Good time day, we would like to present to you the TOP 10 Best Tanks in the World 2019

10 M1A2 Abrams

Universal fighting machine The M1A2 Abrams has been in US service since 1994. It differs from other models in its reinforced armor, heavy weight (67.6 tons), width of 3.6 meters, body length of 9.82 meters, laser rangefinder and integrated combat video surveillance system with 8 periscopes. Equipped with a 120 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun and two additional machine guns. The tank's turret body is capable of rotating 360 degrees. Abrams is the most high-tech combat vehicle in the world of military equipment.

9 K2 Black Panther

The armor capacity of the Black Panther is the same as that of the M1A2 Abrams, but the mass of the vehicle is only 55 tons with a 10-meter muzzle and a height of 2.2 meters, the hull length is 7.5 meters, and the width of the tank is 3.1 meters.
They have a standard projectile that hits the enemy from above. Black Panther was released by South Korea in 2009.

8 Type 99

The most reliable tank in Asia, the Type 99, weighing 54 tons, has a 125 mm smoothbore machine gun, which is more powerful. The Type 99 has reactive armor and a modern laser surveillance system, which, when an enemy is detected, autonomously opens fire to kill. Perhaps the Chinese tank is the most expensive in the world. According to experts, its cost is 2.5 million dollars.

7 T-90

The Russian T-90 tank is equipped not only with standard dynamic protection and armor, but also with active protection: a smoke screen system and laser homing. A chrome-plated 125 mm smoothbore machine gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The tank's combat weight is 46.5 tons with a hull length of 6.8 meters. T-90 meets all requirements modern management battle.

6 RT-91

Polish battle tank RT-91 is a modernized version of the Russian tank T-72. It has a fairly powerful engine of 850 hp and a fast speed of 60 km/h. The weight of the tank is 47.3 tons. The main weapon is a modernized 125 mm cannon, which is equipped with an automatic loader. Additional armament includes a 7.62 mm machine gun and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun.

5 Challenger

The British Army Challenger tank has been in service since 2008. Weapons are a 120 mm armor-piercing sabot projectile and two 7.62 mm machine guns. Ammunition capacity of 4000 rounds. Diesel power of the tank is 1200 hp. The chassis is reinforced with hydropneumatic suspension. Challenger is the most reliable tank in the world.

4 K1a1

The Korean battle tank was released with improved armor weighing 55 tons. Optimized for mountain warfare. The tank is armed with a powerful 120 mm rapid-fire cannon and an automated control system for hitting the enemy from the air.
Produced since 2001. Can pass through water obstacles.

3 Al-Khalid

The tank has been in service with Pakistan since 2000. The main weapon is a 125 mm smoothbore cannon, an additional set of the tank includes a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun, and there are also 12 installations for launching smoke grenades. Al-Khalid adapted to high temperatures, equipped with dynamic protection for the frontal projection of the hull. The mass of the combat vehicle is 45 tons.

2 Leclerc

The fast French Leclerc tank has the most complex and technologically advanced design. Despite the fact that the Leclerc consists of a standard 120 mm cannon with an additional 12.7 mm co-axial machine gun, which holds up to 11,000 rounds of ammunition and an ammunition load of 3,000 rounds of an additional 7.62 mm machine gun. Grenade launchers are installed on the sides of the turret.
The tank's electronic systems make it possible to obtain data on fuel consumption, distance traveled and the location of the tank.

Russia is betting on creating completely new armored vehicles, while its opponents are upgrading to the last minute models from thirty years ago

Presented to the general public at the Victory Parade in Moscow, the new Russian T-14 tank on the Armata tracked platform created a sensation among tankers around the world. The Russian novelty forced everyone again and again to compare the combat capabilities of armored vehicles that are in service today around the world. Although, in fact, there are not so many tanks to compare. Only four countries were and remain trendsetters in tank building and the main exporters: Russia, Great Britain, Germany and the USA. In addition to them, Israel, India, Iran, Italy, China, both Koreas, Pakistan, Poland, France and Japan produce their own tanks or put them on production lines. The vast majority of countries are content with acquiring more or less new developments from major tank-building powers or ordering the modernization of existing armored vehicles.

It is impossible and pointless to seriously compare tanks that have never met each other in real combat. And if in reality, say, the Israeli Merkava Mk.4 met in single combat with, for example, the Chinese Type 99, then to a large extent the outcome of the battle would depend on the characteristics of the theater of operations, and on the training and experience of the crew, and from many other factors, which even veteran tankers cannot always take into account in advance. A simple comparison of tactical and technical characteristics does not make it possible to seriously talk about the advantages of one tank over others and vice versa.

Our current rating takes into account the only objective indicator: the year a particular tank was put into service. And, of course, a simple requirement was taken into account: the tanks included in this top 10 must be original designs. Taking into account all these indicators, we have selected ten of the most modern and powerful tanks in the world.

It is not surprising that the domestic T-14 Armata took first place on this list. On the one hand, there is simply no more modern tank in the world today that has already been presented to the public and entered military testing. On the other hand, in many formal indicators, the Armata is ahead of, or at least rises to, the same level as most other modern tanks, and in total it rightfully claims to be the most modern and powerful armored vehicle.

