Where are the Russian tanks? The most modern and powerful tanks in the world
The basis tank troops Russia is made up of machines that have proven themselves to be excellent in all the notable conflicts of the last four decades.
Since the Second World War, tanks have been and remain one of the main active forces in conflicts with direct contact between opponents - so to speak, the main heavy forces on the battlefield. Naturally, therefore, the number of tank troops also remains one of the most important indicators combat capabilities of the army of a particular state.
Among the world powers, three have the largest tank forces: the Russian Federation, the USA and China, and in this trio our country leads by a colossal margin. Today, according to various sources, there are about 21,000–22,000 tanks in active service and in storage in the arsenals of the Russian Army. American tank forces are armed with half the number of vehicles - 9,125 units, of which the vast majority (about 8,700) are the M1 Abrams, which were adopted almost a quarter of a century ago. A comparable number of tanks, according to various sources - from 8,500 to 9,000, is owned by the People's Liberation Army of China, where the Type 96 tank prevails, which was put into service in 1997 and, in its combat capabilities, is closest to the domestic T-72 of the latest modifications .
The fact that it is the Russian army that has the largest number tanks in the world, one should not be surprised. After all, our country has the longest land border, and in addition, Russia was forced to fight all the wars of the last two centuries, including two world wars, mainly on its own territory. In such conditions, the concept of using armed forces must inevitably rely heavily on tank forces - just as American concept wars on foreign territory overseas rely on aircraft carriers and mobile troops such as the Marine Corps.
In service and in reserve
Formally, as the official website of the Russian Ministry of Defense says, the domestic tank forces have three models of tanks: T-72, T-80 and T-90. Not included in their number is the newest T-14 Armata tank, which has not yet been officially adopted into service, and was recently demonstrated general public at the Victory Parade in Moscow. The Ministry of Defense does not provide official data on the number of tanks of each model, but, according to independent sources, total number vehicles of all three models reaches 13,000–14,000 units.
In addition, the official military website does not mention the tanks stored in reserve - the T-55, T-62 and T-64, which are outdated but have not lost their combat capabilities. And there are not so few of them - almost 8000. Most of the T-55 tanks are reserved: after all, this is the most popular Soviet post-war tank of the first generation. Adopted into service in 1958, this armored vehicle was produced in quantities of over 20,000 units only in the USSR and only in its main modifications! Most of them, of course, have already been disposed of, but approximately 2,800 T-55s are stored in arsenals for conservation.
Slightly fewer - about 2,300 units - are mothballed T-64 tanks. This vehicle turned out to be very successful, despite its low modernization potential, and in the West its appearance was generally compared to the entry onto the battlefield of the famous T-34. But the predecessor and contemporary of the T-64 - the T-62 tank - has been preserved in arsenals for much longer smaller quantities: approximately 1600 pieces. More recently, there were almost 2,500 of them, but 900 vehicles were scrapped, despite the fact that the T-62 was finally removed from service only in 2011.
Main tank T-72 "Ural"
Number of tanks in service: about 2000 units
Total number of tanks of all modifications produced: about 30,000 units (approximately 7,500 units are in storage)
Crew: 3 people
Speed on rough terrain: 35–45 km/h
The T-72 can be considered the most massive Soviet post-war tank of all generations, which is natural: it was put into service on August 7, 1973, in the same year an initial batch of 30 vehicles was produced, and production of the model was discontinued only in 2005, that is, 32 years later! The chief designer of the tank, Leonid Kartsev, noted that foreign experts consider this vehicle “the best and most widespread tank of the second half of the twentieth century.”
Over three decades, the tank has been modernized several times: the total number of modifications, including export versions, reaches two dozen. But the main modifications were the T-72A and T-72B, as well as the more modern T-72BA and T-72B3. The first modification - T-72A - was carried out in 1979: new guidance and observation devices were installed on the vehicle, the gun was replaced with a newer one and the mounted protection was strengthened, and the engine was also changed to a more powerful one. Six years later, a modification of the T-72B appeared - with a new Svir guided weapon system, a new Kontakt dynamic protection system and a new engine, as well as a cannon - launcher instead of a regular cannon.
The third modification is a deep modernization of the T-72B with increased protection, including built-in dynamic protection, and more modern elements of the fire control system and the tank itself. And the latest modification - T-72B3 - has been entering service with the troops for the last three years and is distinguished by the latest fire control system, which has significantly increased its capabilities airborne weapons, the most powerful engine in the entire line and an improved chassis.
Main tank T-80
Number of tanks in service: about 4000
The total number of tanks of all modifications produced: more than 10,000 units (of which over 6,500 are the T-80U modification)
Weight: 42–46 t
Armament: 125 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine gun, 7.62 mm machine gun
Crew: 3 people
Speed on rough terrain: 50–60 km/h
Tank T-80. Photo: Alexey Malgavko/RIA Novosti
The T-80 was put into service only three years later than the T-72, but experts attribute it not to the second or first transitional, as “seventy-second,” but to the third generation. And quite rightly: the T-80 is the first tank in the USSR and in the world with a single gas turbine power plant. Despite the fact that in many elements this vehicle was unified with the T-72 and even with the T-64, which was the “forerunner” of both new tanks, structurally and in its basic idea it was completely new.
