Article Posted on : - Jan 01, 2013

The Al-Khalid MBT of Pakistan. A file photo

ISLAMABAD (PTI): Pakistan and China have signed a deal for manufacturing the Al-Khalid-I main battle tank (MBT), the latest version of the combat vehicle jointly developed by the two "all-weather" friends.

The Al-Khalid tank was developed in the 1990s and introduced in 2001.

The new version has improved capability and systems, an official statement said Monday.

The contract for making the new tanks was signed by Pakistan's Heavy Industries Taxila and China's NORINCO at the Ministry of Defence Production.

The joint marketing of the Al-Khalid tank with China would open up potential markets, the statement said.

China is Pakistan's top arms supplier and leaders of the two countries describe their relationship as all-weather.