T-14 "Armata" (Russia)

Year of adoption: 2016 (plans)

Combat weight, t: up to 55

Crew, people: 3

Gun caliber, mm: 125 (installation of a 152 mm gun is possible)

Gun type: smoothbore + launcher ATGM

Ammunition, shots: 40

Rate of fire, rds/min: 10–12

Machine gun caliber, mm: 12.7

Dynamic protection: yes

Engine power, hp: up to 1500

Maximum speed, km/h: up to 75

Cruising range on the highway, km: up to 600

Tank T-14 "Armata". Photo: Sergey Fadeichev / TASS

The most fundamental difference between the Armata and all other modern tanks is the so-called capsule design: all three members of the T-14 crew are located in a special armored capsule inside the hull, that is, actually behind two spaced layers of armor. At the same time, the turret, which is also unique for modern tanks, remains uninhabited - all fire control is carried out using the combat information and control system. In addition, serial T-14s will be able to be equipped with a 152-mm smoothbore cannon - a missile launcher, which will make the Armata's fire advantage undeniable: no modern tank has a weapon of such caliber, power and range.

K2 "Black Panther" (South Korea)

Year of adoption: 2015 (plans)

Combat weight, t: 55

Crew, people: 3

Gun caliber, mm: 120

Gun type: smoothbore

Ammunition, shots: 40

Rate of fire, rds/min: up to 10

Dynamic protection: yes

Specific power, hp/t: 27.3

Cruising range on the highway, km: 450

Tank K2 "Black Panther". Photo: wikipedia.org

Experts call the K2 “Black Panther” tank the first independently developed South Korean tank. Its predecessor, the K1, was actually an American Abrams tank adapted to the conditions of the Korean Peninsula. Korean novelty, judging by the formal tactics technical specifications and demonstration shooting, claims to be one of the most modern tanks. The Black Panther, like most current tanks of NATO member countries and their allies, is armed with a well-proven, but already outdated 120-mm smoothbore gun of the Rheinmetall Rh-120 type. True, it is complemented by a modern and fast automatic loader, providing a high rate of fire. However, this same tank also holds a very dubious record for the highest cost of a combat vehicle: $8.5 million apiece. It is not surprising that at such a price, the South Korean army refused to completely replace the K1 fleet with K2 and ordered only 297 new vehicles.

Type 10 (Japan)

Year adopted: 2012

Combat weight, t: 44

Crew, people: 3

Gun caliber, mm: 120

Gun type: smoothbore

Ammunition, rounds: 28

Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7

Dynamic protection: no

Specific power, hp/t: 27.3

Maximum speed, km/h: 70

Cruising range on the highway, km: 450

Tank Type 10. Photo: Shizuo Kambayashi / AP

Closing the top three of our review is the new Japanese Type 10 tank - the third and last of the modern tanks with the highest specific engine power. Like the Armata and the Black Panther, it reaches 27.3 horsepower per ton of armored vehicle weight. True, the Japanese tank received such a thrust-to-weight ratio not due to engine power, but due to its lower mass: 44 tons versus 55 for its Russian and South Korean rivals. The Armata Type 10 is also inferior due to its main one - the same 120-mm German gun, mass production of which began in 1979.

"Arjun" Mk.I (India)

Combat weight, t: 58.5

Crew, people: 4

Gun caliber, mm: 120

Gun type: rifled + ATGM launcher

Ammunition, rounds: 39

Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8

Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7

Dynamic protection: no

Engine power, hp: 1400

Specific power, hp/t: 23.9

Maximum speed, km/h: 70

Cruising range on the highway, km: 450

Tank "Arjun" Mk.I. Photo: M. Lakshman / AP

Like the South Korean K2, the Indian Arjun can be considered India's first independently developed tank. True, it took Indian engineers and technologists no less than 37 years to create a new product! During this time, many of the solutions incorporated in the Indian tank became outdated or were close to the point of obsolescence, and the need to constantly change the architecture and range of on-board equipment led to problems with unification. As a result, India adopted only 124 tanks of this modification.

Type 99A2 (China)

Year of adoption: 2011

Combat weight, t: 58

Crew, people: 3

Gun caliber, mm: 125

Gun type: smoothbore

Ammunition, rounds: 41

Rate of fire, rds/min: 7

Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7

Dynamic protection: yes

Engine power, hp: 1500

Maximum speed, km/h: 70

Cruising range on the highway, km: 450

Tank Type 99A2. Photo: website

The Chinese Type 99A2 (the most modern modification of the Type 99 tank, which entered service in 2001) is one of two tanks in this review, which can be called a completely independent national development with some stretch. This machine is based on the Soviet Union, which has proven itself throughout the world. medium tank The T-72, however, received a completely new welded turret, enhanced protection - both armored and active, as well as much more modern filling. In particular, the Type 99A2 is equipped with an automatic loader, thanks to which the crew has been reduced to three people, and the rate of fire has increased to seven rounds per minute. In addition, unique equipment for tanks participating in this rating is the laser active countermeasures system installed on the Chinese vehicle, which is capable of literally blinding enemy equipment and soldiers.

BM "Oplot" (Ukraine)

Combat weight, t: 51

Crew, people: 3

Gun caliber, mm: 125

Ammunition, shots: 40

Rate of fire, rds/min: 8

Machine gun caliber, mm: 1 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7

Dynamic protection: yes

Engine power, hp: 1200

Maximum speed, km/h: 70

Cruising range on the highway, km: 500

Tank BM "Oplot". Photo: website

Ukrainian combat vehicle (this is how the abbreviation “BM” stands for) “Oplot” is the second “conditionally independent” participant in the current rating. The conditionality of its independence is given by the fact that, in essence, the Oplot BM is the fourth derivative of the modification Soviet tank T-80U, more precisely, its diesel version, produced at the Kharkov Malyshev plant. It is not surprising that this option was designed and embodied in metal in just three months and within six months it was adopted by the Ukrainian army. True, to date, the Ukrainian army has not received all 50 Oplot BMs ordered. But the contract with Thailand is being fulfilled much more successfully, which should receive 49 “Oplots”, 10 of which have already been delivered to this country. Thus, today the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand are the only army in the world where the Oplot combat vehicle is actually in service.

