Top 10 Best Tanks in the World

1. Type 99 – China

Type 99, a 3rd generation main battle tank operated by the Peoples Liberation Army of China, is the fastest tank in the world. The ZTZ99 MBT is considered one of the 12 best tanks in the world. A unit of Type 99 is worth ¥ 17,417,659 Renminbi, approximately US$2.5 million. It is also known as ZTZ-99 and WZ-123. The newest and much improve variant is the Type 99KM
It is currently the most advanced MBT in the People's Liberation Army. It entered the PLA service in 2001.

 specifications:

• It is equipped with newer modular active protection system
• It has a JD-4 active laser defense system
• It has more powerful engine
• It is also equipped with a 155 mm gun capable of firing next-generation kinetic rounds
• It has sloped turret armor for increased protection
• The driver's compartment is in the front
• The fighting compartment lies directly behind the driver’s compartment
• Its engine is installed in the rear.
• It features a dual-axis stabilized 125mm/50-calibre ZPT98 smoothbore gun.
• It carries Russian anti-tank missiles called 9M119 Refleks.
• This tank can attain a top speed of 80km/h
• It weighs 54 tonnes for Type-99G, 57 tonnes for Type-99A1, 58 tonnes for Type-99A2
• It has a length of 11.0 meters and a width of 3.4 meters
• It is operated by 3 crews 

2. M1A2 Abrams – USA

   The M1A2 Abrams main battle tank is a further development of the M1A1. Currently it is one of the best MBTs in the world. Development of improved M1A1 began in 1988. This MBT in service with USA and Saudi Arabia.

   The Abrams is protected by Chobham composite armor. Protection of the M1A2 was improved by using depleted uranium mesh at the front of the hull and turret. It offers significant protection against all known anti-tank weapons, however overall weight increased comparing with the M1A1. All active service M1A1 tanks have been retrofitted with depleted uranium armor. Ammunition for the main gun is stored in the turret bustle, fitted with blow-out panels. Interior is lined with Kevlar liner for protection against spalling. The M1A2 Abrams can be fitted with explosive reactive armor blocks. Some M1A2 vehicles are equipped with missile countermeasure devices, intended to detect and jam guidance of the laser-guided missiles.

   Vehicle is armed with the M256 120-mm smoothbore gun, originally developed by Rheinmetall and manufactured under license in USA. This gun is loaded manually. The M1A2 has an improved fire control system and it's components. Range of effective fire in excess of 4 km.

   Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, another 7.62-mm MG mounted over the gunner's hatch and 12.7-mm MG mounted over commander's hatch.

   Vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

   The M1A2 Abrams is powered by Honeywell AGT1500 multi-fuel gas turbine engine, developing 1 500 horsepower. This engine can run on any grade of petrol, diesel, kerosene, or jet fuel. It's main drawback is a high fuel consumption and troublesome maintenance. Engine can be replaced in field conditions within 30 minutes.

   The US Army upgrades approximately 1 000 of it's out-dated M1 main battle tanks to the M1A2 standard. There is also an M1A2 SEP (or System Enhancement Program) variant.

 specifications:

Entered service	1992
Crew	4 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight	62.5 t
Length (gun forward)	9.83 m
Hull length	7.92 m
Width	3.48 m
Height	2.44 m
Armament
Main gun	120-mm smoothbore
Machine guns	2 x 7.62-mm, 1 x 12.7-mm
Elevation range	- 9 to + 20 degrees
Traverse range	360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun	40 rounds
Machine guns	12 400 x 7.62, 1 000 x 12.7
Mobility
Engine	Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine
Engine power	1 500 hp
Maximum road speed	67 km/h
Range	425 km
Maneuverability
Gradient	60%
Side slope	40%
Vertical step	1 m
Trench	2.7 m
Fording	1.2 m
Fording (with preparation)	2 m

• It uses a powerful gas turbine engine
• It adopted a sophisticated composite armor
• It has separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment for crew safety
• It is one of the heaviest tanks in service – 62 metric tons
• It is anticipated to be in U.S. service until the 2050s,
• The tank reaches a speed of 67.72 km/h.
• It costs US$6.21 million 

3. Challenger II – UK 

 

The pride of the UK – the FV4034 Challenger 2, it is the main battle tank (MBT) of British Army and Oman. It is advertises as the world’s most reliable main battle tank. During the 2003 Invasion of Iraq the Challenger 2 tanks operating in the Gulf suffered no total losses to enemy fire.

 specifications:

• It can survive 14 hits from rocket propelled grenades and from one MILAN anti tank missile.
• A unit of Challenger II £4,217,000 or ~$7,921,000
• It weighs 62.5 tonnes
• It has a length 8.3 meters, 11.50 m with gun forward
• Its width 3.5 meters
• It is operated by 4 crews (commander, gunner, loader/operator, and driver)
• It can attain a speed of 59 km/h

4.  T-90 – Russia

                     T-90S Main Battle Tank, Russian Federation

 

            

The T-90 is a Russian main battle tank and presently the most advance tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Indian Army. A T-90 tank is worth $2.23 million as of in January, 2007. It entered service in 1992.

