Introducing the Al Kafil-1: Iraq’s New Main Battle Tank Built Locally in Baghdad

Iraq has unveiled its first indigenous class of battle tank to enter production since the overthrow of the Ba’athist government and U.S.-led invasion in 2003. 

The new Al Kafil-1 tank has established Iraq as one of three tank producers in the Middle East alongside Iran, with the Al Karrar, and Israeli with the Merkava series. It has also allowed Iraq to join Sudan as one of the only two producers of indigenous tanks in the Arab world. 

The Iraqi design was reportedly developed with Chinese support, and is closely based on the Type 59 platform which currently serves in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

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