Since the Cold War main battle tanks have evolved from being simple and light to heavy,
modernised and highly mobile, with advancements in weaponry and countermeasures.
Military Weapons Channel lists the top 10 main battle tanks in the world based on weaponry,
mobility and protection.
10.
Oplot-M (Modernized) / BM Oplot, Ukraine Oplot-M (Modernised) or BM Oplot is an advanced
version of the T-84 Oplot main battle tank manufactured by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building.
The advanced MBT is operated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Army.
The Oplot-M's main gun is a KBA-3 125mm cannon with an auto-loading system, which can fire
HE-FRAG (high-explosive fragmentation), APFSDS and HEAT rounds, as well as guided missiles.
The secondary armament constitutes a KT-7.62 (PKT) 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a KT-12.7
remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun.
The multilayer armour on the Oplot-M can withstand hits of HEAT and APFSDS projectiles and the
built-in anti-tandem-warhead explosive reactive armour defends kinetic energy rounds and anti-tank
grenades and missiles.
The protection is further enhanced by a smoke generator and Varta optronic countermeasures
system.
The 6D-2 1,200hp engine ensures a maximum speed of 70km/h.
09.
Leclerc, France The Leclerc is a French main battle tank developed
by GIAT Industries for the French Army and is also currently in service with the UAE
Army.
The first Leclerc tank was handed over to the DGA in January 1992.
Leclerc is a third-generation tank armed with a Nato standard CN120-26 120mm smooth bore
gun, a coaxial 12.7mm machine gun and a roof-mounted 7.62mm machine gun.
The tank can carry 40 rounds of 120mm ammunition and more than 950 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition.
The advanced modular armour made of steel, ceramics and Kevlar offers all-round crew
protection, which can be raised to protect against IEDs, mines and RPGs.
The Galix self-protection system fitted to the tank further increases its survivability.
The tank has a maximum speed of 72km/h and can strike targets at a speed of 50km/h on
any terrain.
08.
T-90MS, Russia The T-90MS, a modernised version of the T-90
main battle tank built by Uralvagonzavod, was unveiled for the first time at Russian
Expo Arms in September 2011.
The T-90MS has been extensively modernised to deliver enhance combat performance in present
warfare scenarios.
The 125mm 2A46M-5 gun of the tank fires different types of ammunition with high accuracy.
The tank is also armed with a 6P7K 7.62mm antiaircraft machine gun on a remotely controlled
weapon station.
The modular ERA panels mounted on rear and side of the tank offer protection against
small weapons and shell splinters.
The forward hull and turret can be fitted with RELIKT reactive armour for protection
against anti-tank missiles.
The T-90MS also features an optoelectronic screening system and electromagnetic protection
system.
A V-92S2F engine with rated power of 1,130hp provides maximum speed of 60km/h to the tank.
07.
Type 10 (TK-X), Japan Type 10 (TK-X) is an advanced fourth-generation
main battle tank built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Ground Self Defence
Force.
The tank entered into service with the JGSDF in 2012 and claims outstanding mobility.
The Type 10 MBT's fire power is complemented by a 120mm smooth-bore gun, a 12.7mm heavy
machine gun and Type 74 7.62mm cannon.
The sophisticated C4I system ensures interoperability with the infantry troops during integrated
combat missions.
The tank's hull is attached with modular ceramic composite armour offering protection against
rocket propelled grenade rounds, HEAT projectiles and anti-tank missiles.
The add-on modules can be easily removed and installed to alter the protection levels.
The 1,200hp water-cooled diesel engine provides a maximum speed of 70km/h.
06.
Merkava Mk.4, Israel The Merkava Mark IV is the latest version
of the Merkava range of main battle tanks built by MANTAK.
The tank entered into service with the Israel Defence Forces in 2004 and is regarded as
one of the best protected tanks in the world.
The Mk.4 is armed with a 120mm MG253 smoothbore gun capable of firing high-explosive anti-tank
and sabot rounds, as well as LAHAT anti-tank guided missiles.
The 7.62mm coaxial and 12.7mm swivel-mounted machine guns and 60mm grenade launcher complement
the fire power of the tank.
The Merkava Mk.4 is fitted with special spaced armour, sprung armour side skirts, an Elbit
laser warning system and IMI in-built smoke-screen grenades.
The Trophy active protection system aboard the tank protects the crew against advanced
anti-tank missiles.
The tank moves at a maximum speed of 64km/h.
05.
Challenger 2, United Kingdom Challenger 2 is the main battle tank of the
British Army and the Royal Army of Oman.
