Since its first appearance during the First World War, tanks have come a long way in improving and building up their combat power. They became an integral part of land wars, largely deciding their outcome. And experts at Military Watch Magazine took on the difficult mission of choosing the best tanks in the world.
This list does not include tanks that are still under development, at the prototype stage or model that will never reach the mass production stage. The only exception is the Russian development called “Armata”, which was produced in small quantities for testing and evaluation.
5. K2 Black Panther, South Korea
In 2014, the South Korean government and Hyundai Rotem signed a $ 820 million contract to supply the first hundred K2 Black Panther tanks. In general, the South Korean army, according to experts, will adopt about 600 Black Panther tanks.
This is one of three fourth-generation battle tanks (the other two are the Russian T-14 Armata and Japanese Type 10, they are also among the most powerful tanks in the world).
The main weapon of the K2 Black Panther is a 120-mm smoothbore gun, which can be equipped with an ammunition autoloader. Secondary armament includes 7.62 and 12.7 mm machine guns.
A top speed of 70 km / h and a range of 450 km make the K2 very mobile on the battlefield. It has an advanced fire control system and can detect, track and conduct automatic fire not only at ground targets, but also at low-flying helicopters without the need for any action from the operator.
4. T-14 Armata, Russia
The first prototype of this tank, assembled at Uralvagonzavod, was first presented to the public during a military parade in Moscow on Victory Day on May 9, 2015.
The full technical characteristics of the tank are classified, however, Armata is considered one of the most protected tanks in the world and can withstand any anti-tank weapons from existing ones. It has an uninhabited tower, and all crew members in the amount of three people sit side by side in an armored capsule located in front of the hull and separated from the ammunition. “Armata” will remain combat-ready, even if its armor was broken, but the crew’s armored capsule is not damaged.
Armata has a top speed of 90 km / h and is armed with a new 125 mm smoothbore gun (with the option of upgrading to 152 mm guns). It is also equipped with anti-tank guided missiles, aircraft missiles, RPGs and artillery armor-piercing subcaliber shells. The result was an ideal killer hunter, almost invulnerable and inconspicuous in the thermal and radar spectra of observation.
However, according to unofficial data, a drop in oil prices could negatively affect plans for serial production of Armata tanks. This was announced by military expert Alex Hollings, referred to by Rambler News.
3. T-90M "Breakthrough", Russia
The third place in the top 5 of the best tanks in the world for 2020 is occupied by another Russian development. She borrowed many of the capabilities of her heavier counterpart T-14 Armata (for example, the active protection of “Afganit”), while being cheaper and easier to manufacture.
The T-90M is the next step in the development of the Russian combat tank T-90. The upgrade touched on all the characteristics of the basic version, in order to increase its operational capabilities and make it more effective against modern threats on the battlefield.
The weight of the T-90M Proryv increased by 1,500 kg, compared to the base T-90, and reached 48 tons, but it is still significantly less than the German Leopard 2A6 main battle tank and the American M1A2 Abrams.
At the Breakthrough, the Kalina automated fire control system and the 2A46M-4 125mm smoothbore gun were installed. Anti-cumulative lattice screens are paired with enemy fire paired with the Relict dynamic defense system.
2. Type 99A, China
ZTZ99A, also known as Type 99A, is manufactured by China Northern Industries Group Corporation. This is the most advanced main battle tank in service with the Chinese army.
It was commissioned at the end of 2001 in place of its predecessor ZTZ99 and is distinguished from it by improved firepower, higher mobility and improved protection.
Among the outstanding features of the Chinese tank, one can name the system of active laser countermeasures against enemy ATGMs (including those mounted on helicopters) and a 125 mm caliber gun with automatic loader (upgraded analogues from the Soviet T-72).
1. Type 10, Japan
The advanced fourth-generation tank manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, created for the Japanese Ground Forces. The development of Type 10 was initiated by a research institute of the Ministry of Defense of Japan in 2002 to replace the old Type 74 tank, which has been in operation since 1991.
The main armament of the tank consists of a 120 mm cannon, and its protection has been improved from all angles. This combat vehicle is protected from RPG fire even in side projections. Thanks to the modular design of the armor, the replacement of damaged modules can be done in the field. It is also possible to attach additional protection modules, due to which the tank can get heavier by 48 tons.
Honorable Mention from Military Watch Magazine: Merkava IV “Windbreaker”, Israel
The latest modification of Merkava is equipped with Trophy's active defense system, and is still considered one of the best protected tanks in the world. Trophy successfully intercepts grenade launchers and anti-tank missiles, including the Kornet thermobaric ATGM.
The magnificent survivability of the Israeli Merkava tank is evidenced by the fact that not one of them was lost in hostilities in 2008 and 2014.
Merkava IV “Windbreaker” moves at a maximum speed of 64 km / h and is always ready to “treat” the enemy with a projectile from its powerful MG253 120 mm smoothbore gun. It is capable of firing cumulative shells, as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
