Following the politicians, Western journalists are haunted by the thought that Russia was able to create tanks superior in quality to Western counterparts. So, Forbes magazine in a rather voluminous article made a comparison between the main mass tanks of Russia, Germany, USA, China and France, respectively. The following samples were critically evaluated: T-90, Leopard-2, M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams, MBT-2000 and AMX-56 Leclerc... Let's add a British tank to this list for the sake of justice. Challenger 2 and compare these six samples to determine the true leader. We will reduce the principle of assessment to the simplest one: we will compare the technical characteristics of machines, defense systems and weapons, the cost of their production, the effectiveness of combat use, the demand in the world arms market, based on the totality of these data, we can determine the best vehicle. This list, perhaps, is also worth adding Israeli tank "Merkava".
The Russian "flying" T-90 tank is considered a world bestseller.
Of course, one could consider other excellent examples of tank building, such as the Japanese Type-10 main tank or the South Korean K2 Black Panther main tank, but given their relatively small production and the absence of examples of combat use, for now we will refuse to consider these candidates in the ranking for the title of the best tank in the world. There is no point in considering the Russian T14 Armata tank yet, since this model has not yet been adopted for service.
Abrams and T-90
Western media almost in unison praise the merits of the American tank M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams, calling it the pinnacle of technical excellence in the world of tank building, well, let these praises remain on their conscience, let's get down to the facts. First of all, it should be noted that this tank is an old development (serial production began on February 28, 1980), which has undergone many modernizations. But in general, the car has proven itself well.
It is equipped with a 1500 strong gas turbine engine AVCO Lycoming AGT-1500, with a combat weight of 64 tons, this vehicle can reach a maximum speed along the prepared track up to 67 km per hour, on rough terrain up to 30 km / h with a power reserve of 426 km. Specific power - 23.8 HP per ton. The tank is well protected, its frontal armor is 650 mm thick, in addition to its own composite armor, it is protected by additional panels and has active and dynamic protection.
The vehicle is equipped with a panoramic sight, a thermal imager, a laser rangefinder, a global positioning, control and communication system, high-resolution liquid crystal color displays (which display all the necessary information in digital and graphic forms) allow the commander to see a picture of the battle. The rangefinder is capable of determining the distance to the target to be hit, up to almost 5 km, the main sight is equipped with a stabilizer.
Tank M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams
The tank is armed with a 120 mm M256 smoothbore cannon (licensed version of the Rheinmetall Rh-120 made in Germany), machine guns: one 12.7 mm M2HB and two M240 7.62 mm. In addition to other ammunition, the tank's 120 mm cannon ammunition includes the M829A3 sub-caliber projectile with a depleted uranium core, its maximum effective range is 4.4 thousand meters, at a distance of 2 km it penetrates 720 mm armor.
The gun is loaded manually, the crew of the tank is four people. This tank was clearly overrated by Western experts. In Iraq, in the current war, the jihadists have managed to knock out "Abrams" from, and this is already ridiculous. Poorly armed Yemeni guerrillas - the Houthis and they managed to destroy about 20 Abrams tanks.
What is the answer to all of the above Russian main tank T-90, consider its modifications and T90-AM. The machine is equipped with a V-92S2F V-92S2F 12-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel tank engine with a capacity of 1130 hp. With a combat weight of 48 tons, the tank is capable of speeds of 65–70 km / h on a prepared route and up to 45–50 km / h on rough terrain. The ratio of the tank weight to the engine power of 24 hp. per ton, i.e. better than M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams. The pressure of the tracks per unit surface of the T-90AM is 10% lower than that of the American tank, respectively, the cross-country ability of the Russian vehicle is higher.
The tank is equipped with a panoramic sight, a thermal imager, modern control systems, navigation, internal and external communications, surveillance. At the disposal of the crew commander of the Kalina FCS with an integrated combat information and control system of the tactical level, a high-resolution liquid crystal color display (all the information necessary for the commander is displayed on it) allows you to observe the combat situation. Sighting range of OFZ shells up to 10 km. Guided ammunition allows you to hit targets at a distance of up to 5 km, ATGMs reliably hit the enemy at a distance of up to 3 km.
Russian tank T-90MS
This combat vehicle is superbly protected. The thickness of the composite armor in the frontal part of the hull is 750 mm, the thickness of the turret is 950 mm. The tank's ammunition is located in a separate module, which significantly increases the survival rate of the crew when a shell hits it and the entire ammunition is detonated. In addition to its own armor, the tank has additional screens, active and dynamic protection systems. The modern modular third-generation ERA "Relikt" is too tough for the much-vaunted American projectile with a uranium core M829A3, so the Yankees are urgently looking for a new solution.
The armament of the T90-AM tank is also impressive: a smooth-bore 125 mm 2A46M-5 cannon with automatic loading and a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun paired with it, as well as a 7.62 mm anti-aircraft gun UDP T05BV-1. The crew of the tank is three people (the loader is not). The T-90 has demonstrated exceptional reliability in the current wars in Iraq and Syria.
American vs Russian
Since these tanks have not yet met on the battlefield, let's try to analytically assess the chances of each victory. Undoubtedly, Abrams tanks have a rich track record and they performed well in 1991 and 2003 in the US wars against Iraq. In both cases, Saddam Hussein's tank troops were also equipped with Soviet combat vehicles of the unmodernized T-55, T-64, T-72. In addition, Iraq at that time did not receive any consumables, spare parts, or ammunition from Russia, and the main factor of unreliability was the Iraqi crews, mainly because of this it was not difficult for the Americans to fight practically without losses with Saddam Hussein's tanks. That is, this combat experience does not say anything, the Yankees have never met in battle with Russian crews and modern Russian tanks.
Moreover, it must be borne in mind that Abrams fought only in a warm climate, on a flat, very weakly rugged flat terrain. Experts believe that in the climatic and relief conditions of Russia, especially in winter, this "miracle machine" most likely will not be able to fight at all. The Germans already had to admire their cars that had stood firmly on frosty days in the battle of Moscow in December 1941 - January 1942. Then, the technical parameters of the T-90AM do not leave the Abrams tank any chance, both in the M1A2 SEP V2 modification and in the M1A2 SEP V3 modification. And the main victorious force in battle is the Russian soldier, Russian tank crews, who confidently demonstrate their high combat skills.
On the way is a new Russian one, which by all characteristics leaves Abrams far behind. The Pentagon has already sounded the alarm and is harshly raising the question of funding a new tank project before the Senate. Even if they manage to persuade the senators, America will still lag behind in the tank race by at least one corps. The Pentagon lags behind the Russian military department in operational art as well, it is worth noting that the Americans do not have historical combat experience in massive tank battles, and neither do they have experience in conducting "big" wars.
You can also take into account the fact that these days Abrams tanks in Iraq and Yemen are not performing well. But in this case, there are two nuances, firstly, these are old cars, and secondly, they are driven by "armless" Arab crews.
