Russia is betting on creating completely new armored vehicles, while its opponents are upgrading to the last minute models from thirty years ago
Presented to the general public at the Victory Parade in Moscow, the new Russian T-14 tank on the Armata tracked platform created a sensation among tankers around the world. The Russian novelty forced everyone again and again to compare the combat capabilities of armored vehicles that are in service today around the world. Although, in fact, there are not so many tanks to compare. Only four countries were and remain trendsetters in tank building and the main exporters: Russia, Great Britain, Germany and the USA. In addition to them, Israel, India, Iran, Italy, China, both Koreas, Pakistan, Poland, France and Japan produce their own tanks or put them on production lines. The vast majority of countries are content with acquiring more or less new developments from major tank-building powers or ordering the modernization of existing armored vehicles.
It is impossible and pointless to seriously compare tanks that have never met each other in real combat. And if in reality, say, the Israeli Merkava Mk.4 met in single combat with, for example, the Chinese Type 99, then to a large extent the outcome of the battle would depend on the characteristics of the theater of operations, and on the training and experience of the crew, and from many other factors, which even veteran tankers cannot always take into account in advance. A simple comparison tactical and technical characteristics does not make it possible to seriously talk about the advantages of one tank over others and vice versa.
Our current rating takes into account the only objective indicator: the year a particular tank was put into service. And, of course, a simple requirement was taken into account: the tanks included in this top 10 must be original designs. Taking into account all these indicators, we have selected ten of the most modern and powerful tanks in the world.
It is not surprising that the domestic T-14 Armata took first place on this list. On the one hand, there is simply no more modern tank in the world today that has already been presented to the public and released military tests. On the other hand, in many formal indicators, the Armata is ahead of, or at least rises to, the same level as most other modern tanks, and in total it rightfully claims to be the most modern and powerful armored vehicle.
T-14 "Armata" (Russia)
Year of adoption: 2016 (plans)
Combat weight, t: up to 55
Crew, people: 3
Gun caliber, mm: 125 (installation of a 152 mm gun is possible)
Gun type: smoothbore + launcher ATGM
Ammunition, shots: 40
Rate of fire, rds/min: 10–12
Machine gun caliber, mm: 12.7
Dynamic protection: yes
Engine power, hp: up to 1500
Maximum speed, km/h: up to 75
Cruising range on the highway, km: up to 600
Tank T-14 "Armata". Photo: Sergey Fadeichev / TASS
The most fundamental difference between the Armata and all other modern tanks is the so-called capsule design: all three members of the T-14 crew are located in a special armored capsule inside the hull, that is, actually behind two spaced layers of armor. At the same time, the turret, which is also unique for modern tanks, remains uninhabited - all fire control is carried out using the combat information and control system. In addition, serial T-14s will be able to be equipped with a 152-mm smoothbore cannon - a missile launcher, which will make the Armata's fire advantage undeniable: no modern tank has a weapon of such caliber, power and range.
K2 "Black Panther" (South Korea)
Year of adoption: 2015 (plans)
Combat weight, t: 55
Crew, people: 3
Gun caliber, mm: 120
Gun type: smoothbore
Ammunition, shots: 40
Rate of fire, rds/min: up to 10
Dynamic protection: yes
Specific power, hp/t: 27.3
Cruising range on the highway, km: 450
Tank K2 "Black Panther". Photo: wikipedia.org
Experts call the K2 “Black Panther” tank the first independently developed South Korean tank. Its predecessor - K1 - was actually adapted to the conditions of the Korean Peninsula American tank Abrams. Judging by the formal tactical and technical characteristics and demonstration shooting, the Korean new product claims to be one of the most modern tanks. The Black Panther, like most current tanks of NATO member countries and their allies, is armed with a well-proven, but already outdated 120-mm smoothbore gun of the Rheinmetall Rh-120 type. True, it is complemented by a modern and fast automatic loader, providing a high rate of fire. However, this same tank also holds a very dubious record for the highest cost of a combat vehicle: $8.5 million apiece. It is not surprising that at such a price, the South Korean army refused to completely replace the K1 fleet with K2 and ordered only 297 new vehicles.
Type 10 (Japan)
Year adopted: 2012
Combat weight, t: 44
Crew, people: 3
Gun caliber, mm: 120
Gun type: smoothbore
Ammunition, rounds: 28
Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7
Dynamic protection: no
Specific power, hp/t: 27.3
Maximum speed, km/h: 70
Cruising range on the highway, km: 450
Tank Type 10. Photo: Shizuo Kambayashi / AP
Closing the top three of our review is the new Japanese tank Type 10 is the third and last of the modern tanks with the highest specific engine power. Like the Armata and the Black Panther, it reaches 27.3 horsepower per ton of armored vehicle weight. True, the Japanese tank received such a thrust-to-weight ratio not due to engine power, but due to its lower mass: 44 tons versus 55 for its Russian and South Korean rivals. The Armata Type 10 is also inferior due to its main one - the same 120-mm German gun, mass production of which began in 1979.
"Arjun" Mk.I (India)
Combat weight, t: 58.5
Crew, people: 4
Gun caliber, mm: 120
Gun type: rifled + ATGM launcher
Ammunition, rounds: 39
Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8
Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7
Dynamic protection: no
Engine power, hp: 1400
Specific power, hp/t: 23.9
Maximum speed, km/h: 70
Cruising range on the highway, km: 450
Tank "Arjun" Mk.I. Photo: M. Lakshman / AP
Like the South Korean K2, the Indian Arjun can be considered India's first independently developed tank. True, it took Indian engineers and technologists no less than 37 years to create a new product! During this time, many of the solutions incorporated in the Indian tank became outdated or were close to the point of obsolescence, and the need to constantly change the architecture and range of on-board equipment led to problems with unification. As a result, India adopted only 124 tanks of this modification.
