Today, not a single army in a developed country can do without tanks. The well-armored, but clumsy and slow heavy tanks disappeared, the mobile, but poorly protected medium tanks disappeared, and their best features were combined with MBTs.
However, different countries different ideas about what a modern tank should be, besides, it is impossible to create an ideal one, because there are restrictions beyond the control of the creators, for example, budget.
Modern equipment of the same class differs noticeably, but there are characteristics that are equally important for any tank, and we will build a rating based on them today. Here they are:
- protection, including passive and active;
- firepower, determined by the weapon and guidance systems, fire control, and so on;
- mobility and mobility, depending on dynamics, range and transportability.
Remember that it is not enough to make the most protected tank and put the most powerful gun on it. It still needs to be produced, used in real battles, maintained, and so on. Therefore, a car that is great on paper may turn out to be a failure in the real world.
10th place – Ukrainian Oplot BM
After the breakup Soviet Union, Ukraine continued development of the T-80UD. The latest modification of this tank was the Oplot BM.
The tank, with a layout familiar to the Soviet school, is protected by built-in dynamic protection “Duplet”. KOEP "Varta" and KAZ "Zaslon" were installed. The disadvantages of Varta are its inability to withstand modern Kornet ATGMs and Kombat ATGMs, while Zaslon is distinguished by its high price, long reload time and short threat detection range.
The ammunition is stored in the loading mechanism; guided missiles can be fired. The fire control system is frankly outdated and inferior to modern competitors.
Mobility is at a high level.
Ratings of modern tanks, in which the Ukrainian one took first place, have repeatedly surfaced online; they were based on supposedly simulated battles. In fact, the “simulated battles” turned out to be the game ARMA 2, a video from which was recorded by a blogger on YouTube.
9th place – French Leclerc
An ultra-modern and ultra-expensive tank, which appeared in 1992. Equipped with innovative modular armor.
It differs from Western tanks in the presence of an automatic loader located in the turret behind the knockout panels. Can be called the main advantage of Leclerc. Powerful gun, modern fire control system.
Thanks to the 1500 hp engine. and active suspension provides excellent mobility.
At the time of its appearance, as already mentioned, it became ultra-modern and ultra-expensive. It has not yet demonstrated anything outstanding in armed conflicts, remaining a good weapon only on paper. But the high price and potential unreliability due to an oversupply of electronics have not gone away.
8th place – Japanese Type 10
Entered service in 2012, today it is one of the most advanced main battle tanks in the world.
Armed with a 120 mm cannon similar to those used on the Leopard and Abrams, the modern fire control system makes it an even more formidable weapon.
The tank, weighing only 44 tons, is protected a little less than its competitors, however, it is equipped with modular armor, which allows you to quickly replace damaged modules or install additional ones.
Active suspension, a powerful engine and a continuously variable transmission provide the Japanese tank with excellent mobility and a travel speed of up to 70 km/h both forward and backward.
7th place – Israeli Merkava Mk.4M
Provides the world's best protection to its crew thanks to a front-engine design that serves as additional armor. Moreover, there are doors at the rear of the hull, thanks to which the tank can transport crews of damaged tanks or landing troops.
The Merkava is armed with a 120 mm cannon, capable of firing at low-flying helicopters thanks to a modern fire control system.
In addition to the combined passive armor, it is protected by the unique Trophy active protection complex.
6th place – British Challenger 2
One of the most protected tanks from direct fire in the world.
The second generation Chobham armor is used; after combat experience in Iraq, the vehicle received removable dynamic protection "ROMOR", covering the most vulnerable spots.
There is a known case where 15 grenades from an anti-tank grenade launcher hit a tank, after which the Challenger 2, which was not too damaged, continued to carry out its task.
The weapon used is a 120 mm rifled cannon. Such an unusual weapon allows precise shooting at a distance of up to 5 km, which is a record among MBTs.
Among the shortcomings is poor protection of the lower frontal part, which has now been corrected with dynamic protection, and mediocre mobility.
5th place – Russian T-90AM
Massively produced in Russia. The T-90 of previous versions is the most commercially successful tank on the world market. Built on a base familiar from the times of the USSR, it is distinguished by its modest price, unpretentiousness and reliability.
Appeared as a result of a deep modernization of the T-72, which affected almost everything. In addition to passive armor, it is protected by active “Kontakt-5” and KOEP “Shtora-1”.
The ammunition is located in a carousel-type automatic loader, which can lead to instantaneous detonation of the entire ammunition load if the machine is hit and the complete destruction of the tank. Capable of firing guided missiles.
Small dimensions, weight and the ability to cross water obstacles up to 5 meters deep are a noticeable advantage of the Russian MBT. The downside is the outdated manual transmission, the reverse speed is 5 km/h.
The modification of the T-90AM allowed it to take a worthy place in the ranking. New tower, DZ "Relikt", a modern automatic loader, part of the ammunition in the turret box and an automatic transmission became a breath of fresh air for an aging vehicle and placed it next to the best Western models.
4th place – American M1A2 SEP Abrams
A tank about which news constantly appears. They talk about him, compare him to him, but is he worthy of it?
Having appeared in the American army back in 1980, Abrams received several modifications, the last of which we will talk about.
Protected by excellent uranium armor, the ammunition is located behind ejector panels. Some samples have the AN/VLQ-6 active protection system.
The 120 mm gun has good accuracy thanks to a modern fire control system.
