Iran has revealed to the public their new “Karrar” main battle tank. As can be expected, Iranian government sources have described the new vehicle in rather glowing terms, while releasing few details. According to Defense Blog.com, the Karrar appears to be an upgraded T-72S, modified with a new turret and improved armor and electronics. According to the Iranian Mehr News Agency, the new Karrar tank is “100 percent Iranian made” and is “superior to the Russian-made T-90MS in certain aspects.” Iran had been exploring the option of purchasing T-90 tanks from Russia, but says that their ability to produce the Karrar makes purchasing tanks from foreign countries unnecessary. As might be expected, Russian news source Sputnik International was quite to jump on the Iranian comparison to the T-90, declaring that “Iran’s newest tank is no match to Russia’s T-90” Meanwhile, Western media sources have chimed in, including articles in the National Interest and Popular Mechanics.
Probably the best description currently available online is from the blog Under the Turret Ring in their March 12 post Production version of the Karrar MBT unveiled (updated). As usual, this blog provides a rather sober and well-informed analysis of the topic. Also worth checking out is the thread on the Karrar over at Sturgeon’s House forum.
News articles on the Karrar (listed by country):
Iran – Mehr News Agency: Iran unveils highly-advanced Karrar Tank
Iran – PressTV: Iran unveils world-class indigenous tank
Russia – Sputnik International: Despite Striking Resemblance Iran’s Newest Tank is no Match to Russia’s T-90
USA – The National Interest: Iran’s ‘New’ Karrar Tank: “One of the Most Advanced Tanks in the World”?
USA – Popular Mechanics: Iran’s New Tank Is a Whole Lot of Meh
USA – Froxtrot Alpha: Iran’s New Tank Makes Lofty Claims It Hasn’t Backed Up
Tank and AFV News 
Leave a comment