Type 99A2 (China)
Year of adoption: 2011
Combat weight, t: 58
Crew, people: 3
Gun caliber, mm: 125
Gun type: smoothbore
Ammunition, rounds: 41
Rate of fire, rds/min: 7
Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7
Dynamic protection: yes
Engine power, hp: 1500
Maximum speed, km/h: 70
Cruising range on the highway, km: 450
Tank Type 99A2. Photo: website
The Chinese Type 99A2 (the most modern modification of the Type 99 tank, which entered service in 2001) is one of two tanks in this review, which can be called a completely independent national development with some stretch. This vehicle is based on the Soviet medium tank T-72, which has proven itself well throughout the world, although it received a completely new welded turret, enhanced protection - both armored and active, as well as much more modern filling. In particular, the Type 99A2 is equipped with an automatic loader, thanks to which the crew has been reduced to three people, and the rate of fire has increased to seven rounds per minute. In addition, the equipment installed on the Chinese vehicle is unique to the tanks participating in this rating. laser complex active countermeasures, capable of literally blinding enemy equipment and soldiers.
BM "Oplot" (Ukraine)
Combat weight, t: 51
Crew, people: 3
Gun caliber, mm: 125
Ammunition, shots: 40
Rate of fire, rds/min: 8
Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7
Dynamic protection: yes
Engine power, hp: 1200
Maximum speed, km/h: 70
Cruising range on the highway, km: 500
Tank BM "Oplot". Photo: website
Ukrainian combat vehicle (this is how the abbreviation “BM” stands for) “Oplot” is the second “conditionally independent” participant in the current rating. The conditionality of its independence is given by the fact that, in essence, the Oplot BM is the fourth derivative of the modification Soviet tank T-80U, more precisely, its diesel version, produced at the Kharkov Malyshev plant. It is not surprising that this option was designed and embodied in metal in just three months and within six months it was adopted by the Ukrainian army. True, to date, the Ukrainian army has not received all 50 Oplot BMs ordered. But the contract with Thailand is being fulfilled much more successfully, which should receive 49 “Oplots”, 10 of which have already been delivered to this country. Thus, today the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand are the only army in the world where the Oplot combat vehicle is actually in service.
"Merkava" Mk.4M (Israel)
Year adopted: 2009
Combat weight, t: 65
Crew, people: 4
Gun caliber, mm: 120
Gun type: smoothbore + ATGM launcher
Ammunition, rounds: 48
Rate of fire, rds/min: 8–10
Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7, installation of a 60-mm mortar is possible
Dynamic protection: yes
Engine power, hp: 1500
Specific power, hp/t: 23.5
Maximum speed, km/h: 70
Cruising range on the highway, km: 500
Tank "Merkava" Mk.4M Photo: Tsafrir Abayov / AR
Based on the totality of combat capabilities and experience in combat use, which only three out of ten participants in the current rating can boast of, the Israeli Merkava tank has more than once been recognized as one of the best, if not the best tank in the world over the past two to three decades. Indeed, in terms of the ratio of combat power, protection of the crew and the vehicle itself, as well as armament, the fourth generation Merkava has one of the best indicators, but only for the Israeli theater of operations. The Merkava was never exported, and, according to many military experts, not only because the Israeli Defense Forces banned the sale of these vehicles abroad, but also because a tank designed specifically for Israeli conditions would significantly lose in efficiency outside the Middle Eastern theater. In particular, it has too much mass to move freely in wooded or swampy areas, and is not at all designed to overcome water obstacles.
Challenger 2 (UK)
Year of adoption: 2008 (beginning of large-scale modernization of vehicles in service)
Combat weight, t: 62.5
Crew, people: 4
Gun caliber, mm: 120
Gun type: rifled
Ammunition, rounds: 52
Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8
Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62
Dynamic protection: yes
Engine power, hp: 1200
Specific power, hp/t: 19.2
Maximum speed, km/h: 56
Cruising range on the highway, km: 400
Tank "Challenger 2". Photo: Joerg Sarbach/AP
The British Challenger 2 tank is the second armored vehicle in this rating that has real combat experience. True, very specific: English cars participated in the so-called peacekeeping operation in Kosovo and fought on the side of the anti-Iraq coalition during the NATO invasion of Iraq in 2003. According to experts, British tanks performed well in battle; however, few of these experts specify that Challenger 2 had to fight with morally and physically obsolete Iraqi T-55 tanks created in the mid-50s! It is not surprising that the British emerged victorious in this confrontation. True, the Iraqi experience still showed that the Challenger 2, which was originally put into service in 1991, needs serious modernization, which was carried out in 2008 for three quarters of the tanks in service: they received new guns, new engines and transmissions (German instead of British), as well as a new fire control system. But even with these innovations, British tanks are still significantly inferior to foreign competitors created in the last decade.
"Leopard" 2A6M (Germany)
Year adopted: 2004
Combat weight, t: 59.9
Crew, people: 4
Gun caliber, mm: 120
Gun type: smoothbore
Ammunition, rounds: 44
Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8
Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62
Dynamic protection: yes
Engine power, hp: 1500
Specific power, hp/t: 25
Maximum speed, km/h: 72
Cruising range on the highway, km: 550
Tank "Leopard" 2A6M. Photo: website
The first tanks of the Leopard model entered service with the Bundeswehr in August 1963. The Leopard 2A6M tank included in the current rating is the sixth modification of the second generation of the legendary armored vehicle. Legendary because today it is in service with almost two dozen countries, and many of its components, primarily the 120-mm smoothbore gun, can be found in more or less modified versions on many foreign modern tanks. With all that, since the tank platform has not changed for several decades, each subsequent modification comes closer to the limit of the vehicle’s modernization capabilities. And some unchangeable features of the Leopard, such as the lack of an automatic loader, significantly reduce its combat capabilities.
