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What's the best chariot in the world?
Choosing the world's best tank is a matter of debate, and depends on a host of factors such as tactical role, combat performance, technology and acquisition andmaintenance costs.
However, some tanks are considered to be "the best in the world" because of their ability to carry out missions efficiently and reliably.
Every country has its own state-of-the-art armament system, and all of them are equally good. So, according to our sources, we've rounded up the best of the best.
👉 Don'thesitate to give your opinion in comments, it might help us enrich our article.
LEOPARD 2: GERMANY'S BEST TANK
The German Leopard 2 tank is considered "one of the best tanks in the world. It was developed in the 1970s by Krauss-Maffei to replace the Leopard 1 tanks.
Having entered service on October 25, 1979 (43 years of service), it has been successfully used in numerous military operations and exported to a multitude of countries.
It is the most widespread Western tank, with 3,200 produced. It is still widely used in several countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Canada and Turkey.
It features the classic architecture of a Western battle tank, with turret in the center of the chassis, pilot at the front and manual loading of the 120 mm gun.
It reaches a top speed of 72 km/h and 31 km/h in reverse, making it one of the fastest and most mobile tanks in the world.
"Many people consider it to be the best tank ever created".
Leopard 2 features in detail:
- Armament system: a large 120 mm caliber with a high rate of fire, a7.62 mmcoaxial machine gun and a 7.62 mm single machine gun.
- Advanced protective composite armor, including reactive armor and protection systems against weapons of mass destruction
- Advanced combat navigation and control system
- State-of-the-art communication and recognition systems
- 1500 hp diesel engine for long-range, on- and off-road performance (liquid-cooled V12 Diesel MTU MB 873 Ka-501).
- Comfortable space for 4 crew members with integrated modern life-support systems.
- Dimensions: aframe length of 8.16 m (10.97 m with barrel)
a width of 3.74 m
a height of 2.64 m
- Weights ranging from 55 to 62.4 tonnes, depending on armament
It is subject to regular updates to maintain state-of-the-art operational capability.
THE AMERICAN M1 ABRAMS TANK
One of the most popular and recognized tanks in the world is the American M1 Abrams tank. This tank was designed in the 1970s by Chrysler to replace the M60 tank , and has been used successfully in numerous military operations, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Commissioned on It is designed for combat operations in open terrain.
Equipped with a 1,500 hp diesel engine, motorized turret and 120 mm cannon, it is one of the most powerful and fastest tanks of its generation, with a top speed of 72 km/h on the road.
"Considered the modern tank that has settled the most armed conflicts in the world".
M1 Abrams features in detail:
- Armament: a large 120 mm cannon (derived from the Leopard 2) with a high rate of fire, an M2HB .50 BMG 12.7 mm machine gun , followed by two M240 7.62 mm machine guns (one turret-mounted and one coaxial).
- Composite armor reinforced with Burlington-type depleted uranium.
- 1,501 hp turbo-diesel propulsion for long range and enhanced on- and off-road performance (Avco Lycoming AGT-1500 turboshaft engine).
- Dimensions: aframe length of 7.92 m (9.83 m with barrel)
a width of 3.66 m
a height of 2.44 m
- 4 crew members are required to pilot the tank.
- Weights ranging from 54.5 to 66.76 tonnes depending on equipment
Read our article on the American M1 Abrams tank!
THE T-90: THE BEST RUSSIAN TANK
Another leading tank is undoubtedly the Russian T-90.
The T-90 is a main battle tank produced in Russia. It is based on the T-72 and was designed to replace the T-64 and T-80. It first entered service in 1992 and is considered one of the most modern and advanced tanks in the world.
It is equipped with laminated steel armor, a 125 mm automatic cannon and an anti-tank missile launcher system. The T-90 is fitted with a crew protection system against weapons of mass destruction such as missiles and rockets.
It is used by the Russian Army and is in operation in a dozen other countries, with over 1,600 units produced.
"Russia uses a lot of old military vehicles, but they've shown that with this very powerful armored vehicle, their technological strength is no longer in doubt."
T-90 features in detail:
- Armament: 125 mm 2A46M smooth-bore cannon (43 rounds) with 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machine gun, 12.7 mm NSV or Kord heavy machine gun on the tank commander's turret.
- Armor: reinforced composite armor bonded to Kontakt-5 or Relikt explosive reactive armor on the glacis and front of the turret.
- Propulsion: a large 1130hp V-92S2F V12 diesel engine with seven-speed manual transmission (7F/1R).
