This website (http://sudaninside.com/military-industry-corporation/) has nice details of the AFVs and other weaponry manufactured in Sudan. It even goes so far as providing this handy list so you can identify the Sudanese names...

When did Sudan begin license production of the Type-85-IIM MBT? Was it ever reported by Jane's or anyother military website?

Yes, this is what the defence minister was telling few days ago, that there are and there were technology transfers between Sudan and China, Russia, Belarussia, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia

Where are they getting the bankroll for these new toys?

For one, selling oil to the PRC. Sudan is one of China's more important sources of oil.

According to BusinessWeek...
Sudanese oil shipments to China increased 63% from 2003 to 2006 and soared 113% last year alone. In 2007, China purchased 40% of Sudan's 25-million-ton annual output of oil, accounting for about 6% of all Chinese oil imports (BusinessWeek.com, 2/13/08). State-owned China National Petroleum (CNPC) is the single largest investor in Sudan through its 40% stake in Greater Nile Petroleum, based in Khartoum.

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/cont...0314_430126.htm

I wonder where the south sudanese are getting the money for their arms. I dont think they control any of "their" oil. I wonder if they are getting items on credit based on the assumption that they will get independence in the referendum.

I have seen several pics of Sudanese MiG-29s in the air. And they looked to be in surprisingly good condition too. Most likely flown by pilots/mercenaries/"contractors" from the ex USSR.
Were used extencively a coupple of months ago to beat back a major SPLA offensive on Karthum.

Also keep in mind that Iran has a VERY close relationship with Sudan, they actually have boot on the ground there (a large detachment of Revolutionary Guards) training and fighting with the Sudanese government. Also, Iran and Syria both operate Mig-29 fighters, and Syria has a close strategic relationship with Iran who is close to Sudan. It is likely those Mig-29's are operate nit just by "mercenaries" but by "volunteers" from Syrian and Iranian special Ops. They do not see the conflict is Sudan as we do but more in a religious way where good faithful Muslims are battling eveil African kafirs and Infidels secretly supported by the Western "Crusaders." Remember Air America in the Vietnam war? Well a lot of the more conservative Muslim nations who seek to expand their influence in the region operate something similar on behalf of the Sudanese government (or so I read).

Interesting. I didnt know about the Iran conection. Do you have a source for that Rev. Guards detatchement in Sudan? (Not that I doubt you, just interested and would like to know more). I always thought the Sudaneese were sunni hard liners, and had little in common with the shiites. About the pilots. I could buy Syria, but Iran? The IRAF operates some 10-15 Fulcrum A, and that would hardly make them experts. Then Syrians should have way more experience with the aircraft. But as I said, I heard its mostely ex USSR guys flying them. Especially Russians and Ukrainians.

LeoTanker, how do you know the number of Fulcrums in IRIAF, I thought they have much more, including modernized ones.

I heard it on irandefence.net, but the source might have been wrong, or I dont recall it right. But still, I dont bellive the IRAF have lots of Fulcrums. Some 10-15 ex Iraqi ones, unless they have managed to acquire more some where (but I havent heard of it, so)..

The Iranis seem to like to show off with them a lot though (as with their Tomcats), so one could easily get the impression they have a bigger fleet.

But please m4a1, if you have other information let me know. Cuz, as I said, im not 100% sure about this

Interesting. I didnt know about the Iran conection. Do you have a source for that Rev. Guards detatchement in Sudan? (Not that I doubt you, just interested and would like to know more). I always thought the Sudaneese were sunni hard liners, and had little in common with the shiites. About the pilots. I could buy Syria, but Iran? The IRAF operates some 10-15 Fulcrum A, and that would hardly make them experts. Then Syrians should have way more experience with the aircraft. But as I said, I heard its mostely ex USSR guys flying them. Especially Russians and Ukrainians.

In December 1991, Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani paid an official visit to Khartoum, accompanied by more than 150 Iranian officials. "The Islamic Revolution of Sudan," he proclaimed, "alongside Iran's pioneer revolution, can doubtless be the source of movement and revolution throughout the Islamic world." Iran pledged $17 million in financial aid to Sudan, and arranged for an additional $300 million in Chinese weapons to be delivered there. Iran further pledged one million tons of oil each year.

Next, it was reported that Iran sent up to 2,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards to Sudan. Iran's Defense Minister, Ali Akbar Torkan also met with the commander of the Sudanese armed forces to discuss assistance and personnel exchange. By the end of 1992, Sudan's Popular Defense Forces were unveiled. Sudan modeled its army after Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who had trained them. Like their Iranian counterparts, the PDF marched with guns while reciting the Koran.

The West grew increasingly nervous over reports of terrorist training in Sudan. It was estimated that there were at least 10 paramilitary training camps in Sudan providing training to Palestinian Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorist groups. In 1993, the U.S. Department of State named Sudan a state sponsor of terror for, among other things, harboring bin Laden, and training Hamas with Iranian backing.

In November 1995, a military delegation from Iran visited Khartoum in order to make a new assessment of Sudan's military needs, yielding Sudan a windfall of armored cars, heavy artillery, and radar equipment. In May of the following year, the two countries signed an agreement to broaden the scope of their cooperation.

I heard it on irandefence.net, but the source might have been wrong, or I dont recall it right. But still, I dont bellive the IRAF have lots of Fulcrums. Some 10-15 ex Iraqi ones, unless they have managed to acquire more some where (but I havent heard of it, so)..

The Iranis seem to like to show off with them a lot though (as with their Tomcats), so one could easily get the impression they have a bigger fleet.

But please m4a1, if you have other information let me know. Cuz, as I said, im not 100% sure about this

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force operates between 24 to 40 MiG-29 Fulcrums, composed of MiG-29A fighters and MiG-29UB trainers. Iranian Fulcrums feature local, Russian and Indian upgrades, such as refueling probes, larger than standard drop tanks and wiring for adaptation to Western type air-to-air missiles.

Good pick Geronimo. Is that the same tank as Al Khalid?

Not quite. Pakistani Type-85IIAP.

Good pick Geronimo. Is that the same tank as Al Khalid?

Not quite. Pakistani Type-85IIAP.

Sorry Leo, my original reply should have read *equivalent* to Pakistani Type-85AP. I was just trying to correct the impression that the Sudanese had a clone of Al Khalid. Instead I only added to the confusion...