The Al-Khalid is a main battle tank built jointly by Pakistan and China during the 1990s, based on the 90-IIM Chinese Type tank.China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) built the original prototype under the name MBT-2000, and Norinco also offered the tank for export. By 2014 some 310 Al Khalid MBTs were made.In 2011 the Bangladesh army ordered 44 MBT-2000 from China.Operated by a three-man crew and armed with an automatically reloaded 125 mm smooth-bore tank gun, the tank uses a fire-control system and night-fighting equipment.Named after Muslim general Khalid bin al-Walid of the 7th century The Al Khalid tank is based on the Main Battle Tank (MBT) of chinese Norinco Type-90-II. This a Pakistani constructed tank, it's all made in Pakistan except for its engine. The engine is a Ukrainian 6TDF diesel which produces 1,200 hp. The same engine used in T-80/84 tanks. It is considerably smaller compared with other modern tanks, with a maximum weight of 46 tons in addition to a low silhouette. The Al-Khalid MBT has a 3-man crew. It had a 400Km fighting range and is equipped with night vision thermal devices. It has a maximum speed of 65-70Km / h in 10 seconds with acceleration of 0-32Km / h. It's armor is made of both composite material and reactive explosive armour.The Al Khalid is fitted with a 125 mm smooth bore weapon which can also fire missiles. Al-Khalid's main weapon is autoloader 125 mm smooth bore. Al-Khalid's unique feature is it's fitted with an auto tracking system. It also has the versatility of hunter killer that can track and engage more than one target while in motion. Even with thermal imaging systems, the tank can run entirely during the night. Maximum velocity of tank is up to 70 km per hour. Pakistan's production of the MBT-2000 Al Khalid began in 1988, and an agreement with China was reached in January 1990 to jointly design, build and produce the system. The concept is an update from the initial T902 M, and development at China's NORINCO had been going on for several years. Initial prototypes were developed in China in August 1991, and were used for trials. The production plant at Taxila in Pakistan was completed in 1992. Since then development efforts have focused on improving the landscape and high temperature environment for Pakistan. The T90 2 M engine is replaced by the Ukrainian 6TD 1200hp engine, and a newly developed thermal viewer system has been introduced to improve nocturnal combat Ukraine is a main participant in the Al-Khalid tank production which is a joint venture between China, Pakistan and Ukraine. Ukraine is also assisting Pakistan in upgrading / re-building itsT-59 tanks to the Al-Zarar configuration to suit the T-80UD tanks. In February 2002 Ukraine announced that a further 315 engines for Al-Khalid tanks would be supplied over three years by the Malyshev factory. The total value of the contract was $125–150 million. In November 2000 heavy industries Taxila began production of Al-Khalid. The Chinese land army has made no purchase orders and will not be using the same tank when it wants to buy an armored vehicle of the next generation. As of early 2002, about twenty Al-Khalid tanks were in service in Pakistan. In July 2001 it had received its first 15 Al-Khalid MBT consignment. The Pakistan Army had reportedly hoped to produce 300 more tanks in total by 2005. Pakistan had planned to add another 300 indigenous Al-Khalid tanks to its armored corps by 2007, according to a 2001 report. Pakistan received an additional consignment from Al-Khalid MBTs on 23 September 2004. It was confirmed in 2004 that the Pakistan Army already had 90 Al-Khalids fully operational in its inventory. At that time the HIT was said to be "rolling out 50 Al-Khalids every year and the amount will be increased by next year with additional allocations." Pakistan plans to build a total of 600 Al-Khalid tanks for its armed forces. HIT estimated the production rate in 2004 to be 45-60 per annum, dependent on budget allocation, and as of May 2008 some 220 were in service. Development continues, with improvements in the fire control system and link[ by the end of 2008 IISS assumed that no more than the initial 45 tank batch was in service]. During April 8-11, 2002, Malaysian military and government officials considered the Al-Khalid tank as the best and showed their interest in buying it from Pakistan at the DSA-2002 international armament exhibition. In 2003, the UAE showed interest in buying Pakistani military hardware including main battle tank Al-Khalid, Mushshak trainers, and various other defense items Pakistan can offer. Pakistan also agreed to sell Al-Khalid tanks to Bangladesh in June 2003, and to improve military-to-military ties with Bangladesh. Jane's Defence Weekly in March 2006