"Merkava" Mk.4M (Israel)

Year adopted: 2009

Combat weight, t: 65

Crew, people: 4

Gun caliber, mm: 120

Gun type: smoothbore + ATGM launcher

Ammunition, rounds: 48

Rate of fire, rds/min: 8–10

Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7, installation of a 60-mm mortar is possible

Dynamic protection: yes

Engine power, hp: 1500

Specific power, hp/t: 23.5

Maximum speed, km/h: 70

Cruising range on the highway, km: 500

Tank "Merkava" Mk.4M Photo: Tsafrir Abayov / AR

Based on the totality of combat capabilities and experience combat use, which only three out of ten participants in the current rating can boast of, the Israeli Merkava tank has more than once been recognized as one of the best, if not the best tank in the world over the past two to three decades. Indeed, in terms of the ratio of combat power, protection of the crew and the vehicle itself, as well as armament, the fourth generation Merkava has one of the best indicators, but only for the Israeli theater of operations. The Merkava was never exported, and, according to many military experts, not only because the Israeli Defense Forces banned the sale of these vehicles abroad, but also because a tank designed specifically for Israeli conditions would significantly lose in efficiency outside the Middle Eastern theater. In particular, it has too much mass to move freely in wooded or swampy areas, and is not at all designed to overcome water obstacles.

Challenger 2 (UK)

Year of adoption: 2008 (beginning of large-scale modernization of vehicles in service)

Combat weight, t: 62.5

Crew, people: 4

Gun caliber, mm: 120

Gun type: rifled

Ammunition, rounds: 52

Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8

Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62

Dynamic protection: yes

Engine power, hp: 1200

Specific power, hp/t: 19.2

Maximum speed, km/h: 56

Cruising range on the highway, km: 400

Tank "Challenger 2". Photo: Joerg Sarbach/AP

The British Challenger 2 tank is the second armored vehicle in this rating that has real combat experience. True, it is very specific: British vehicles took part in the so-called peacekeeping operation in Kosovo and fought on the side of the anti-Iraq coalition during the invasion of NATO forces in Iraq in 2003. According to experts, British tanks performed well in battle; however, few of these experts specify that Challenger 2 had to fight with morally and physically obsolete Iraqi T-55 tanks created in the mid-50s! It is not surprising that the British emerged victorious in this confrontation. True, the Iraqi experience still showed that the Challenger 2, which was originally put into service in 1991, needs serious modernization, which was carried out in 2008 for three quarters of the tanks in service: they received new guns, new engines and transmissions (German instead of British), and also new system fire control. But even with these innovations, British tanks are still significantly inferior to those created in last decade foreign competitors.

"Leopard" 2A6M (Germany)

Year adopted: 2004

Combat weight, t: 59.9

Crew, people: 4

Gun caliber, mm: 120

Gun type: smoothbore

Ammunition, rounds: 44

Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8

Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62

Dynamic protection: yes

Engine power, hp: 1500

Specific power, hp/t: 25

Maximum speed, km/h: 72

Cruising range on the highway, km: 550

Tank "Leopard" 2A6M. Photo: website

The first tanks of the Leopard model entered service with the Bundeswehr in August 1963. The Leopard 2A6M tank included in the current rating is the sixth modification of the second generation of the legendary armored vehicle. Legendary because today it is in service with almost two dozen countries, and many of its components, primarily the 120-mm smoothbore gun, can be found in more or less modified versions on many foreign modern tanks. With all that, since the tank platform has not changed for several decades, each subsequent modification comes closer to the limit of the vehicle’s modernization capabilities. And some unchangeable features of the Leopard, such as the lack of an automatic loader, significantly reduce its combat capabilities.

Abrams M1A2 SEP (USA)

Year adopted: 2000

Combat weight, t: 63

Crew, people: 4

Gun caliber, mm: 120

Gun type: smoothbore

Ammunition, rounds: 42

Rate of fire, rds/min: 6–8

Machine gun caliber, mm: 2 x 7.62, 1 x 12.7

Dynamic protection: yes

Engine power, hp: 1500

Specific power, hp/t: 23.8

Maximum speed, km/h: 67

Cruising range on the highway, km: 425

Along with the German Leopard, the British Challenger and the Israeli Merkava, the American Abrams can easily be called one of the most famous tanks in the world. Which is not surprising: the first modification of this model was regularly upgraded, receiving more and more on-board systems, weapons and fire control systems, as well as active and passive protection. The reason for each new modernization was the participation of these tanks in one or another military action, but always outside the United States itself. The model that was included in the current rating received, first of all, new armor in the frontal part of the turret with uranium filler, as well as new digital fire control systems and... air conditioning. Currently, work is underway in the United States on the next reincarnation of the Abrams - the M1A3, which should become lighter and faster than its predecessors. The weight of the new model will be 55 tons, the gun will be highly accurate and long-range - American tank builders are clearly in the wake of their Russian colleagues.