Leopard-2
The German masterpiece of modern tank building, the Leopard 2 is a good, solid tank, but it will be very difficult to fight on it because of its heavy weight on the Russian terrain, except along the roads. It seems that, mindful of their overwhelming defeat on the battlefields in World War II in the East, the Germans, even in their dreams, do not consider Russia as a possible theater of war (theater of operations).
In the current Syrian war, the Leopard 2 was used by Turkish troops during Operation Euphrates Shield, it must be admitted that it did not behave very well in a combat situation and, in general, received a negative assessment from experts. Again, here it is necessary to make a reservation, in Syria, Turkish crews fought on these tanks, perhaps the Germans could rehabilitate their Leopard 2 under the same conditions.
In fact, Germany is the unrivaled leader in mechanical engineering. Even though this project is more than 40 years old, the modernized Leopard 2 looks very impressive. The weight of the vehicle in full combat gear reaches almost 70 tons, the armor is multi-component, additional protective screens are used, as well as reactive armor systems. The tank is equipped with an automatic fire-prevention system. It has a MTU MB 873 Ka-501 12-cylinder V-twin turbocharged diesel engine with 1,479 hp. or MTU MT883 with 1,650 hp. The maximum speed of this car on the prepared tracks is 68 km / h, on rough terrain - 30 km / h. The maximum cruising range is 320 km. But in the Russian off-road conditions, this monster can get up tight, especially in the fierce cold of Russian winters.
Armament Leopard 2 - smoothbore 120 mm Rheinmetall L55 cannon (manually loaded) and two 7.62 mm MG3A1 machine guns. The DM-53 anti-tank projectile with a warhead in the form of a tungsten core is capable of penetrating 750 mm armor at a distance of 2 km, an Israeli-made LAHAT ATGM, which is part of the tank's standard ammunition? strikes targets at a distance of up to 6 km. Leopard-2 is equipped with the German EMES 15 fire control system, panoramic sight, laser rangefinder, thermal imager and other equipment, including modern navigation and surveillance communications devices. The crew of the car is 4 people. For the Western European theater of operations, the tank is ideal.
Again, this tank clearly should not face the T90AM on the battlefield, the Leopard has little chance of emerging victorious from this battle, and its vaunted defense is powerless against modern Russian anti-tank weapons.
MBT-2000 and AMX-56 Leclerc
The main Chinese tank MBT-2000 is deservedly considered a satisfactory example in the comparative table of world tank building. Its technical capabilities, perhaps, should be compared with the T-72B, and the T90AM, it is inferior in all respects. Although the MBT-2000 is the most massive tank in the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), it was originally created to capture the world tank market. This design is licensed to Pakistan under the designation Al-Khalid. The vehicle does not yet have a well-known combat history, just as the Chinese army does not have any historical experience in conducting massive tank battles. It is not known how these machines will behave in Siberian frosts.
Chinese tank MBT-2000
Currently, the PLA is receiving new MBT-3000 (VT-4) tanks, however, this model is also targeted at the international market in the future. According to the declared technical characteristics, it is comparable to the T90AM, but what this vehicle will be able to demonstrate on the battlefield is anyone's guess. It is not entirely certain that the PLA command does not at all consider tanks as an effective force for modern and future wars. Unlike Russian and German tank builders, who produce all the components themselves, the Chinese supply many parts of combat vehicles from abroad, the main components are purchased in France.
The AMX-56 Leclerc tank is another proof of the ambition of the French. They could have done well, like other countries in continental western Europe, with the German Leopard 2 monsters or the American Abrams. But no, Paris is going its own way in everything, despite the financial costs. This vehicle has been mass-produced for 15 years since 1992, currently 406 tanks are owned by the French army, and 388 are in service with the UAE military.
The weight of the car reaches 54.6 tons. Its 8-cylinder V-shaped diesel engine with a capacity of 1500 hp. allows the tank to accelerate to 71 km / h on a prepared track and up to 40 km / h on rough terrain and provides a cruising range of 550 km. I note right away that this tank was not tested in Russian conditions and, I can assume, it will not show itself here, as well as other foreign models.
French tank AMX-56 Leclerc
The AMX-56 is protected by composite multilayer armor of a modular type, the design of the tank is made in such a way that the sloping frontal armor will meet an AT projectile in a direct hit with a thickness of 700 mm. This "Leclerc" has no dynamic protection, the French rely on the design of their armor. The communication, control, observation and aiming system are combined into a single system, the tank is literally stuffed with electronics, here its full set, including the central computer, the tank's control system is integrated into the I&C. This vehicle is comfortable for the crew.
The armament of the AMX-56 is the CN-120-26 smoothbore gun, which has two stabilizers, a thermal imager, a rangefinder, a combined gunner's sight and a panoramic commander's sight at the crew's disposal. The gun of the AMX-56 tank is equipped with an automatic loader. The performance characteristics of this gun are comparable to the characteristics of the German Rh 120 smooth-bore tank gun, the ammunition of the Abrams and Leopard tanks is suitable for the French CN-120-26 tank gun. Additional weapons "Leclerc" - machine guns: M2HB-QBC caliber 12.7 mm and F1 caliber 7.62 mm. The crew of the AMX-56 Leclerc is three people. The tank is not bad, it has proven itself well in hostilities in Yemen, but again, it is hardly suitable for a war in the conditions of the Russian climate and landscape.
Merkava and Challenger 2
The Israeli tank "Merkava" ten years ago was considered almost one of the best in the world, now it is estimated much more modestly. Despite the fact that the tank is very heavy, its weight reaches 70 tons, the armor of the "Merkava", whose thickness is equivalent to 750 mm, is not effective; it will not withstand modern armor-piercing subcaliber shells. KAZ Meil Ruach ("Air Cloak") is used as an active defense. In battle, these machines do not show themselves from the best side, the poor training of Israeli tankers is also reflected here, but mainly the technical shortcomings of the tanks themselves. It is known that the Russian ATGM "Kornet" terrifies Israeli tankers.
Israeli tank "Merkava-4"
"Merkava" is produced according to the principle of the world on a string: 28% of the components are of foreign origin. Modification "Merkava-4" has a 1500-horsepower diesel engine, which allows it to accelerate on a prepared track up to 60 km / h, on rough terrain up to 30 km / h, cruising range - up to 500 km. The tank is armed with a 120 mm MG253 smoothbore cannon and two 7.62 mm FN MAG machine guns, some models are armed with a 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun and a mortar.
The crew of the car is 4 people. The tank's ammunition includes the LAHAT ATGM. The MSA practically copies that of the Abrams tank, the gunner has a sight with a thermal imager and automatic target tracking at the disposal of the gunner, the commander has a panoramic sight with the same functions, in addition, there are backup optical and IR sights.
Tank Challenger 2
The British Challenger 2 tank has long and reliably earned itself a bad reputation. But still, according to Western experts, it remains one of the best armored vehicles in the world. The vehicle is heavy, its combat weight is 62.5 tons. Combined anti-cannon armor, there is dynamic protection. The digital fire control system includes a 32-bit processor and Mil Std 1553 data bus. The combined stabilized gunner's sight was developed by Barr & Strud in cooperation with the French SAGEM, and the NANOQUEST L30 telescopic sight is also used. The commander has a stabilized panoramic periscope sight SFIM thermal imager TOGS-2.
