It is a recent version of
the proven and successful
Leopard 2 design. It has
additional armor and updated electronics.
The Leopard
2A7 is well protected against conventional and urban warfare
threats, such as RPG rounds and IEDs.
This tank
has better accuracy and longer range of fire comparing with other
tanks due to its powerful gun and advanced fire control system.
This MBT is
powered by a proven engine, developing 1 500 hp. Despite increase in
weight vehicle has increased mobility due to improved suspension
components. Cross-country performance is similar to other Leopard 2
series tanks.
The Leopard 2A7 is not
yet in production. German plans to upgrade 50 to 150 Leopard 2 tanks
to the 2A7 standard. Saudi Arabia ordered 200 of these MBTs.
K2 Black Panther (South Korea)
Currently the Black
Panther is one of the most advanced main battle tank in the world,
outclassing anything North Korea or China have. Furthermore it is
the most expensive main battle tank to date.
This tank
uses composite armor of undisclosed type and explosive reactive
armor modules. The K2 is also completed with active protection and
countermeasures systems. Its protection is broadly similar to the
M1A2 Abrams, considering that the K2 is much lighter.
This new
South Korean tank is armed with the latest German 120-mm gun,
similar to that used on the
Leopard 2A6 and 2A7. This tank has a very advanced fire control
system with can spot, track and fire automatically at visible
vehicle-size targets, even low-flying helicopters, without needing
any input from a human operator. The K2 also uses advanced
munitions.
The Black
Panther is fitted with a powerful diesel engine. It is fast and has
a state-of-the-art hydropneumatic suspension.
Currently this main
battle tanks is not yet in series production. It might enter service
with the South Korean Army soon.
M1A2 Abrams (USA)
The M1A2 has incredible
technology and armor. Also this tank has seen combat. It is one of
the most feared MBTs.
The M1A2
offers significant protection against all well-known anti-tank
weapons. This main battle tank uses advanced armor, reinforced with
depleted uranium layers.
Its gun and
accuracy are slightly inferior to that of the Leopard 2A7.
Its complex
gas turbine engine offers good performance, but requires tremendous amount of
maintenance, logistical support and
is thirsty on fuel.
The
M1A2 SEP is the
latest version. A number of older tanks were upgraded to this
standard. The tank can be also fitted with a
Tank Urban
Survival Kit (TUSK). It improves survivability in urban
environment.
The M1A2 Abrams is in
service with United States (over 1 500). It is planned that this
tank will remain in service beyond 2050. It has been exported to Kuwait (218) and Saudi
Arabia (373).
Challenger 2(UK)
It is a very
capable tank. The Challenger 2 has the
latest Chobham armor and is one of the most protected MBTs in the
world today. It offers very high level of protection against direct
fire weapons
This British tank is armed
with a very accurate 120-mm rifled gun. Its gun is rifled as opposed
to smoothbore guns used by all other modern MBTs. Its maximum aimed range is over
5 km. Currently the Challenger holds the record for for longest
tank-to-tank kill.
Engine of
the Challenger 2 is less powerful than of its Western rivals. Also
it is not as fast as other MBTs. However this tank is famous for
its mechanical reliability.
The Challenger 2 is in
service with United Kingdom (386) and Oman (38).
Merkava Mk.4 (Israel)
It is the
latest Israeli development which is a further development of the
Merkava Mk.3.
The Merkava Mk.4 is
one of the most protected tanks in the world. This MBT has an unusual
design with a front-mounted engine which gives the crew additional
protection and chance to survive if the tank is knocked-out. All Merkava series tanks
have a rear compartment which ca be used to carry troops and cargo
under armor. It can carry up to 10 troops when ammunition is
unloaded.
The Israeli
tank is armed with indigenous 120-mm smoothbore gun. The Merkava
Mk.4 is equipped with new fire control system, that includes some
very advanced features. One of them is a high hit probability firing
against low-flying helicopters using conventional munitions.
Mobility of
the Merkava Mk.4 is rather average due to excessive weight, even
though it is fitted with a powerful engine.
The Merkava Mk.4 is in
service only with Israel (360), as this tank is not offered for
export.
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