All of the tanks mentioned here are incredibly powerful and destructive, but none of them actually saw action against each other. This rating is based on specifications and available data. The list does not include prototypes or tanks that are currently under development. So, below are the ten best modern tanks in the world.

10 Leclerc

The AMX-56 Leclerc is a French modern tank mass-produced by GIAT Industries (now Nexter) since 1992. It was named after the World War II general Jacques Philippe Leclerc. As of 2012, it is the main battle tank (MBT) in service with the armies of France (406 units) and the United Arab Emirates (388 vehicles). In 2011, the price of the Leclerc was 9.3 million euros, and before the advent of the K2 Black Panther and Type 10, it was considered the most expensive MBT in the world.

This tank is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore gun with automatic loading and a rate of fire of up to 12 rounds per minute. Its fire control system can track up to five moving targets simultaneously, and uses a laser, thermal imager and on-board computer to improve firing efficiency. The official maximum speed of the tank on the road is 72 km/h, over rough terrain - 55 km/h. Weight - 56 tons. The Leclerc is one of the lightest main battle tanks in the world.

9 Merkava Mk.4

In ninth place in the list of the best modern tanks in the world is the Merkava, or more precisely, its modification Mk.4. The Merkava is an Israeli battle tank that is exclusively in service with the Israeli Army. Serially produced since 1979. It has four modifications - “Mk.1”, “Mk.2”, “Mk.3”, “Mk.4”.

The Mk.4 modification, in service with the Israeli army since 2004, is one of the most protected tanks in the world. This combat vehicle is equipped with a 120 mm MG253 gun. Empty tank weight - 65 tons. Estimated price - $ 3.7 million. Maximum speed on the highway is approximately 60 km/h, over rough terrain - 40 km/h.

8 Al-Khalid

Al-Khalid or MBT-2000 is a Chinese-Pakistani battle tank produced since 1999 by Heavy Industries Taxila in conjunction with Norinco. It entered service with the Pakistani army in 2000. It was named after one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad - Khalid ibn al-Walid. The unit cost in 2011 was $4.7-$5.8 million. A total of about 750 copies were produced.

Al-Khalid is operated by a crew of three and is armed with a 125 mm smoothbore cannon with automatic loading. Among other things, the tank is equipped with a modern fire control system similar to the Leclerc system. Maximum speed - 72 km/h. Weight - 46 tons. Capable of overcoming water obstacles up to 5 meters deep.

7 K1A1

The K1A1 is the main battle tank of South Korea, mass-produced from 1985 to 2010. It is a variant of the American M1 Abrams tank, adapted for combat operations in mountainous and swampy areas on the Korean Peninsula. It was put into service in 2001. A total of 484 examples were built.

The K1A1 is flown by a crew of four. It is equipped with a 120-mm smoothbore cannon, thermal sight, laser rangefinder, modern electronics and a fire control system developed by Samsung Electronics. The weight of the tank is 53.2 tons. The maximum speed on the road is 65 km/h, on rough terrain - 40 km/h.

6 Challenger 2

Challenger 2 is a main battle tank that has been in service with the armies of Great Britain and Oman since 1998. It was designed and built by the British company Vickers Defense Systems (now BAE Systems Land & Armaments). A total of 446 units were produced. The cost of one copy is about $5.8 million.

Challenger 2 is operated by a crew of four and is equipped with a 120 mm rifled cannon with a maximum effective range of more than 5 km. It is considered one of the most heavily armored and well-protected tanks in the world. Its turret and hull are covered in Chobham (also known as Dorchester) armor. The weight of the tank is 62.5 tons. The maximum speed on the highway is 59 km/h, on rough terrain - 40 km/h.

5 PT-91

PT-91 Twardy (“Solid”) is a Polish main battle tank, developed on the basis of the T-72M1 tank. The first prototypes of the PT-91 were manufactured in 1993, and in 1995 the tank entered service. In total for armed forces Poland produced 232 units. Several combat vehicles have been developed on its basis. It also has a large number of modifications.

The Tverdy is operated by a crew of three. This tank is equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun with automatic loading. Combat weight - 47.3 tons. The maximum speed on the highway is 60 km/h.

4 T-90

The fourth place in the ranking of the best modern tanks is occupied by the T-90 (“Vladimir”), a Russian main battle tank created in the early 1990s as a modernization of the T-72B. On October 5, 1992 it was officially adopted for service. Between 2001 and 2010, the T-90 became the best-selling MBT on the global market. As of 2011, the cost of one T-90 unit is 118 million rubles ($4.2 million). In total, approximately 3,200 copies were produced. Currently in service with Russia (about 700), Algeria (305), Azerbaijan (20), India (620), Turkmenistan (40) and Venezuela (50-100).

The T-90 crew consists of three people (commander, driver-mechanic and gunner). The combat vehicle is equipped with a 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun. The mass of the tank is 46.5 tons. The maximum speed on the highway is 60 km/h, on rough terrain - about 50 km/h.

3 Type 99

The Type 99, also known as the ZTZ-99 and WZ-123, is a Chinese main battle tank based on the Type 98 prototype. It was put into operation in 2001. It is in service with the Chinese army. In total, about 600 units were produced. The cost of one Type 99 is approximately $2,000,000.