The weapon control system is built around the on-board computer of the Canadian company CDC, which is a modernized computer of the M1A1 Abrams tank. The car is equipped with a 12-cylinder V-shaped turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 1200 hp, develops a speed of 56 km / h on a prepared track, 25-30 km / h on rough terrain, and a cruising range of 400 km. 120 mm rifled gun L30E4 (L11A5); two 7.62 mm machine guns. The crew of the tank is 4 people. A total of 400 Challenger 2 tanks were produced. Even during the 1991 Iraqi war, these tanks showed their unreliability in battle.
World tank market
Many military experts believe that tanks will be out of service in the near future, they will be destroyed by high-precision weapons, modern and promising vehicles, just as machine guns and tanks themselves destroyed the cavalry in their time. However, so far more than one army of the world is not going to write off tanks. On the contrary, the sale of tanks on the world arms market for some countries is profitable.
According to Forbes magazine, the undisputed commercial leader of the first two decades of the 21st century is the Russian T-90MS tank, which, by the way, occupies an important niche in the Russian arms export.
Now the manufacturer of these tanks has two new contracts for supply abroad: the first batch of 73 vehicles will be received by Iraq, another 64 units of this type of equipment will be put into service by Vietnam. In the near future, it is planned to sign a contract for the supply of 146 T-90MS tanks to Kuwait, as well as to expand assembly production in Egypt. In total, taking into account the supply of ammunition, consumables, spare parts and other sales will bring Russian tank builders at least $ 400-500 million in revenue. In total, more than 2,100 T-90 tanks of various modifications were produced, of which more than 1,500 were exported. More than 1,000 new tanks will be sold abroad in the coming years under existing contracts. The portfolio of orders is expected to increase up to 1600 tanks and more.
Now the T-90 is in service with the armies of 38 different countries, this is the best sales result in the world. Not only does this tank have a low prime cost, and, consequently, the final price (118 million rubles), it outperforms competitors in quality in almost all respects.
The German Leopard 2 tank is considered by many to be the best in the world, as we can see, this statement is far from the truth. This machine was delivered to 21 countries of the world, mainly to Northern and Western Europe, as well as to Turkey. The latter very unsuccessfully used them in Syria during the "Euphrates Shield" operation.
Leopard 2A6 costs 6.79 million dollars, and Leopard 2 A7 + more than 10 million dollars. In total, more than 3200 Leopard 2 different modifications were produced, of which 300 units are in service with the Bundeswehr, the rest went abroad. The production of this tank has been stopped, and so has its export. In the list of sales, the Chinese main tank MBT-2000 claims the second place in the world ranking. At a cost of $ 4.7 million per unit, the Celestial Empire sold its cars to Morocco (150 units), Myanmar (150 units), Sri Lanka (22 units), Bangladesh (44 units). Pakistan was supplied with 415 tanks and an assembly plant was built there, where the same tank is produced under the name Al-Khalid.
The cost of one M1A2 SEP Abarms also bites a lot: it varies, but mostly amounts to about $ 8.6 million, so buyers are not eager to purchase a new tank with a full technical package. Old samples, simpler in terms of equipment, are exported, which are taken from storage, undergo major repairs, mainly engines, a cannon and an FCS are subject to replacement. For example, Egypt has acquired over 1,200 M1A1 Abrams tanks. This tank is in service with the armies of six countries (except for the United States). In total, the American military industry sold 2,217 M1 tanks abroad, of which about 750 were in the improved M1A2 configuration. This tank has no prospects in the development of the world market. In addition, at present in the United States, only 12 cars of this type are produced per year.
France began mass production of the AMX-56 Leclerc in 1990. Since then, the French army has received 406 tanks, and only 388 vehicles have been exported, the same British Challenger 2 tanks at a cost of $ 8.6 million per unit were sold abroad only 38 units. As for the Leclerc tanks, the United Arab Emirates was the only buyer of the French tank building miracle. The cost of one French tank is considerable - 9.3 million euros. "Merkava" is estimated by the manufacturer at $ 6 million, but everything is simpler here, because of its technical shortcomings, no one except Singapore wants to buy, the latter signed a contract for only 50 vehicles.
As the saying goes: "Tanks are not afraid of dirt." This expression perfectly characterizes such a powerful machine as a tank. The tank is not afraid of any obstacles, in it you can not only feel completely safe, but in case of danger or attack of enemies, defend yourself by using combat artillery. It is a kind of multifunctional machine.
Since ancient times, people have preferred stronger and more effective weapons. As soon as something better appears, they begin to invent many analogues. Then these analogs are used until something more perfect and more powerful appears. People, one might say, have such a principle. Times go by, new and new weapons appear, but the tanks do not give up their positions. This is a reliable front and rear of the army.
In our time of high technology, military equipment is constantly being improved, becoming "smarter". Today we will share with you our Top 10 rating The most powerful tanks in the world... They are a kind of "monsters" among their own kind, you will surely admire appreciating their stateliness and greatness. And what power lies in them! The power to protect and destroy at the same time. In our ranking you will meet the steel "monsters", which are the best tanks in the world ever created.
10. Leclerc
This tank forms the backbone of the army of modern France, and 388 units are in service with the UAE, which is explained by its high cost - $ 8 million. However, all this pales against the background of a 120-mm muzzle, with an ammunition load of 40 rounds, as well as two additional machine guns, with a total of 4,000 rounds of magazines, which, together with the ability to accelerate to 71 km / h, makes it excellent in the fight against enemy foot forces. ...
9.
We could not fail to include in the rating of the best and most powerful tanks in the world, the Merkava, which is the pride of the Israeli defense industry. In addition to the frightening 120 mm barrel, the tank is capable of firing guided anti-tank missiles, which makes it possible to target enemy combat equipment out of action. At the same time, protection is provided by steel modular armor of the latest generation, which, although it adds weight, allows it to remain invulnerable to shots of some types of hand grenade launchers.
8.
Manufactured in Pakistan, this tank has absorbed the latest developments from leading engineers in its region, which allows it to remain equally effective no matter the time of day. A 125 mm smoothbore gun is capable of hitting almost any enemy equipment, but for the sake of its expanded ammunition, one of the machine guns had to be sacrificed, which does not at all reduce the effectiveness of the combat vehicle.
7. K1A1
Also among the most powerful tanks in the world is the crown of the modern military industry in South Korea. A super-powerful 120 mm smoothbore gun requires simultaneous maintenance by two crew members at once, but is extremely effective against enemy reconnaissance drones that fall into her field of view. Effectiveness against infantrymen is provided by one coaxial or two standard machine guns, depending on the modification.
6.
The pride of British tank building is recognized as one of the best in the world, thanks to its reliability. In service with the United Kingdom and Oman. It is extremely effective against foot soldiers and weakly armored vehicles, because in addition to a 120 mm rifled barrel, it has two coaxial and one movable machine gun at its disposal. However, such firepower has a negative effect on the mobility of the tank - it is capable of reaching a speed of only 56 km / h.