Gas turbine engine with a power of 1500 hp. provides excellent mobility, but consumes a lot of fuel and generates a huge amount of heat during operation, making camouflage difficult.
Disadvantages include large dimensions and weight, which make transportation difficult.
3rd place – South Korean K2 Black Panther
Composite armor together with modular reactive armor protect the tank from enemy fire. Additionally, there is an active protection system. Application modern technologies and materials made it possible to make a light MBT, protected at the level of its heavy counterparts.
The gun is similar to that installed on the Leopard; the fire control system is capable of hitting low-flying helicopters and operating in automatic mode, firing at specified targets without the participation of a gunner.
Diesel engine with 1500 hp power. and active hydropneumatic suspension, what else is needed for excellent mobility?
In some ways this combat vehicle is similar to the Leclerc. During its appearance, it became one of the most advanced and expensive in the world. But, if Leclerc did not show himself in anything, then the Black Panther has a lot of time ahead.
2nd place – German Leopard 2A7
The most modern version of the German predator, which has been a model for engineers in other countries for many years.
High protection, excellent firepower and excellent mobility continue from modification to modification. Leopard 2A7 received updated electronics and additional armor. The developers claim all-round protection against grenades fired from RPGs.
The gun and fire control system are the benchmark for today and provide the most accurate shooting.
The diesel engine develops a power of 1,500 hp, which allows the tank weighing 67.5 tons to be accelerated to 72 km/h.
1st place – Russian T-14 Armata
The layout with an uninhabited turret, in which the crew is positioned shoulder to shoulder in the fighting compartment, has been worked out for a long time, but it was brought to life in a production model by Russian engineers.
Passive armor is supplemented with dynamic "Malachite" and KAZ "Afganit". KAZ is capable of calculating the enemy’s position and responding with fire. Only our Afghanit and the Israeli Trophy are capable of this.
The 125 mm 2A82 gun is now superior in power to the gun mounted on the Leopard-2A7; later it is possible to install a 152 mm 2A83 gun, firing shells with an armor-piercing power of more than 1000 mm, which will make it possible to hit any Western tank from the frontal projection.
Active suspension and diesel engine with power from 1200 to 1800 hp. provide excellent mobility even over rough terrain.
It is important that Armata was initially created for network-centric warfare, that is, for action together with other combat units. To achieve this, the Russian tank is equipped with a variety of electronic systems that simplify the work of the crew and connect various types of equipment into a single whole.
Finally
Even if you collide all the listed tanks in a real battle, the outcome will not be able to unambiguously determine the location, because a lot depends on the training of the crews, conditions and accidents. Therefore, you should not take the rating as some kind of axiom or be indignant at the biased attitude towards your favorite car.
Maneuverable, powerful and efficient tanks are a reliable basis for the Armed Forces of any country. The constant arms race, going on behind the scenes between the leading countries of the world, obliges designers to create improved models of combat vehicles. The best tanks of our time are vehicles, each of which has unique functions and capabilities.
Challenger 2, UK
Challenger 2, unlike other modern combat vehicles, is equipped with a rifled gun with a diameter of 120 mm. Internal threading allows you to effectively hit objects at a distance of over 5 kilometers. Challenger 2 is the record holder for the longest range of tank battles.
This tank is the most protected in the world. Special armor, which is based on the classified Dorchester armor, consisting of an alloy of steel, Kevlar, and ceramics. This connection reduces the power of impacts from incoming projectiles. It is capable of effectively countering direct-fire weapons. However, reliable armor made it significantly heavier. Challenger. Combined with a relatively low-power engine, this made the tank slow and clumsy.
The built-in combat information system and computer fire control help in difficult conditions.
These tanks performed well in the Iraq War (2003). In the Battle of Basra, an armored brigade took part in the advance on the city. Later, combat vehicles entered into battle with Iraqi tanks. This was the largest tank battle since World War II - the British were able to destroy 15 enemy vehicles without losing a single tank.
During the entire existence of Challenger 2, its armor was damaged only once - as a result of an erroneous hit by exactly the same tank.
T-90 (“Vladimir”), Russia
The main battle tank of Russia. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was the best-selling product, having the best price-quality ratio.
A unique feature of the Russian combat vehicle is the Kalina fire control system, which is superior to its analogues in many respects. It allows you to hit enemy targets that are in motion with the first shot, even in unfavorable weather conditions.
The 22-round machine gun is capable of firing up to 9 shots per minute. At the same time, it can fire anti-tank guided missiles.
The special design allows the T-90 to overcome water obstacles up to 5 meters deep. Based on the results of many tests, including indicators such as shooting accuracy, maneuverability, and wear resistance, this tank occupies a leading position, leaving behind the famous tanks of other powers.
There are suggestions that in 1995 several T-90 combat units took part in the Chechen War, but this is not documented. Russian tanks took part in the fighting in Ukraine, acting on the side of the militias, and were used in the liquidation of the Ilovaisk cauldron and in the assault on the security forces near Lugansk. T-90s as part of the Syrian army took part in recent military operations in Syria.
Type 10, Japan
Japan's newest combat vehicle. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is equipped with innovative mechanisms for electronic and computer combat systems - an automatic charging system and a panoramic view.
Automatic continuously variable transmission allows you to develop maximum speed when moving in both directions. Type 10 has a hydropneumatic suspension that allows you to change the ground clearance and degree of inclination of the body. This improves cross-country ability and increases the vertical guidance range of the gun. The reduced ground clearance makes it possible to lower the tank to the bottom, making it less noticeable.
