Pakistan is going great guns on the military front 
PAKISTAN TESTS FIRST DOMESTICALLY MADE ARMOURED VEHICLE.
Text of report by Pakistan TV on 13 August
Pakistan has prepared, from its own resources, the first armoured vehicle ‘Talha’. An exclusive report by PTV correspondent Mohammad Arshad Saleem:
[PTV correspondent Mohammad Arshad Saleem] Armoured vehicle is used for the movement of troops during the war. The armoured vehicle was used for the first time in Germany by Infantry in World War II. Pakistan Heavy Industries Taxila in 1992 started the preparation of armoured vehicle under the transfer of technology. The preparation of armoured vehicle started in 1998 in APC [Armoured Personnel Carrier] factory. This armoured vehicle has been named after the name of Talha [companion of Prophet Mohammad]. Talha set an example of bravery during the war of Ahud [war fought against infidels under the command of Prophet] while defending the Prophet Mohammad. Talha is among the ten lucky companions who were given the revelation of going to paradise during their life by Prophet Mohammad. The 12 ton armoured vehicle ‘Talha’ has the capacity of carrying 12 troops. This can travel a distance of 428 km at one time and can run successfully in every kind rough terrain. An engine of 320 horse-power can be installed in it. It can display unusual performance in deserts because of specially prepared tracks. The maximum speed of ‘Talha’ is 70 km per hour and it can cross the elevations easily. It has a night vision facility also. The front side has been given the shape of boat because of which it can float on water at the speed of 5 km. Additional firing ports and periscopes have been made in it for firing during movement. The gun of 12.7 mm has been installed on ‘Talha’ and it has capability of defending against every kind of arms and ammunition. Pakistani engineers and experts have prepared such an armoured vehicle in shape of ‘Talha’, which can be counted in the world’s latest armoured vehicles with regards to performance. By preparing it at the lower price as compared to world market much valued foreign exchange has been saved.
[Lt-Gen Hamid Javid, identified by screen caption] ‘Talha’ has been designed to meet the requirements of Pakistan Army and as a minimum it is going to be equal to or better than the American M113. Very soon we hope to put this vehicle into series production.
[Saleem] Other kinds of armoured vehicles have also been prepared in the Armed Personnel Carrier [APC] factory of Heavy Industries Taxila, which include Logistic vehicle ‘Al Kaswa’, Command Post Carrier ‘Satab’, and Security Vehicle ‘Muhafiz’. Armoured vehicle ‘Talha’ is the another important success of Heavy industries Taxila after the Main Battle Tank ‘Al Khalid’. ‘Al Khalid’ has been handed over to Pakistan Army. ‘Talha’ is in the final phase of severe trials and soon its series production will be started. Arshad Saleem, PTV News, Heavy Industries Taxila.
Source: Pakistan TV, Islamabad, in Urdu 1500 gmt 13 Aug 02.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring/ (c) BBC 2002.
Next step is making a Infantry Fighting Vehicle IFV version of the AL-TALHA, that will be known as AL-HAMZA. :soldier:
**PAKISTAN TESTS FIRST DOMESTICALLY MADE ARMOURED VEHICLE **