5. PT-91
The main combat vehicle of the Polish army is located on the fifth line of the list of the 10 most powerful tanks in the world. In addition to the terrifying 125mm smoothbore gun, the tank is equipped with active armor, which guarantees no major damage after the first enemy shot. Moreover, the presence of three machine guns allows you to destroy enemy anti-aircraft guns and their crew at medium and close distances.
4.T-90
Oddly enough, the representative of the Russian tank building is distinguished by its compactness and lightness, guaranteeing the maneuverability inherent in Soviet-made tanks. In addition to the enemy's equipment, thanks to two powerful machine guns, the tank does not experience difficulties with artillery, to which, due to its low weight and, accordingly, high movement speed, it is able to reach almost at lightning speed. The T-90 is rightfully considered one of the best tanks in the world with great firepower and high speed characteristics. The armor of the hull is made using composite steel, which prevents the T-90 from becoming an easy target for enemy infantry armed with an anti-tank gun, even at close range.
3.
This Chinese-made vehicle, which opens the top three in the top 10 most powerful tanks in the world, is by no means cheap: one unit will have to pay about $ 22 million, which significantly reduces its competitiveness. The relatively light tank is equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, in addition to which three machine guns are attached: for dealing with anti-aircraft guns and two coaxial ones, effective against infantry.
2.
This tank is characterized by the high production cost inherent in most South Korean combat vehicles. The developers explain this by the fact that they used combined armor, which gives a lot of advantages in close combat, and thanks to the low weight of only 62 tons, they managed to get additional speed and maneuverability. Despite all this, the Black Panther, armed with a 55 caliber cannon, was able to win only half of the training battles.
1.M1A2 Abrams
The crown of our rating is the brainchild of the American defense industry, which has been at the forefront since the end of the last century, thanks to the constant improvement of its technology in response to the changing style of modern warfare. M1A2 Abrams - the best tank in the world... Its "highlight" is not its weapon potential, although it should be said that the firepower is by no means inferior to competitors, but the technical component. The vehicle is literally crammed with various electronics, allowing it to coordinate actions with allied forces and aviation, which allows it to be as effective as possible on the battlefield. And, unlike most of the tanks presented, the M1A2 proved its own effectiveness in real military operations.
+ T-14 Armata
The Armata tank has become the embodiment of the unique developments of the past years and the achievements of the modern military-industrial complex of Russia. T-14 is a unique 3rd generation combat vehicle. Perhaps, after all the tests, Armata will receive the title the best and most powerful tank in the world... Its peculiarity is that the crew is located not in the turret, but in an armored capsule, which ensures survival even when the ammunition load is detonated. This newest Russian tank was first demonstrated at the 2015 Victory Day parade.
Of the unique technical characteristics, it is worth noting: the design features that make the tank barely visible on enemy radars, in the infrared and magnetic ranges, and even difficult to distinguish on the ground with visual contact, in fact, the "stealth" technology is used. Also, the vehicle is equipped with the latest active protection "Afganit", capable of preventing the hit of an anti-tank projectile, and the 4th generation "Malachite" armor protects against almost 100% of shots from hand-held grenade launchers. Firepower is provided by a 125 mm smoothbore gun with 45 rounds of ammunition and two machine guns: Kord (12.7 mm) and PKTM (7.62 mm). On highways, the T-14 develops a speed of up to 90 km / h.
The best tank in Russia and the world | Video
There is no need to talk about the importance of tanks in protecting state sovereignty, guaranteeing the security of certain countries. The developed tank building, in addition, serves as a good source of export income, its technical achievements increase the prestige of the state. And unwittingly, many people have a question: "What is the most powerful tank in the world?" Very often in various foreign and domestic publications, on the Internet, in popular television programs, attempts are made to generalize the comparison of the main tanks of different states. Every now and then there are articles titled "Top of the most powerful tanks in the world", the film of the "Discovery" TV channel on this topic is widely known. But practice has shown the ineffectiveness of this approach. Each model of the tank is created within the framework of a specific doctrine, for solving specific problems in the corresponding natural and climatic conditions. A typical example is the Israeli tank "Merkava". With excellent comprehensive protection and a powerful weapon, this modern chariot (as the name of the model "Merkava" is translated) is one of the main contenders for the title of "the most powerful tank in the world." But only Israel and Singapore put it into service, no one else chose him for their army. Being very good for limited spaces in certain geographic regions, this tank turned out to be too heavy and inactive, unsuitable for mobile warfare. In addition, ratings such as "10 most powerful tanks in the world" are openly advertising and propaganda. So, according to the statements of Chinese specialists, the best tank in the world is, of course, the Chinese type 99. According to the American version, the Abrams and Leopard 2 models deserve the title of "the most powerful tank in the world." Russian and many foreign experts highly value the performance of the T-90 model (modifications "Tagil" and "Vladimir"). Ukraine, however, claims that the T-84 "Oplot" will surpass any serial tank in the world in battle. How to understand this if simple comparisons of technical characteristics, computer simulations of battles and real combat actions do not allow you to unambiguously choose the undisputed favorite? Further in the article, an attempt is made to give another brief overview of the majority of modern tanks in the world. It should be noted that the technical characteristics given here are average, as they may change depending on the appearance of the next modification of the tank.
Russia and Ukraine
The Russian tank building school is one of the most honored in the world. The Russian T-90 tank is undoubtedly the leader in terms of cost-effectiveness. Previously Soviet, and now Russian tanks are appreciated by many countries for their ease of maintenance, excellent weapons and good protection, maneuverability and mobility. These tanks were well mastered by the massive peasant armies with a low level of education. In addition, Russian, as well as earlier Soviet, tanks were tested in the Siberian frosts, the Afghan and Caucasian mountains, the deserts of Central Asia and the Middle East, the humid jungles of Venezuela and Vietnam. So, T-90. The tank has combined armor, a powerful 125-mm gun, which also has guided ammunition in its ammunition load, which is an undoubted advantage of domestic tanks. The dimensions of the tank are small, which, however, is no longer decisive in modern conditions. A small reserve volume due to a decrease in the size of the crew due to the use of an automatic gun loader, built-in dynamic protection in addition to combined armor, passive ("Shtora") and active ("Arena" and "Drozd") protection systems are also among the achievements of the domestic tank industry. As a result, the weight of the T-90 tank is relatively small, much less than foreign models. So, here it is, the most powerful tank in the world? The photo shows its beautiful swift silhouette, the tank has a high export potential - India, Algeria, Venezuela chose it for their armies.
But no, the T-90 still has serious disadvantages. Until recently, his cannon could no longer hit modern tanks head-on from a great distance, although positive changes are now being observed here. The small armor volume, apart from its advantages, has its own disadvantage - the crew is placed among the ammunition, which negatively affects its safety in battle. There were also complaints about the engine, observation devices, and the fire control system. These problems have been solved or are being solved in the latest modifications (T-90A, AM, MS, AM). But, again, this is the notorious "but" - T-90 tanks are not purchased by the Russian army, in anticipation of a promising model, the old T-72 is being modernized.
