At least 125 Shir 1 models were on order and 1,225 Shir 2 tanks were slated for procurement by Iran. Three prototypes of the Shir 1 were ready in 1977, at the Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds (since taken over by Vickers Defence Systems) with first production tanks scheduled for delivery in 1980. A further order for 125 Shir Iran 1 (FV4030/2s), 1225 Shir Iran 2 (FV4030/3s) MBTs, and 71 armoured recovery vehicles (ARV) followed in 1974-5 for delivery from 1980. In all, 187 of the FV4030/1, were supplied. Iran also took delivery of 187 improved Chieftains called "Shir Iran 1" (the FV4030/1 development of the Chieftain Mk 5 used by the British Army) which carried more fuel, had improved mine protection and additional shock absorbers as well as electronic control of the David Brown Defence Equipment TN12 transmission, for it's operational needs. Most of these were built by RO Leeds, subsequently taken over by Vickers Defence Systems, which built all the ARVs. 5/5(P) with a number of armored recovery vehicles (ARV) and armoured vehicle-launched bridges (AVLB) based on the Chieftain MBT chassis, all of which were delivered by early 1978. 3/3(P) (The P standing for Persia) and the remainer Mk. In 1971, Iran placed an order with Royal Ordnance (RO) of the UK for 707 Chieftains of which 73 were Mk. Iran's Shir tank was designed for conditions in that country. Iran was already the largest foreign operator of the Chieftain, with over 700 in inventory. Development of the Shir 1 began in 1974, was based on the Chieftain MBT, the standard main battle tank of the British Army at the time. The Shir 1 was developed as the interim design preceeding the all-new "Shir 2" MBT combat system (which eventually became the Challenger 1 MBT). The Shir 1 / Khalid is essentially a late production Chieftain with major changes to the fire-control system and powerpack the latter is the same as Challenger 1 MBT used by the British Army. The Khalid Main Battle Tank was born out of the aborted "Shir 1" ("Leo") tank built by the British to an Iranian Army requirement. The Royal Jordanian Army adopted the FV4030/2 as the Khalid MBT with deliveries beginning in 1981. The Khalid was essentially an intermediate hybrid of the FV4030/1 Chieftain and FV4030/3 Challenger 1 - The Shir 1 had the hull of a late-model Chieftain and a new engine and powertrain used on the Challenger.
0 kommentar(er)