The crew is housed in a special compartment covered with more durable nanocrystalline steel.
M1 Abrams, USA
One of the few tanks with a weapon protection system mass destruction. In the event of a nuclear or chemical attack, the system supplies the crew with clean air and blocks the entry of poisons and dust into the fighting compartment.
Abrams is equipped with chemical and radiation reconnaissance instruments and is equipped with an innovative fire control system. The vehicle is reinforced with uranium armor and has the latest guns. Over the 35-year history of this tank, there have been no recorded cases of complete destruction of the crew, which indicates its excellent security.
The M1 Abrams is equipped with advanced thermal sensors and navigation surveillance systems. The gas turbine engine has excellent performance, but is difficult to maintain and requires a lot of fuel.
One of the main advantages of this combat vehicle is the ability to remotely control weapons.
Abrams received their first battle experience in 1991 during military operations in Persian Gulf. Thanks to technical superiority American tanks successfully destroyed Iraqi vehicles.
M1 Abrams also took part in the seven-year war in Iraq. In the battles, the Americans suffered significant losses - out of 1,200 combat vehicles, 800 received damage of varying degrees of severity.
Merkava, Israel
A distinctive feature of this tank is the front location of the engine and transmission compartment, which provides additional protection crew. Another feature of the combat vehicle is the rear compartment for transporting wounded or landing troops. This adds versatility to the tank and the ability to vary actions in accordance with the combat situation.
Merkava was the first to use an active protection system that effectively shoots down missiles and shells approaching the tank.
It is perfectly protected - the modular armor can be quickly replaced. Special attention paid attention to camouflage - so that the tank was not noticeable on the battlefield, the designers changed the shade of the exhaust gases. The defense system is capable of informing about threats and neutralizing missiles.
The new projectile guidance system is especially effective against low-flying helicopters.
Leopard 2, Germany
It has an advanced fire control system that allows you to effectively hit moving targets while in continuous motion.
Overlay armor protects against mines, landmines, missiles, and cluster munitions.
Leopard has a special installation that allows all electronic systems to function without turning on the main engine. The tank is equipped with one of the best modifications of guns and two machine guns, which, thanks to a laser rangefinder system, can hit targets at a distance of up to 5 kilometers.
The advantages of Leopard 2 are provided by an information interaction system, improved daytime and thermal imaging sights, dynamic protection, and an attack information system. Excellent performance in combat mode.
Several other models of combat vehicles also have excellent efficiency and maneuverability.
K2 Black Panther, South Korea:
It has innovative tracking systems and fires about 10 rounds per minute. Protected by composite and reactive armor, has active and passive protection. Guidance systems automatically identify the target and launch projectiles.
Many players WorldofTanks They believe that the main thing for a tank is not speed and a powerful gun, but a reliable one armor. Well, this review is especially for you. Below we will look at the strongest representatives of the game’s tank fleet at each level. Moreover, after updates 0.8.6 the number of artillery - the main enemy of such vehicles - fell sharply. In addition, the effectiveness of many “golden” shells was reduced, and today armored dinosaurs have reappeared on the battlefield.
Before we begin the review, let’s say that we are aware of the, so to speak, debatable nature of the topic being raised. There will be few clear answers here. Indeed, in addition to the nominal thickness of the armor, many other factors must also be taken into account - from the notorious “ricocheting” to the number of “ pain points"and the convenience of their defeat.
Level 1
Looking for the most armored tank at level 1, of course, is a little ridiculous - with some effort you can pierce any of them with your finger, and in any projection. But rules are rules, and we still have to choose one representative. According to the technical characteristics, it turns out that this is Soviet MS-1 with indicators 18\16\16 on the hull and turret. This is already 2mm more than its closest pursuer. We find it difficult to say what kind of gun such armor can protect against, but, probably, sometimes it can. If you're very lucky.
Level 2
But here there are already some pretty serious toys. The main contender for victory is the American PT T18 with its 53mm frontal and 32mm side armor. This is really serious for level 2. A good half of the opponents are simply not able to penetrate T18 head-on without using gold. At the same time, the machine is very nimble and has serious weapons. But maneuverability let us down - it feels like the crew is turning the tank by hand.
In addition to T18, we also note French HotchkissH35— 40mm all around. For this tank, enemies who come from the flank or rear are not even very critical. On it you can use the “reverse diamond” with great success and single-handedly hold off a whole crowd of not very smart opponents. However, “Gosha” is slow, clumsy and even rolls down a hill very reluctantly. In addition, you will constantly be enraged by his weapons - weak and very inaccurate.
So, let's give the palm to the American.
Level 3
"Light" tank AMX 38 typical of pre-war French technology - very armored and very slow. Despite its classification, in terms of combat tactics it is a typical TT with 60/40/40 mm of armor on the hull and turret. It would seem noticeably more than on “Gauche”, but the 3rd level no longer falls into the “sandbox”, which means that it will regularly be opposed by serious opponents. For example, most PT3s have armor penetration of about 100. It’s clear that they didn’t care about the AMX 38’s armor. However, easygoing classmates may well find her quite serious. Like all similar vehicles, the AMX 38 will have a very difficult time getting into the basement of the table - there is no speed, the armor no longer helps, the gun resembles an anti-tank rifle...