Ukraine inherited one of the most honored centers of the former Soviet tank industry - the Malyshev Kharkov Transport Engineering Plant. Suffice it to say that the most iconic tank of World War II, the T-34, was born here. During the years of independence, Ukrainian tank builders have made great strides in modernizing the T-64 and T-84 UD models (diesel version of the T-80). The "Oplot-M" and T-84 "Oplot" were created and are constantly being modernized (these are different tanks!). In many ways, these models are not inferior, and in some ways even surpass their Western counterparts, have some export success (supplied to Pakistan, Thailand). Ukraine has also achieved great success in developing its own guided ammunition for tank guns. But, nevertheless, these are not breakthrough projects, in fact, this is the line of development of old models and they do not have decisive advantages.
In the photo - T-90:
USA
Skillful advertising led to the fact that the American tank "Abrams M1" by a number of specialists was put on the first or second place in many tank ratings. It is the undoubted success of American developers, it has a powerful, obviously one of the best armor protection systems among serial tanks in the world. The powerful gas turbine engine provides a high power density. And yet, this tank also has a lot of disadvantages, some of them are due precisely to the presence of a gas turbine. The increased fuel and air consumption for the engine leads to a decrease in the range and the need to change the air duct filters very often, especially in a dusty atmosphere. Unexpectedly, the high vulnerability of the Abrams against Russian and former Soviet anti-tank weapons in Afghanistan and Iraq was revealed. Even the old RPG-7, which celebrated its sixtieth anniversary, with new ammunition became a thunderstorm for the Abrams. And the insignificant volume of exports, despite the intense advertising, speaks for itself. In addition, the Americans, despite their efforts, are unable to create acceptable models of tank guided missiles and active protection systems (KAZ). No, M1A2 is one of the strongest fighters, but not the most powerful tank in the world.
In the photo - tank M1A2 "Abrams":
Germany
If the T-90 is the heir to the traditions of Soviet tank building, then the Leopard 2 is an undoubted achievement of another strong school of armored vehicle designers, the German one. If someone says that this is the most powerful tank in the world, then, perhaps, there will be nothing to object. Unless to refer to the crowd of competitors from countries - newcomers in tank building, unexpectedly created a large number of excellent samples of tanks. And what can you reproach the "Leopard" with its mighty 120 mm cannon, which has recently undergone modernization and received a barrel extended from 44 to 55 calibers? On his significantly increased level of armor protection compared to previous modifications? Is that, large size and weight, this negatively affects the ability to transport tanks by vehicles, restrictions on the carrying capacity of bridges. The Leopard does not have both guided missiles and active defense systems. But there is an excellent, if not the best, diesel engine and an excellent LMS (weapon control system).
In the photo - "Leopard 2":
England and France
But what about the achievements of the powers where tank building once originated? The English "Challenger 2", having a very powerful level of protection, a strong cannon, an excellent fire control system (during Operation Desert Storm, one of the British "Challengers" destroyed an Iraqi T-55 at a distance of 5000 meters from the first shot!), nevertheless, it caused criticism from British specialists, it was planned to re-equip the British army with "Abrams". The main complaint is the low travel speed. But the Iraqi campaign put everything in its place - the Challenger proved to be an excellent fighter. The British tank industry was rescued by government orders. In general, after the not very successful tanks of the Second World War, the British made the right conclusions and their post-war tanks were not bad, although slow-moving. But the tankers loved them for their reliability, powerful guns and excellent armor protection. Thanks to this, their crews went into battle, thinking about completing a combat mission, and not looking for the nearest shelter. By the way, "Challenger 2" is considered to be the most protected tank in the world from HEAT shells (in terms of passive armor, it has no active protection, alas).
The French AMX-30, like the Soviet T-55, and the German Leopard-1, is the brainchild of a tank concept that does not need super-powerful protection, the armor should more protect the enemy strongpoints that survived an atomic strike from small arms fire, and reduce radiation radiation ... Such tanks were supposed to cross the foci of destruction by atomic charges at high speed, withstand the shock wave and light radiation from nuclear explosions. Time passed, and the concept of using tanks changed. So, in France, the AMX-30 was replaced by the AMX-56 model. After the elimination of a number of problems, the tank entered the advanced (but not the first!) Frontiers of world tank building in most positions. Despite this, no one, except France and the UAE, which financed its development, was flattered by him. Currently, it is not mass-produced, the French dream of new tanks, but no real action in this direction has yet been noted.
Summary: despite the successes, neither the British samples, let alone the French ones, can claim the title of "the most powerful tank in the world."
Pictured here is Challenger 2 from the UK:
Israel
The Israeli concept of tanks resembles the British one - a powerful cannon must break the enemy's resistance, while the powerful armor will withstand shelling from enemy guns. And a relatively low speed - on the battlefield you need to shoot accurately, and not dashingly write out zigzags and eights. When the UK imposed an embargo on the supply of Chieftains to Israel, this country was forced to create its own tank. And it turned out to be original! The forward location of the engine has increased the degree of protection of the crew - human resources in Israel are not unlimited, trained specialists are doubly valued. The rational shape of the hull and turret increased the resistance to fire. A free volume appeared in the back of the body and a hatch with a door was made. In the resulting compartment, you can place additional ammunition or take out the wounded from the battlefield. Whether it is possible to carry troops there is a moot point. The 105 mm gun used in the first modification was later replaced by a 120 mm gun.
Clear successes of the Israelis were also outlined in the use of KAZ systems and guided tank ammunition. Here, perhaps, they are not only stepping on the heels of Russian developers, but in some places they are beginning to bypass them. However, this race is far from over, and many trump aces are hidden in the sleeves of designers from different countries.
Where's the fly in the ointment? She is in a huge mass of "Merkava", it is not critical for the Lebanese mountains, urban developments in the Gaza Strip, camps of Palestinian militants, but in many cases, a rapid maneuver is expected from the tank forces. This means that, being a somewhat specific tank, the "Merkava" cannot claim the title of the most powerful weapon. Although he is one of the most serious arguments on the modern battlefield.
Japan
The main tank of this country is called "Type 90". High security, great firepower and good mobility are overshadowed by its large mass and high price, the tank is much more expensive than the American Abrams. Its application outside the island of Hokkaido is problematic. But the Japanese have created and are now deploying a cheaper and lighter version, dubbed Type 10. In terms of mass, it is close to Russian models, in terms of combat and technical characteristics, it resembles Western tanks. While they are good models, these tanks are undoubtedly among the top most powerful tanks in the world, but have no distribution outside of Japan. And not tested in combat.
In the photo - a Japanese tank "Type 10"
China
China has developed many types of armored vehicles. The latest models - "Type 96", "Type 98" and "Type 99" fully meet modern requirements. The Chinese even announced the superiority of the "Type 99" over any tank in the world, but this is pure PR. All models are the development of still Soviet models from the line, which originated from the legendary T-34. And yet, on the battlefield, they are powerful opponents to many of the world's armies.
