As the MBT-3000 remains in development as of this writing (2012), some specifications and qualities may change by the time the vehicle is formally adopted for service. 3rd Generation Tanks are commonplace on today's battlefield and represented by the excellent British Challenger 2, the American M1 Abrams, the French AMX-56 Leclerc, the Russian T-90 and the Israeli Merkava Mk IV. The term "3rd Generation MBT" essentially encompasses a combat tank making use of advanced composite armor protection (usually of a classified formula) as well as advanced fire control systems (FCSs). Chinese military industry maintains the goal of becoming a more independent entity to produce indigenous weaponry on par with the West and its regional adversaries. As it stands, the MBT-3000 is the culmination of decades of fine-tuning many combat tank systems that have been Soviet in origin. It is expected that the newer MBT-3000 design will enter serial production within the next few years and enter PLA service sometime in 2014 following the requisite trials. The MBT-2000 is currently in service with Pakistan (320 as the "Al-Khalid") and Bangladesh (44). The program is being headed by the large NORINCO (China NORth INdustries COrporation) concern and is the direct successor to the "MBT-2000" - both versions owing their existence to the Soviet "T-72" of the Cold War. The MBT-3000 is a 3rd Generation Main Battle Tank (MBT) currently in the development stages for both export customers and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
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