At the third level there is also a British Valentine AT, which according to the passport has a circular reservation of 60mm. However, this is an example of shamelessly deceiving players. Only the body there is 60 mm thick, and the huge gun shield is made of cardboard - 14 mm.
Level 4
At the fourth level, we begin a serious struggle for the first time. There are several well-protected tanks. These are British LT Valentine and ST Matilda, French LT AMX 40 and German PT Hetzer. Let's sort this whole thing out.
First, about the Hetzer, fortunately, everything is simple with it - 60 mm of frontal armor, including the NLD, at an excellent angle and a small drive slot on it (and even then it is considered 40 mm). In addition, it has excellent camouflage, acceptable mobility and a formidable high-explosive weapon. But the sides are made of paper, which, however, is not critical for the PT.
Comparing the armor of the Valentine and Matilda, we come to the conclusion that it is still better on the Mota - 75 mm versus 65 mm on most parts. And don’t let anyone be confused by the nominal classes LT and ST. Typical cords. Slow and clumsy. Especially Matilda - in its dynamics it is ready to compete with such luminaries of the genre as T28 and Maus.
What can be said about another “light” tank, the AMX 40, is that it is the most “ricocheting” of all of the above and actually has from 80 to 60 mm of armor all around, except for the rear part and a narrow strip of the side under the turret itself - there is 45 mm. And yes, it is also very, very slow.
Thus, the British Matilda is recognized as the winner at level 4. However, it must be said that if the evil FBR pushes any of these tanks to 6 levels, then he will be very sad and very hurt. The exception is Hetzer, who can run relatively quickly, hide deftly and bite painfully.
The Soviet premium version Valentine receives a special prize for its extremely comfortable level of combat. It is only suitable for level 4 tanks.
Level 5
At level 5, the first serious TTs appear in the game (the pre-war B1 is still not suitable for this role). As part of the armor comparison, we will be interested in KV-1, T1 And ChurchhillI.
The Briton is the first to fall off. Despite decent frontal armor, it can be penetrated quite easily - due to its square shape and weak side protection.
The T1 has good frontal armor and chassis screens. However, the sides are high and thin, and above the tracks they are not covered with anything. In addition, the T1 easily penetrates the tracks if the projectile misses the screen.
The KV-1 does not have such problems. Its thick (75 mm) sides, almost completely covered by the tracks, are very difficult to penetrate by classmates even at small angles. The forehead is also good, however, it has several vulnerable spots in the form of a mechanical drive gap and a machine gun nest. Who knows, he will shoot there, but there is no guarantee that he will be able to hit with confidence. However, at level 5 there are few literate people, and for inexperienced players the KV-1 can become an insurmountable obstacle.
Again, we separately note the Soviet premium TT Churchill III. It has very thick frontal armor, huge tracks that eat up shells flying at the side at a good angle, but everything is spoiled by a relatively thin-walled turret without rational angles of inclination. Unlike the body, you can’t hide it.
However, the KV-1 still cannot be called the most armored vehicle of the 5th level. Because there is a British PT in the game AT 2. The frontal frontal parts, located at right angles, have an exorbitant thickness of 203 mm and actually do not penetrate anything at this level. The weakest point is the commander’s cupola, it is “only” 103 mm. The same number is on board the wheelhouse. There is much less armor behind the tracks, only 25 mm, but 76 mm screens offset this drawback. However, projectiles flying past them (for example, through the front roller) can cause a lot of headaches.
Well, it’s probably not even worth saying that this miracle of technology drives extremely slowly.
Level 6
At level 6 there are already quite a few vehicles with solid armor. Among them, especially notable T-150, Sherman Jumbo, ARL 44 And Churchill IV.
Formally, the Churchill IV has the thickest forehead armor - 139-152 mm on various parts. But the idyll is spoiled by the same right angles. And KV-1S, for example, 175 mm armor penetration.
The French ARL 44 has 120mm at the VLD with a good angle and this gives excellent protection. The front of the turret is slightly inferior in thickness to the armor plates (110mm), but they have no slope. As a result, the tank is quite easy to penetrate, but, in any case, it is narrow and not very easy to hit. However, everything is finally spoiled by the cheeks of the tower, made of traditional French cardboard.
The Soviet T-150 has only 90 mm on the NLD and VLD, and there are no special slopes. On the other hand, the sides have the same thickness, which are almost completely covered by the tracks, and this allows the “reverse diamond” to be successfully used. The tower is also strong.
The AT 8 was equipped with a powerful front plate with a thickness of 203 mm. But there didn’t seem to be enough steel on the left side of the cabin, where the machine gun was visible. As a result, the AT 8 has a real “hole” on its forehead - only 76 mm. At right angles. This car is also decorated with a whole collection of easily penetrated turrets. In addition, it is traditionally slow, even compared to not very fast competitors.
American M4A3E2, or otherwise Sherman Jumbo, formally refers to medium tanks, but, in essence, is a TT - slow and very durable. The large NLD is rounded and has a thickness of 139 mm, the VLD is much thinner - 101 mm, but is located at a large angle. 177 mm on the gun mantlet, the turret forehead smoothly merges into the cheeks, there are only 76 mm, but at a significant angle. True, there are no slopes under the mask, and these 76 mm are penetrated very easily. There is also a commander's cupola with the same armor. However, Jumbo's vulnerabilities are still less obvious than those of others. He becomes our winner at this level.