The crew of the Type 99 tank consists of three people. Its main armament is a 125 mm smoothbore gun. The fire control system includes combined sights, a laser rangefinder, a thermal imager, a digital ballistic computer, a 2-plane weapon stabilizer, a set of sensors (atmospheric conditions, barrel wear, etc.), a multifunctional commander’s panel and an automatic target tracking system. The tank has a water-cooled turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 1,500 hp. With. gives a maximum speed of movement on the highway - 80 km/h, over rough terrain - up to 60 km/h. The tank accelerates from zero to 32 km/h in 12 seconds. Its combat weight is 54 tons.

2 K2 Black Panther

K2 " Black Panther" is a new generation South Korean main battle tank that replaced most of the M48 Patton and complemented the K1 series. It was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Rotem (a division of Hyundai Motors). Its serial production began in 2013. At $8,500,000 per unit, this tank is the most expensive in the world.

The Black Panther is operated by a crew of three and is armed with a 120mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing up to 20 rounds per minute. This combat vehicle is capable of moving at a maximum speed of 70 km/h on road surfaces, over rough terrain - up to 52 km/h and accelerating from 0 to 32 km/h within 8.7 seconds. The weight of the tank is 55 tons.

1 M1A2 Abrams

The M1 Abrams is the latest generation American main battle tank developed by the Chrysler Corporation. Serially produced since 1980. The tank was named after the general who took an active part in the Vietnam War - Creighton Williams Abrams. It is in service with the US and Egyptian armies. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Australia. The price of one Abrams reaches $6.21 million. The number of units built is 15,221 units. There are three main modifications of it - “M1”, “M1A1” and “M1A2”, the production of the latter two continues to this day.

The best modern tank in the world is considered to be the M1A2 Abrams modification, equipped with a 120-mm M256 smoothbore gun. The tank has high-strength composite armor and a powerful gas turbine engine capable of accelerating the combat vehicle on the highway to 67 km/h, and over rough terrain up to 40 km/h. The weight of the tank is 62.1 tons.

Western journalists, like politicians, are haunted by the idea that Russia was able to create tanks that are superior in quality to their Western counterparts. Thus, Forbes magazine, in a rather voluminous article, made a comparison between the main mass tanks of Russia, Germany, the USA, China and France; accordingly, the following samples were subject to critical assessment: T90, Leopard-2, M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams, MBT-2000 and AMX- 56 Leclerc. For the sake of fairness, let’s also add the British Challenger 2 tank to this list and compare these six samples in order to determine the true leader. Let’s reduce the evaluation principle to the simplest: we compare the technical characteristics of vehicles, defense systems and weapons, the cost of their production, the effectiveness of combat use, demand on the global arms market, and based on the totality of these data, we can determine the best machine. It is perhaps also worth adding the Israeli tank Oshlbd (Merkava) to this list.

Of course, it would be possible to consider other excellent examples of tank construction, such as the Japanese main tank Type-10 or the South Korean main tank K2 Black Panther, but given their relatively low production and the lack of examples of combat use, we will abandon consideration for now 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 T90

The Western media almost in unison praise the merits of the American M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams tank, calling it the pinnacle of technical excellence in world tank building, well, let these praises remain on their conscience, let’s move on to the facts. First of all, it is worth noting that this tank is an old development (serial production began on February 28, 1980), which has been modernized many times. But overall the car has proven itself well. It is equipped with a 1,500-horsepower AVCO Lycoming AGT-1500 gas turbine engine; with a combat weight of 64 tons, this vehicle can reach a maximum speed along a prepared path of up to 67 km per hour, over rough terrain up to 30 km/h with a cruising range 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 range finder, 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 the battlefield. 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.

The tank is armed with a 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun (licensed version of the Rheinmetall Rh-120 made in Germany), and one 12.7 mm M2HB and two M240 7.62 mm machine guns. The tank's 120 mm gun ammunition, in addition to other ammunition, includes an M829A3 sub-caliber projectile with a depleted uranium core; its maximum range is effective use is 4.4 thousand m, at a distance of 2 km it penetrates 720 mm armor. The gun is loaded manually; the tank has a crew of four people. Western experts clearly overpraised this tank. In Iraq, in the current war, jihadists managed to knock out Abrams with RPG-7s, and this is already ridiculous. Poorly armed Yemeni guerrillas, the Houthis, managed to destroy about 20 Abrams tanks.

How can the Russian main tank T90 respond to all of the above? Let’s consider its modifications T90SM and T90AM. The vehicle is equipped with a V-shaped 12-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel tank engine with turbocharging V-92S2F with a power of 1130 hp. With a combat weight of 48 tons, the tank is capable of speeds of 65–70 km/h on a prepared road and up to 45–50 km/h over rough terrain. The ratio of tank weight to engine power is 24 hp. per ton i.e. better than the M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams. The track pressure per unit surface area of ​​the T90AM is 10% lower than that of the American tank, and accordingly 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, and surveillance. At the disposal of the crew commander of the Kalina control system 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 him to monitor the combat situation. The target firing range of OFZ shells is 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.

This combat vehicle is superbly protected. The thickness of the composite armor in the frontal part of the hull is 750 mm, the turret is 950 mm. The tank's ammunition is located in a separate module, which significantly increases the survivability of the crew if it is hit by a shell and detonates all of the ammunition. In addition to its own armor, the tank has additional screens, active and dynamic protection systems. The modern modular third-generation dynamic protection system “Relikt” is too tough for the vaunted American projectile with a uranium core M829A3, so the Yankees are urgently looking for a new solution.

