Our list is based on how well each one protects, shoots, moves, and hits. None of the tanks listed here have seen combat against each other during military operations yet. There is a lot of information about protection, firing range, accuracy, the capabilities of their fire control systems, and so on.
All of the tanks mentioned here are incredibly powerful and devastating. However, crew training for the tank is also an important factor, as the tank's performance depends on the crew's performance.
This list excludes tanks that are in development, prototypes, or were never produced. Following are the current top 10 best tanks in the world:
1. Leopard 2A7A1 (Germany)
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Leopard 2A7A1 (Germany) |
It's safe to say that the Germans have hit the jackpot with the Leopard 2. It
first appeared in 1979 and has undergone continuous improvement ever since. In
many international tank competitions, the American M1A2 SEP, the
British Challenger 2, and the French Leclerc all did worse than the
Leopard 2 series of tanks. Currently, the Leopard 2A7A1 is the most
up-to-date and reliable combat vehicle available. The German military
purchased a few of these tanks. Shipping started in 2021.
The Leopard 2A7A1 has superior protection against both conventional and urban
threats. It's made of welded steel and has composite armor on the front arc.
Furthermore, the tank is outfitted with cutting-edge passive composite armor.
It appears to employ cutting-edge technologies, such as titanium and steel
alloys and nano-ceramics. In the event of damage to an armor module, it can be
easily replaced in the field.
The 120 mm (L55) smoothbore gun is a formidable weapon for this tank. All 120mm NATO tank ammunition can be used in this gun, but it must be loaded manually. The Leopard 2A7A1 comes with the most up-to-date sights and thermal imagers as standard equipment. An advanced fire control system can automatically locate and track a target. The effective range of this tank's gun is greater than that of most others. Also, the recently made programmable DM11 ammunition can be used to shoot down helicopters and hit people hiding behind cover or in buildings.
A tank crew consists of four people: the commander, the gunner, the loader, and the driver.
The main source of power for this MBT is a tried-and-true 1500-horsepower multi-fuel diesel engine.
2. K2 Black Panther (South Korea)
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K2 Black Panther |
The Black Panther is one of the most advanced main battle tanks in the
world right now. It is more advanced than those of North Korea and China.
Additionally, it has the highest price tag of any main battle tank ever
created. In 2016, the South Korean military started getting
K2 Black Panther tanks. There have been at least one hundred tank
deliveries as of 2017.
This tank has modules of armor that can handle explosions and composite armor
of an unknown type. The frontal armor is said to be able to take a direct hit
from an L55 gun firing a 120 mm tank round. Though much lighter than the M1A2
Abrams, the K2 offers protection on par with that of the heavier tank. The
Black Panther has both an A.P.S. and a countermeasures system built into it.
This adds to the tank's already impressive ability to avoid damage in combat.
Similar to the German Leopard 2A6 and 2A7, this new South Korean tank is armed with a 120 mm L55 tank gun made in Germany. Compared to earlier 120 mm smoothbore tank guns, this one is more accurate at long ranges. The K2's sophisticated fire control system can find, track, and shoot at moving targets as big as vehicles or as low in the air as helicopters without the help of a human operator. In addition, the K2 is equipped with cutting-edge weapons.
A strong diesel engine is installed in the Black Panther. It has blazing speed and cutting-edge hydropneumatic suspension.
3. M1A2 SEP (USA)
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M1A2 SEP |
To replace the
M1A2 Abrams, the M1A2 SEP was developed. The technology and protection on this
tank are unmatched. Combat has also been witnessed there. It's a very
dangerous MBT to face off against. The most up-to-date version of the
M1A2 SEP used by the US Army is version 3. All standard anti-tank
weapons are rendered largely ineffective against the M1A2 SEP. These
main battle tanks have cutting-edge armor fortified with depleted uranium
layers. Its shorter 120 mm (L44) smoothbore means it can't quite match the
firepower and accuracy of the Leopard 2A7 or the South Korean K2 Black
Panther. Still, it's a powerful weapon nonetheless.
It has a complex gas turbine engine that provides good performance but is
fuel-hungry and needs a lot of maintenance.
A large number of preexisting M1, M1A1, and M1A2 tanks
were modernized to this specification. A Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK) can be
added to the tank to increase its chances of survival in populated areas. It's
an unusual occurrence for an Abrams tank to be lost in battle.
U.S. Army use of M1A2 SEP (at least 900) The military plans to keep using this
tank well past 2050. In the past, the M1A2 SEP has not been exported. Both
Saudi Arabia (with the M1A2) and Kuwait (218) have older models (373).