Abrams M1A2 SEP (USA)
Year adopted: 2000
Combat weight, t: 63
Crew, people: 4
Gun caliber, mm: 120
Gun type: smoothbore
Ammunition, rounds: 42
Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8
Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7
Dynamic protection: yes
Engine power, hp: 1500
Specific power, hp/t: 23.8
Maximum speed, km/h: 67
Cruising range on the highway, km: 425
Along with the German Leopard, the British Challenger and the Israeli Merkava, the American Abrams can easily be called one of the most famous tanks in the world. Which is not surprising: the first modification of this model was regularly upgraded, receiving more and more on-board systems, weapons and fire control systems, as well as active and passive protection. The reason for each new modernization was the participation of these tanks in one or another military action, but always outside the United States itself. The model that was included in the current rating received, first of all, new armor in the frontal part of the turret with uranium filler, as well as new digital systems fire control and... air conditioning. Currently, work is underway in the United States on the next reincarnation of the Abrams - the M1A3, which should become lighter and faster than its predecessors. The weight of the new model will be 55 tons, the gun will be highly accurate and long-range - American tank builders are clearly in the wake of their Russian colleagues.
According to military doctrine, tanks are used mainly in the main directions for dissecting strikes.
IN modern history conducting tank battles, especially during the years Patriotic War, it was for these purposes that tanks were created and were successfully used.
But at present, the use of tank formations and the very requirements that the latest Russian tanks must satisfy have changed greatly.
T-90A - main battle tank
Since 2004, the Russian Army has had T-90A tanks in service. Production of the promising tank has been launched at Uralvagonzavod.
The addition of index A indicates that this model is a modernization of the T-90. And the differences are quite significant. A different engine, turret and equipping the vehicle with thermal imaging equipment.
The T-90 was equipped with a V-shaped 12-cylinder engine. According to the tradition of developing combat vehicles, engine power is omnivorous and ensures the operation of the mechanism on different types of fuel. The V-84MS engine (upgraded V2) at 2000 rpm develops a power of 840 hp.
On the T-90A modification, the engine power, due to the installation of a turbocharger and deep modernization, was increased to 1000 hp. at the same 2000 rpm.
T-90 modifications
T-90 gun
Like the T-72B tank, the T-90 has a carousel automatic loader with a practical rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute. The ammunition consists of armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles, armor-piercing cumulative projectiles 3БК29М and high-explosive fragmentation projectiles with electronic remote fuse(together with the Ainet remote detonation system).
The ATGM will ensure the destruction of both stationary and moving low-flying targets, thanks to the laser beam guidance system. The transonic speed of projectiles ensures that targets are hit. Shooting, unlike the T-72B, can be carried out from a mobile tank while moving at speeds of up to 30 km/h with a target engagement range from 100 to 50,000 m. The development of a new tank in Russia must meet at least the same characteristics.
The designers of the new combat vehicle took care of the safety of the crew, which is now separated from the fighting compartment by an armored wall. If an enemy shell hits the ammunition compartment, the energy from the explosion is directed upward through special ejection panels. Thus, the tank crew itself remains safe when the ammunition is detonated.
According to the developers, the survivability of the combat vehicle is increased due to a specially designed layout of those parts of the tank that are primarily vulnerable. If one of them is damaged, the tank will still carry out its combat mission.
Promising tanks
As on the Armata platform, the new Russian T-95 tank is equipped with an unmanned turret. It is planned to equip the tank with electronic reconnaissance equipment and electronic target designation. The armor on new developments will be electromagnetic, with a vehicle weight of 30 to 50 tons.
The complex of modern radio-electronic equipment includes a radar.
In addition to the optical, thermal imaging and infrared channels, a laser rangefinder and a radar station will be included in the collection of information about the target.
The latest developments in Russian tanks achieve an additional advantage in dueling combat thanks to the armored frontal projections, low silhouette and gun characteristics.
T-99 gunner's workplace
The crew commander's seat of the T-99 tank is equipped with an external surveillance system, with the help of which an overview of the area around the tank is possible. Possessing four television cameras equipped with a low-light function, the tank commander has the ability to monitor the progress of the battle.
The anti-neutron cap has been replaced with fire-resistant and anti-fragmentation material like Kevlar. The fire extinguishing system equipped with the newest Russian T-99 tank has been significantly improved.
T-99 combat survivability
The presence of the TShU-1-7 (Shtora) complex on board the vehicle provides protection against semi-automatically guided missiles and also anti-tank guided missiles with semi-active laser guidance of the Maevrick type. This significantly increases the tank's security.
The complex also uses the SOEP OTSHU-1 station with an aerosol curtain system (ACS). SOEP modulates radiation close to modifications of the Milan and Dragon tracers. By influencing the enemy missile guidance system with its radiation, it disrupts this type of attack.
In addition, the complex will be able to provide IR illumination at night and shooting using night vision devices. It can also be used to blind any, even small, objects.
Control when firing a cannon
As practice shows, thanks to the fire control system (FCS), targeting the target has become much easier. If the gunner makes a mistake in his choice, the system equipped with the T-99 will automatically turn the gun to the desired angle.
This ensures automatic input of corrections for aimed shooting. The system possessed by the newest Russian tank T-99 takes into account the speed of the tank, determines the range to the target and its angular velocity, temperature corrections, corrections for atmospheric pressure, and takes into account the direction and speed of the wind. Temperature corrections of the charge itself are introduced and the stage of wear of the barrel bore is also taken into account.
Uninhabited tower
The turret gives the T-99 tank its unusual shape. Now it can be equipped with guns of any caliber.