In the photo - the pride of the Chinese tank industry, "Type 99"
Other countries
Many countries of the world began to apply for membership in the club of tank builders. There are no extraordinary examples to be seen here yet, although many models are very successful and have many innovations. So, a quick overview. Brazil developed the failed Tamoyo and the Ozorio. The latter was actively promoted for export, but had no success. Currently, "Ozorio" is definitely not the most powerful tank in the world, although it has good characteristics. Italy developed at one time the model "Ariete" with a 120 mm cannon. About 200 machines were produced, the characteristics are at the level of requirements, but not the most outstanding. Not having guided ammunition in its ammunition load, this tank may soon receive an original gadget - an unmanned mini-aircraft fired from a cannon barrel, capable of conducting reconnaissance in the interests of a tank unit and illuminating targets with a laser. In South Korea, the production of the K2 "Black Panther" tank, which got into the Guinness Book of Records due to its price, is being launched. Features of the tank: the presence of guided ammunition (they do not have a rocket engine, but they hit targets along a hinged trajectory from above, into an unprotected area). The tank can shoot down low-flying aircraft. There is an automatic loader, thanks to which this tank has a record rate of gun fire among all modern tanks - about 15 rounds per minute. For a long time India tried to implement the Arjun project, according to its characteristics it had to correspond to some modifications of the Leopard 2 machine. Yes, he looks like him, not to mention the fact that both models are equipped with the same engine. But so far, Indian developers are not doing very well, and India is producing Russian T-90s under license. There is talk of "Arjun 2". And, finally, the most unexpected development is the Turkish "Altai". Created with the technical support of Korea on the basis of the Black Panther tank, the main difference from the prototype is the absence of an automatic loader. So, collecting 10 of the most powerful tanks in the world is not difficult, only there will be many variants of such a collection, numerous participants in the race to become the creators of the best tank are running along the distance in a very close and even crowd.
In the photo - Indian "Arjun":
And what about the future?
Talk about the appearance in 2020 of tanks with laser cannons is apparently premature, although work has long been underway on weapons based on new operating principles - using liquid propellant charges, railguns (electromagnetic guns). But this, apparently, is a rather distant prospect, although forecasts in this matter are a thankless thing. Samples of 140 mm guns appeared, including the "Bagheera" in the Ukraine. In Russia, the 152-mm smoothbore gun has long been ready for mass production, which in principle surpasses everything that can be opposed to it. Apparently, soon, as necessary, all this will find application when the current guns exhaust their potential.
And what about new tanks in the leading countries of the world? While the Germans were experimenting with either the Leopard 2 A8 or the Leopard 3, the Americans were developing their platform for the future line of armored vehicles, the French dreamed of what they would produce at their factories further, Russia with a spectacular display of the promising T-14 tank at the celebration of the 70th anniversary of victory, the whole world was agitated. Ukraine has declared that these are its developments stolen by Russia, Germany has announced that "Armata" has a German trace, and so on. The whole world knew about this tank even before the show, but when they saw it with their own eyes, it became clear that a breakthrough in tank building was possible. A new principle of protection for a crew placed in an armored capsule, remotely controlled weapons in an uninhabited turret, a new weapon with increased efficiency, and hull geometry that provides a new level of protection. There is a lot to enumerate, but after all, uninhabited towers and carried out weapons are not new in theory, only until now it could not break through to real machines. And in Germany, and in England, and in the USSR (including in Kharkov), developments with new layouts were carried out. In Russia, by 2011, a more powerful T95 tank than the "Armata" was prepared for a series. But for a number of objective reasons, the management decided to simplify and reduce the cost, to update the solutions that were outdated for many years of development. This is how the tank appeared on the Armata platform. It seems that here it is, the most powerful modern tank in the world. But something keeps us from being overly optimistic. The tank is expensive, it is undergoing military trials, there are reliability problems, and it is not yet a fact that it will go into a large series. And even if the plans for this tank are implemented, will it retain its current configuration or will some of the bells and whistles have to be abandoned? Most importantly, will the observation and weapon control system justify itself in the framework of the concept of an uninhabited tower?
In the photo - "Armata" T14:
Conclusion
Imagine this picture: on opposite edges of a hypothetical battlefield, there are two rival tanks in the ratings of combat vehicles. The crews are trained in exactly the same way, they both see each other, the cars are in good working order, fueled, ammunition is loaded. At the signal of an invisible judge, the hatches of the cars are slammed shut, the engines are started. Both tanks, like knights clad in armor, rush towards each other and each opens fire on the enemy from the optimal distance for him. So you can reveal the sheer superiority of one tank over another. - "Absurd! - you say - it doesn't happen like that!" Isn't abstract tank ratings absurd? Combat vehicles are strong in interaction with each other, the training of the crews and the literacy of the commanders, close interaction with other branches of the armed forces and even the branches of the armed forces, powerful combat, logistical and technical support, well-coordinated work of the headquarters. Reconnaissance, camouflage, engineering equipment of terrain and crossings, electronic support - this is not a complete list of conditions in which tanks fight, win or die. Of course, their technical perfection also plays a role, but as can be seen from the above review, the best modern tanks are approximately at the same level, the emerging leaders risk getting equal competitors after a while.
Thus, the development and modernization of tanks is a constant process, the intensity of the emergence of new products increases and decreases, but never stops at the zero point. Currently, a technical breakthrough is planned, and the conclusion of the competition of tank builders to a new round of an endless spiral. And now the German developer absorbs the French state-owned company, creating a base for the development of the future European "Armata". How long will it take for them to catch up with Russia? The decision to develop it has been made, the technical findings are already known, the potential of Europe has not been exhausted. At the same time, the current tanks have not yet outlived their usefulness and will be modernized for a long time, they will be in service with the armies of the world and in the warehouses of the mobilization reserve. And the question of which tank is the most powerful in the world, apparently, will never receive a final answer.
Any army in the world is armed with powerful tanks. This technique is the main one for the ground forces. Some tanks are used to break through the enemy's line of defense, others - for support. But in any case, this is a very powerful technique, causing great damage to both armored objects and enemy infantry. Let's consider with you the most. For this, we will make our own small top.
General information
The effectiveness of a tank is determined by only two parameters - security and firepower. Strange, but this does not include such a characteristic as mobility. Most likely, because for heavy tanks of our time, which serve to break through key defensive positions, speed is not so important.
At the same time, in order to obtain an objective assessment of each individual instance, it is necessary to simulate a battle. But since one piece of equipment on the battlefield is practically useless, research is carried out taking into account a tank battle. In this case, such a parameter as the type of projectile is taken into account. Mostly, armor-piercing shells with penetration from 650 to 800 mm are used. Let's take a look at what they are, the best tanks in the world.
T-84 BM "Oplot"
The first place was taken by a Ukrainian-made tank BM "Oplot". This vehicle scored 12 of 12 wins in simulated battles. The tank has no equal in terms of firepower and protection, which, in fact, made it a leader. We can say that one "Oplot" is equal in efficiency to a company of soldiers.
