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The rumble of caterpillar tracks, the growl of diesel engines, deafening cannon fire.
That’s right friends, we have tanks on the agenda again today.
But first we’d like your opinion, what qualities do you associate with German tanks?
Reliability?
Producibility?
Yep, all of the above, and today's beast is no exception.
Meet the latest German tank - the KF51.
A modern machine that combines all the advantages of German technology.
And very soon we’re going to discuss it in more detail.
As always, we keep it interesting around here!
The best is always yet to come!
So get comfortable and we'll get started.
Ready, aim…fire!
The KF51 This German main battle tank was presented
at the Eurosatory 2022 international exhibition on June 13, 2022.
It was developed and shown by the Rheinmetall company.
Let's start with what we think is the most interesting - the equipment and weapons.
And, believe us, there is plenty to talk about.
The vehicle boasts the “Rheinmetall Future Gun System”.
The FGS consists of a 130mm smoothbore gun and a fully automatic ammunition supply system.
The gun’s ammunition includes armor-piercing, fin-stabilized sub-caliber projectiles and
air-blast munitions with programmable fuses.
The future has arrived, as demonstrated by the ability to integrate into the turret the
HERO 120 (kamikaze drone) - an ammunition launcher from Rheinmetall partner Uvision
Air.
This marvel allows the KF51 to hit targets beyond the line of sight.
And the wonders don’t end there: its digital architecture is designed so that control over
the sensors and weapons can be instantly transferred between crew members.
Each operator station can take over the duties of others while maintaining full functionality.
Thanks to the SEOSS panoramic optical sensor and EMES combat aiming device, the commander
and gunner can spot and strike targets independently of each other both day and night.
Stabilized daylight and infrared optics with a built-in laser rangefinder are available
to both.
In addition, the display in the combat compartment gives the crew a 360 degree view of the vehicle’s
surroundings.
The Germans certainly do value quality over quantity, and that quality is on a stratospheric
level.
Some compare the KF51 to the Russian T-14 Armata tank, but it’s an inadequate comparison.
On the battlefields of Ukraine, there isn’t an “Armata” in sight.
You might think it’s because there simply isn’t a need for them...
But why then would the Russians dust off their T-62 tanks from the 1950s?
They are nothing but steel coffins for their crews.
In our opinion, it seems clear that the T-14 was nothing but propaganda and a lame attempt
to intimidate the West, something that has been going on for decades.
But that’s a story for another time.
Let's get back to the tanks.
The Challenger 2 The main battle tank of the British Army.
Manufactured by Vickers Defence Systems.
It has been in service since 1995 and is the most well-protected tank in the world.
Plus, the Challenger claims to have the farthest artillery strike range at over 3 miles.
The tank has been used in Kosovo and Iraq.
During the war in Iraq, only one Challenger was lost.
The vehicle’s protection has set the standard for modern tracked vehicles.
It has been claimed that one of these monsters was able to withstand 15 hits from anti-tank
grenade launchers without a breach in the armor.
Can you imagine?!
It’s like the terminator.
By the way, quality also played a role in this as well.
It seems that the experience of World War II has not been forgotten.
Genetic memory and such.
In terms of its armament, the Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120mm rifled gun, the successor
to the guns on the Chieftain and Challenger tanks.
Its steel cast was obtained through a process called electro-slag remelting, and it is the
only rifled gun of this caliber in service with NATO.
Mounted to the left of the main gun is a 7.62 mm L94A1 coaxial machine gun with a cannon.
Near the commander's hatch on the turret there is a remote-controlled 7.62-mm L37A2 machine
gun, which is mainly used for defending the vehicle from airborne threats.
This tank is in service with Britain and Oman.
The latter had 38 vehicles at its disposal as of 2018.
The Type 90 This is the Japanese army’s main battle
tank, designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
It was put into service in 1992.
And yes, we know that Japan doesn’t have an army, but a self-defense force.
But for the sake of convenience, we’re calling it an army.
This machine has never seen actual combat.
It’s also exclusive to the Japanese army, meaning the Type 90 has never been delivered
abroad.
The designers were tasked with surpassing the parameters of the Soviet T-72, and to
no one’s surprise, the Japanese succeeded, because, as you know, that nation can perfect
anything it touches.
What do we have in terms of firepower?
We’re glad you asked.
The tank’s main armament is a licensed 120-mm Rheinmetall smoothbore gun - sounds familiar
- with a barrel length of 44 calibers and an automatic loader.
The gun is equipped with a propellant gas ejector, a thermal casing and has coaxial
stabilization.
It’s the same cannon that is installed on the American Abrams and the German Leopard
2.
More proof of why it’s important to have strong allies.
If your allies were, say, North Korea or Venezuela, then you can choose between a pound of rice
or a pound of money.
Which one do you like more?
As they say, “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are”.
It should also be understood that the Kuril islands are Japanese territory and a peace
treaty between Japan and the Russian Federation has yet to be signed.
In other words, the countries are legally at war with each other.
Given the global political environment today, who is allied with whom is becoming increasingly
relevant.
As of 2020, Japan had 340 Type 90 tanks in service.
The K2 Black Panther A modern South Korean main battle tank designed
by the South Korean Defense Development Agency and Rotem (a division of Hyundai Motors).
The K2 is intended to replace the American M48 tanks in the troops and supplement the
country’s fleet of K1 tanks.
Adopted in 2014.
As of 2022, the K2 is the only fourth generation tank in service.
Again, based on the tricky situation between the South and the North, this tank is a good
thing for South Korea to have.
As we know, modern technology plays a huge role here.
It seems that all North Korea has to counter with is a plate of rice.
We’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating - developing one’s own technology is extremely
important!
Plain and simple.
South and North Korea are a great example of this principle in action.
We’ve wandered off on a few tangents today, but we think they’re useful.
Just something to think about.
Let’s move on.
The South Korean tank’s primary weapon is its 120-mm tank gun with a barrel length of
55 calibers.
It was developed, respectively, by the South Korean Defense Development Agency, based on
the German Rh-120, and manufactured by Hyundai Wia.
An automatic loader feeds ammunition into the barrel, similar to the setup on France’s
Leclerc tank.
Again, please note that smart people learn from others and their own experience.
The Type 10 A modern Japanese battle tank, even newer
than the previously mentioned Type 90.
The Japanese classify it as a 3.5 generation tank.
The prototype was first shown in 2008 and was produced by the same Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries.
It entered service in 2012.
The Type 10 is a cheaper, yet better alternative to the Type 90.
Its main weapon is a 120-mm Japanese-made JSW-120/L44 cannon.
They also wanted to put this gun on the Type 90, but preferred the Rh-120/L44 for financial
reasons.
According to Japan's report to the UN, there were 90 of these tanks in service in 2020.
These guys are preparing.
Preparing and doing the right thing.
The T-90 Vladimir A Russian vehicle, of course.
Considered to be an ultra-modern tank.
Heavily promoted from all angles and through every outlet with claims that it was proper
competition for the West, that there was nothing else like it in the world and so on and so
forth.
It was most likely named in honor of Vladimir Putin - a cult of personality in all its glory.
But Ukraine changed everything.
Two experimental units are proudly on display on the sides of Ukrainian roads as piles of
scrap metal.
Much has been said, much more has been invested, but it was all for naught.
Too much bark, not enough bite.
That’s all for now, folks.
We always keep it interesting and it will only get more interesting from here!
We hope you enjoyed the video.
What are the prospects for modern battle tanks and which one do you think is the most reliable
in battle?
Leave your answers in the comments.
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