Level 7
When we talk about level 7 armor, the first thing that comes to mind is TigerPorsche. But it's not that simple. Yes, some of the frontal parts of this tank are protected by 210 mm of real Teutonic steel. But the tank is decorated with a high commander’s cupola with a thickness of only 80 mm, the same thickness of the NLD and fenders, which at the slightest additional rotation of the hull will be almost at a right angle to the enemy. Plus - very weak and high sides.
Two British anti-tank vehicles are very well protected, having almost the same reservation scheme - AT 7 and premium AT 15A. Almost their entire forehead is covered with 203 mm of armor. The most serious vulnerabilities are the machine gun nest and traditional turrets. 100 mm of armor on the sides can protect against weak guns, but you shouldn’t count on it too much.
And we’ll probably award the victory to another Briton - BlackPrince, 152 mm VLD, 139 mm NLD and a practically impenetrable turret. There is a “bump” on it, but the enemy only gets a real chance of getting there at point-blank range. The sides are quite weak, but they are covered with screens. Overall, the “Negro” leaves the impression of being the most successful Tier 7 tank in terms of armor.
Level 8
We'll immediately upset fans of German technology - TigerII, despite his very strong body, there are no contenders for victory. The thin cheeks of the tower and the huge NLD are too obvious and critical weak points.
AT 15- the first British anti-tank missile without noticeable vulnerabilities in the frontal projection. Even everyone’s favorite turret has become noticeably lower. 225 mm of steel on straight planes gives excellent protection. But with VLD everything is somewhat ambiguous. There are only 128 mm, and this is not enough, even despite the fact that the armor is located at a good angle. Therefore, everything depends on the location of the enemy. The higher its barrel is in relation to the AT 15 VLD, the straighter the angle at which the projectile meets the armor will be and, accordingly, the higher the chances of penetrating it. On the other hand, few people know that the most vulnerable place of a Briton is precisely the VLD. So, either professionals or beginners with auto-aim will shoot there.
In description T28 it is said that the frontal armor of this tank is 254 mm. This is, of course, not true. This thickness is only in its “beak”, and the rest of the surface of the muzzle is 203 mm. It seems that this is very good, but against guns with 250 or more armor penetration it helps every now and then. In addition, there are small but vulnerable turrets.
Soviet KV-4- one of the most heavily armored tanks in the game. 160-180 mm NLD/VLD protection is nominally weaker than that of T28 and AT 15, but, as they say, there is a nuance. The presence of a turret allows you to rotate the hull, forcing the enemy to shoot at serious angles, and this increases the survivability of the tank by an order of magnitude. In addition, the sides of the KV-4 are also very thick (130-150 mm), and they are also almost completely covered by the chassis. Most opponents, seeing the KV-4 standing like a diamond, joyfully decide that he has turned his back. And they are cruelly deceived. Would you say that the KV-4 has a large “cap” on the turret? This is also a deception - there are still the same 180 mm, and it penetrates very reluctantly, especially if the KV-4 actively rotates the turret, throwing off the sight.
Thus, we call the Soviet battleship KV-4 the most protected tank of level 8. By the way, it's not that slow.
Level 9
Everything is simple here, because it is at this level that the T95- the slowest and most armored vehicle in the game. Simple and straightforward: solid 305 mm of armor in the frontal projection. The NLD is very small and located at a large angle. If you don’t specifically expose it, then trying to break through it will be a waste of time. And the commander’s cupolas are damn “ricocheting” and have a thickness of 152 mm. The sides are protected less than the forehead, but are half covered with screens. However, if you are already happily rubbing your palms and getting ready to rock this monster, keep in mind that you won’t be able to accelerate it faster than 13 km/h, even down a hill. As a rule, the T95 rarely leaves its base at all.
For the sake of order, let’s add one more competitor here - E-75. Excellent frontal armor, including NLD, the absence of serious vulnerabilities, excellent maneuverability, decent dynamics - all this will appeal to those who like thick armor, but do not want to pretend to be a bunker.
Level 10.
Well, what can we say... Choosing the most armored tank at level 10 is just as exciting as at level 1, because you can argue until you're hoarse, for example, who is stronger - E-100 or IS-7? Moreover, worthy contenders for the throne are not limited to this couple. However, something needs to be decided, so we will use the method of elimination.
The main problem with the E-100 (as well as JagdPzE-100) is a huge and weak NLD. In addition, there is a small, but, in principle, accessible, monitoring device strip on the tower. U Maus There are no such problems - its NLD is as much as 200 mm thick and has much more modest dimensions. In addition, the “mouse” has stronger sides of the tower. But the arched “cheeks” when hitting the middle part, where the angle of contact of the projectile with the armor is smaller, hold the blow poorly. It is in them that these giants are hit, although this requires a serious gun or “gold” ammunition.
At first glance at the IS-7 armor and IS-4 we come to the conclusion that the “seven” is better armored in the front, and the “four” is better armored on the sides. But not everything is so simple, the upper part of the side of the IS-7 is covered with decoy screens, and the internal armor is installed with huge rational angles of inclination and penetrates very poorly. It's safest to shoot through the middle part of the chassis, but if you don't have a very accurate gun, the projectile may go under the belly. The IS-7 also has an impenetrable turret from the front - unlike the IS-4, which, like the IS-3, is often ruined by roof armor. It's only 30mm, and it's not that hard to get there. Especially tall Germans.