The armament of the T90AM tank is also impressive: a smooth-bore 125 mm 2A46M-5 cannon with automatic loading and a coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun, as well as a 7.62 mm UDP T05BV-1 anti-aircraft gun. The tank has a crew of three people (no loader). 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 victory for each. Undoubtedly, Abrams tanks have a rich track record and they performed well in the 1991 and 2003 US wars against Iraq. In both cases, Saddam Hussein’s tank forces were 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 with Saddam Hussein’s tanks with virtually no losses. That is, this combat experience does not mean anything; the Yankees have never met Russian crews or modern Russian tanks in battle. Moreover, we must take into account that the Abrams fought only in warm climates, on flat, very slightly 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 tightly stationary vehicles on frosty days in the battle of Moscow in December 1941 - January 1942. Then, the technical parameters of the T-90AM leave no chance for the Abrams tank, 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 high combat skills. The new Russian T14 Armata tank is approaching, which in all respects leaves the Abrams far behind. The Pentagon has already sounded the alarm and is firmly raising the question of financing a new tank project with the Senate. Even if they manage to persuade the senators, America will still be at least a corps behind in the tank race. The Pentagon lags behind the Russian military department in operational excellence; it is worth noting that the Americans do not have a historical combat experience massive tank battles, and experience in waging “big” wars too.

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, Leopard 2, is a good, solid tank, but due to its heavy weight it will be very difficult to fight on Russian terrain, except perhaps only along roads. It seems that, mindful of their stunning defeat on the battlefields of World War II in the East, the Germans do not even dream of considering Russia as a possible theater of operations (theater of operations). In the current Syrian war, Leopard 2 has been used Turkish troops During Operation Euphrates Shield, it must be admitted that he did not behave entirely successfully in a combat situation and generally received a negative assessment from experts. Again, a caveat must be made here; Turkish crews fought in these tanks in Syria; perhaps the Germans, under the same conditions, could have rehabilitated their Leopard 2. In fact, Germany is an unsurpassed leader in mechanical engineering. This project may be over 40 years old, but in its modernized form 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, as well as dynamic protection systems. The tank is equipped with an automatic fire-fighting system. It has a 12-cylinder diesel V-twin engine MTU MB 873 Ka-501 with a power of 1,479 hp. or MTU MT883 with 1,650 hp. The maximum speed of this car on prepared roads is 68 km/h, and on rough terrain 30 km/h. The maximum range is 320 km. But in Russian off-road conditions, this monster can stand firm, especially in the bitter cold of Russian winters.

The Leopard 2 is armed with a 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 of armor at a distance of 2 km, an Israeli-made LAHAT ATGM, which is included in the tank’s standard ammunition? hits targets at a range 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 communication 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 meet 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 comparative table world tank building. Its technical capabilities, perhaps, should be compared with the T-72B, while the T90AM is inferior in all respects. Although the MBT-2000 is the most popular tank in the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), it was originally created to capture the world tank market. This example is produced under license by Pakistan under the name Al-Khalid. The vehicle does not yet have a widely known combat capability, just as the Chinese army does not have historical experience in conducting massive tank battles. It is unknown how these machines will behave in Siberian frost conditions. Currently, new MBT-3000 (VT-4) tanks are entering service with the PLA, however, this model is also aimed at the international market in the future. According to the stated technical characteristics, it is comparable to the T90AM, but one can only guess what this vehicle will be able to demonstrate on the battlefield. There is no complete certainty 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 their 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 well get by, like other countries of continental Western Europe, with the German monsters Leopard 2 or American Abrams. But no, Paris goes its own way in everything, despite the financial costs. This vehicle was mass-produced for 15 years starting in 1992, currently 406 tanks are owned by the French army, and 388 are in service with the UAE military. The weight of the machine reaches 54.6 tons. Its 8-cylinder V-shaped diesel engine produces 1500 hp. allows the tank to accelerate to 71 km/h on a prepared road and up to 40 km/h on slightly rough terrain and provides a cruising range of 550 km. I’ll note right away that this tank has not been tested in Russian conditions and, I dare say, it will not prove itself here, just like other foreign models.

The AMX-56 is protected by modular-type composite multi-layer armor; the tank is designed so that the sloping frontal armor will meet a 700 mm thick anti-tank projectile in a direct hit. This Leclerc does not have dynamic protection; the French rely on the design of their armor. The communication, control, surveillance and targeting system are combined into a single system, the tank is literally crammed with electronics, here is a full set of them, including a central computer, the tank’s control system is integrated into the control system. This car is comfortable for the crew.

The AMX-56 is armed with a CN-120-26 smoothbore gun, which has two stabilizers, and the crew has at its disposal a thermal imager, a rangefinder, a combined gunner's sight and a panoramic commander's sight. The AMX-56 tank's gun is equipped with an automatic loader. The performance characteristics of this gun are comparable to the characteristics of the German Rh 120 smoothbore tank gun; the ammunition of the guns of the Abrams and Leopard tanks is suitable for the French CN-120-26 tank gun. The Leclerc's additional weapons are machine guns: M2HB-QBC 12.7 mm caliber and F1 7.62 mm caliber. The crew of the AMX-56 Leclerc is three people. The tank is not bad, it has proven itself well in combat operations in Yemen, but again it is hardly suitable for a war in the Russian climate and landscape.

