{
  "id": "zulfiqar-3",
  "name": "Zulfiqar-3",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "IRN",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 2012,
  "operators": [
    "IRN"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The Zulfiqar-3 is the most advanced variant of the Zulfiqar family. It features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.6,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.5,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 41,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 1000,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 450,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 70,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 40,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.4 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "SPAT 1200 automatic",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "8 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Maximum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+14 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Minimum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-6 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Upgraded Fire Control System compared to the Zulfiqar-1 and Zulfiqar-2. Name: INA",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Driver",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, passive periscope for night driving.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Reinforced composite armor on the front arc.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Turret mounts a laser-warning pod and the steel is welded providing protection from small arms fire",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, Six electrically operated smoke-grenade launchers are mounted on each side of the turret.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "2A46M/2A46M-5",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "The Zulfiqar-3 lacks a coaxial machine gun; Type 54 (DShKM); The Rheinmetall MG 3, 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun is mounted on the front of the turret and is controlled remotel; Rheinmetall MG 3",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 5,
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "2,050 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "1,000 mm",
        "Projectile weight": "11 kg"
      },
      "qty": "39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "High Explosives (HE)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "850 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "23 kg"
      },
      "range_km": 5,
      "qty": "39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "915 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "18.4 kg",
        "Armor penetration": "Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT"
      },
      "range_km": 3,
      "qty": "39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "Laser Beam Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Warhead": "4.5 kg",
        "Guidance": "9S516 guidance system",
        "Armor penetration": "700mmm of homogeneous armour"
      },
      "qty": "6 ea"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Zulfiqar-1",
      "text": "The Zulfiqar-1 is based on the M60 Patton model acquired under the pre-revolution era. The Zulfiqar-1 was first revealed in public in 1994. A total of six prototypes were completed and field tested in 1997. The Zulfiqar-",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Zulfiqar-2",
      "text": "The Zulfiqar-2 is an interim main battle tank prototype used as a test bed. This variant is fitted with a new and more powerful engine. It has an extended chassis and possibly uses an improved autoloader.",
      "src": [
        "weg-zulfiqar-3"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": {
    "file": "zulfiqar-3.jpg",
    "thumb": "zulfiqar-3-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Ali Haddadi Asl",
    "license": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Army_Day,_2022,_Tehran_(185).jpg",
    "title": "File:Islamic Republic of Iran Army Day, 2022, Tehran (185).jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/zulfiqar-3.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-zulfiqar-3": {
      "title": "Zulfiqar-3 Iranian Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Zulfiqar-3_Iranian_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}