|
Entered service |
? |
|
Crew |
1 men |
|
Personnel |
11 men |
|
Dimensions and weight |
|
Weight |
12.5 t |
|
Length |
5.55 m |
|
Width |
2.54
m |
|
Height |
? |
|
Armament |
|
Machine guns |
1 x 12.7-mm |
|
Mobility |
|
Engine |
Detroit Diesel 6V35T or UTD-20 diesel |
|
Engine power |
275 / 330 hp |
|
Maximum road speed |
70 km/h |
|
Amphibious speed on water |
5 km/h |
|
Range |
428 km |
|
Maneuverability |
|
Gradient |
60% |
|
Side slope |
30% |
|
Vertical step |
0.6 m |
|
Trench |
1.7 m |
|
Fording |
Amphibious |
|
The Talha is
the first Pakistan's indigenously developed armored personnel
carrier. The Talha uses chassis of the US
M113
APC, but is better protected. Similar vehicles are offered by
Turkey, however Pakistan went for an indigenous design in attempt to
have a cheaper locally-built APC.
Main
armament of the Talha APC is a 12.7-mm machine gun, located on top
of the roof. Various bolt-on armor can be added for enhanced
protection.
This APC can
carry 11 fully equipped troops. There are two firing ports from
either side - a feature that the M113
was lacking. Troops enter and leave via the rear ramp.
Engine
compartment of the Talha APC can accommodate either a Detroit Diesel
6V53T engine, developing 275 hp, or a Ukrainian sourced UTD-20
diesel,
developing 330 hp.
Talha
armored personnel carrier is fully amphibious and can cross water
obstacles virtually without any preparation.
The army of
Pakistan planned to buy 2 000 of these armored vehicles by 2010,
however it is unknown if these vehicles were delivered due to
funding problems. To date only Iraq
has ordered 44 of these vehicles. Current production status of the
Talha APC is unknown.
Variants
Saad armored
personnel carrier, fitted with more powerful engine. This APC has an
extended hull and is better protected. It is armed with 14.5-mm
machine gun;
Mouz
anti-tank guided missile carrier, armed with RBS-70 missiles. It has
a crew of four;
Maaz
anti-tank guided missile carrier, armed with Baktar Shikan missiles.
It has a crew of four;
Al Hamza
infantry fighting vehicle, armed with a 25-mm cannon;
Satab
command post vehicle;
Muhafiz
internal security vehicle;
Al Hadeed
armored recovery vehicle, fitted with a crane and hydraulic winch;
Al Qaswa
armored logistics vehicle. It can be used for carrying fuel,
ammunition and supplies.
|