"MERKAVA" AND CHALLENGER 2

The Israeli Merkava tank ten years ago was considered almost one of the best in the world, but now it is rated 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 sub-caliber projectiles. KAZ Meil ​​Ruach (“Air Cloak”) is used as active protection. In battle, these vehicles do not perform well the best side, the poor training of Israeli tank crews also plays a role here, but the main reason is the technical shortcomings of the tanks themselves. It is known that the Russian Kornet ATGM terrifies Israeli tank crews. "Merkava" is produced according to the principle from the world one by one: 28% of components are foreign-made. The Merkava-4 modification has a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine, which allows it to accelerate to 60 km/h on a prepared highway, up to 30 km/h on slightly rough terrain, and a range of 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 fire control system practically copies that of the Abrams tank; the gunner has a sight with a thermal imager and automatic target tracking at his disposal, the commander has a panoramic sight with the same functions, in addition there are backup optical and IR sights.

The British Challenger 2 tank has earned its reputation long ago and reliably 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. The armor is combined against projectiles and has dynamic protection. The digital fire control system includes a 32-bit processor and a Mil Std 1553 data bus. The combined stabilized gunner's sight was developed by Barr and Strood 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 control system is built around a digital computer from the Canadian company CDC, which is a modernized computer of the M1A1 Abrams tank. The vehicle is equipped with a 12-cylinder V-shaped turbocharged diesel engine with a power of 1200 hp, has a speed of 56 km/h on a prepared highway, 25–30 km/h on slightly rough terrain, and a range of 400 km. 120 mm rifled gun L30E4 (L11A5); two 7.62 mm machine guns. The tank crew is 4 people. A total of 400 Challenger 2 tanks were produced. Even during the 1991 Iraq War, these tanks showed their unreliability in battle.

WORLD TANK MARKET

Many military experts believe that tanks will go out of combat use in the near future, they will be destroyed by high-precision weapons, modern and promising PTS, just as machine guns and tanks themselves destroyed cavalry in their time. However, not one army in the world is yet to write off tanks. On the contrary, the sale of tanks on the world arms market turns out to be profitable for some countries.

According to Forbes magazine, the undisputed commercial leader of the first two decades of the 21st century is the Russian T90MS tank, which, by the way, occupies an important niche in Russian arms exports.

Now the manufacturer of these tanks has two new contracts for supplies abroad: the first batch of 73 vehicles will be received by Iraq, and 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 establish assembly production in Egypt. In total, taking into account the supply of ammunition, Supplies, spare parts and other sales will bring Russian tank builders at least $400–500 million in income. In total, more than 2,100 T-90 tanks of various modifications were produced, of which more than 1,500 were exported. Under existing contracts, more than 1 thousand new tanks will be sold abroad in the coming years. The order portfolio is expected to increase to 1,600 tanks or more.

Now the T-90 is in service with 38 armies different countries, this is the best sales result in the world. Not only does this tank have a low cost, and therefore a final price (118 million rubles), but in almost all respects it outperforms its competitors in terms of quality.

The German tank Leopard 2 is considered by many to be the best in the world, but as we see, this statement is far from the truth. This machine was supplied to 21 countries around the world, mainly to Northern and Western Europe, as well as to Turkey. The latter used them very unsuccessfully in Syria during Operation Euphrates Shield.

Leopard 2A6 costs $6.79 million, and Leopard 2 A7+ more than $10 million. In total, more than 3,200 Leopard 2 of various 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 its export too. In the sales list, the Chinese MBT-2000 main tank claims second place in the world ranking. At a cost of $4.7 million per unit, China sold its cars to Morocco (150 units), Myanmar (150 units), Sri Lanka (22 units), and Bangladesh (44 units). 415 tanks were delivered to Pakistan and an assembly plant was built there, where the same tank is produced under the name Al-Khalid.

The cost of one M1A2 SEP Abrams is also very high: it varies, but generally amounts to approximately $8.6 million, so buyers are not eager to purchase new tank in full technical package. Older models, which are simpler in equipment, are exported; they are taken from storage and subjected to major renovation, mainly the engines, gun and fire control system need to be replaced. For example, Egypt purchased more than 1,200 M1A1 Abrams tanks. This tank is in service with the armies of six countries (except the USA). 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 for developing the world market. In addition, only 12 cars of this type are currently produced in the United States per year.

France began mass production of the AMX-56 Leclerc in 1990. Since then, 406 tanks have been received french army, but only 388 vehicles were exported; the same British Challenger 2 tanks, costing $8.6 million per unit, were sold abroad only 38 units. As for the Leclerc tanks, the only buyer of the miracle of French tank building was the United United Arab Emirates. The cost of one French tank is considerable - 9.3 million euros. The Merkava is valued by the manufacturer at $6 million, but everything is simpler here; due to its technical shortcomings, no one except Singapore wants to buy this tank; the latter signed a contract for only 50 vehicles.

The modern development of armored forces is aimed at increasing the compactness and maneuverability of vehicles, that is, at making them lighter. When creating them, high cross-country ability and overwhelming firepower. The ability to quickly replace damaged modules is also important. But until relatively recently, designers sought to create large vehicles with thick armor. We inherited from those times the top of the largest tanks in the world.

1. "Tsar Tank"

Russia decided to create such a tank at the height of World War I - in 1915. They called it whatever they called it: loudly - “Tsar Tank”, “mastodon”, “mammoth”, or modestly - “Lebedenko’s machine”. The strength parameters on wheels are impressive:

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• length 17.8 m;
• width 12 m;
• height 9 m;
• combat weight 60 tons.

