[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/6d68d3d0976ac576bba9b43823df225471bfc6e5.gif[/img] Today we’ll be taking a look at the AI-Khalid-I, a further development of the Chinese-Pakistan MBT-2000 main battle tank. Pre-orders for this tank have just started today! [h2][b]Al-Khalid-I:[/b] A Premium MBT for China at Rank VII[/h2] Features: [list] [*] Good balance of armor, mobility and firepower. [*] 1200 HP engine. [*] Further turret protection through additional ERA blocks. [/list] [b]Vehicle History[/b] [expand type=details] The AI-Khalid-I upgrade program was designed to improve the combat effectiveness of Pakistan’s MBT-2000 (AI-Khalid) main battle tanks. The upgrade priorities included improving the fire control system and on-board electronics, and more effectively positioning ERA on the turret. The AI-Khalid-I is currently in service with Pakistan, the largest operator of the MBT-2000 family of tanks. [/expand] [b]Pre-order - AI-Khalid-I[/b] Can be purchased through the store in-game. Shop > Online Store 69.99 [list] [*] Al-Khalid-I tank (Rank VII, China); * [*] Premium account for 20 days; [*] 2500 Golden Eagles; [*] Pre-order bonus: "The Eternal Tank" title; [*] Pre-order bonus: "Markhor" decal; * [*] Pre-order bonus: Unique digital camouflage. * [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/3ab61895a75a25fc4f52f42c754ab51ee974885c.jpg[/img] [/list] * - available after the next major update. [h2]Meet the AI-Khalid-I[/h2] Meet the AI-Khalid-I, a further development of the MBT-2000 main battle tank already familiar to the Chinese ground forces tree. This tank will be added in the Dance of Dragons major update, and that means today we’re starting pre-orders for this excellent tank as part of a pack featuring unique bonuses. Let’s take a look! [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/8e44b049c82e2a58183193e060056a8ce349c436.jpg[/img] One of the upgrades carried out on the AI-Khalid-I was aimed to improve the combat effectiveness of the tank. Perhaps the most noticeable external difference here is a change to the armor layout on the sides of the turret. Some add-on FY-2 ERA blocks were removed from the turret side directly, and instead mounted on the turret slat armor. This now means that generally the turret side armor has better protection, especially against heat-based rounds. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/774d5b80edf552e679ad32536676752d8bc22590.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/002c2029eeaae740d16da688f7a6e5f221826dc1.jpg[/img] At rank VII, the Al-Khalid-I will be a competitive option, able to take on most enemies without any issues, and with premium bonuses to boot! Agile and featuring good engine power, the AI-Khalid-I is not inferior in terms of speed and maneuverability compared to other vehicles at its rank. One key difference though regarding its mobility is that the eternal problem of poor reverse speeds typically found on Soviet tanks has been resolved with the AI-Khalid-I. This means you’ll be able to quickly retreat when needed or reverse quicker after taking a shot over a ridge. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/6a88d9e618efba5f11699e63f3be0449d0093c5e.jpg[/img] Moving onto firepower, the AI-Khalid-I features a 22-round autoloader, however bare in mind that the autoloader module is large and prone to being hit, causing the entire tank to explode. So make sure to stay in cover where possible to avoid being shot in the side! Since the AI-Khalid-I is a premium tank, you’ll get immediate access to all of its available shells. One of these include a top-end APFSDS round with over 570 mm of penetration at 100 m. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/5aa2a79db79be85b0aeddf4de366aaaec5519eb0.jpg[/img] That’s it for this one! The AI-Khalid-I is coming to War Thunder in the Dance of Dragons major update, and the pre-order pack has just gone live with this dev blog post. Be sure to pick it up to get Golden Eagles, Premium Account days and unique pre-order bonuses! [i]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/i]