Due to its novelty, it received significant modernization potential, which allowed the T-80 to remain in service with the Russian army to this day. Moreover, many experts tend to consider the main modification, which was put into service 9 years later, in 1985 under the T-80U designation, as a separate model. After all, this tank was equipped with a much more modern fire control system with duplication from the commander and an updated engine, and the protection characteristics, including dynamic protection, were significantly improved. It is not surprising that it is the modernized model that is most often found in our tank forces today than other vehicles of this “family.”
Main tank T-90 "Vladimir"
Number of tanks in service: about 900
Total number of tanks of all modifications produced: more than 1,800 units
Armament: 125 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine gun, 7.62 mm machine gun
Crew: 3 people
Speed on rough terrain: 40–50 km/h (depending on modification)
Tank T-90. Photo: Alexander Vilf/RIA Novosti
The tank was tested in the early 1990s under the T-72BU designation, and in fact it represents a deep modernization of this particular model. But since the characteristics and capabilities of the tank obtained as a result of the alterations differed significantly from those of the “father,” it was put into service in 1992 under the designation T-90.
What distinguishes the “ninetieth” from the “progenitor”? First of all, new complex fire control, designed to replace the excellently proven, but already outdated, installed on the T-72 and T-80. But the most major changes were introduced into the tank's equipment in 2006, and this modification is in service under the designation T-90A. She has a new one night sight, which serves as a thermal imager, reinforced armor for the hull and turret, a new thousand-horsepower diesel engine and a new gun stabilizer.
In 1999, after the death of the chief designer of the T-90, Vladimir Potkin, his most famous creation was given the name of its creator: “Vladimir”. Four years ago, T-90 tanks stopped entering service with our army: they should be replaced by the newest T-14 "Armata" - the world's first tank fourth generation. But for now, the military plans to purchase only 2,300 such tanks by 2020. So, although not the newest, but still formidable and capable of many things, the T-72, T-80 and T-90 will clearly serve their country for many more years, or even more than a dozen years. The same way their predecessors served - the legendary T-55, T-62 and T-64, the heirs of the world-famous T-34.
The basis of Russia's tank forces is made up of vehicles that have proven themselves in all significant conflicts of the last four decades. Since the Second World War, tanks have been and remain one of the main active forces in conflicts with direct contact between opponents - so to speak, the main heavy weapons on the battlefield. Naturally, therefore, the number of tank troops also remains one of the most important indicators of the combat capabilities of the army of a particular state.
Among the world powers, three have the largest tank forces: the Russian Federation, the USA and China, and in this trio our country leads by a colossal margin. Today, according to various sources, there are about 21,000–22,000 tanks in active service and in storage in the arsenals of the Russian Army.
American tank forces are armed with half the number of vehicles - 9,125 units, of which the vast majority (about 8,700) are the M1 Abrams, which were adopted almost a quarter of a century ago. A comparable number of tanks, according to various sources - from 8,500 to 9,000, is owned by the People's Liberation Army of China, where the Type 96 tank prevails, which was put into service in 1997 and, in its combat capabilities, is closest to the domestic T-72 of the latest modifications .
It is not surprising that the Russian army has the largest number of tanks in the world. After all, our country has the longest land border in the world, and in addition, Russia was forced to fight all the wars of the last two centuries, including two world wars, mainly on its own territory. Under such conditions, the concept of the use of armed forces must inevitably rely heavily on tank forces - just as the American concept of war in foreign territory overseas relies on aircraft carriers and mobile forces such as the Marines.
In service and in reserve
Formally, as the official website of the Russian Ministry of Defense says, The domestic tank forces are armed with three models of tanks: T-72, T-80 and T-90. Their number does not include the newest T-14 Armata tank, which has not yet been officially adopted for service, and was recently demonstrated to the general public at the Victory Parade in Moscow. The Ministry of Defense does not provide official data on the number of tanks of each model, but according to independent sources, the total number of cars of all three models reaches 13,000–14,000 units.
In addition, the official military website does not mention the tanks stored in reserve - the T-55, T-62 and T-64, which are outdated but have not lost their combat capabilities. And there are not so few of them - almost 8000. Most of the T-55 tanks are reserved: after all, this is the most popular Soviet post-war tank of the first generation. Adopted into service in 1958, this armored vehicle was produced in quantities of over 20,000 units only in the USSR and only in its main modifications! Most of them, of course, have already been disposed of, but approximately 2,800 T-55s are stored in arsenals for conservation.
Slightly fewer - about 2,300 units - are mothballed T-64 tanks. This vehicle turned out to be very successful, despite its low modernization potential, and in the West its appearance was generally compared to the entry onto the battlefield of the famous T-34. But the predecessor and contemporary of the T-64 - the T-62 tank - remained in arsenals in much smaller quantities: approximately 1,600 pieces. More recently, there were almost 2,500 of them, but 900 vehicles were scrapped, despite the fact that the T-62 was finally removed from service only in 2011.