The crew, consisting of 3 people, is placed in an armored capsule, which is independent of the turret and automatic loader.
The gun is located separately from the crew, in a small uninhabited turret. This approach makes it possible to actually reduce the silhouette of the tank and provide better stealth in combat conditions.
The main difference between the turrets installed on new Russian tanks (photo below) is immediately obvious. They are uninhabited, which is why the silhouette of the tank has changed.
For interaction in combat conditions, the tank is equipped with a “friend or foe” complex. This is a defining element in modern dynamic battlefield battles.
Why didn't "object 195" go into production?
The new tank of the Russian army, bearing the design name "Object 195", has almost passed state tests. But it was not adopted for service for the following reasons.
Firstly, the Russian Ministry of Defense has changed the requirements for the parameters that the latest Russian tanks must meet:
- to protect the tank from a projectile hitting the upper projection of the vehicle;
- on protection against mines and improvised controlled explosive devices;
- to all-round protection against portable hand-held anti-tank weapons, etc.
Secondly, Russian industry not ready for mass production. It will take several years to carry out a deep scientific and technical modernization of production and begin to independently produce Russia’s newest tank and the key components that are necessary for it.
Modernization of production is associated with the collapse Soviet Union, in which relations with the manufacturers of those components that ended up outside the territory of Russia were severed.
It was necessary to reconstruct cooperation ties both during the creation of the T-90A and when working on the Object 195 project. And the Russian military industry successfully coped with both tasks.
Object 195 (T-95) is a Russian project for a promising new generation tank, which was in development from 1990 to 2010. Currently, funding for the tank's research has been interrupted.
In 2010, Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin announced the cessation of funding for the research of the Object 195 combat vehicle, as well as the closure of the program, since the battle tank project was morally outdated.
Promising weapons
The designers and constructors of the new combat vehicle also approached the armament of the advanced tank in an unconventional way.
The tank is supposed to be equipped with a cannon with a caliber of 125 to 152 mm. Moreover, it will implement the possibility of accelerating a projectile inside the barrel electromagnetic field and firing guided missiles.
Fire from a cannon can be carried out by direct fire when the target is more than 5 km away.
The new 12.7 mm Kord machine gun plays a role anti-aircraft installation, controlled remotely.
The designers provided for the possibility of using charges with liquid propellant.
Means of protection
Another advantage of the T-99 is the presence of a system active protection"Arena". Such protection consists of a series of plates with explosives mounted on the surface of the tank's armor.
Such a complex is triggered when it hits the plate - it explodes and throws the projectile to the side.
To protect against weapons being pointed towards the T-99 using a laser, laser irradiation sensors are installed on the armor.
Launchers are installed on the sides of the tank to fire the charges of the Drozd-M complex. To protect against guided missiles For these projectiles, it is planned to install an optical-electronic suppression system.
Requirements for a new tank
The main difference between the main tanks and the T-14 "Armata" is recognized by all tank building experts as the use of a "carriage installation", in which the gun itself is located in an uninhabited turret. In this case, the ammunition is placed under the turret. The crew itself is located separately from the tower, in an isolated armored capsule.
Also a feature that the new tanks will have in Russian arsenal will be a 152-mm smoothbore gun, a hydroactive suspension and a new X-shaped diesel engine with a power reserve of up to 1500 hp.
The army, which uses the latest Russian tanks, is proposed in principle new concept combat, which is based on 4 provisions:
Increasing the probability of hitting a target, while the target must be guaranteed to leave the battle;
The tank crew must be guaranteed to survive when hit by cumulative or kinetic projectiles.
Inclusion of a tank as a combat unit in an automatic control system, as a result the tank should become unified system weapons;
Development of other combat vehicles based on the new tank, including equipment for logistics and technical support.
The modernization of military equipment will take place in stages over 30 years.
A new generation tank should have these characteristics. Russia is actively developing this system.
New technological solutions
To fulfill the general directions in the development of armored vehicles, it is necessary to introduce a number of technological solutions that the newest tank in Russia should have:
- the use of multi-channel weapons and, as a consequence, the development of promising ammunition;
- the operation of all weapons on a tank must be ensured by several types of technical vision: optical, thermal imaging and television;
- ensure complete isolation of the crew, fuel tank and ammunition, ensuring a level of protection that is 2-3 times qualitatively better;
- as an engine for the new tank, the use of a gas turbine or diesel unit with increased power of 1500 hp, with hydromechanical suspension must be ensured; all this together should give superiority in average movement speed, movement dynamics and power compared to other tanks;
- the newest Russian tanks must be equipped with an internal self-monitoring system for the serviceability of all their own systems;
- the control system must be able to: prepare data for targeted shooting, control the entire range of weapons, control control systems, receive information outside the tank using its own information system.
Prospects for the creation of Almaty
The new Russian tank "Armata" has absorbed all the developments in the "Object 195". In terms of layout and most components, systems, and assemblies, "Armata" is almost similar to "object 195", but is made at a different, higher quality level.
But at the moment, the Ministry of Defense has not considered it necessary to equip the Armata with another cannon, since this would lead to a complete reorganization of production for the production of existing shells.
But the potential possessed by Russia's new Armata tank is so great that armed re-equipment will not take much time if necessary. Moreover, the fleet of existing tanks and tanks in reserve is quite large.
It should be taken into account that countries such as Germany, France, Great Britain and a number of other powers have reduced the number of tanks or abandoned them altogether.
The current situation in the tank forces is such that there are already 40 brigades that use the latest Russian tanks. But in the near future this situation will be revised due to the fact that it is planned to switch to three different types brigades:
- heavy;
- average;
- lungs.
Moreover, the heavy and medium brigades will consist of tanks, and in the light brigades they will be replaced by vehicles of a different class.
But in any case, Russia does not intend to abandon the modernization and re-equipment of tank forces.
