A defense manufacturing firm based in Duhok unveiled a domestically designed main battle tank designated as the B70. Company officials highlighted the vehicle as a major development in the Kurdistan Region’s growing industrial military capacity.
The twenty-five-ton heavy vehicle represents an original platform created from the ground up by local engineers. Engineers integrated advanced electro-optical sensors alongside laser targeting systems during initial development in Duhok facilities.
Technicians conducted comprehensive field trials across difficult mountainous terrain, water features, and open fields to evaluate capabilities. Consequently, tests verified structural durability, though manufacturing teams continue fine-tuning running components and tracking systems.
Company owner Anwar Saeed emphasized that local engineering teams created the entire architecture without copying foreign models. Furthermore, manufacturing estimates indicate the firm could build approximately one heavy vehicle per month at maximum capacity.
Production costs for the B70 total roughly one-quarter of international market prices for comparable modern platforms. Therefore, domestic manufacturing offers significant cost savings while reducing reliance on foreign military suppliers.
Anwar Atroshi Company SHIELD originally launched operations during 2014 as a vehicle maintenance facility. Over the past decade, the enterprise expanded into specialized manufacturing for diplomatic, security, and civilian applications.
Regional Prime Minister Masrour Barzani commended the defense firm’s progress during a previous industrial exhibition visit. Prime Minister Barzani characterized the homegrown manufacturing achievements as unprecedented for regional security forces.
Looking ahead, company leadership seeks formal institutional support from the Kurdistan Regional Government and Peshmerga authorities. Sustained institutional backing will enable scaled assembly lines and foster a permanent defense industrial base.