4. Challenger 2 (United Kingdom)
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Challenger 2 |
This tank can do a lot of things. With its cutting-edge Chobham armor, the
Challenger 2 ranks among the safest MBTs in service today. Against
direct-fire weapons, it provides exceptional safety. In terms of firepower,
the 120 mm rifled gun on this British tank is second to none. To differentiate
itself from other modern MBTs, its gun is rifled rather than smoothbore. Over
5 kilometers is its maximum effective range. At this point, the Challenger has
the longest tank-to-tank kill in history.
When compared to its western counterparts, the Challenger 2's engine is
weaker. It's also slower than some competing MBTs. The mechanical
dependability of this tank, however, is legendary. Both the United Kingdom
(386) and Oman (38) use the Challenger 2.
5. Armata (Russia)
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Armata |
Armata is a next-generation Russian main battle tank. The first prototype tanks were shown to the public in 2015. The first batch of these new tanks was ordered in 2018 by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Unconfirmed reports put the total number of tanks ordered at around 60. It was anticipated that the first production tanks would be shipped out that year as well. As the arsenal starts to work, it will slowly replace the T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks. Even though the Armata tank is rumored to be extremely secure, very little is known about it. T-90. Additionally, the new suit of armor is considerably larger than its predecessor's.
Even though the Armata is said to be one of the safest tanks ever made, not much is known about it. Its base armor is made from cutting-edge materials like steel, ceramics, and composites. Armata also features a new Malakhit upgrade: explosive reactive armor. An updated Afghani active protection system for Armata is reportedly in the works. Yet in 2018, it seemed like there were setbacks with the progress of the Afghani. Still, working prototypes of this system were not available for testing by the year 2018. A new system on the tank makes it less likely that it will be hit by an enemy ATGW that uses semi-automatic guidance.
Three men run this tank. In a front-hull armored cell, the crew sits together.
This is the first production MBT with such a crew layout. If the crew cell is
intact, the tank can work even if the armor is broken.
The Armata has the first fully unmanned MBT turret. Its new 125-mm smoothbore
gun is more accurate than Russian tank guns. This tank fires anti-tank guided
missiles like projectiles. The gun autoloads. Hunter-killer tank.
This tank has a 1200 hp diesel engine. This new Russian MBT sparks
Western interest. Germany and the United Kingdom are improving their tanks or
making new ones to fight against this new Russian tank.
6. Merkava Mk.4 (Israel)
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Merkava Mk.4 |
One of Israel's newest main battle tanks is the Merkava Mk. 4. The previous Merkava Mk.3 has been replaced by this model. In 2004, the Merkava Mk. 4 was officially adopted. It's a safe bet to say that this tank is among the safest in existence. The unusual design of this MBT, which has an engine in the front, gives the crew more protection and a better chance of surviving if the tank is destroyed. The Trophy active protection system on the upgraded Merkava Mk.4 Meil Ruach tanks has stopped anti-tank missiles and rockets. This tank can also protect itself from high-tech anti-tank weapons and guided missiles fired from the air.
The 120 mm smoothbore gun in the Israeli tank was developed in-house. The Merkava Mk.4 has a brand-new fire control system with a number of cutting-edge improvements. One way is to shoot at low-flying helicopters with conventional weapons that have a high chance of hitting the target.
While the Merkava Mk.4 is equipped with a robust engine, its mobility
is only about par for the course due to its heft.
In the back of any Merkava-series tank, troops and cargo can be moved while
the tank is armored. When its ammunition is removed, it can transport 10
soldiers.
Israel currently uses the Merkava Mk.4 in combat. A total of 360 have been
produced so far, and the IDF has placed an order for another 300. The export
of e-tanks was initially prohibited. However, it was reported in 2014 that
Israel would ship some of these tanks to an unnamed customer.
7. Type 90 (Japan)
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Type 90 |
The Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries worked with the German companies Krauss-Maffei and MaK to make the Type 90 tank. There are external similarities to the German Leopard 2 that make it look like this. In 1989, the Type 90 was formally adopted by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. In 1992, production ramped up to full speed. At the time it was made, it was one of the most advanced MBTs, which meant it was also one of the most expensive. Though the Japanese military needed 600 of them, only about 340 were produced due to the high cost per unit. Since exporting military equipment was illegal at the time in Japan, this tank was never shipped overseas.
The Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore gun on this main battle tank was made in Germany, but Japan got a license to use it. All 120mm NATO tank rounds can be used in it. The Type 90 was distinctive because its bustle housed an automatic ammunition loading system. At the time, autoloaders were only used on Soviet and Chinese tanks and were not installed on Western tanks. Since the autoloader eliminated the need for the loader, the crew size could be decreased to just three.
This Japanese tank's fire control setup includes a separate commander's sight.