Main tank T-72 "Ural"
Number of tanks in service: about 2000 units.
The total number of tanks of all modifications produced: about 30,000 units (approximately 7,500 units are in storage).
Weight: 41 t;
Crew: 3 people;
Speed on rough terrain: 35–45 km/h.
Tank T-72
The T-72 can be considered the most massive Soviet post-war tank of all generations, which is natural: it was put into service on August 7, 1973, in the same year an initial batch of 30 vehicles was produced, and production of the model was discontinued only in 2005, that is, 32 years later! The chief designer of the tank, Leonid Kartsev, noted that foreign experts consider this vehicle “the best and most widespread tank of the second half of the twentieth century.”
Over three decades, the tank has been modernized several times: the total number of modifications, including export versions, reaches two dozen. But the main modifications were the T-72A and T-72B, as well as the more modern T-72BA and. The first modification - T-72A - was carried out in 1979: new guidance and observation devices were installed on the vehicle, the gun was replaced with a newer one and the mounted protection was strengthened, and the engine was also changed to a more powerful one.
Six years later, a modification of the T-72B appeared - with a new Svir guided weapon system, a new Kontakt dynamic protection system and a new engine, as well as a cannon launcher instead of a conventional cannon.
The third modification is a deep modernization of the T-72B with increased protection, including built-in dynamic protection, and more modern elements of the fire control system and the tank itself. And the latest modification - T-72B3 - has been entering service with the troops for the last three years and is distinguished by the latest fire control system, which has significantly increased the capabilities of on-board weapons, the most powerful engine in the entire line and an improved chassis.
Main tank T-80
Number of tanks in service: about 4000.
The total number of tanks of all modifications produced: more than 10,000 units (of which over 6,500 are the T-80U modification).
Weight: 42–46 t;
Armament: 125 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine gun, 7.62 mm machine gun;
Crew: 3 people;
Speed on rough terrain: 50–60 km/h.
Tank T-80
The T-80 was put into service only three years later than the T-72, but experts attribute it not to the second or first transitional, as “seventy-second,” but to the third generation. And quite rightly: the T-80 is the first tank in the USSR and in the world with a single gas turbine power plant. Despite the fact that in many elements this vehicle was unified with the T-72 and even with the T-64, which was the “forerunner” of both new tanks, structurally and in its basic idea it was completely new.
What distinguishes the “ninetieth” from the “progenitor”? First of all, a new fire control system, designed to replace the one that has proven itself, but is already outdated, installed on the T-72 and T-80. But the most serious changes to the tank’s equipment were made in 2006, and this modification is in service under the designation T-90A. It has a new night sight, which serves as a thermal imager, reinforced armor for the hull and turret, a new thousand-horsepower diesel engine and a new gun stabilizer.
In 1999, after the death of the chief designer of the T-90, Vladimir Potkin, his most famous creation was given the name of its creator: “Vladimir”. Four years ago, T-90 tanks stopped entering service with our army: they should be replaced by the newest - the world's first fourth-generation tank. But for now, the military plans to purchase only 2,300 such tanks by 2020.
So, although not the newest, but still formidable and capable of many things, the T-72, T-80 and T-90 will clearly serve their country for many more years, or even more than a dozen years. The same way their predecessors served - the legendary T-55, T-62 and T-64, the heirs of the world-famous T-34.
The term “tank” in Ozhegov’s dictionary is explained as “armored self-propelled fighting machine with powerful weapons crawler" But such a definition is not a dogma; there is no unified tank standard in the world. Each manufacturing country creates, and has created, tanks taking into account its own needs, the characteristics of the proposed war, the manner of the upcoming battles and its own production capabilities. The USSR was no exception in this regard.
History of the development of tanks of the USSR and Russia by model
History of invention
The primacy of the use of tanks belongs to the British; their use forced military leaders of all countries to reconsider the concept of warfare. The French's use of their light tank Renault FT17 defined the classic use of tanks to solve tactical tasks, and the tank itself became the embodiment of the canons of tank building.
Although the laurels of first use did not go to the Russians, the invention of the tank itself, in its classical sense, belongs to our compatriots. In 1915 V.D. Mendeleev (the son of a famous scientist) sent a project for an armored self-propelled vehicle on two tracks with artillery weapons to the technical department of the Russian army. But for unknown reasons further design work things didn't work out.
The idea itself of installing a steam engine on a caterpillar propulsion device was not new; it was first implemented in 1878 by Russian designer Fyodor Blinov. The invention was called: “A car with endless flights for transporting goods.” In this “car”, a track turning device was used for the first time. The invention of a caterpillar propulsion device, by the way, also belongs to the Russian staff captain D. Zagryazhsky. For which a corresponding patent was issued in 1937.
The world's first tracked combat vehicle is also Russian. In May 1915, tests took place near Riga armored vehicle DI. Porokhovshchikov called “All-terrain vehicle”. It had an armored body, one wide track and a machine gun in a rotating turret. The tests were considered very successful, but due to the approaching Germans, further tests had to be postponed, and after some time they were completely forgotten.
