Tank plays a formidable weapon in the battleground. Any country with armed forces has tanks in its Army. But what makes a tank great? Speed? Size? Incredible firepower? Or all of the above and more.
There have been some pretty crazy and brilliant tank designs over the years. We have put together some of the best here. Have a look.
M1A2 SEP Abrams
- Army of service: United States
- Years of service: 1980-present
- Crew members: 4
- Main Gun Size: 120mm smoothbore
- Weight: 74 tons
- Top speed: 42mph
The M1 Abrams is the primary battle tank of the United States Army. It is one of the most well-known tanks in the world, and it has played a significant part in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The M1A2 Abrams includes some of the best innovative designs a tank can have, such as a powerful 1,500 hp engine, an effective composite armor system, and a computer-based fire control system.
Its defensive systems include several active protection systems designed to disrupt wire- and radio-guided anti-tank missiles and homing missiles launched at it.
The fenders also include a halon fire suppression system that can protect the tank crew by automatically extinguishing fires inside the cabin. Abrams’ latest model has proven so effective that the U.S. Army plans to keep using them until at least 2050.
T-14 Armata
- Army of service: Russia
- Years of service: 2015-present
- Crew members: 3
- Main Gun Size: 125mm smoothbore
- Weight: 48 tons
- Top speed: 50mph
The latest generation of Russian main combat tanks is the T-14 Armata. It is a fast and powerful tank with a 125mm main gun supplemented by an autoloader that can fire around 12 rounds per minute.
With an effective penetration range of under five miles, The main gun can also fire munitions, including guided missiles and high-explosive air-burst rounds.
The crew’s protection is the centerpiece of this Tank. It contains several novels and uncommon features, including an autonomous turret and an armored shell where the entire squad can sit together.
The Tank is believed to be packed with such features that Tank could continue to function even if the Tank’s main armor was penetrated, but the crew cell remained intact.
Leopard 2
- Army of service: Germany
- Years of service: 1979-present
- Crew members: 4
- Main Gun Size: 120mm smoothbore
- Weight: 68.7 tons
- Top speed: 42mph.
Since the late 1970s, the Leopard 2 has served as the primary Tank of the German Army.
Over the years, it has gotten many upgrades and improvements, such as arrow-shaped deflective armor, digital fire control systems, laser rangefinders, advanced night sights, and more.
The Leopard 2 is widely known to be one of the world’s most influential and precise tanks.
It has outperformed some of the best tanks in various tests, such as the American Abrams, the British Challenger 2, and others. Its turret design and advanced control systems can accurately fire at long ranges.
Type 99
- Army of service: China
- Years of service: 2001
- Crew members: 3
- Main Gun Size: ZPT-98 125mm smoothbore cannon
- Weight: 58 tons
- Top speed: 80mph
Type 99 is a powerful and quick tank that is armed with a 125mm smoothbore main gun that can fire around eight rounds per minute when equipped with an autoloader and just two rounds per minute when loaded manually.
This Tank also features hunter-killer capabilities, including an automatic target recognition system that can track and shoot at targets while moving, as well as a thermal sight and a laser rangefinder.
The armor on this Tank is comparable to the M1 Abrams and has dazzling laser countermeasure systems and 12 smoke grenade launchers. These amazing features make it a formidable metal beast.
Challenger 2
- Army of service: United Kingdom
- Years of service: 1998-present
- Crew members: 4
- Main Gun Size: 120mm rifled
- Weight: 75.0 tons
- Top speed: 37mph
The Challenger 2 is widely regarded as one of the most powerful tanks ever built. It began service in 1998 and is so amazing that it is expected to continue operating until 2030.
This monstrous Tank weighs just under 63 tons, has a crew of four, and is capable of up to 37 miles per hour. Highlights of this Tank include a 120mm rifled main gun turret that makes the Tank capable of accurately launching shells over five miles.
During the 2003 Iraq War, not a single Challenge 2 tank was lost, despite regular contact with the enemy.