More than a hundred years ago, tanks first appeared on the battlefield. And throughout the twentieth century, these combat vehicles determined the outcome of major military conflicts. The strongest was considered the one whose tanks had the best armor protection, more powerful weapon and who had more of them. Despite a large number of anti-tank weapons existing today, tanks still remain the main striking force of the ground forces. Most military experts believe that this situation will continue in the next decade.
One of the most discussed topics related to military equipment and weapons is the question of what is the most best tank in the world. States annually invest tens of millions of dollars on the development of new combat vehicles and the modernization of old models. The most “advanced” tank-building countries are the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, China, Israel and Ukraine. They can mass-produce tanks and have serious tank-building schools with long-standing traditions. In recent decades, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Poland, both Koreas and Japan have sought to join this “club of the elite”.
The question of which is the best tank is not very correct: it is very difficult to compare vehicles that have never met each other in real combat. And one fight will not be able to dot all the i's in this matter. The outcome of the battle depends not only on the tactical and technical characteristics of the combat vehicles, but also on the training of the crew, the specific theater of operations and on countless other factors (on luck, in the end). We should not forget that tanks do not fight alone - they are part of a complex army mechanism, working in close cooperation with infantry, artillery, and aviation. So a simple comparison Performance characteristics of cars does not make it possible to seriously talk about the advantages of this or that tank.
We will try to carry out comparative analysis the most famous and modern tanks, and present to you the top 10 strongest armored vehicles in the world. Some of the tanks in service with the world's strongest armies were developed several decades ago (American Abrams, Israeli Merkava, German Leopard), after which they went through several stages of modernization. In our rating we will consider only the latest (most advanced) modifications of cars. The main criteria for awarding a particular place will be three indicators: the protection of the combat vehicle, its firepower and the mobility of the tank. So, our top: 10 best tanks of our time.
10. "Arjun" Mk.I (India)
Our top 10 opens with an Indian combat vehicle, which was put into service in 2011. This tank can be called the first independent development of Indian tank builders, although it took Indian technologists and engineers more than thirty-five years to create it. "Arjun" has a mass of 58.5 tons, its crew consists of four people, the tank is equipped with a 120-mm rifled gun, from which it is possible to launch guided missiles. The gun's rate of fire is 6-8 rounds per minute.
The tank is equipped with an engine with a power of 1400 hp. With. (specific power - 23.9), which allows the car to reach a speed of 75 km/h on the highway.
"Arjun" Mk.I made it into our top, but it is on the very bottom line. The development of this combat vehicle began more than 35 years ago. Perhaps the technical solutions used in its design were once modern, but now they are somewhat outdated.
9. Type 99A2 (China)
Type 99A2 is the latest modification of the Chinese combat vehicle, but calling this tank a completely independent development would be a stretch. The vehicle was created on the basis of the Soviet T-72 tank, although it has a large number of differences from it. This combat vehicle was put into service in 2011, it has a mass of 58 tons, a crew of three people, the tank is armed with a 125-mm smoothbore cannon with a rate of fire of 7 rounds per minute. A 1,500-horsepower engine (specific power 25.9) allows this combat vehicle to accelerate on the highway to a speed of 70 km/h.
Unlike the T-72, the Type 99A2 received a new welded turret and more advanced protection, which consists of both more “advanced” armor and the latest generation of dynamic protection. In addition, the Type 99A2 has a laser system that can literally blind the enemy.
8. AMX-56 Leclerk
In eighth place in the top 10 french tank, adopted for service in 1992. At the time of its creation, this combat vehicle was considered the most modern and high-tech, but more than twenty years have passed since that moment. The AMX-56 Leclerk has been discontinued from serial production. You can also add that this French tank is one of the most expensive in the world (about 6 million euros).
The latest series of this combat vehicle weighed 57.4 tons, the tank was armed with a 120-mm smoothbore cannon, and its engine had a power of 1,500 hp. With. The Leclerk has an automatic loader, which is not typical for the Western school of tank building. This element made it possible to reduce the crew to three people and strengthen the armor without increasing the weight of the vehicle. The design of the automatic loader differs from analogues used in Soviet (Russian and Ukrainian) tanks. It is located in the aft isolated part of the tower, which is equipped with knockout panels. This engineering solution can easily be considered one of the main advantages of the tank.
7. Challenger 2 (UK)
Production of this tank began in 1994; it belongs to the second generation of British Challengers. The combat weight of the vehicle is 62.5 tons, it is armed with a rifled 120-mm cannon, and the tank has a crew of four people.
Experts consider the main advantage of the Challenger 2 to be its armor protection, which ensures high safety for the crew. The machine is also equipped with dynamic protection. The engine (power 1200 hp) provides a maximum speed of 56 km/h.
Challenger 2 has real combat experience; it was used quite successfully by the British in the Balkans and during the second Iraqi campaign. True, in these conflicts this tank was opposed by outdated models of Soviet combat vehicles. In 2008, taking into account the obtained real combat experience A deep modernization of the tank was carried out: the vehicles received a new gun, engine and transmission. The fire control system was also replaced.
6. K2 "Black Panther"
This is a South Korean tank that was put into service in 2018. It is considered the first tank that South Korean engineers independently developed. The car turned out to be very advanced, but very expensive: the cost of one Black Panther is estimated at $8.5 million.
The tank weighs 55 tons and has a crew of three people. The K2 is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun, developed on the basis of the German Rh-120 tank gun, one of the best in the world today. But that’s not all: the tank is equipped with an automatic loader, similar in design to that found on the French Leclerc. The automatic loader allows the tank to fire at a rate of 15 rounds per minute. In addition, the K2 MBT is equipped with an active protection system capable of shooting down enemy shells and guided missiles.