In the same year, 1915, tests were carried out on a machine designed by the head of the experimental laboratory of the military department, Captain Lebedenko. The 40-ton unit was increased to gigantic size an artillery carriage driven by two Maybach engines from a downed airship. The front wheels had a diameter of 9 meters. According to the creators, a vehicle of this design should easily overcome ditches and trenches, but during testing it got stuck immediately after it started moving. Where I stood long years until it was cut into scrap metal.
First world Russia finished without my tanks. During the Civil War, tanks from other countries were used. During the battles, some of the tanks passed into the hands of the Red Army, on which the workers’ and peasants’ fighters entered the battle. In 1918, in a battle with French-Greek troops near the village of Berezovskaya, several Reno-FT tanks were captured. They were sent to Moscow to participate in the parade. Fiery speech about the need to build own tanks, which Lenin said, marked the beginning of Soviet tank building. We decided to release, or rather completely copy, 15 Reno-FT tanks called Tank M (small). On August 31, 1920, the first copy left the workshops of the Krasnoye Sormovo plant in Nizhny Tagil. This day is considered to be the birthday of Soviet tank building.
The young state understood that tanks were very important for waging war, especially since the enemies approaching the borders were already armed with this type of military equipment. The M tank was not put into production due to its particularly expensive production price, so another option was needed. According to the idea that existed in the Red Army at that time, the tank was supposed to support the infantry during an attack, that is, the speed of the tank should not be much higher than the infantry, the weight should allow it to break through the defense line, and the weapons should successfully suppress firing points. Choosing between our own developments and proposals to copy already ready-made samples, chose the option that made it possible to organize the production of tanks in the shortest possible time - copying.
In 1925 they launched into mass production tank, its prototype was the Fiat-3000. Although not entirely successful, the MS-1 became the tank that laid the foundation for Soviet tank building. At his production site, production itself and the coherence of the work of different departments and factories were developed.
Until the early 30s, several of their own models T-19, T-20, T-24 were developed, but due to the lack of special advantages over the T-18, and due to their high cost of production, they did not go into series.
Tanks of the 30-40s - a disease of imitation
Participation in the conflict on the Chinese Federal Railway showed the inadequacy of the first generation tanks for the dynamic development of the battle; the tanks practically did not show themselves in any way; the main work was done by the cavalry. A faster and more reliable car was needed.
To select the next production model, we went the beaten path and purchased samples abroad. The English Vickers Mk - 6 tons was mass-produced in our country as the T-26, and the Carden-Loyd Mk VI wedge was produced as the T-27.
The T-27, which at first was so tempting to produce due to its low cost, was not produced for long. In 1933, wedge heels were adopted for the army
amphibious tank T-37A, with weapons in a rotating turret, and in 1936 - T-38. In 1940, they created a similar amphibious T-40; the USSR did not produce more amphibious tanks until the 50s.
Another sample was purchased in the USA. Based on the model of J.W. Christie, a whole series of high-speed tanks (BT) was built; their main difference was the combination of two propellers, wheeled and tracked. To move when marching, BTs used wheels; when fighting, they used caterpillars. Such a forced measure was necessary due to the poor operational capabilities of the tracks, only 1000 km.
BT tanks, developing quite high speeds on the roads, fully suited the changed military concept of the Red Army: breaking through the defense and quickly deploying a deep attack through the resulting gap. The three-turret T-28 was developed directly for the breakthrough, the prototype of which was the English Vickers 16-ton. Another breakthrough tank was supposed to be the T-35, similar to the English five-turret heavy tank “Independent”.
During the pre-war decade, many interesting tank designs were created that did not go into production. For example, based on the T-26
self-propelled semi-closed AT-1 type (artillery tank). During the Second World War, they will again remember these cars without a cabin roof.
Tanks of the Second World War
Participation in civil war in Spain and in the battles at Khalkhin Gol showed how high the explosion hazard of a gasoline engine is and the inadequacy of bulletproof armor against the then nascent anti-tank artillery. The implementation of solutions to these problems allowed our designers, who had suffered from the disease of imitation, to create for real on the eve of the Second World War good tanks and KV.
In the first days of the war, a catastrophically large number of tanks were lost; it took time to establish production of the uncompetitive T-34 and KV at the only evacuated factories, and the front desperately needed tanks. The government decided to fill this niche with cheap and fast light production tanks T-60 and T-70. Naturally, the vulnerability of such tanks is very high, but they gave time to expand the production of Victory tanks. The Germans called them “indestructible locusts.”
In battle under the railway. Art. Prokhorovka was the first time that tanks acted as “cementers” of the defense; before that they were used exclusively as attack weapons. Basically, up to today, there were no more new ideas for using tanks.
Speaking about WWII tanks, it is impossible not to mention tank destroyers (SU-76, SU-122, etc.) or “self-propelled guns” as they were called in the troops. The relatively small rotating turret did not allow the use of some powerful guns and, most importantly, howitzers on tanks; for this purpose, they were installed on the bases of existing tanks without the use of turrets. Actually Soviet tank destroyers during the war, except for weapons, they were no different from their prototypes, unlike the same German ones.
