Two years ago, it became known about the creation of the KF-1 tank in Iraq, known as Al-Kafeel and also had the unofficial nickname "Super T-55".
However, judging by the released video footage, the Chinese Type 69, acquired back in the 80s, during the war with neighboring Iran, was taken as the basis for it. This car had a lot in common with the "fifty-fifth", but was not a complete clone of it. For example, it had a new sighting system with a laser rangefinder.
Despite the significant losses during the two wars with the Americans and their allies, there are still a number of such combat vehicles in Iraq, which began to be restored and returned to the troops.
However, at present this technique is considered hopelessly outdated, so it was decided to radically modernize it. This is how the prototype KF-1 appeared, which received an additional booking of the hull and turret, enhanced by dynamic protection.
It is reported that, as on the American M1 Abrams, part of the ammunition on it is located in an isolated compartment mounted in the stern of the tower. The gunner received a fire control system with a thermal imager.
The commander has a remote - controlled 12.7-mm machine gun at his disposal. The driver can control the tank by receiving an image from a video camera installed on it. The gun remained the same-100 mm, the engine was also not changed.
At the first demonstrations, it was noted that other preserved Type 59, Type 69 and T-55 would be modernized in a similar way. However, apparently, the KF-1 turned out to be too complex and expensive for the Iraqi industry, which has suffered greatly in recent decades, so it has not yet been able to become mass-produced.
Alexey Brusilov