There is also an American PT T110E3 with its 305 mm of frontal armor. Moreover, the commander's cupola of this monster is covered with 228 mm of steel and is equipped with good slopes. This AT is almost impossible to hit the turret, which causes a lot of indignation among those players who do not know about such a surprise. Only 152 mm of NLD remains, but it is well inclined and small in size.
This leaves us with the Maus, IS-7 and T110E3. It is difficult to choose the best, it all depends on the situation and the FBR. But you still need to name someone, and let it be Maus. Formally, his armor is the thickest and when positioned in a diamond formation, he can tank half of the enemy team. But take care of the cheeks of the tower!
10 BM "Oplot"
BM "Oplot"(“Oplot-M” before being put into service) is a modern Ukrainian main battle tank.
Developed by the Kharkov Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau named after A. A. Morozov and produced by the ZTM plant named after. Malysheva. The chief designer of the machine is Dr. Tech. Sc., prof., lieutenant general. M. D. Borisyuk, general designer for the creation of armored vehicles and artillery systems, head of the KMDB CP.
As of 2016, Ukraine has 10 units in service, Thailand - 15.
9 T-90 "Vladimir"
T-90- Russian main battle tank. Created in the late 1980s - early 1990s as a deep modernization of the T-72B tank under the name “T-72B improved”, but in 1992 it was put into service under the designation T-90. After the death of Vladimir Ivanovich Potkin, the chief designer of the tank, by government decision Russian Federation The T-90 was given the name "Vladimir".
The T-90 has a classic layout, with the control compartment located in the frontal part, the fighting compartment in the middle and the engine compartment in the rear. The T-90 crew consists of three people - a driver, located along the longitudinal axis of the tank in the control compartment, and a gunner with a commander, located in the turret to the left and right of the gun, respectively.
There is a certificate kept at Uralvagonzavod stating that one T-90 tank of the 1992 model was at the disposal of one of the units in the conflict zone in Chechnya in the 1990s. Syrian T-90 tanks were used in battles near the city of Aleppo.
8
AMX-56 Leclerc- French modern main battle tank (MBT). Created by the GIAT concern (now Nexter) in the 1980s to replace the outdated AMX-30 tank.
Serial production started in 1992. As of 2010, there is no further production of Leclerc. As of 2011, 354 tanks of this type are in service with France, another 388 are in service with the United Army United Arab Emirates. Before the advent of the South Korean K2 Black Panther and the Japanese Type 10, it was considered the most expensive MBT.
15 Leclerc tanks are serving in the peacekeeping contingent in Kosovo.
7
The newest Japanese main battle tank.
The prototype of the tank was first shown in 2008. In 2010, the Japan Self-Defense Forces ordered 13 tanks at a cost of about $6.5 million per unit. The Type 10 entered service with the Japan Self-Defense Forces on January 10, 2012. It is planned that over time the Type 10 will replace the outdated Type 74 and complement the Type 90 tank fleet.
The main armament of the tank is a 120 mm german gun Rheinmetall, having a barrel length of 44 calibers and equipped with a conveyor-type automatic loader. The gun is equipped with a powder gas ejector, a thermal casing and is stabilized in two planes.
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In service since 2002, it was adopted in 2004. Many world military experts consider the Merkava-4 tank to be the best main battle tank in the world for 2010. 28% of the tank's parts are imported, including the engine and transmission. The tank has a spring suspension (practically not used in the world), although it has its advantages, it definitely reduces the accuracy of shooting while moving. At the rear there is a compartment for landing (evacuating the wounded), which sharply increases the effectiveness of the tank as a whole in low-intensity battles, in return reducing the tank's security due to the armor being smeared to a greater extent.
In 2012, the Ministry of Defense formed a group led by Reserve Brigadier General Didi Ben-Yoash, which was to be responsible for developing the “tank of the future” for the Israel Defense Forces. Heads of the defense industry and the command of the ground forces were invited to express their opinions on what this tank should look like. It was supposed to be lighter, smaller, with automatic charging and a crew of two, and to have at its disposal a modular weapon system that included various types, including missiles.
5 T-14 "Armata"
T-14- the latest Russian main tank with an uninhabited turret based on the Armata universal tracked platform.
The T-14 was presented to the general public at the Victory Parade in 2015 along with other products based on the Armata. As part of the state arms program, a state order was placed for the production of 2,300 T-14 tanks by 2020. In 2015, a pilot batch of 20 tanks was manufactured. In 2016, mass production of tanks began, which is not planned to be reduced even in a crisis. At the same time, the procedure for military acceptance and elimination of deficiencies has begun.
The T-14 may be the world's first "stealth tank" not only with a radical reduction in visibility in the infrared, radio and magnetic range, but also with the use innovative technologies“signature distortion”, that is, distortion of its visual image in the specified ranges, making it difficult to find a Javelin, Spike or JAGM-class ATGM tank seeker among discarded infrared traps and clouds of dipoles.
Export of tanks based on Armata is possible after meeting the needs of the state defense order. Uralvagonzavod stated that in order to obtain permission to export the T-14, the classification of secrecy will be removed from it in the future. India, China, Egypt and the countries of Southeast Asia showed interest in the tank.
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Challenger 2- main battle tank ground forces Great Britain. Also in service with the Armed Forces of Oman. It is expected that the operation of tanks of this model will last until 2035.
Challenger 2 tanks were used to conduct combat operations in Kosovo and Iraq (from 2003 to September 1, 2010).