Why?
Each tank was created by the manufacturer's country, taking into account the defense of that particular country. When creating tanks, the climate, terrain, level of crew training, availability electronic systems, satellite support, spare parts provision, and this is just a small list.
For example, what will happen to the crew who will spend, say, 3 days in a tank in the desert in the heat, if this tank does not have air conditioning?
Such a crew will think about how to survive in the tank in general - without losing consciousness.
For mountainous area The specific power of the engines is important, otherwise overheating is inevitable. Can a tank run on low-quality fuel? If yes, then for how long.
There are more questions than answers.
Engineers take all these data and problems into account due to technological capabilities, but here the cost of manufacturing the tank comes into play. Cost is not only how much it can be sold, but also the number of people and resources involved in production. But will the country’s economy survive, or will it be able to produce 5-10 tanks a year, no more.
The rating published below is of a conditional nature; you should not absolutely take into account that tank number 5 is much better than a tank at number 7.
TOP 10 most modern tanks:
In 2010, at the Eurosatory 2010 exhibition, the Germans showed a new modification of their main tank Leopard 2. The peculiarity of this tank is that. That it is positioned as a tank adapted for conducting operations in the city. The modernization affected almost everything: the tank hull, engine, transmission, mass balance, weapons, fire control and crew support systems.
When fighting in the city, the tank is equipped with additional protection from cumulative shells.
The tank is designed to fight 24 hours a day. The driver received a 360-degree view of the area around the tank, as did all crew members, and thanks to thermal imagers, everything was visible even at night.
Technical characteristics of the Leopard 2A7+ tank:
Weapons:
120 mm L55 smoothbore gun
12.7 mm machine gun
40 mm grenade launcher
7.62 mm machine gun
Country of origin: Germany
Crew: 4 people
Tank weight: 67,500 kg
Power reserve: 450 km
Speed: 72 km/h
On this moment no other data available.
The tank entered service in 1980, then called the M1 and replaced the M60 main battle tank. Since 1994, the M1A2 modification has been produced - differing from the previous one in guidance, surveillance and reservation systems.
What fundamentally distinguishes this tank from the rest? This is, first of all, the most powerful engine in the world. From the very beginning of production, a turbine engine with a power of 3500 hp was installed on the tank, although all official documents indicate a power of 1500 hp. The tank even has a power and speed limiter installed, since the full power of the engine simply tears the tracks.
Since 1990, the tank has been equipped with an additional power unit to supply the tank with electricity when parked, so as not to start the main engine and not to use batteries.
The tank also has its drawbacks; ammunition is loaded into the gun receiver manually.
In view of large mass tank and high power The engine life of the tracks is about 1100-1200 km.
Currently, this is a fairly massive tank; as of 2012, more than 9,000 tanks were produced. Decommissioned tanks are not destroyed, but rather dismantled, and suitable hull parts are reused in new tanks.
Technical characteristics of the M1A2 tank
Tank weight: 61.4 tons
Length with gun: 9.77 m
Case length: 7.93 m
Width: 3.66 m
Height: 2.44 m
Crew: 4 people (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Chobham armor, depleted uranium steel
Weapons:
105 mm M68 rifled gun (installed on M1)
120-mm M256 smoothbore gun (installed on M1A1, M1A2, M1A2SEP)
12.7 mm machine gun
2 x M240 7.62mm machine guns
Engine AGT-1500C multi-fuel gas turbine engine
1500 hp (according to other sources, engine power without power limiter is 3500 hp)
Power ratio 24.5 HP / T
Ground clearance 0.48 m (M1, M1A1)
0.43 m (M1A2)
Cruising range: 465 km
Highway speed: 67.72 km/h
Ground speed: 48.3 km/h
This tank deserves an honorable 3rd place after combat tests in Iraq. Only 1 tank was destroyed during the Iraq War by enemy fire. In June 1991, the British government ordered the first 127 tanks for Royal Army.
A special feature of the tank is that at the moment it is produced mainly for export and is adapted for use in high temperatures.
The tank is equipped with the most modern aiming and visual surveillance system, including at night.
Tank in terms of armor protection and resistance to cumulative shells In this regard, it can be called the most protected tank in the world.
The tank is equipped with a 12-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 1200 horsepower.
The disadvantage of the tank is the high production cost; about 400 of these tanks were produced.
Technical characteristics of the Challenger 2 tank
Engine power: 1200 hp
Highway speed: 59 km/h
Tank weight: 62.5 tons.
Crew: 4 people
Power reserve: 450 km
Weapons:
120 mm L30 smoothbore gun
2 machine guns 7.62 mm caliber
10 L8 grenade launchers
Merkava Mark IV is the main battle tank of the Israeli Army. The tank is quite modern, since it was put into service in 2004. Among the plans to modernize the tank is the installation of an active protection system against projectiles on the tank. anti-tank grenade launchers. Israel is currently looking for a financial partner to finalize this system.