Such a monster could be seen several kilometers away. The gun turret of this prototype rested on a carriage mounted on two huge wheels. The famous Russian engineers Stechkin and Mikulin had a hand in creating the drawings of this colossus. A minimum of 15 crew members had to service the tank. On a flat road it could travel at speeds of up to 17 km/h. Only one test copy of such a tank was produced, but it did not pass initial tests. This structure was difficult to use in tactical maneuver warfare; rather, it was a fortress on wheels. The discovered serious shortcomings put an end to the whole idea, primarily due to the huge dimensions of the machine. Therefore, the Tsar Tank never went into production, and its test copy faced an unenviable fate - in 1923 it was dismantled for scrap.

2. Char 2C

This colossus was already of French production, and it was it that became the most big tank, launched into mass production. It weighed 75 tons and, according to the designers’ plans, it should have easily broken through barrier lines on the front line. The tank's parameters were also very impressive:

• length 10.2 m;
• width 3 m;
• height 4 m.

But the tank turned out to be extremely clumsy, in addition, it destroyed an incredible amount of fuel (over 1000 liters were required per 100 km). Therefore, in 1940 it was removed from service. The characteristics of the Char 2C were the crowning achievement of the development of the concept of a heavy tank capable of breaking through positional defenses, but this was typical for World War I. The big problem with these machines was their enormous mass, which made them very slow. In the case of trench warfare, for which this tank was designed, this was not a big problem, but in the early 1930s, military tactics began to change, where there was no longer room for stable front lines. The time had come for maneuver warfare, in which super-heavy tanks were useless. It was impossible to quickly transfer them to a new bridgehead, and tactical use required prepared logistics support.

3. Kolossal-wagen (K-Wagen)

This one came in third place german tank, designed to break through enemy defensive lines. Its prototype was assembled in 1918, but when the Entente troops approached the factory floors, the Germans decided to destroy the new product. Its parameters were as follows:

• length 13 m;
• width 3 m;
• height 3.5 m;
• combat weight 150 tons.

Like all the first tanks of the times Great War, it was more like a massive steel mobile fortress. Even if it went into mass production, it would hardly be able to significantly influence the course of hostilities; rather, it would distract the attention and resources of the Germans themselves. But, despite this, the K-Wagen became a significant milestone in the development of world tank construction and one of the largest metal tanks.

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4. FCM F1

This is another French tank that began to be developed in 1939. It was equipped with two towers at once, located on different levels. The parameters of this monster are impressive:

• combat weight 145 tons;
• frontal armor thickness 120 mm;
• length over 12 m;
• width more than 3.6 m.

The higher rear turret would have a 105mm gun, and the front turret would have a 47mm anti-tank gun. rapid fire cannon. The French intended to produce a prototype of this tank in the late spring of 1940, but the rapid advance of the Wehrmacht ruined all these plans. Remained unknown further fate half assembled prototypes.

5. Maus

Next comes a German tank from the World War II period, which received the ironic name “Mouse”. It was developed on the personal instructions of the Fuhrer, who came up with the idea of ​​strengthening the Wehrmacht with several dozen steel giants. The tank’s parameters were truly impressive:

• length 10.2 m;
• width 3.5 m;
• height 3.6 m;
• curb weight 180 tons.

At the end of the war, the Red Army was able to capture a couple of prototypes of the Maus tank and send them to Soviet Union. Subsequently, one copy was collected from them, which ended up on display at the armored museum in Kubinka.

6. E-100

The heavy German tank E-100 was in sixth position. By the way, its development turned out to be the most advanced, but it still did not come to testing, since Germany lost the war earlier. The E-100 had the following parameters:

• length more than 12 m;
• width 4 m;
• height 3.2 m;
• curb weight 140 t;
• The main armament is a 152 mm gun.

7. A-30 Tortoise

Next is the British tank A-30 Tortoise, which means “turtle”. Its first prototype appeared in 1943 and had the following parameters:

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• length 10 m;
• width 3.9 m;
• height 3m;
• curb weight no more than 78 tons.

This tank was capable of accelerating to only 19 km/h. Not only was the tank itself slow, but also its development, which dragged on until the end of World War II, and then, due to the uselessness of the Turtle, it was completely curtailed.

8. T-28 Turtle

The Americans decided to make their own “Turtle” and also began developing it in 1943, while still preparing to actively get involved in fighting on Western European fronts. The dimensions of the hulk should have been as follows:

• length more than 10 m;
• width 3.2 m;
• height 2.8 m;
• curb weight 86 t.

The developers were faced with the task of making frontal armor for the tank that would withstand shots from German Tigers and Panthers. But even in the United States, bureaucratic delays are possible, because of which the tank never reached actual service in the American army, although along the way it changed its name to T-95.

9.TOG I

This is another English tank that was created a little earlier - in 1940. But during its development, technologies that were outdated by that time were used, so the assembled single copy of TOG I for combat operations turned out to be useless. Here's what he was like:

• length 10.1 m;
• width 3.1 m;
• height 3 m;
• curb weight 65 t.

Despite its considerable weight, this tank had rather weak armor.

10. “Object 279”

The top ten largest tanks in the world is completed by the Soviet machine with the mysterious name “Object 279”, which appeared in 1957 with the following characteristics:

• length 9.8 m;
• height 3.6 m;
• combat weight more than 60 tons.

Its body was made flattened, like a flying saucer. The tank had a hydraulic suspension and double wide tracks, which reduced the load on the ground and increased the vehicle's maneuverability. But poor maneuverability became an insurmountable obstacle to allowing the tank to be tested.

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