 specifications:

• The T-90 uses the tank gun and 1G46 gunner sights from the T-80U
• Protective measures include KOntakt-5 ERA
• It is equipped with Laser warning receivers
• It has EMT-7 electronic pulse (EMP) creator for the destruction of magnetic mines
• It is armed with Shtora infrared ATGM jamming system.
• It is operated by 3 crews
• Its combat weight is 46.5 tons
• It features a 4-stroke V-84ms diesel engine with 849hp.
• The fuel capacity of this battle machine is 1,600l.
• The range is 650km on paved roads and 500km on unpaved.
• The tank reaches a speed of 65 km/h.
• It weighs 46.5 tonnes
• It is 9.53 meter long 

5. Leclerc – France

 

 The Leclerc is a main battle tank (MBT) built by Nexter of France. It was named in honour of General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque who led the drive towards Paris while in command of the Free French 2nd Armoured Division (2ème DB) in World War II.

The Leclerc is in service with the French Army and the army of the United Arab Emirates. In production since 1991, the Leclerc entered French service in 1992, replacing the venerable AMX-30 as the country's main armoured platform. With production now complete, the French Army has a total of 406 Leclercs and the United Arab Emirates Army has 388.

Production history
Manufacturer	GIAT Industries (now Nexter)
Unit cost	₣ 29.000.000 in 1993
Produced	1990–2008
Number built	~862
Specifications
Weight	54.5 tonnes
Length	9.87 m (6.88 without gun)
Width	3.71 m
Height	2.53 m
Crew	3 (Commander, gunner, driver)
Armour	Steel, titanium, NERA
Primary armament	120mm tank gun 40 rounds (1 round ready to fire in the chamber, 22 rounds inside autoloader magazine with additional 18 rounds in the chassis)
Secondary armament	12.7 mm coaxial M2HB machine gun 1,100 rounds 7.62mm machine gun 3,000 rounds
Engine	8-cylinder diesel Wärtsilä 1,500 hp (1,100 kW)
Power/weight	27.52 hp/tonne
Transmission	Automatic SESM ESM500
Suspension	hydropneumatic
Operational range	550 km
Speed	71 km/h (44 mph)

6.  Leopard 2 – Germany 

 

Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei, now Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), of Munchen, Germany. The Leopard 2 is a successor to the successful Leopard 1.
Leopard 1 was first produced in 1963 by Krauss-Maffei for the German Ministry of Defence and more than 6,000 vehicles have been exported to Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and Australia.
The successor to the Leopard 1, the Leopard 2, was first produced in 1979 and is in service with the armies of Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain and Turkey, with more than 3,200 produced.
In June 2010, KMW unveiled its next-generation main battle tank, Leopard 2 A7+. The tank was successfully tested and qualified by the German Army. Its main features include a modular protection kit, improved sustainability and increased mobility.
In July 2011, a deal to sell around 200 Leopard 2 A7+ to Saudi Arabia was approved by Germany's Federal Security Council.

specifications:

• It features digital fire control systems with laser rangefinders
• It has a fully stabilized main gun
• It is equipped with coaxial machine gun
• It has advanced night vision and sighting equipment
• It has the ability to engage moving targets while moving over rough terrain.
• It can drive through water 4 meters deep using a snorkel
• It can climb vertical obstacles over one meter high.
• It is powered with a turbo-charged multi-fuel V12 diesel engine that produces 1,500 PS
• It weighs 62.3 tonnes
• It has a length of 9.97 meters
• It has a width of 3.75 meters
• It is operated by 4 crews
• It can reach a speed of 72 km/h

 

 7. Merkava - Israel

 

 

The Merkava, which is means Chariot in Hebrew, is the main battle tank of Israel Defense Forces. A Merkava tank is worth $4.5-$5 million in 2006.

specifications:

• The turret assembly is located nearer the rear that gives the crew additional protection against a frontal attack.
• The rear entrance’s clamshell-style doors provide overhead protection when off- and on-loading cargo and personnel.
• It weighs 65 tonnes
• It has a length of 9.04 meters
• It has a width of 3.72 meters
• It is 2.66 meter tall
• It is operated by 4 people (commander, driver, gunner &, loader)
• It can attain a speed of 64 km/h.

 8. Al-Zarrar Pakistani Main Battle Tank

Tank T-59, which has been in use for over 30 years with Pakistan Armoured Corps, is being upgraded by HIT under a phased pogramme since 1990 with a total of 50 upgraded features giving a quantum technological leap to this old tank.