The tank has a very original design, for example, the tank engine is located not at the back, but at the front, which creates additional protection crew from frontal enemy fire. At the rear of the tank there are hatches for the tank crew, which allows the crew to leave the tank under enemy fire, or to replenish ammunition. In the rear of the tank there is space for troops or additional ammunition.
The tank is equipped with an American-made diesel engine with a power of 1500 hp.
Technical characteristics of the Merkava Mark IV tank:
Tank weight: 65 tons
Length: 9.04 m with cannon
Length: 7.60 m without gun
Width 3.72 m
Height: 2.66 m
Crew: 4 people (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Weapons:
armament 120 mm MG253 smoothbore gun
1 x 12.7 mm machine gun
2 × 7.62 mm machine guns
1 × 60 mm grenade launcher
12 smoke grenades
Engine 1500 hp turbocharged diesel engine
Specific power: 23 hp / T
Ground clearance: 0.45 m
Capacity fuel tank 1400 liters
Power reserve: 500 km
Speed 64 km/h on highway
5. Tank T-90MS "Tagil"
It's modern, but not yet serial tank Russian army. The tank was created on the basis of the T-90 tank, which in turn is a deep modernization of the T-72 tank. Why 5th place and not first? Russian tanks have a number of disadvantages, first of all eternal problem- low-power engine, there were attempts to install a turbine on the T-80, but this tank was unsuccessful and did not go into production. Engine power is only 1000 hp. and its relatively small resource. The second disease that has been cured on the T-90MS Tagil tank is the weakness of the weapons. The gun must penetrate from the first shot from a range of 1500 meters frontal armor any NATO tank. And lastly, electronics and fire guidance systems. So, even on the T-90MS Tagil Tank, the driver mechanic does not have all-round visibility; he was limited to installing a rear-view video camera. So far, apparently the means do not allow us to create fundamentally new tank, a new generation tank, everything has to be crammed into the profile of the outdated T-72 hull.
Positive distinctive feature is automatic system Loading a gun, let us remind you that the Americans do this by hand.
The T-90MS Tagil tank was shown to V.V. To Putin December 7, 2009. What's new? A new gun sight and, in fact, a new fire guidance system. New modular packages for protection against cumulative enemy fire. A machine gun is installed above the turret with remote control.
Armor protection has been significantly enhanced, including that of the top of the tank. Installed new engine B-92S2, but it is too early to say that it is significantly superior to foreign competitors.
So, the main difference between the T-90MS Tagil and its predecessors is the fire control system, which can already compete with Western models.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-90MS "Tagil"
Tank weight: 48 tons.
Crew: 3 people
Length with gun: 9530 mm
Case length: 6860 mm
Width: 3460 mm
Weapons:
125 mm 2A46M-5 gun
Ammunition: 40 shots
Guided weapons: 9K119M "Reflex-M"
Coaxial machine gun: 7.62 mm 6P7K (2000 rounds)
Anti-aircraft machine gun 7.62 mm 6P7K S UDP (T05BV-1) (800 rounds)
Engine V-92S2F2: 1130 hp. With.
Fuel tank capacity: 1200+400 l
Specific power: 24 l. s./t
Maximum speed highway: 60 km/h
Highway range: 500 km
Specific ground pressure: 0.98 kg/cm
6. "Oplot-M"
This tank is a big step towards improving self-propelled weapons, but still in many respects this tank is inferior to the best NATO tanks. The tank was introduced in 2009. Attention!
The Oplot-M tank should not be confused with the T-84 Oplot tank
This is absolutely different tanks, they differ even in appearance, not to mention the equipment. The Oplot-M tank was created at the Kharkov Design Bureau. What's new? The ability to quickly replace the gun without dismantling the turret, that is, replacing the gun can be done in field conditions. 1200 horsepower diesel. In terms of power, it is already equal to Western engines; in terms of specific power, the tank even surpasses many other NATO tanks, but again there is a disadvantage of the engine, oil consumption on average is about 10 liters per 100 km, but it can run on gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The tank now has an EA-8 auxiliary power supply, which allows it to provide electricity without starting the main engine.
New system fire guidance, which can already compete with Western models. New armor protection, withstanding hits from cumulative projectiles.
It is planned to supply tanks to Thailand, according to the director of the plant, named after. Malysheva, Nikolai Belov, the contract is currently being implemented in full (2012). If the contract is fulfilled, then another model of a modern tank will appear in the world.
One of the disadvantages of this tank is its poor test history. Tanks in currently About 10 units were built.
Technical characteristics of the tank "Oplot - M"
Tank weight: 51 tons.
Crew: 3 people
Specific power: 24.7 hp/ton
Power: 1200 hp
Power reserve: 450 km.
Highway speed: 70 km/h
Weapons:
125 mm KBAZ smoothbore gun (46 rounds)
7.62 mm machine gun (1250 rounds)
12.7 mm machine gun (450 rounds)
CI Ariete is the main battle tank of the Italian Army. Currently, the Italian Army has 200 CI Ariete tanks in service. The tank was designed and produced by Iveco - Fiat and Oto Melara. The tank has a modern digital system guidance and fire control, which allows firing on the move day and night. The tank was put into service in 1995 and is currently produced in single copies.