The electronic content of the K2 is also very advanced: all the electronic systems of the tank are assembled into one network (TIUS), and the combat information and control system allows you to control a tactical tank formation in an automated mode, exchange information in real time between tanks and other types of military equipment, and also control points.
5. BM "Oplot"
4. T-90AM (Russia)
3. Abrams M1A2 SEP
1. T-14 “Armata” (Russia)
T-14 "Armata". This combat vehicle topped our top 10, one might say, in advance. The vehicle is still experimental, that is, it is not yet in service with the Russian army. Information about it is incomplete and quite contradictory. It was first demonstrated to the general public in 2018.
The creators position it as a new generation tank. The tank weighs 55 tons, has a crew of three people, and will be equipped with a 125 mm cannon.
This combat vehicle has several differences in its layout: the tank's turret is uninhabited, and the crew is located in its front part, in a special armored capsule. The tank will be equipped with a phased array radar (like the latest fighters) and a large number of video cameras that will provide all-round visibility to the crew.
From the defense of the Armata, mention should be made of the Afganit KAZ, which, according to the developers, will be able to shoot down even modern BOPS. It is also worth adding the latest Malachite dynamic protection complex and a mine protection system.
Among the disadvantages of the vehicle, experts already name the automatic loader with part of the ammunition, which is located in the fighting compartment. This is a typical Soviet layout, which leads to the detonation of ammunition when it hits fighting compartment cumulative or sub-caliber projectile.
The developers call the Armata the world’s first tank for “network-centric warfare.” The problem is that today in the Russian army this tank is the only element for conducting such combat operations.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them
The basis of the armored forces is made up of MBTs created in the Soviet Union. At the beginning of 1990, there were about 63,900 tanks in service and mothballed. Between 2005 and 2010 the number decreased from 23,000 to 18,000 vehicles, most of which are in storage.
The army operates approximately 2,700 tanks, most of which are various modifications of the T-72, such as the T-72B or T-72B3. The latter is a cheap modification of the T-72B and has been repeatedly criticized. However, it was produced in an amount of 800 units and in some respects it catches up with the T-90.
The T-90 Vladimir was also created on the basis of the T-72B, or rather it is a very deep modernization of it. Received better armor, KOEP Shtora-1, a new turret, a powerful engine, a modern fire control system and many other improvements.
Since 2001, the T-90 has been the most popular tank in the world for 9 years. In total, more than 1,800 different modifications were released.
In 2011, the T-90AM Proryv modification appeared with a new turret, fire control system and Relikt dynamic protection.
Nothing is known about the combat use of the T-90 except for the war in Syria, where in 2016 one of them was hit by a TOW-2A ATGM, but did not receive serious damage.
It is worth remembering the gas turbine T-80, which did not gain popularity among our troops, but is very interesting car. As of 2016, the army has about 450 such tanks and another 3,000 in storage.
New Russian tanks
2015 was a festive year for those who follow the development of domestic armored vehicles. At the Victory Parade, they demonstrated the Armata platform, which has long excited the minds of tank lovers. On its basis, the T-14 Armata MBT with an uninhabited turret, the T-15 infantry fighting vehicle and several other types of equipment were created.
Lighter platforms also appeared: the medium tracked Kurganets-25 and the wheeled Boomerang. Distinctive features new technology is increased crew protection and unification.
When creating the Armata, the experience of developing the T-95 was used. For example, the layout of the hull, developments in the automatic loader and armor.
In 2016, new equipment should be tested for adoption and mass production. It is difficult to say how quickly it will replace aging vehicles in the army, but our country plans to produce 2300 Armata by 2020.
Comparison
Western tanks have much more mass and a tall silhouette than Russian ones.
Domestic vehicles have a greater firing range due to the use of guided missiles and a higher rate of fire, which does not slow down over time, thanks to automatic loaders. However, the latter are often called the Achilles heel, since detonation instantly destroys the tank along with its crew.
The T-14 Armata was a workaround, having received a crew separated from the ammunition, the highest security due to passive and dynamic armor, as well as an active protection complex. At the same time, its size began to impress even against the background of foreign MBTs.
We can say that in recent years the vector of development of our armored vehicles has sharply turned. Great attention began to be paid to the protection of vehicles and their crew, ergonomics improved significantly, and digital systems became familiar.
Each of us knows the phrase of the Roman historian Cornelius Nepos (94-24 BC): “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Due to the fact that in Lately is gaining more and more activity (for example, intervention in the conflict between the United States and Syria, the return of Crimea, etc.), many sensible people have a lot of questions about the combat capability of our state. After all, sooner or later the issue may be resolved politically It’s unlikely to work, then the only option left will be forceful intervention. And many people understand this, which is why more and more often on various forums one can come across questions of a similar nature: “How many tanks does Russia have?”, “How many submarines? etc. Such interest reflects people's concern for the future of the country: will it be able to withstand an armed attack from, say, China or NATO forces. In this article we will answer the question of how many tanks Russia has, consider what kind of armored vehicles they are, what are their characteristics and what is the most modern tank in service in our army.
What kind of army is this?
Russian tank forces are the main striking force. They are mainly used in conjunction with motorized rifle units on the main directions. This branch of the military is designed to perform the following main tasks:
1. In defense - direct support of motorized rifles when repelling an enemy offensive, launching counterattacks and counterstrikes.
2. In the offensive - delivering powerful, front-cutting blows to greater depth, development of success, defeat of the enemy in oncoming battles and battles.
Russian tank forces are divided into brigades and battalions; they have great firepower and resistance to damaging factors nuclear weapons, high maneuverability and mobility. They are able to make maximum use of the results of nuclear or fire damage enemy, in short time achieve the final goal of an operation or battle.