Major features of the upgraded tank are:

a. 125 mm Smooth Bore Gun with compatible Gun Control System & Semi Auto Loader
b. Image Stabilized Fire Control System and (ISFCS)
c. Thermal Imaging (TI) for day/night combat
d. 730 HP Engine
e. Compatible Transmission and Suspension System
f. Add-on/Explosive Reactive Armour

SPECIFICATIONS (Al-Zarrar MBT)
General
Combat Weight: 40 Ton
Crew: 4
Power to Weight: 18.3 HP/Ton
Max Torque/rpm: 305 kgm/1300-1400rpm
Running Gear Suspension
Track: Rubber
Bump Stop: 2 each side
Support Roller: 3 each side
Shock Absorber: Friction Type
Torsion Bars: 10
Armament
Main Gun: 125mm Smooth Bore
Projectiles: APFSDS, HEAT, HE
Co-Axial MG: 7.62 mm
AA MG: 12.7 mm
Autoloader
Type: Semi Auto Loading/Ramming System
FCS/GCS
Type: Image Stabilised Fir Control System with LRF and ballistic computer
Firing Capability: S-S, S-M, M-S, M-M
Protection
ERA: Optional
Fire Extinguishing & Explosion Suppression: YES
Thermal Smoke Screen: Installed

9. CI Ariete – Italy 

 

The C1 Ariete is Italian Army’s main battle tank. This tank carries the latest optical and digital-imaging and fire-control systems, enabling it to fight day and night and to fire on the move. The first deliveries were in 1995, and the last occurred 7 years later in August 2002.

specifications:

• It is mounted with a 120 mm smoothbore Oto Melara cannon
• It is also equipped with a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
• It also has a 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun manned by the tank commander.
• It is 54 tonnes in weight
• It is 9.67 meters in length
• It is operated by 4 crews
• It can attain a speed of 70 km/h 

10 . T-84 – Ukraine 

 

 

 

The T-84, the main battle tank of Ukraine, is one of the fastest existing MBTs in the world, It entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999.This tank was developed from Soviet T-80. The T-84 Oplot is an advanced version incorporating an armored ammunition compartment in a new turret bustle. The T-84-120 Yatagan is a prototype model intended for export, mounting a 120 mm gun capable of firing standard NATO ammunition and guided missiles.

 specifications:

• It has a 26 hp/t power-to-weight ratio (compared to 18 hp/t of the contemporary Russian T-90
• It is designed to perform well in hot climates, and even includes an air-conditioned crew compartment
• It weighs 46 tonnes
• It has a length of 7.086 meters
• It has a width of 3.775 meters
• It has a height of 2.215 meters
• It is operated by 3 crews
• It can attain a speed of 65 km/h

 11. Al-Khalid Pakistan / China

 

  The Al Khalid main battle tank was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. It is a further development of the Chinese Type 90-II tank, which was not accepted to service with the Chinese Army. In the late 1990s it was marketed for export as the MBT-2000. Pakistan acquired production license of this MBT. The Al Khalid is named after the legendary general Khalid ibn al-Walid. First deliveries of this tank were made in 2002. The Al Khalid is currently in service with Pakistan. About 600 were planned to be built by 2007.

   The Al Khalid main battle tank is based on Chinese and Soviet designs. It is considerably smaller and lighter than modern western MBTs. Vehicle has a composite armor and is fitted with add-on explosive reactive armor blocks. It is also fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. It also has a advanced laser detection warning system.

   The Al Khalid MBT is armed with a fully-stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun, fitted with an autoloader. It is capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary rounds. It is a Russian-made 9K119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper), which is produced in China under license. Maximum range of effective fire is 4 - 5 km. The AT-11 Sniper can also target low-flying helicopters.

   Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and another 12.7-mm machine gun, mounted on top of the roof.

   The Al Khalid tank has a fire control system of western origin. It also has an integrated battle management system. Navigation is assisted by the GPS and internal navigation systems

   Vehicle is powered by Ukrainian 6TD turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 200 hp. It is worth mentioning, that Pakistan also operates the T-80UD MBT, powered by a similar engine. The Al Khalid is also fitted with auxiliary power unit, which powers all electrical systems when the main engine is turned off. The Al Khalid can be fitted with snorkel kit and self-entrenching blade.

 specifications:

Entered service	2002
Crew	3 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight	45 t
Length (gun forward)	10.06 m
Hull length	6.9 m
Width	3.4 m
Height	2.3 m
Armament
Main gun	125-mm smoothbore
ATGW	9K119 Refleks (AT-11 Sniper)
Machine guns	1 x 12.7-mm, 1 x 7.62-mm
Elevation range	?
Traverse range	360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun	39 rounds
ATGW	?
Machine guns	500 x 12.7, 3 000 x 7.62
Mobility
Engine	6TD diesel
Engine power	1 200 hp
Maximum road speed	70 km/h
Range	430 km
Maneuverability
Gradient	60%
Side slope	40%
Vertical step	0.85 m
Trench	3 m
Fording	1.4 m
Fording (with preparation)	5 m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.  Arjun – India 

 

Arjun is India’s main battle tank. An Arjun tank is worth US$3.8 million. Its name was taken from one of the main characters of the longest epic in the world from India, the Mahabharata.

specifications:

• It is equipped with a 120 mm main rifled gun with indigenously developed APFSDS ammunition which has capability of defeating superior armor
• It has one 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun
• It is also equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun.
• It is powered by a single MTU multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,400 hp
• It can achieve a maximum speed of 70 km/h
• It is operated by 4 crews: commander, gunner, loader and driver.
• It has an automatic fire detection and suppression
• It has NBC protection systems
• It has a weight of 58.5 tons
• It has a length of 10.68 meters