Among the shortcomings of the tank of the first releases is the insufficient specific engine power. Over its history of modifications, it was possible to slightly reduce the overall weight of the tank, so that it weighed less than 60 tons, the tank received a new, more powerful engine - 1600 hp.
Technical characteristics of the CI Ariete tank
Start of production: 1995
Tank weight: 54 tons
Length: 9.67 m with cannon
Length 7.59 m without gun
Width: 3.42 m
Height: 2.5 m
Crew: 4 people
Weapons:
120 mm cannon (42 shots)
2x7.62 mm machine gun (2500 rounds)
Engine power: 1300 hp (in latest modification)
Power reserve: 550 km
Speed: 65 km/h
8. Leclerc (France)
The AMX-56 Leclerc is the main battle tank of the French Army. Leclrc was developed to replace the legacy AMX tank 30. The tank entered service in 1992. Currently, tank production has been stopped. on his the change will come a new battle tank, but which one has not yet been announced. When developing a tank Special attention was given active protection against cumulative projectiles. A fire control system was developed for the tank, and in particular a friend-foe recognition system. Until 2001, the Leclerc was inferior to NATO tanks in terms of armor level and quality in general, but in 2001 the tank already used the same armor as the Challenger 2 and German Leopard. Diesel engine V8X-1500 with a power of 1500 hp. c. Allows the tank to reach speeds of more than 70 km/h. The exhaust is cooled by a special device. There is also an original innovation - in the event of a shell attack on a tank from the front, the engine is equipped with a hydrokinetic brake, the braking is so sharp that the crew in the tank fastens their seat belts. In addition to France, the tank is in service with the UAE army.
Specifications Leclerc tank
Tank weight: 54.5 tons
Length: 9.87 m without gun
Width: 3.71 m
Height: 2.53 m
Crew: 3 people
Weapons:
120 mm cannon (40 shots)
12.7 mm machine gun (1100 rounds)
7.62 mm machine gun (3000 rounds)
Specific power: 27.52 hp/ton
Power reserve: 550 km
Speed: 72 km/h
9. K2 Black Panther (Republic of Korea)
K2 Black Panther is the most modern tank in the Republic of Korea. To date (2012), several prototypes of the tank have been produced; full-scale production of the tank should begin in the second half of 2014. What else is remarkable about the tank? It was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive tank in the world, its cost is $8,500,000. In 1995, the Korean government set the task of developing a tank capable of resisting North Korean tanks (mainly the T-55).
In 2006, after 11 years of development, the tank project was ready.
The tank is equipped with a modern fire control system, which is capable of detecting targets using a thermal imager at a distance of 9.7 km. The tank is capable of destroying low-flying aircraft.
A special feature of the tank is the suspension, which can be adjusted in terms of ground clearance, and each wheel can be adjusted individually.
There are some problems at the moment reliable operation engine and suspension, which served to delay the mass production of tanks.
Technical characteristics of the K2 Black Panther tank
Tank weight: 55 tons.
Length with gun: 10.8 meters
Length without gun: 7.5 meters
Width: 3.6 meters
Height: 2.4 meters
Crew: 3 people
Weapons:
120 mm cannon (40 shots)
12.7 mm machine gun (3200 rounds)
7.62 mm machine gun (12,000 rounds)
Engine power: 1500 hp
Specific power: 27.2 hp
Power reserve: 450 km
Speed: 70 km/h
10. Type 90 (Japan)
Type 90 is the main tank of the Japanese army. The tank was designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi. The tank, quite expensive, cost $7,500,000 in 2008. The task was set such that the finished tank would successfully fight with real and promising tanks of the USSR. The tank was adopted by the Japanese Army in 1990. The tank is equipped with a German L44 cannon. The tank uses an automatic shell loader. The tank uses modular ceramics as armor, and composite armor made of high quality steel.
The tank is not supplied abroad, and it has never taken part in real combat operations.
Technical characteristics of the Type 90 tank
Tank weight: 50.2 tons
Number of tanks produced: 333
Tank length: 9.755 m
Tank width: 3.33 m
Tank height: 2.33 m
Crew: 3 people
Weapons:
120 mm smoothbore gun (35 rounds)
12.7 mm machine gun (1500 rounds)
7.62 mm machine gun (2000 rounds)
Engine power: 1500 hp
Specific power: 30 hp/ton
Power reserve: 350 km
Speed: 70 km/hour
Armored vehicles still play one of the critical roles on the battlefield, which is why the Russian military-industrial complex (DIC) is working to update the existing fleet and create new tanks and armored personnel carriers. Currently in Russia the promising T-14 tank and the T-15 combat vehicle on the heavy tracked platform "Armata" are being tested, the new T-90M tank is being prepared for adoption, and new contracts are being concluded for the modernization of the "workhorses" - the T-72B and T-80BV, the potential of which allows these vehicles to be used for a very long time.