Combat capabilities
Russian tank divisions, their formations and subunits make it possible to conduct active fighting both day and night, in a significant separation from the main forces, conduct raids behind enemy lines, destroy enemy equipment and manpower in oncoming battles and engagements, overcome radioactive contamination zones on the move, and also force water bodies. In addition, they are capable of quickly creating a very strong defense, as well as successfully resisting attacks by significantly superior enemy forces.
Development of combat capabilities of this kind troops is carried out by equipping them with more advanced types of armored vehicles, which optimally combine the following most important combat qualities: high firepower, reliable protection and maneuverability. Combined-arms tank units play an important role in improving the necessary organizational forms. This primarily corresponds to the content of the tactics of conducting modern combat operations.
Russian tank forces: revival after decline?
The crisis that befell the Russian army in the 90s of the last century, of course, did not spare the tank troops. And the concern of ordinary people asking the question “how many tanks does Russia have” is completely justified. After all, the nineties literally became a black page in the history of our army. Take, for example, the rapid withdrawal of troops from Mongolia and Eastern Europe, when a lot of ultra-modern equipment at that time was left in adjacent territories, and that which was returned was, in fact, thrown into the mud, with consequences for the equipment. As a result, expensive cars were reduced to scrap metal. In addition, personnel suffered significant damage: a huge number of very promising officers with impressive combat experience were forced to leave the ranks of the armed forces.
The first “bell” for the country’s leadership was the conflict in Chechnya, when hastily assembled units, often with faulty and dismantled equipment, began to suffer serious losses. However, this tragedy did not stop the further degradation of Russian tank forces. The quality of personnel training left much to be desired, and the acquisition of new generation equipment was completely stopped. The development of new models was based on the enthusiasm of designers and engineers, as well as individual military leaders. The defense complex producing armored vehicles either became bankrupt or reoriented towards export.
The beginning of the revival
Russian battle tanks welcomed the new century while fighting in Chechnya. The sad experience of the first campaign was taken into account, and now the losses among armored vehicles were significantly less. In 2000, it was first announced that a new modern tank, known as the T-95, or “Object 195,” was being created. It was assumed that he would enter the army by 2005. However, this did not happen. The first purchases took place in 2004, but it was not the long-awaited T-95s that entered service, but the modernized T-90A, and even then in the amount of 15 units. In 2005, another 17 machines were purchased. These Russians were the best production models at that time, however new Age required new equipment, and the quantity of supplies clearly did not meet the requirements of a huge country. Only since 2006, purchases began to be made in acceptable quantities, in addition, the modernization of “old” equipment was actively carried out. However, the best tank in Russia (T-95) remained a dream: its deliveries were constantly delayed.
Would-be reformers
The rearmament program adopted by the Ministry of Defense specified in detail how many armored vehicles needed to be modernized and how many new tanks should be manufactured. True, it was still not clear which models should be produced: T-90A or T-95? As a result, those who had passed through two Chechen wars battered T-72B, and also nicknamed “museum” T-62. The tank forces showed their best performance in this operation, as a result of which the southern group received the main Russian tank, the T-90A, into service. Probably in order to cool down the militant Saakashvili.
After the events described above, another army reform begins in the country. As a result, Russian tank forces were reduced to the level of battalions and a few brigades. The unfortunate reformers refused to purchase the T-90A, the development of a new one was completely stopped combat module"Burlak". And, most importantly, Russia’s promising most modern tank, the T-95, never left the assembly line and was sent to scrap. However, the country's leadership came to their senses in time, the Minister of Defense was removed from his post and a new one was appointed. The result of such changes was a new serious project in tank building - the development of a new Armata platform based on the T-95 and Object 640 (Black Eagle). "Armata" will be a universal platform for a new generation of armored vehicles: self-propelled guns, tanks, infantry and support vehicles, as well as repair and recovery equipment. This installation has no analogues in the world; everything is collected here innovative developments Russian design bureaus.
Still to come
2013 was a landmark year in the life of the Russian tank forces: as numerous surprise inspections have shown, many reforms did not affect the quality of combat training. Therefore, a strong-willed decision was made to sharply increase the norms of allocated ammunition. In addition, much has been done to increase the prestige of this type of troops. No matter how much they scolded the “Tank Biathlon”, but thanks to these competitions, the citizens of our country for the first time in long years We remembered that, it turns out, we still have tank troops. The Kantemirovskaya division was recreated. And at present time is running active rearmament and modernization of combat vehicles. Already today, even though they are experienced, the first samples of the “Armata” family have already been manufactured.
However, unfortunately, it is still too early to talk about results. We can only note the positive dynamics. Answering the reader’s question about what tanks are in Russia’s arsenal today, all that remains is to state the fact that the basis of our armed forces is still the old technology T-72B and T-80BV. There is still a lot to be done to make our army truly modern.
Tanks in Russian service: T-64
This model was designed back in 1960, its mass production began in 1963, and it was put into service in 1967. The design of this vehicle used an improved version of the traditional turret layout with a rear-mounted engine compartment and separate crew accommodations. These tanks were equipped with a rifled 100-mm cannon with 50 rounds of ammunition. Monolithic differentiated armor, a two-stroke diesel power unit, and a mechanical transmission were used. The frontal elements of the turret and body are capable of withstanding a direct hit from a 100-mm armor-piercing projectile from a distance of one kilometer. As you can see, these tanks have been in Russian service for 47 years, which is already a long time. At one time, the T-60 was an excellent representative of the tank family and could compete with vehicles in service with the NATO bloc, but time passes, and the technical fleet requires modernization, and urgently.
