Vickers Defence Systems Khalid The Khalid MET programme resulted from the defunct Shah of Iran's order for FV4030/2 Shir 1 and FV4030/3 Shir 2 MBTs thatwas cancelled in 1979 by the Islamic Iranian government Jordan then ordered 274 Khalid tanks that are essentially similar to the Shir 1 model but with minor changes in equipment to suit Jordanian Army requirements. The FV4030/2 was based on the Chieftain Mk 5 design but with evolutionary changes to overcome problems encountered in service. These included a new 1200 hp engine, a new automatic transmission and the fitting of an improved bogie type suspension
The main armament is a Royal Ordnance 120 mm L11A5 rifled gun with fume extractor, thermal sleeve and Muzzle Reference System. Ammunition types used include smoke, HESH, APDS and/or APFSDS. These are loaded into the breech with either a separate bag or rigid combustible case charge. The turret mounted 7.62 mm MG can be fired from inside the commander's station. The fire control system is the Computer Sighting System derivative of the British Army's Chieftain IFCS and is used with the gunner's Pilkington Optronics Tank Laser Sight unit, Full NBC equipment, a Pilkington Optronics
Jordan Condor passive day/night sight assembly at the commander's station and a Pilkington Optronics Passive Night Vision periscope for the driver (in lieu of his day driving periscope) are also fitted. Although no support vehicle variants of the Khalid have been developed it is known that Jordan has purchased approximately 30 undelivered Iranian FV4024 Chieftain ARVs derivatives for use with its Khalid fleet. The 56 000 kg combat weight Iranian/Jordanian FV4024 is based on the Chieftain Mk 5 chassis and is fitted with a hydraulically operated earth anchor and an Atlas crane unit.