About when the T-90M will be put into service, whether the Ministry of Defense will purchase modernized T-80BV, when the contract for the supply of Terminator tank support combat vehicles to the troops will be completed and when mass production of the Armata and Coalition-SV will begin TASS told in the research and production corporation "Uralvagonzavod" (UVZ).
"Proryv-3"
At the international military-technical forum "Army-2017" it was announced that a contract was signed between UVZ and the Ministry of Defense for the supply new modification tank T-90 - T-90M ("Proryv-3"). TASS Corporation said that there are actually several contracts.
“They provide for the production and delivery of both new T-90M tanks and the modernization of the existing fleet of T-90s previously produced by Uralvagonzavod to the T-90M type. Production is ready for the production of these products,” UVZ said.
They clarified that the tank is now being tested in accordance with the schedule approved by the Ministry of Defense. "An interdepartmental commission has been created. The main measures have been completed. In the coming months we will be able to say that the T-90M will be put into service. The first batch of T-90M tanks, in military terms, will be brought to staffing level tank battalion. In total, the state arms program provides for the purchase of these tanks for the entire period of its operation in volumes determined by the customer,” the corporation noted.
Advantages of the new tank
More than 20 years have passed since the T-90 tank was put into service. “During this period, colossal changes were carried out, and if you look at the T-90M, then this is a completely different machine that meets modern requirements in terms of firepower, security and survivability, mobility, as well as command control,” UVZ noted.
As for the main differences, these include primarily the new combat turret module, which, in combination with powerful complex weapons and automated system fire control has significantly increased combat capabilities tank, and weapons can now be used at any time of the day. In addition, maximum efficiency in using the tank's weapons has been achieved by installing a target tracking machine in the thermal imaging channel of the sight, as well as by equalizing the search capabilities of the gunner and commander, which makes it possible to organize a highly effective "hunter-gunner" mode in the fire control system. The car, among other things, received new level security.
It has a new modular dynamic protection, which allows you to increase the level of security when operating modern means damage and has higher repairability. System electromagnetic protection provides protection against mines equipped with magnetometric fuses
UVZ Corporation
They also reported that the new 125 mm tank gun capable of applying everything modern types ammunition, and a remote machine gun mount stabilized in two planes allows the commander, while inside the tank, to conduct effective fire from a place and on the move, regardless of the main weapon.
T-80BVM and its prospects
At the Army-2017 forum, UVZ and the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the overhaul and deep modernization of T-80 tanks. The corporation said that “the tests are planned to be completed in early 2018.”
They noted that during the modernization of the T-80BVM, the main combat qualities were improved, such as firepower, security, mobility, as well as command controllability, as a result of which the tank began to meet modern requirements in all basic parameters.
In terms of its characteristics, the vehicle will be comparable to the T-72B3 tank. The state contract for the modernization of T-80BV tanks to the T-80BVM type was concluded in 2017 and is long-term. The volume of the first batch is up to two tank battalions
UVZ Corporation
Russian "Terminator"
In addition to contracts for the modernization and supply of tanks at Army 2017, an agreement was also signed for the supply of Terminator tank support combat vehicles (BMPT).
As UVZ reported, this contract is already being implemented and “is of a long-term nature.” “We plan to deliver the first batch of BMPTs to the military in March-April of this year. The entire contract will end at the beginning of 2019. The scope of delivery is confidential, but in general it ensures the organization of experimental military operation of these products,” the corporation said.
Implementation of the State Defense Order and plans for 2018
In 2017, the corporation's enterprises closed all their obligations on key products for the Ministry of Defense. “These included T-72B3 and T-80BV tanks with improved combat characteristics, modernized 2S19M2 self-propelled artillery mounts, 2S4 Tulip self-propelled mortars, DT-10PM two-link tracked transporters and other weapons,” UVZ said.
In total, according to the corporation, the holding's enterprises handed over to the Ministry of Defense more than a thousand new and modernized weapons and military equipment(BBST). More than two thousand models of military equipment were serviced and repaired by the troops.
UVZ also reported that long-term contracts with the Ministry of Defense allow loading production capacity and systematically carry out technical and technological development production. "Including, on an initiative basis, using our own investments, to conduct several promising developments. For example, a fire support combat vehicle and an armored personnel carrier based on the T-72 tank, a two-link light-category tracked transporter tractor DT-3PM, a modernized BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle with a 57-mm combat module and a modernized BTR-80 armored personnel carrier, robotic complexes", the corporation said.
In 2018, UVZ plans to put into production and arrange supplies to the troops of the modern modernized T-90M Proryv-3 tank, BMPT and T-80BV tank with improved combat characteristics, as well as the modernized BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle with a 30-mm combat module.
They also said that work on creating advanced weapons. These are three Armata products on a heavy unified combat platform and three products of the Coalition-SV interspecific artillery complex.
“A serious direction will be the creation of weapons and equipment for Arctic brigades. First of all, this is the development and mass production of products based on “snow and swamp” two-link transporters of tractors of various weights - from three to 30 tons. On their basis, together with other Russian enterprises, we need to create machines for placement artillery systems and systems air defense in the interests various genera and types of troops,” the corporation concluded.
Prepared Alexey Panshin