- Dimensions: length 6.86 m, (9.53 m with cannon), width 3.78 m, height 2.23 m.
- Number of crew: 3 (tank commander, turret operator and pilot).
- Weight: 46.5 to 50 tonnes depending on model.
THE LECLERC: THE BEST FRENCH TANK
The French Leclerc tank is also considered one of the best in the world, but also one of the most expensive, with an average price tag of 8 million euros for 1 model alone. Developed in the 1980s by GIAT Industries,876 Leclercs have been produced worldwide.
It is mainly used in military missions for France, NATO, the UN and Yemen.
Fitted with a 120 mm cannon and an active missile defense system, it is one of the safest tanks on the market. It is renowned for its maneuverability and speed, making it a highly effective tank on the battlefield.
"This tank shows that France is at the forefront of the latest military technologies".
Leclerc features in detail:
- Armament: a 120 mm smooth-bore cannon, followed by a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun on the tank commander's turret.
- Armor: composite armor reinforced with explosive reactive armor on the front of the chassis and turret.
- Propulsion: a large 1,500 hp V8 diesel engine (V12 for tropicalized versions) with an eight-speed automatic transmission (5F/2R).
- Dimensions: Length 6.88 m, (10.61 m with cannon), width 3.6 m, height 2.4 m.
- Number of crew: 3 (tank commander, turret operator, pilot, radio operator).
- Weight: 54.5 to 57 tonnes depending on version.
THE BEST CHARIOT IN THE WORLD?
There is no single tank that can be considered the best in the world, as each tank has its own strengths and weaknesses depending on its tactical role and combat environment. However, the M1 Abrams, T-90, Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks are considered to be among the best in the world.
In addition to their combat capabilities, the technology used and the acquisition andmaintenance costs can also be decisive factors in the choice of a tank.
For example, a tank that is technologically advanced but expensive to maintain may not be the best choice for some countries, depending on their military budgets. Similarly, a less expensive but less technologically advanced tank may be a more viable option for some countries.
It should also be stressed that tanks are onlyone element in a country'smilitary arsenal, and their success also depends on strategy and coordination with other elements of the army.
Other equipment such as combat aircraft, warships and air defense systems are also crucial elements in a country's defense. Consequently, the choice of the world's best tank depends on many factors and cannot be determined absolutely.
There are other tanks that are considered to be among the best in the world, although this list is far from exhaustive. Some examples include:
THE TYPE 99: THE BEST CHINESE TANK
The Chinese Type 99 tank, developed in the 1990s, is equipped with a 125 mm cannon and an active missile defense system. It is considered one of the most advanced tanks in the Chinese army.
THE CHALLENGER 2: THE BEST BRITISH TANK
The British Challenger 2 tank was developed in the 1980s, and is equipped with a 120 mm cannon and an advanced crew protection system.
It has been used successfully in numerous military operations, and is considered one of the strongest and most reliable tanks of its generation.
THE MERKAVA: ISRAEL'S BEST TANK
Developed in the 1970s, the Israeli Merkava tank is equipped with a 120 mm cannon and an active missile defense system. It is renowned for its maneuverability and speed, making it a highly effective tank on the battlefield.
NEW TANKS
It's also worth mentioning that new tanks are under development in many countries, such as the American Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) tank, the Russian Armata tank and the Chinese Type 15 tank. These are considered to be the next generation of tanks, and are designed to be even more technologically advanced and effective on the battlefield.
- The NGCV, for example, is designed to be faster and more maneuverable than previous-generation tanks, while offering greater crew protection thanks to its advanced crew protection system.
- The Armata tank, meanwhile, is designed to be equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as advanced sensors and an active missile defense system.
- The Type 15 tank, meanwhile, is designed to be light and maneuverable, making it ideal for mountain and jungle operations.
Although these tanks are still under development, and it is difficult to accurately predict their performance on the battlefield, they are considered to be among the best tanks under development, and could be considered the best tanks in the world once in service.
Want to become a tank driver? Read our article on what you need to know before becoming a tank pilot!
Here's a video of the world's best floats in action:
CONCLUSION
Choosing the best tank in the world is a matter of debate and depends on many factors. However, some tanks - the 4 we showed you at the beginning, the M1 Abrams, the T-90, the Leopard 2 and the Leclerc - really are the best tanks in the world, but we'll stick with the Leopard 2, which is "for us" the best tank today.
Interested in military aircraft? Check out our article on the best military aircraft!
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