This tank is also notable for its hydropneumatic suspension. This MBT can
"kneel" or "lean," which offers a number of benefits.
The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces adopted a new Type 10 tank in
2012. In contrast to the Type 90, however, this one is compact and light. It's
one of the most cutting-edge tanks out there, but despite its superior
technology, it can't compare to the protection of the T-90. Its main job is to
support infantry with fire, not to fight against other tanks.
8. Leclerc (France)
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Leclerc Tank |
In 1992, the French military put this main battle tank into service. I think
the design works well overall. The Leclerc tank inspired a number of similar
designs in the West. Leclercs were used in numerous military and peacekeeping
missions. The French tank has cutting-edge composite armor that can be
upgraded with modular additions. The level of security can be adjusted based
on the level of danger. Top-attack munitions will have no effect on the turret
or hull roof. Protectively, however, tanks like the American M1A2 Abrams and
the British Challenger 2 outperform the Leclerc.
The 120 mm L52 gun is the main weapon of this tank. This MBT's bustle has a
system that automatically loads ammunition, and it needs a crew of three to
run. The chance of hitting both stationary and moving targets is very high.
Another feature is its ability to engage in hunter-killer behavior.
Reportedly, the Leclerc can fire at six targets at a range of 1.5–2 kilometers
with a 95% chance of success in under a minute. An outstanding achievement,
indeed.
The tank has an integrated battlefield management system. It will send a
report on the location, ammo, and fuel status of the command post tank.
Because of its powerful 1,500 hp engine and hydropneumatic suspension, this
tank can move around with ease.
Now, it's being used by both France (406) and the United Arab Emirates (388).
9. Oplot-M (Ukraine)
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Oplot-M |
Even though the Soviet Union broke up, the Ukraine kept working on the
T-80UD main battle tank. The Oplot-M is the most recent model of this
tank produced by them. A new generation of explosive reactive armor has been
installed on the Oplot-M. The system from the last MBT that
automatically loads ammunition has been put into this one. The main
compartment serves as a magazine for ammunition instead of a separate
compartment with blow-out panels. Sadly, this is a major flaw in this tank.
When the projectiles hit the armor, they will probably explode, killing the
crew and destroying the tank completely.
The Ukrainian military's latest tank isn't quite as accurate at long range as
its Western counterparts. However, in addition to conventional bombs, this
tank can launch guided anti-tank missiles. These can only transmit up to 5
kilometers away.
The commander's sight on Oplot-M tanks has a thermal imager and is
separate from the main sight. This lets them hunt and kill their prey more
effectively.
This Ukrainian tank is better than the Russian T-90 because it has better
upgrades to its armor, a more powerful engine, and better fire control. Its
only advantage over the most recent T-90M used by the Russian Army is a more
potent engine.
The Oplot-M has successfully passed trials with the Ukrainian Army. Due
to budget constraints, however, it was never adopted by the Ukrainian
military. Thailand is the only country in the world that runs this tank. As of
right now, only a limited quantity of Oplot-M are manufactured. A small
number of older, less capable Oplot tanks are used by the Ukrainian Army.
10. T-90M (Russia)
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T-90M |
It's the T-90, and it's the only mass-produced Russian tank right now. The majority of Russia's new tank fleet consists of refined iterations of existing designs. Although not as advanced as its Western competitors, the T-90M makes use of tried-and-true technology and comes in at a reasonable price. To this day, the T-90 remains the world's best-selling main battle tank. As an added bonus, it has one of the lowest prices of all modern MBTs. About 700 T-90s have been made, and they are being used by the Russian military right now. Another 305 have been sold to Algeria; 20 to Azerbaijan; 620 to India; 40 to Turkmenistan; and 240 are in service with Venezuela (50–100). Their most recent model, the T-90M, has been in service with the Russian military since 2019. Compared to the first-generation T-90, this one is vastly improved.
The T-90's low profile makes it more difficult to hit. Because the autoloader
is set up like a carousel, the T-90's ammunition must be kept in the main
compartment. This is a serious issue. When the tank's hull is broken, its
ammunition goes off, destroying the vehicle and killing everyone inside. All
Soviet, Russian, Ukrainian, and modern Chinese MBTs share
this flaw. When a Western tank is attacked, the turret bustle can be blown
apart to reveal a hidden compartment.
The T-90's range is limited, but it can launch anti-tank guided missiles in
the same fashion as conventional bombs.
When compared to the original T-90, the latest T-90M's control system is a huge improvement. It can find and attack its targets quickly thanks to its high-tech sights, which include thermal vision and a commander's sight with a wide view. even though this technology is already present in the vast majority of contemporary tanks.
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