"Challenger 2" is one of the heaviest Western tanks: both the turret and its hull are covered with second-generation Chobham armor, codenamed "Dorchester", all information about which is still classified. It is optional to install ROMOR dynamic protection modules on the sides of the hull and (in the Challenger Peacefighter version) turret in combination with lattice screens. Complex of protection against biological and chemical weapons is located inside the tower.
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M1 Abrams- US main battle tank. Serially produced since 1980. It is in service with the army and Marine Corps USA, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Australia. Named after General Creighton Abrams.
As of FY 2015, the US Army has ordered 530 M1A2 upgrades to M1A2 SEP at an average cost of $4.8 million per unit and 1,611 M1/M1A1s to M1A2 SEP and M1A2 SEP V2 at an average cost of $5.6 million per unit. The cost includes deployment, maintenance and training costs. Deliveries of the upgraded M1A2s were expected to be completed in early fiscal year 2010, and the Army received 1,590 upgraded M1/M1A1s by the end of 2015.
2 K2 "Black Panther"
Modern South Korean main battle tank. Adopted into service in 2014. The vehicle was developed by the South Korean Defense Development Agency and Rotem (a division of Hyundai Motors). The K2 should replace the American M48 tanks in the army and complement the fleet of K1 tanks.
A very technologically complex tank " Black Panther"is currently estimated at $8.5 million per unit. Thus, the K2 is one of the most expensive tanks to date. The K2 is priced at nearly double the price of its predecessor, the K1, which costs $4.9 million per unit. However, it is expected that the current price will drop significantly once the tank is mass produced and it becomes more available for sale to other countries.
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This tank was first shown at the 2010 Eurosatory exhibition by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW).
Leopard 2A7 is a modernization of the Leopard 2A6, armed with a 120 mm Rheinmetall smoothbore gun with a barrel length of 55 calibers. There is also the possibility of upgrading the Leopard 2A4/Leopard 2A5 variant with a short 120mm gun (44 caliber barrel length) to the latest Leopard 2A7 standard.
One of the most important factors in enhancing the security of the vehicle is the ROSY smoke screen system developed by Rheinmetall. It not only forms a multispectral smoke cloud in the detected direction of irradiation in less than 0.6 seconds, but also forms a dynamic smoke “wall”, allowing the tank to quickly evade destruction in the event of a massive approach of anti-tank missiles.
The digital turret concept actually helps the crew see through the armor. But it is precisely this property that is one of the most important when creating a new generation tank with an uninhabited turret and an armored capsule for the crew.
The question of which tank can be considered the best in the world has not lost its relevance since the middle of the 20th century. Until now, tanks are actively used in any military conflict of any significance, and the level of equipment of armored forces today fully characterizes the power of any modern army. This is confirmed by the attention that continues to be paid to the development and modernization of tanks in all countries that strive for advanced positions in the field of their defense capabilities.
Comparison of the main battle tanks of Russia and NATO is also of significant importance in the information war, which has now gained great momentum. This also affects the geopolitical alignments that determine the spheres of influence of the main “centers of power” of the modern world.
We should not forget that tanks are one of the most significant products on the global arms market. Therefore, many ratings of the “best tanks” in the media are quite often adjusted to suit individual manufacturers. A striking example of this approach is the long-term campaign in leading Western publications to criticize the Soviet developments of the T-80 and T-90, in which these magnificent combat vehicles were declared “unsuccessful.” The increasingly influential Chinese media are deliberately advertising own approach to assessments of armored vehicles, focusing on the ratio of its characteristics and cost.
TOP 10: ranking of the best tanks in the world
This year general character assessments that determine the best tanks in the world have largely converged. The main reason for this was the emergence of an undisputed leader in the world tank building, and the opinion on this matter is shared by many leading experts not only in Russia, but also in the West.
1. T-14 "Armata"
The newest Russian tank already technically has a number of properties, the real implementation of which is still far from foreign competitors. First of all, this is an uninhabited turret, accommodation of the crew in the most reliable armored capsule and a powerful 125-mm gun with fully remote digital control. In addition, the T-14 was able to achieve effective characteristics as the most “advanced” stealth tank.
The reduction in visibility for all the most modern anti-tank weapons has been achieved in a comprehensive manner, manifesting itself in the infrared, radio and magnetic ranges. This was the result not only of the use of new materials. The special capabilities of the new generation of active protection complex (KAZ) “Afganit” also had an impact, which is able to blind enemy anti-tank guided missiles safely for the infantry and equipment surrounding the tank by using smoke-metal curtains of particles that are opaque to a wide range of ranges of most types of radiation.
Combined with the strongest metal-ceramic armor, a 360-degree target detection system, and traditionally high mobility and maneuverability characteristics for Russian armored vehicles, the T-14 is a formidable, well-protected Russian combat vehicle with impressive striking power. Experts from the authoritative American publication The National Interest have repeatedly characterized the Armata as “the best tank in the world.”
2. "Leopard-2A7"
Having become one of the most significant brands, the “German machine” Leopard 2 in its newest modification, which the manufacturer sometimes presents as both A7+ and A7V, consistently occupies the top lines of various tank ratings, often leading them. Anyway, this tank for a long time certainly took the lead as the most expensive in the world, its price to this day is almost 9 million dollars.