The tank's firepower is really impressive. The systems are arranged in such a way that the crew can conduct round-the-clock aimed fire. Thus, the gunner uses the Promin 'day sight with stabilization on two planes. At the same time, it is equipped with a laser rangefinder with a range of up to 9,900 m (error - 10 m). There is also a thermal imaging complex that is capable of detecting a target at a distance of 8 km, recognizing - at 4.5 km, and identifying - at a distance of 2.5 km.
The main armament is a 125mm smoothbore cannon. Barrel length is 48 calibers. The tank is also equipped with an automatic loader for 28 rounds. In this case, the full ammunition load is 48 shells. The gun is capable of firing armor-piercing sub-caliber and cumulative projectiles. Average penetration is 600-800 mm.
"Oplot": protection and survivability
The T-84 has a large number of different protection systems, including passive, active (dynamic) and others. All this significantly increases the tank's survivability on the battlefield. The armor of the BM "Oplot" is multilayer, it consists not only of armor metal sheets, but also of ceramic materials. The roof of the tower is solid-stamped. This increases rigidity and manufacturability, and also ensures high quality in series production.
The front of the tank, turret and sides are equipped with Duplet reactive armor. It protects the tank from cumulative, armor-piercing and sub-caliber shells. It is interesting that the dynamic protection does not detonate when hit by small-caliber shells, as well as bullets from small arms. At the same time, DZ protects against anti-tank missiles, armor-piercing, sub-caliber and cumulative shells. Undoubtedly, the T-84 BM "Oplot" is the best tank in the world, and it confirms this in practice.
"Leopard 2A7"
This vehicle is the seventh modification of the Leopard 2 series. It was first demonstrated in 2010 at an exhibition in Europe. In simulated battles, the giant received 10 victories out of 12. At the same time, there was one draw and a defeat from Oplot. Also, it was not possible to identify a winner between the "Leopard" and the American "Abrams". Nevertheless, first of all, I would like to consider the remarkable aspects of the German tank.
The seventh modification differs from the previous ones in improved mine protection, in the presence of overhead elements on the turret, which protect against HEAT shells. At the same time, the Leopard 2A7 is equipped with stabilization means, more modern projectiles and the digital tower technology. The tank weighs about seventy tons and has a powerful enough power plant, which ensures good maneuverability.
Armament and protection of the "Leopard"
Undoubtedly, after the BM "Oplot" this is the best tank in the world. This is partly due to the powerful armor. So, the frontal part of the turret boasts 130 cm thick armor. The hull and turret are welded. In this case, the upper armor plate of the hull has a large angle of inclination, which provides a high probability of a ricochet. The design also includes third-generation armor. The fighting compartment is equipped with a lining, which is designed to reduce the radius of dispersion of fragments when armor is penetrated.
The Leopard is equipped with a 120mm cannon. You can see that the gun has a short barrel, which is made in order to improve stabilization while driving. At the same time, shooting accuracy on the move is significantly increased, and stabilization is simplified.
The Germans use a very promising guidance system. The gunner needs to select a target and put a marker on it, and the automation will do the rest. In this case, the "Leopard 2A7" can fire at moving targets in motion on uneven terrain. For now, let's continue looking at some of the best tanks in the world.
M1 "Abrams"
This tank ranks third in our rating. The machine is manufactured according to the standard layout. The tank's crew consists of four people: a gunner, a driver-mechanic, a commander and a loader.
The hull and tower are welded. It can be seen that the angle of inclination of the upper armor plate in relation to the vertical is about 82 degrees, which is quite a lot. Multilayer armor, passive, in the form of combined plates. However, 8% of the frontal armor can be considered weak points. These are various hatches, observation devices, etc. All this is penetrated by the KS shells of 700 mm and the BPS of 550 mm.
The frontal part of the hull has armor of only 50-80 mm, which can be compared with the level of tanks of the Second World War. Any projectiles can penetrate such protection. The gun mask is quite thick, but its method of fastening led to the fact that after being hit, not only it was destroyed, but also other parts.
On the weapons of "Abrams"
Here we briefly reviewed the best modern tanks in the world. The rating presented in the article is based on an objective assessment of simulated battles. For example, "Abrams" took the honorable third place for a reason. The fact is that this tank has a sufficiently powerful 122-mm gun, which allows you to shoot armor-piercing feathered sub-caliber, cumulative and armor-piercing high-explosive shells. The filling of the latter provides for the presence of white phosphorus. If such a projectile penetrates the armor and lining, it burns the tank crew alive.
After the modification of the rifled 105-mm gun up to 120 mm, stabilized in two planes, it was decided to reduce the ammunition load from 55 rounds to 40, which is due to the large size of the casings. The Americans, in an effort to cancel the placement of the ammunition rack on the floor, placed 36 shells in the turret niche and 6 in the tank hull. Of course, this option is not good. However, the isolation of the projectiles allows you to protect the crew if they hit the ammo. For this, there are knockout plates.
The best tanks in the world: rating and more
Among the main battle tanks of Japan, the Type 10 is particularly surprising. It is intended to replace the outdated "Type 74" and become next to the "Type 90". The production of one tank takes about six and a half million dollars. The vehicle is equipped with a 120mm cannon, exactly the same as on the Abrams and Leopards. A conveyor-type automatic loader is installed, the barrel length is 44 calibers. At the same time, the Japanese designers paid the most attention to the combat information-control and information systems.
The tank is equipped with modular armor, which allows the crew to replace damaged elements and modules. This solution helps to install additional attachments, which increases the security of the machine and reduces its weight to 48 tons. It is a very mobile tank, it has a 1,200 hp diesel engine. s, and this is about 27 liters. with. per ton. The continuously variable transmission allows speeds of up to 70 km / h forward and backward.
Top of the best tanks in the world: T-90MS
Tank T-90MS "Tagil" was created on the basis of the T-90A. The total weight of the vehicle is 48 tons. Along with the 1,130 horsepower diesel engine, this provides good mobility. On the highway, the tank is capable of developing up to 65 km / h forward and up to 30 km / h backward. In this case, the transmission is automatic, there is the possibility of operating in manual mode.
It is armed with a 125-mm cannon, as well as a 7.62 mm machine gun paired with it. In addition, there is a remote-controlled 7.62 mm machine gun. "Tagil" is equipped with a highly automated system "Kalina", which is necessary for fire control. CIUS is integrated into the system. Thermal imaging and television devices allow aimed fire at a great distance and carry out all-round observation.
Many people say that the T-90MS "Tagil" are the best tanks in the world. You can find photos of Russian military vehicles in this article. It is impossible not to mention the dynamic armor of the new generation "Relikt", which protects the sides and forehead of the tank. At the same time, the T-90MS differs from its predecessor in a modified turret and an improved niche.
"Black Panther"
One of the most promising South Korean tanks is the K2 Black Panther. In 2012, 12 tanks were manufactured for pilot testing. In total, by 2015, it is planned to produce about 300 "black panthers". It is currently the most expensive tank in the world, priced at $ 8.5 million per unit.
