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Although the Chinese consider the Type 90-II a tank development for the export market, there apparently is a future for the tank in Pakistan. In January 1998, a photograph was published showing the Prime Minister of Pakistan in the driver's position of an "Al-Khalid" or P-90 MBT. The photo confirms that the Al-Khalid is either based on the Type 90-II or is, in fact, the same tank. Pakistani press reports in August 1999 finally con-firmed that the Al-Khalid is now in production at the Heavy Industries facility in Taxila, Pakistan. Reportedly, this new tank has evolved into a three-way development effort between China, Pakistan, and Ukraine, with Ukrainian support focused on the addition of the 6TD 1200-hp diesel engine. Finally, the Chinese exhibited a model of the Al-Khalid labeled the "Type 2000" tank in 1999. According to the available information, the Type 2000 tank is the international version of the Al-Khalid currently being marketed by the Chinese.

The earlier Type 90II/Type 90 IIM, seen here in a Manufacturer's
with simulated add-on armor, did not meet China's expectations
but maybe built for export.

Since the Type 90-II/Type 90-IIM failed to meet expectations during trials in China, a major effort was initiated to improve its performance. Unconfirmed reports claim that in 1997 the Russians conducted a series of secret demonstrations of Russian MBTs in China at a PLA tank test-center in the city of Zhang Jia Kou. Reportedly, these demonstrations pushed the PLA to demand even better performance from its next MBT. That new, previously unseen tank was shown for the first time in model form during an exhibition in Beijing in 1999. The model clearly showed a new tank development, which combined a T-72-like hull with a new "box-like" turret. Additionally, the tank model was fitted with what appear to be hunter-killer style optics for the commander and gunner, a wind sensor, and two new devices on the turret roof (see photo at left). Undoubtedly timed to coincide with the October 1st parade, photos of this new tank on maneuvers with the PLA suddenly appeared in the Chinese press. While the exact role and designation for this tank are unconfirmed, it is probably a prototype of the Type 98, known as the Type 96 MBT. It is safe to say, however, that the Type 96 is not exactly the same tank that was in the anniversary parade through Beijing.

When the Type 98 was first seen during the rehearsal for the parade, it was initially incorrectly identified as the Type 90-II/Type 90-IIM. Photos taken during the actual parade, however, confirmed that it was only a relative of the Type 90-II and was still different from the Type 96. The Type 98 incorporated a variety of subtle differences from the Type 96, including different style hull skirts, tracks with rubber pads, and a slightly different box-like device behind the gunner on the turret roof. The Type 98 is armed with a 125mm smoothbore main gun fed by a carousel autoloader. The source of this gun and autoloader, which allow the crew of the tank to be reduced to three men, is believed to be the former Soviet Union/ Russia. While not much is known about the tank's fire control system, it is fitted with a new stabilized independent sight for the commander.