The MBT was designed and manufactured by British Vickers Defence Systems based on the Challenger
1 tank.
Promoted as the world's most reliable main battle tank by its producers, the capabilities
of Challenger 2 were proven during combat missions in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
The 120mm L30 CHARM gun of the Challenger 2 provides primary fire power, while a C-axial
7.62mm chain gun and a turret mounted 7.62mm machine gun serve as secondary weapons.
The tank can carry 50 Armour Piercing, Fin Stabilised, Discarding Sabot, high-explosive
squash heads and Soke rounds, as well as 4,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The second generation Chobham armour of the Challenger 2 offers a high-level of protection
against direct fire weapons.
The Perkins-Condor CV12 engine of the tank ensures a maximum on-road speed of 59km/h
and off-road speed of 40km/h.
04.
K2 Black Panther, South Korea The K2 Black Panther is a modern MBT developed
by Hyundai Rotem for the Republic of Korea Army.
The MBT is intended to offer high mobility, fire power and self-protection.
The Black Panther is currently under production, with service entry scheduled for 2014.
The K2 Black Panther's primary weapon is a 120mm smoothbore gun, which can fire advanced
kinetic energy ammunition and is equipped with autoloader for on the go ammunition loading,
even in rough terrain.
The secondary armament includes 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns.
The maximum speed of 70km/h and range of 450km make the K2 highly mobile in the battlefield.
The tank incorporates composite armour and explosive reactive armour for all-round protection
against direct fire.
The ammunition rack also employs blow-off panels to protect against explosions.
03.
T-14 Armata, Russia The T-14 Armata is a new Russian main battle
tank based on the Armata Universal Combat Platform.
It is the first series-produced next generation tank.
The main armament of the T-14 is the 2A82-1M 125 mm smoothbore cannon.
Features include an absence of a fume extractor, a firing rate of 10–12 rounds per minute,
and a maximum effective-penetration range of 8 km.
The detection range of the tank's optical sensors is more than 5 km for tank-sized targets
in daylight and at least 3.5 km at night through the thermal imaging channel.
The T-14 is powered by a ChTZ 12Н360 diesel engine delivering up to 1,500 hp.
The engine's theoretical maximum power, not normally used is 2,000 hp, comparable to other
modern tank engines, and up to 10,000 hours at moderated 1,200 hp.
The engine is electronically controlled.
Operational range is over 500 km.
The T-14 has a 12-speed automatic gearbox, with a top speed of 80–90 kilometres per
hour and a range of 500 kilometres.
02.
Abrams M1A2, United States of America The Abrams M1A2 is a combat proven main battle
tank developed by General Dynamics Land Systems, primarily for the US Army.
The tank was designed based on the experience gained from the performance of M1A1 and incorporates
new technologies to deliver superior firepower and mobility, making it one of the best battle
tanks in the world.
The main gun of the tank is a manually loaded 120mm XM256 smooth bore cannon which can fire
a range of Nato ammunition against armoured vehicles, infantry and low-flying aircraft.
The tank is also armed with two 7.62mm M240 machine guns and a .50 cal M2 machine gun
and can store 42 rounds of 120mm, 11,400 rounds of 7.62mm, 900 rounds of 50 calibre ammunition,
32 screening grenades and 210 rounds of 5.56mm ammo.
The Abrams M1A2 integrates heavy exterior composite armour and steel-encased depleted
uranium armour at forward hull and turret to offer high level of protection to its crew.
The tank has a cruising range of 426km and can travel at maximum speed of 67.5km/h.
01.
Leopard 2A7+, Germany The Leopard 2A7+ is a next generation main
battle tank revealed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in 2010.
The new version leverages the technology of the Leopard 2 MBT and has been adopted by
the Bundeswehr to conduct warfare in urban areas, as well as traditional military missions.
The 2A7+ is also presently deployed in Afghanistan by Canada under Nato command.
The Leopard 2A7+ is armed with 120mm L55 smooth bore gun capable of firing standard Nato ammunition
and new programmable 120mm HE-rounds.
The tank integrates an FLW 200 remotely controlled light weapon station mounting a 7.62mm/ 12.7mm
machine gun or a 40mm grenade launcher.
The passive armour modules attached to the tank offer all-round protection from anti-tank
missiles, mines, improvised explosive devices and RPG fire.
The smoke grenade launchers on either side of turret conceal the tank from enemy observation.
The MBT can be fitted with additional attachments, such as a mine plough, mine roller or a dozer
blade for clearing mines and obstacles.
This highly mobile tank has a maximum speed of 72km/h and cruising range of 450km.