The firepower is noteworthy. The tank is equipped with a 120-mm cannon with a magazine-type automatic loader. The Black Panther can fire up to twenty rounds per minute or one round per three seconds. AZ holds up to forty shells. The K2 is equipped with an active protection system that is capable of detecting incoming missiles at a distance of up to 150 meters.
In any case, considering the best modern tanks in the world, one cannot fail to mention the "black panther".
Arjun Mk.1 and Challenger-2
The Indian Arjun Mk.1 has high firepower and is on par with the British Challenger. These two giants have quite powerful, but at the same time, not very accurate weapons. For example, "Challenger-2" hit 8 targets out of 20 on trials. The Indian heavyweight gave approximately the same results. Nevertheless, if we consider the 10 best tanks in the world, then both of them fall into the list, even if they occupy the lower steps.
For example, "Challenger 2" is one of the most armored tanks, especially when compared with Western counterparts. A complex of chemical and biological protection is even installed here, located in the tower.
AMX-56 Leclerk and ZTZ-99A2
The French "Leclerc" appeared in 1994. At that time, he was the most expensive and high-tech. However, Leclerc has now lost its original position. This is due to several factors. First, a decision was made in France to suspend the assembly line. Secondly, since the release, which is 1994, not a single significant modification of the AMX-56 has been carried out. However, in a simulated battle, this vehicle won 3 battles out of 12, so if we consider the best tanks in the world, then the AMX-56 is undoubtedly worth including on the list.
The last place in the ranking is occupied by the Chinese Type-99A2, or ZTZ-99A2. He won only 2 battles out of 10. It cannot be said that this is a bad tank. The unit is good in its own way, it is equipped with combined armor protection and a laser complex of active counteraction.
So we looked at the best tanks in the world. The top 10 presented in this article is relevant. As you can imagine, all these tanks are very good. They perform well on the battlefield.
The appearance of armored vehicles left a cardinal imprint on the rules of warfare. All states quickly realized the benefits of such mobile platforms, which have the ability to contain superior enemy forces. The development of tank building continued by leaps and bounds during the Cold War, which led to the creation of MBT. Modern tanks are very fast, maneuverable and heavily armed. And although there has been some stagnation in the development of new models, the rivalry between countries still does not subside. In this article, we will consider the most best tanks in the world - Top 10.
1.K2 Black Panther
This tank was adopted by South Korea in 2014 to ensure the superiority of its forces over the DPRK. The tank was intended to replace the American M48, as well as to become an addition to the existing K1. During the development of the tank, special attention was paid to electronics and combat systems, which would make it possible to realize the automatic sending of important information between units. Due to complex manufacturing, the K2 Black Panther was priced at $ 8.5 million per unit. This is twice the cost of K1. The K2 is considered the most expensive tank in the world, and has a huge combat potential.
2. M1A2 Abrams SEP v3
Due to the fact that modern MBTs are quickly becoming obsolete, there is an urgent need for new developments. The cheapest way is to modernize the existing fleet. The modification of one of the best tanks in the world, the M1A2 SEP v3, received a new type of APCR shells with better penetration characteristics. It is also planned to develop high-explosive fragmentation projectiles. This American tank received a new power plant, modifications related to the turret machine gun and strengthening of the hull armor. Tests of new models of equipment will last until the spring of 2020, and the first deliveries will begin only in the third quarter.
3. Merkava Mk.4
Another modification, adopted by the Israeli military back in 2004. It is considered one of the most efficient tanks in the world. In the rear of the hull of the tank there is a small compartment for the wounded, which seriously increases the value of the "Merkava" during non-intensive skirmishes, but this reduced the armor, due to its "spreading" over a larger area. On the Mk 4, the armor was significantly increased, especially for the turret. The new MG153 gun received a mask, and it also has the ability to fire missiles.
4. Type 10
The Type 10 is the most modern and best Japanese battle tank. It was created as a replacement for the previous projects - Type 90 and Type 74. The chassis and hull of Type 74 were deeply redesigned, after which a new turret was installed on the resulting platform. The layout is classic, with a crew of three. The first show was held by the Japanese military in 2008. The appearance of the tank strongly resembles Western MBTs, such as the Leopard 2A6, but its mass is approximately equal to the tanks of the Russian Federation. As a result, the Type 10 has good mobility - 70 km / h on the highway. A lot of efforts of engineers were focused on protection from RPG shots. Japanese designers have successfully coped with the task of reducing the cost of new equipment, as well as simplifying its transportation (Type 10 can be transported in an ordinary commercial trailer).
5. Leopard 2A7 +
The Leopard 2A7 + entered the Top 10 best tanks in the world. This is a modular modification of the Leopard 2A6. Thanks to this, only the most necessary upgrades can be installed on the tank. The new tank can fight both in the field and in urban environments. The ability to optimize the modification for any user requests makes this MBT quite versatile, however, if you apply all its modernization capabilities, then the Leopard 2A7 + will weigh more than 67 tons.
6. Challenger 2
The Challenger 2 is the main battle tank of Great Britain. The history of its creation is closely related to the political situation in the country in the second half of the 20th century. The British needed a new, modern model of armored vehicles, so the Department of Defense began to consider options for purchasing from countries like the United States. This step could lead to the complete ruin of the tank industry in the country, nevertheless, the Vickers company managed to develop a project for a new tank in time. A special commission in 1991 carried out a thorough comparison of the "Challenger" with equipment from other manufacturers, after which the tank was put into service. It is expected that various modifications of this tank will be used by the British army until 2035.
7. AMX-56 Leclerc
The AMX-56 Leclerc is one of the most expensive and best European battle tanks. Development was carried out back in the 1980s of the last century, but mass production began only in 1992. "Leclerc" was supposed to replace the outdated AMX-30. For the first time, French engineers decided to use an automatic loader, which allowed not only to reduce the number of crew members, but also to seriously reduce the weight of the armor. This was an unexpected decision for the European school of tank building. However, Leclerc's production capacity remained low due to the sheer amount of sophisticated electronics built into it, which greatly increased the cost and complexity of manufacturing. Because of this, even the export potential of the tank suffered greatly.
8.T-90 AM
T-90 AM is an improved version of the original T-90 tank. Development began in 2004. Its export version is known as the T-90 MS, presented in 2011 during the VIII international arms exhibition, held in Nizhny Tagil. The T-90 AM boasts a new turret, control systems and an upgraded gun. Particular attention was paid to expanding the commander's ability to detect targets. The systems are now effective both day and night. Also, the modification is equipped with the "Afghanit" active protection kit, which is also installed on the T-14 "Armata". The export version is equipped with KAZ "Arena-E" with less functionality. Also, for the first time, a steering wheel was used to control a tank.
9. BM "Oplot"
The T-84 BM "Oplot" is a modern battle tank in service with Ukraine. The development has been going on for five years. The crew is three people, the fighting compartment is in the center of the vehicle. The armament consists of a 125-mm gun and a 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The gun is capable of firing both standard ammunition and Kombat missiles, even at full speed. BM "Oplot" emerged victorious from all 12 simulated battles with other modern tanks.
10. VT-4
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