Why Ukrainian Tanks Aren't Good for Pakistan DEFENSE NEWS TODAY

Recently, there has been much discussion about why Ukrainian tanks don’t perform well for Pakistan. Defense News Today reports that Ukrainian tanks have several problems, mainly due to engine production issues and their need for special lubricating oils that only come from Ukraine. This situation raises doubt about how practical these tanks would be for use in Pakistan.

Engine Production Issues

The main problem is the lack of 6TD and 6TD-2 engines, which are necessary for the Ukrainian T-80UD tanks. The Malyshev plant in Kharkov, which makes these engines, does not have a functioning production line due to war. Plus, these engines require specific lubricating oils only produced in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Tanks: T-80UD Tank Pakistan Army

To solve this, Pakistan is looking into getting compatible oil from Russia. But this solution might not keep the tanks working well for a long time.

Pakistan’s Plans with T-80UD Tanks

Even with these issues, Pakistan’s military readiness is not taking a hit. Reports indicate that Islamabad is slowly retiring its T-80UD tanks. This decision is part of a larger plan to upgrade its armoured units to more dependable and efficient vehicles.

Problems with the Oplot-P Tanks

A significant setback for Ukraine’s tank sales to Pakistan became apparent when three Oplot-P tanks didn’t perform as expected during rigorous tests. These newer versions of the T-80UD and T-84 models did not perform well compared to the Chinese VT-4 and the local Al-Khalid I tanks. This underperformance exposed weaknesses in Ukrainian tank technology and reaffirmed that Pakistan prefers the better functionality of the Chinese VT-4 tanks and its own developed Al-Khalid I.

The Success of VT-4 and Al-Khalid I

The VT-4 tanks from China, which Pakistan has purchased in large quantities, have shown strong performance. Military experts believe these tanks could rival India’s Russian-made T-90s. Moreover, the Al-Khalid I tank, a joint project between Pakistan and China, has become known as an effective and adaptable option for Pakistan’s armoured forces. These tanks are built to handle Pakistan’s specific operational needs.

Attention on Ukrainian Tanks

In another instance, a Ukrainian T-84 Oplot tank was seen at the Yuma military training ground in Arizona in 2021, drawing attention to its capabilities. However, this interest hasn’t led to much success for Ukraine in exporting tanks. Ukraine’s tank production issues—from engine supply problems to poor test results—have damaged its international reputation, particularly in countries like Pakistan, where reliability and cost-effectiveness are crucial.

Ukrainian Tanks: T-80UD Tank Pakistan Army During Pakistan Day Parade — Ukrainian Tanks: T-80UD Tank, Pakistan Army, During Pakistan Day Parade

Main Points for Pakistan’s Armoured Units

Need for Modernisation: Pakistan’s choice to phase out old T-80UD tanks shows a shift towards updating its armoured capabilities.
Benefits of Chinese Partnerships: The VT-4 and Al-Khalid I tanks are reliable alternatives, thanks to Chinese help in their production.
Ukrainian Tank Technology Shortcomings: The failures of Oplot-P tanks highlight Ukraine’s struggles to meet global standards.

Conclusion

Production and technology issues have weakened the effectiveness of Ukrainian tanks for Pakistan. As advanced Chinese tanks become more prominent and Pakistan aims for local development, the country is in a favourable position to enhance its military strength. This situation highlights the importance of sustainable logistics and technological flexibility in modern military operations.