The newest version of the Leopard-2 will retain the 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore gun with a 55-caliber barrel length and a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine, providing this rather massive tank with high mobility. The main improvements to the A7+ standard affected the tank's electronics, and were also reflected in enhanced mine protection and the introduction of a multi-spectral camouflage coating for the Saab Barracuda.
3. Abrams M1A2 SEP
The Russian tank, during the ongoing modernization, is a direct competitor to the Abrams. For some elements a new version The T-90 is unified with the Armata platform, which will not only improve the vehicle’s characteristics, but will also become a major foundation for the future. The main advantages of the new model are a new combat turret module with a 125-mm cannon of increased accuracy, multi-layer armor, placement of ammunition in the aft niche, isolated from the fighting compartment and crew, and a remote-controlled combat module with a large-caliber machine gun. In addition, the tank will be equipped with more high-precision sights, better communications and a 1130 hp engine.
5. BM "Oplot"
Such a high place for Ukrainian development, which represents a deep modernization of the T-80 (T-84) tank, is given, first of all, as a merit of the Soviet school of tank building. Because the level achieved by Kharkov specialists is still inaccessible to many more eminent and active competitors. This is evidenced by the serious performance characteristics of the tank: with a modest weight of 51 tons, it is armed with a powerful automatically loaded 125-mm KBAZ smoothbore cannon, from which it can fire Kombat guided missiles. It has a high level of security due to multi-layer armor, dynamic protection “Duplet” and the modern KAZ “Zaslon”. Contrary to popular belief that the Ukrainian Oplot is little known, the most popular Western portal military-today.com included it in its TOP 10, placing it on the same level as the T-90 and Leclerc.
6. K2 "Black Panther"
The South Korean K2 Black Panther, in the development of which Rotem (a division of Hyundai Motors) participated, was put into service in 2019 and consistently ranks high in world tank ratings. The main advantages of the tank are associated with its ultra-modern electronics, which connected all the electronic systems of the tank into a single network and ensured its full connection to all kinds of external support functions on the battlefield in real time. Important features of the K2 were the combination of a 120 mm cannon based on the German Rh-120 with an efficient automatic loader providing an amazing rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute, and a modern KAZ.
7. Challenger 2
The French AMX-56 Leclerc R (Renouve, or “Updated”) was able to win the title of the most expensive tank from the Leopard 2 and Abrams, being valued at $10.6 million. The low profile and dense layout made it possible to achieve high security of the tank with its relatively low weight. The Leclerc stands out from other NATO main battle tanks due to the presence of an effective automatic loader. The combat vehicle is extremely equipped with various cutting-edge electronics and is positioned as the most suitable for urban combat conditions.
9. Type 99A2
The Chinese Type 99A2 (ZTZ-99A2) is considered one of the most modern Chinese main battle tanks, while at the same time representing a development of the concept of the Soviet T-72 tank. For a tank that entered service in 2011, the Type 99 has good multi-layer armor with very modern dynamic protection. The high level of Chinese electronics made it possible to equip the tank with advanced communication, navigation, aiming and fire control systems. In combination with a 125-mm smoothbore gun with automatic loading, a 1,500-horsepower engine and a device for laser blinding the enemy, the Chinese tank is considered a very formidable combat vehicle, in some ways even ahead of the Russian T-90MS.
10. "Arjun" Mk.II
The Indian main battle tank Arjun Mark II was first presented to the public in 2011 and was refined for quite a long time (until 2017). However, the powerful and well-protected combat vehicle turned out to be too heavy, which significantly limited the possibilities of its use in the local theater of operations. The tank has fairly modern fire control systems, an optical-electronic enemy suppression system, and a remote-controlled 12.7 mm machine gun.
Noteworthy tanks and developments of the future
Many modern tanks are quite worthy of taking a place in this ranking. Among those that often find themselves in the world TOP 10 of the best combat vehicles, special mention should be made of the latest modification of the Israeli main battle tank Merkava Mk.4. It is distinguished by a layout that is rare for this time, with the engine and transmission compartment located in the front part of the body. At the rear of the tank there is a compartment in which troops can be transported, the wounded can be evacuated, or ammunition can be delivered, which turns the Merkava into a universal combat platform capable of performing the role of both a tank and an armored personnel carrier.
Relatively new developments introduced in the current decade are the Japanese Type 10 Hitomaru and the Turkish Altay. These powerful and quite high-quality tanks are distinguished by a high degree of commonality with the German Leopard-2. But in general, these machines noticeably fall short of the “original”, which has been able to improve significantly over the years of their creation.
Due to the confidentiality of data about technical specifications With such tanks as the newest VT4 (MBT-3000) shown by China and the Iranian Karrar, which entered service in 2016, it is difficult to say anything definite about them. Experts note a significant degree of influence from the T-90A in their design, but doubt that both of these tanks can surpass the “original” in combat capabilities, not to mention more modern versions of the Russian tank.
Among the promising models, about which there is also no specific information yet, is, first of all, the Franco-German project EMBT (European/Enhanced Main Battle Tank), first presented in the form of a demonstration model in the summer of 2018. This unique hybrid from the manufacturers of Leclerc and Leopard is promised to be finalized no earlier than the 2030s.
On the other project - the next "upgrade package" of the American main tank "Abrams" with the M1A2D index - more detailed information, on the contrary, is expected in the near future. In all likelihood, this development will eventually take the place of the current new Abrams in the ranking of the 10 best tanks in the world of 2020.
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