Main battle tank

Short description: Tank designed for all primary combat roles

"Battle Tank" redirects here. For the video game, see Battle Tank (video game).

M1 Abrams

Template:History of the tank A main battle tank (MBT), also known as a battle tank, is a tank that fills the role of armour-protected direct fire and maneuver in many modern armies. Cold War-era development of more powerful engines, better suspension systems and lighter composite armour allowed for the design of a tank that had the firepower of a super-heavy tank, the armour protection of a heavy tank, and the mobility of a light tank, in a package with the weight of a medium tank. The first designated MBT was the British Chieftain tank, which during its development in the 1950s was re-designed as an MBT.[lower-alpha 1] Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the MBT replaced almost all other types of tanks, leaving only some specialist roles to be filled by lighter designs or other types of armoured fighting vehicles.

Main battle tanks are a key component of modern armies.[2] Modern MBTs seldom operate alone, as they are organized into armoured units that include the support of infantry, who may accompany the tanks in infantry fighting vehicles. They are also often supported by surveillance or ground-attack aircraft.Cite error: Closing `</ref>` missing for `<ref>` tag Unlike previous Panzer designs, its frontal armour was sloped for increased effectiveness.[3] It also was equipped with the high-velocity long-barreled 75 mm KwK 42 L/70 gun that was able to defeat the armour of all but the heaviest Allied tank at long range. The powerful Maybach HL230 P30 engine and robust running gear meant that even though the Panther tipped the scales at 50 t (49 long tons; 55 short tons)[3] – sizeable for its day – it was actually quite manoeuvrable, offering better off-road speed than the Panzer IV. However, its rushed development led to reliability and maintenance issues.

* The Soviet T-44 incorporated many of the lessons learned with the extensive use of the T-34 model, and some of those modifications were used in the first MBTs, like a modern torsion suspension, instead of the Christie suspension version of the T-34, and a transversally mounted engine that simplified its gearbox. It is also seen as a direct predecessor of the T-54. Unlike the T-34, the T-44 had a suspension sturdy enough to be able to mount a 100 mm (3.9 in) cannon.[4]
* The American M26 Pershing, a medium tank of 40 short tons (36 t; 36 long tons) to replace the M4 Sherman, innovated in US tanks many features common on post-war MBTs. These features include an automatic transmission mounted in the rear, torsion bar suspension[5] and had an early form of a powerpack, combining an engine and transmission into a compact package.[6] The M26, however, suffered from a relatively weak engine for its weight (effectively the same engine as the 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) lighter M4A3 Sherman), and as a result was somewhat underpowered.[7] The design of the M26 had profound influence on American postwar medium and main battle tanks: "The M26 formed the basis for the postwar generation of US battle tanks from the M46 through the M47, M48, and M60 series."[8]

## Contents

* 1 British universal tank
* 2 Cold War
* 3 Asymmetrical warfare
* 4 Design
* 4.1 Overview
* 4.2 Countermeasures
* 4.3 Weaponry
* 4.4 Situational awareness
* 4.5 Mobility
* 4.6 Storage
* 5 Crew
* 6 Role
* 7 Procurement
* 7.1 Manufacture
* 7.2 Exports and License Builds
* 8 Current and future MBT development (2020s–)
* 9 See also
* 10 Notes
* 11 References
* 12 Bibliography
* 13 Further reading
* 14 External links

### British universal tank

Centurion Mk 5

Britain had continued on the path of parallel development of cruiser tanks and infantry tanks. Development of the Rolls-Royce Meteor engine for the Cromwell tank, combined with efficiency savings elsewhere in the design, almost doubled the horsepower for cruiser tanks.[9] This led to speculation of a "Universal Tank", able to take on the roles of both a cruiser and an infantry tank by combining heavy armour and manoeuvrability.[10] Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery is acknowledged as the main advocate of the British universal tank concept as early as 1943, according to the writings of Giffard Le Quesne Martel, but little progress was made beyond development of the basic Cromwell cruiser tank that eventually led to the Centurion.[11] The Centurion, at the time designated "heavy cruiser" and later "medium gun tank"[12] was designed for mobility and firepower at the expense of armour[citation needed], but more engine power permitted more armour protection, so the Centurion could also operate as an infantry tank, doing so well that development of a new tank was rendered unnecessary.

The Centurion, entering service just as World War II finished, was a multi-role tank that subsequently formed the main armoured element of the British Army of the Rhine, the armed forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth forces, and subsequently many other nations through exports, whose cost was met largely by the US. The introduction of the 84 mm (3.3 in) 20-pounder gun in 1948 gave the tank a significant advantage over other tanks of the era,[13] paving the way for a new tank classification, the main battle tank, which gradually superseded previous weight and armament classes.

Introduction of the main battle tank definition with the T-54/T-55 during Cold War comprehensively superseded World War II medium tanks such as the T-34.

### Cold War

A surplus of effective WWII-era designs in other forces, notably the US and the Soviet Union, led to slower introductions of similar designs on their part. By the early 1950s, these designs were clearly no longer competitive, especially in a world of shaped charge weapons, and new designs rapidly emerged from most armed forces.

