to completely copy the tank KUV "Reflex-M" and uses some of its outdated components. It is known that the missile control system used is not interfaced with the thermal imaging sight of the FCS. As a result, there are new unjustified restrictions on the use of missile weapons, reducing the overall potential of the tank.
It should be noted that the biggest problems of MBT "Carrar" are not related to technical solutions and components. Both the specific project and the entire Iranian tank building are faced with a number of characteristic technological and production difficulties. In the current conditions, due to economic and technological limitations, Iran cannot massively produce all the desired models of weapons and equipment.
In the context of the real prospects of the "Karrar" tank, one can recall the history of the previous Iranian project - "Zulfikar". These MBTs went into series in 1996, and later, based on them, two improved modifications were created. However, the total release of the three versions of "Zulfikar" has not yet exceeded 250-300 units. The reasons for this are obvious: the general difficulty of developing a modern tank and the lack of the necessary experience, aggravated by the insufficient development of the necessary industries.
Obviously, the experience of the development of "Zulfikar" and the modernization of imported tanks had a positive effect on the capabilities of the industry, but it should not be overestimated. The real potential of Iranian tank building is also demonstrated by the fate of the "Carrar" itself. This tank was shown in 2017 and then promised to release the first production vehicles by the end of the year. In the middle of last year, officials again talked about the imminent launch of the series. Finally, similar statements were made in January 2019.
Thus, more than two years have passed, and the production of armored vehicles has not yet been established. The actual timing of the construction of serial "Carrars" is still unknown.
Ambiguous project
The Iranian project MBT "Karrar" has strengths and weaknesses, but their ratio is far from ideal, which can lead to sad consequences. At the moment, there is no reason to believe that the plans to produce 800 tanks for the ground forces and the IRGC will be fulfilled. There is no talk of building all this equipment within a reasonable time frame.
Within the framework of the Karrar project, the Iranian industry, widely using other people's developments and technologies, was able to create its own version of the third generation main battle tank. This vehicle is capable of solving all major combat missions, but its real capabilities may be seriously limited. It should not be compared to new tank models or the latest upgrades to existing equipment. "Carrar" can be a worthy competitor only for relatively old samples.
Several main conclusions follow from all this. It should be admitted that Iran was indeed able to create its own project of a main battle tank, but the resulting machine cannot be considered fully modern and meets all current requirements. Against the background of advanced samples from leading countries, it does not seem perfect enough. At the same time, Iran does not have the ability to quickly establish a full-scale production of new equipment and compensate for the lag in quality at the expense of quantity.
Thus, the project MBT "Carrar" so far looks more like a failure. If this tank can be brought to production and operation in the army, it will be possible to speak of limited success. However, even in this case, Iran will not yet be able to compete with the world leaders of tank building.
With all the existing problems and difficulties, the Iranian tank building continues to work. Attempts are being made to create and launch new models in order to re-equip the army. The result of such work so far leaves much to be desired, but the desire to develop its defense industry to meet the requirements of the armed forces is commendable. Of course, more modest than it should be with the full and timely implementation of all plans.
