Heavy Industries Taxila

Col Mahmood Afghan describes the achievements of this important defence industry.

Pakistan is naturally placed at a very important geo-strategic position in South Asia. A strong, prosperous Pakistan brings stability in the region but its relations with its Eastern neighbour have always remained at the low ebb ever since independence. With the advent of emerging technologies for defence equipment, the future wars have become complex and intricate. It is necessary to augment the existing strategic requirements in consonance with the latest developments in weapon systems. Tank being the punch and mainstay of an army because of its lethality, plays a pivotal role in the modern battlefield. When combined with mobility, fire-power and protection to execute successful manoeuvres both in offensive and defensive operations, it assumes an important means of national defence.
Pakistan being a developing country with limited industrial base and technical resources, mainly relied upon foreign sources for its defence requirements in the past. By joining the US sponsored CENTO and SEATO in the 50’s, Pakistan became recipient of the US M47 and M48 tanks, the modern tanks of that era. After the 1965 war with India, US arms embargo was imposed on Pakistan and it was left with no choice but to explore new venues for defence cooperation. An alternate source was selected which was more reliable and T-59 tanks were inducted in late sixties. These tanks suited the requirements of Pakistan Army because of assured and sustained logistics. China not only provided T-59 tanks but also established rebuild facilities for armoured vehicles in Pakistan. For this purpose, a tank rebuild factory was set up near the historic town of Taxila. This factory named as Heavy Rebuild Factory
(T-Series), went into regular production in 1980 and kept the T-59 tanks, the battle fleet of Pakistan Army, in high state of operational sustainability. This factory not only rebuilt T-59 tanks but also provided technical know-how and expertise and thus further expansion became possible.
Gradually, the technical prowess reached par excellence and alongwith rebuild, manufacturing of all tracked vehicles started in this factory. In 1992 this industrial complex was reorganized and renamed as Heavy Industries Taxila commonly known as HIT. Today HIT is an industrial complex consisting of six industrial units namely (1) Heavy Rebuild Factory (T-Series), (2) Heavy Rebuild Factory (M-Series), (3) Armoured Personnel Carrier Factory, (4) Tank Manufacturing Factory, (5) Gun Manufacturing Factory, (6) Development Engineering Support and Components Manufacture (DESCOM). The main activities of HIT consists of (1) rebuilding, upgrading and modernizing Armoured Vehicles of eastern as well as western origin, (2) progressive manufacture of tanks and Armoured Personnel Carrier, and (3) progressive manufacture of tank guns.
The Heavy Rebuild Factory
(T-Series) is the mother factory and an icon from which emerged other industrial units. The skills and expertise gained through years in this factory provided the base to further expand it. This factory has the unique honour to role out the first tank rebuilt in HIT. This factory has rebuilt and modernized a large fleet of T-59 tanks for Pakistan Army. It also has upgraded T-59 tank to T-59M and
T-69 M II configuration incorporating a large number of latest features. A tank is usually called in for rebuild after 10 to 12 years of stipulated period and stripped down to the last nut and bolt. The upgraded/overhauled tank is as agile and proficient as the new one and that only at a fraction of the cost of a new tank. This factory has also developed Tank
AL-ZARRAR consisting of upgrade of T-59 with 125mm smooth bore gun and 700 HP engine.
Apart from rebuilding/manufacturing tracked vehicles, HIT has also undertaken the task to carryout Research & Development and has progressed in this field. Tank development is complex and a challenging assignment. From paper design to prototype, encompassing the test/trial pre-requisites, is a long process, consuming huge amounts and time. Normally it takes 13-15 years to mature a tank development programme. Countries like USA, France, and Germany which have sound industrial base and developed human resources, took more than a decade to field their tanks Abrams, MI, Leclerc and Leopard II. It took India 25 years to develop her
so-called indigenous tank Arjun and only equipped two armoured regiments thus sinking billions of dollars.
The development of
AL-KHALID which started in 1990 has been matured. Six prototypes of the tank has successfully completed the test/trial requirements. The pilot production of the
AL-KHALID has started in tank factory which is equipped with modern state of the art Computerized Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines and other facilities. This factory has previously manufactured Tank T-69 IIMP and T-85 IIAP and its shop floors have been upgraded to undertake manufacturing of
AL-KHALID.
The 125mm smooth bore gun of AL-KHALID will be indigenously produced at Gun Factory. This factory has the capability to manufacture tank guns ranging from 105mm to 203mm calibre. This factory has long-standing experience in manufacturing of 105mm rifled gun barrels for T-59 and T-69 IIMP tanks. The indigenously produced gun barrels in this factory have saved huge amount of foreign exchange to the national exchequer.
Armoured Personnel Carrier Factory established in September 1992, has indigenously manufactured APC M113P and a number of Armoured Infantry Units of Pakistan Army have been equipped with it. The significance of this factory is that apart from USA, Belgium and Turkey, Pakistan is the only country which has a facility to manufacture APC M113. As a result of complete transfer of technology, this factory manufactures hulls for APC under most advanced technology of Computerized Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines.
The extensive industrial activities of HIT would not have been possible without the active backup support to its rebuild/manufacturing factories. This responsibility has been assigned to DESCOM which carries out the uphill task of in-house manufacturing of components and parts development through local vendors. DESCOM has successfully developed a number of components indigenously. This is a step forward towards self-reliance. This process has helped HIT to absorb advance technologies for the future and has saved considerable amount of foreign exchange. DESCOM continuously extends technical support and guidance to vendor industry throughout Pakistan at all production/manufacturing stages. These combined, dedicated efforts have resulted in achieving substantial cost effective deletion.
The quality of HIT products is ensured by Quality Assurance Department which tests the products using Total Quality Management Techniques. The Quality Assurance Department has a comprehensive testing system which includes road testing, water fording, ditch crossing and obstacle negotiation on the test track. A well-maintained firing range is sued for firing main guns and auxiliary weapons. The Quality Assurance Laboratories adequately support the quality management system and tests chemical as well as physical properties of production materials.
Heavy Industries Taxila is certainly a model to be followed by other industrial units of Pakistan. In a short span of time, a remarkable growth in facilities has taken place and HIT has become a multi-factory industrial complex. The tremendous expansion from the rebuild activities to upgrading and modernization programmes, the progressive manufacture of armoured personnel carriers and most modern tanks has been hailed by friendly countries. HIT has played an important role in providing intimate logistic support to the Pakistan Army’s armoured fleet which is always at a near 100% operational readiness state.
Under the present geostrategic and economic compulsions, cost effective, self-reliance has become need of the day. This is a pre-condition for survival of a nation if it desires to live with pride and honour. For rapid growth and development, it is essential to work hard and learn from those who have excelled in this field. HIT is a glorious example for others to follow in achieving self-reliance.