There is also a story about one of these tanks that survived being struck by 14 RPG rockets and a MILAN anti-tank missile at close range (with the crew uninjured). This type of movement demonstrates Challenger 2’s remarkable state.
K2 Black Panther
- Army of service: South Korea
- Years of service: 2013-present
- Crew members: 3
- Main Gun Size: 120mm
- Weight: 35 tons
- Top speed: 55mph
The K2 Black Panther is South Korea’s main battle tank. It features a powerful autoloading main gun capable of firing up to 10 rounds per minute. It also uses Korean top-attack smart ammunition.
This top-attack anti-tank projectile has a range of five miles and can strike targets up to five miles distant. When fired, this munition will deploy a parachute and use different radar, radiometer, and infrared sensors to fire down on an opposing vehicle’s weakest point.
The K2 Black Panther also possesses classified composite armor and missile defense systems with soft-kill and hard-kill capabilities.
missile approach warning systems, Radar warning receivers, and a smoke grenade detection system with visible and infrared sensors to keep the tank safe from enemy attack, Making It a formidable modern combatant.
Merkava Mk.4
The Merkava Mark IV is the recent memeber of MANTAK’s Merkava line of main battle tanks (Merkava Tank Office). This Tank has been serving Israel’s defense since 2004. Merkava Mark is counted as world’s one of the most protected tanks.
The Mk.4 is armed with a 120mm MG253 smoothbore gun that can fire high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds, sabot rounds, and LAHAT anti-tank guided missiles.
The Tank’s firepower is completed by pintle-mounted coaxial 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns and a 60mm grenade launcher.
The Merkava Mk.4 is equipped with special spaced armor, spring-loaded armor side skirts, an Elbit laser warning system, and integrated IMI smoke grenades.
The Trophy active protection system protects the crew against anti-tank missiles. The Tank has a maximum speed of 64 km/h.
Type 10 (TK-X)
The Type 10 (TK-X) is a fourth-generation advanced main battle tank built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF). The Tank entered service with the JGSDF in 2012 and boasts exceptional mobility.
The firepower of the MBT Type 10 is supplemented by a 120 mm smoothbore gun, a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, and a 7.62 mm Type 74 cannon. The sophisticated C4I system ensures interoperability with infantry troops during integrated combat missions.
The Tank’s hull features modular ceramic composite armor providing protection against rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire, HEAT projectiles, and anti-tank missiles.
Expansion modules can be easily removed and installed to change protection levels. The 1,200 hp water-cooled diesel engine allows a top speed of 70 km/hr.
MBT Leclerc
Developed by GIAT Industries (now Nexter Systems), The Leclerc is a French main battle tank for the French Army.
The first Leclerc tank was delivered to the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) in January 1992. Leclerc is also servin the united arab emirates.
The Leclerc is a third-generation tank armed with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon to NATO standard CN120-26, a coaxial 12.7 mm machine gun, and a roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun.
The Tank carries 40 rounds of 120mm and over 950 rounds of 12.7mm.
Advanced modular armor, comprised of steel, ceramic, and Kevlar, provides complete crew protection, which can be flipped up to protect against improvised explosive devices,
The Galix self-protection system mounted on the Tank further increases its survivability. It can move at a maximum of 72km/h and hit targets at 50km/h on any terrain.
T-90MS, Russia
The T-90MS, a modernized version of the T-90 main battle tank built by Uralvagonzavod, was unveiled at Russian Expo Arms in September 2011. The T-90MS has been extensively modernized to improve combat performance in current war scenarios.
The Tank’s 2A46M-5 125mm cannon fires various types of ammunition with high accuracy.
As an additional weapon, The Tank is also armed with a 7.62mm 6P7K anti-aircraft machine gun on a remote-controlled weapon station.
ERA modular panels mounted on the rear and sides of the Tank protect small arms and shrapnel. The front hull and turret can be fitted with RELIKT reactive armor for defense against anti-tank missiles.
The T-90MS also has an optoelectronic screen system and an electromagnetic protection system. A V-92S2F engine rated at 1130 hp provides the Tank with a maximum speed of 60 km/h.