T-72 battle tank
Serial production of the T-72A continued from 1979 to 1985 at the plant in Nizhny Tagil. Later, at its base they began to produce an export version - the T-72M tank, and then its further modification - the T-72M1. After 1985, the modernized T-72B and its export version T-72S went into serial production. The last tank and to this day reliably serves in our army. In addition, it was massively exported to Eastern European countries, India, Finland, Yugoslavia, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait and Algeria. As you can see, the geography of distribution is very extensive. It has shown excellent results in various climatic conditions, and, despite its age, continues to serve in various parts of our planet. It was equipped with diesel power units capable of reaching speeds of up to 65 km/h, and very reliable 125 mm guns. The weight of the car was 41 tons. On the basis of this tank, the BREM-1, the IMR-2 engineering vehicle, and the MTU-72 bridge laying vehicle were developed.
T-80 battle tank
This vehicle was put into service back in 1976. She became the first in the world serial model with a main power unit based on a gas turbine engine. Development of the system began back in 1955. The gas turbine engine was finally put into service in 1968. It was a power unit with a power of 1000 hp. With. The design of the combat vehicle uses elements developed and tested on the T-64A: automatic loader, gun, ammunition, individual components and mechanisms of the armor protection and fire control system. The new unit led to an increase in the mass of the tank, and consequently to a change in dynamic characteristics. As a result, the designers had to design a new chassis: tracks with rubber-coated treadmills, hydraulic shock absorbers and torsion shafts with improved characteristics, track and support rollers, driving wheel guides.
T-90 battle tank
This best Russian tank is an improved T-72B. Entered into service in 1993. The appearance of the vehicle was caused by the need to modernize (taking into account the war in the Persian Gulf) existing models of equipment, as well as the reorientation of production to exclusively Russian components, because after that part of the defense complex remained abroad. These modern Russian tanks have a very low profile. Frontal armor The round flat tower is reinforced with a tiled type of the second generation. The driver's cabin is located in the front part of the body. Above it there is a hatch and an observation system with wide-angle optics. Bow equipped with a special acute-angled oval. The tank is equipped with a 125-mm cannon equipped with a thermally insulating casing.
How many tanks does Russia have?
Now let’s stop tormenting the reader and move on to the main issue of this article. Let's look at the number of tanks in Russia and list the top 10 countries by this parameter. It turns out that our country is the absolute leader here: on the balance sheet of the Ministry of Defense there are as many as 18,177 units of the mentioned military equipment. Of these, the main tanks are T-72B (7144 units), T-80 (4744 units) and T-64 (4000 units). In addition, the T-62 (689 vehicles) and T-55 (1,200 tanks) are in service. The tank forces have the fewest new generation armored vehicles - the T-90, with only 400 units. Agree that this is an insignificant figure for such a large army. Let's hope that in soon the situation will continue to change, and in a few years the statistics will change for the better.
Now let's see which country ranks second in our ranking. This is the United States - Russia's main competitor in the political arena. The US Army has 9,125 tanks, of which 8,725 are M1 Ambrams. As you can see, the American military is conservative - the basis of their tank forces is only one model. Third place in the ranking is occupied by our eastern neighbor and strategic partner - China, which is armed with 8,500 armored vehicles, including 500 Type-99 tanks. The top three were far ahead of their pursuers. So, fourth place is occupied, oddly enough, by Syria with its 4,750 vehicles, most of which have a proud inscription: “Made in Russia.” Next on the list are: Turkey - 3763, India - 3569, Egypt - 3380, North Korea - 3300, Israel - 3283, and the top ten is South Korea - 2823 units.
Why all this?
From the above data it is clear that the number of tanks in Russia significantly exceeds the number of combat units of its closest competitor (almost twice). A pacifist-liberal-minded reader may burst into an angry tirade about wasted money (on the creation and maintenance of such a lot of “hardware”). However, in response, we can remind him of the ancient wisdom with which we began this article: “If you want peace, prepare for war!” After all, the weak in modern world be dangerous. If you don’t periodically give your neighbors a hard time, you can lose, if not everything, then a lot. So, our strategic partner, China, is dreaming of how to grab Siberia for itself right up to the Urals, and the NATO bloc is already knocking on our doors from the West.
By the way, in connection with latest events in Ukraine, we can expand our review a little. It turns out that the Ministry of Defense of Kyiv has 2,522 tanks on its balance sheet, and this is the eleventh position in our ranking. True, these statistical data were taken from our neighbors even before the start of the conflict, so after the loss of Crimea and the outbreak of hostilities in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, this figure may decrease. After all, even official sources controlled by Kyiv reported combat losses among armored vehicles and even the defection of some military personnel to the side of the rebels. Well, okay, enough about the sad, let's go back to Mother Russia.
The future of tank building
As previously reported, the Russian army is developing the latest system"Armata", which will become the basis for the creation of new types of armored vehicles. In this regard, from 2015 it is planned to begin a major modernization of mechanized and armored forces, and from next year - the introduction of a new series of vehicles into all branches of our country's troops. One such model is Russia's newest tank, the T-99. This example will be equipped with an improved version of the 125 mm gun. One of the main tasks set for the designers is to reduce the weight of the machine in order to increase maneuverability and mobility. In fact, it was these parameters that caused the T-95 and Object 195 to burn out. After all, the main task of our tanks is to protect long land borders. Armored vehicles play a key role in maintaining military parity against any threat. It should be understood that our country is distinguished not only by its vast territory, but also by very diverse climatic conditions. The designers are faced with a very serious task: the creation of such equipment that can operate reliably both in the Arctic and in the southern regions of our vast Motherland. The T-99 must meet all these conditions. The new generation tank (Russia has always been distinguished by “Kulibins”, capable of solving any seemingly impossible task) is almost ready for mass production. As stated by the Ministry of Defense, the first copies will be demonstrated to the public at the parade on May 9, 2015. So we can only wait and hope that the country will not be hit by another political crisis that could destroy any initiatives.
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