The Quebec conference in 1957 between the US, UK and Canada identified the MBT as the route for development rather than separate medium and heavy tanks.[14]

The concept of the medium tank gradually evolved into the MBT in the 1960s,[15] as it was realized that medium tanks could carry guns (such as the American 90 mm (3.5 in), Soviet 100 mm (3.9 in), and especially the British L7 105 mm (4.1 in)) that could penetrate any practical level of armour then existing at long range. Also, the heaviest tanks were unable to use most existing bridges. The World War II concept of heavy tanks, armed with the most powerful guns and heaviest armour, became obsolete because the large tanks were too expensive and just as vulnerable to damage by mines, bombs, rockets, and artillery. Likewise, World War II had shown that lightly armed and armoured tanks were of limited value in most roles. Even reconnaissance vehicles had shown a trend towards heavier weight and greater firepower during World War II; speed was not a substitute for armour and firepower.

Soviet T-64 undergoing decontamination

An increasing variety of anti-tank weapons and the perceived threat of a nuclear war prioritized the need for additional armour. The additional armour prompted the design of even more powerful guns.[16] The main battle tank thus took on the role the British had once called the "universal tank", exemplified by the Centurion, filling almost all battlefield roles. Typical main battle tanks were as well armed as any other vehicle on the battlefield, highly mobile, and well armoured. Yet they were cheap enough to be built in large numbers. The first Soviet main battle tank was the T-64A[17] (the T-54/55 and T-62 were considered "medium" tanks)[18] and the first American nomenclature-designated MBT was the M60 tank.[19]

A very early model M60 with M48 turret and 105mm cannon

Anti-tank weapons rapidly outpaced armour developments. By the 1960s, anti-tank rounds could penetrate a meter of steel so as to make the application of traditional rolled homogeneous armour unpragmatic. The first solution to this problem was the composite armor of Soviet T-64 tank, which included steel-glass-reinforced textolite-steel sandwich in heavily sloped glacis plates, and steel turret with aluminum inserts, which helped to resist both high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and APDS shells of the era. Later came British Chobham armour. This composite armour used layers of ceramics and other materials to help attenuate the effects of HEAT munitions. Another threat came by way of the widespread use of helicopters in battle. Before the advent of helicopters, armour was heavily concentrated to the front of the tank. This new threat caused designs to distribute armour on all sides of the tank (also having the effect of protecting the vehicle's occupants from nuclear explosion radiation).[20]

By the late 1970s, MBTs were manufactured by China, France, West Germany, Britain, India, Italy, Japan, the Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.[21]

The Soviet Union made novel advancements to the weapon systems including mechanical autoloaders and anti-tank guided missiles. Autoloaders were introduced to replace the human loader, permitting the turret to be reduced in size, making the tank smaller and less visible as a target,[16] while missile systems were added to extend the range at which a vehicle could engage a target and thereby enhance the first-round hit probability.[16]

The United States's experience in the Vietnam War contributed to the idea among army leadership that the role of the main battle tank could be fulfilled by attack helicopters. During the Vietnam War, helicopters and missiles competed with MBTs for research money.[22]

Though the Persian Gulf War reaffirmed the role of main battle tanks,[clarification needed] MBTs were outperformed by the attack helicopter.[23] Other strategists considered that the MBT was entirely obsolete in light of the efficiency and speed with which coalition forces neutralized Iraqi armour.[24]

### Asymmetrical warfare

A German Leopard 2 in the PSO-version, prepared for asymmetric warfare

In asymmetric warfare, threats such as improvised explosive devices and mines have proven effective against MBTs. In response, nations that face asymmetric warfare, such as Israel, are reducing the size of their tank fleet and procuring more advanced models.[25][26] Conversely, some insurgent groups like Hezbollah themselves operate main battle tanks, such as the T-72. The United States Army used 1,100 M1 Abrams in the course of the Iraq War. They proved to have an unexpectedly high vulnerability to improvised explosive devices.[27] A relatively new type of remotely detonated mine, the explosively formed penetrator, was used with some success against American armoured vehicles. However, with upgrades to their rear armour, M1s proved to be valuable in urban combat; at the Second Battle of Fallujah the United States Marines brought in two extra companies of M1s.[28] Britain deployed its Challenger 2 tanks to support its operations in southern Iraq.

Advanced armour has reduced crew fatalities but has not improved vehicle survivability.[29] Small unmanned turrets on top of the cupolas called remote controlled weapon stations armed with machine guns or mortars provide improved defence and enhance crew survivability. Experimental tanks with unmanned turrets locate crew members in the heavily armoured hull, improving survivability and reducing the vehicle's profile.[30]

Technology is reducing the weight and size of the modern MBT.[31] A British military document from 2001 indicated that the British Army would not procure a replacement for the Challenger 2 because of a lack of conventional warfare threats in the foreseeable future. The obsolescence of the tank has been asserted, but the history of the late 20th and early 21st century suggested that MBTs were still necessary.[32] During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Western and Russian MBTs saw large-scale combat in large numbers.

## Design

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe defines a main battle tank as "a self-propelled armoured fighting vehicle, capable of heavy firepower, primarily of a high muzzle velocity direct fire main gun necessary to engage armoured and other targets, with high cross-country mobility, with a high level of self-protection, and which is not designed and equipped primarily to transport combat troops."[33]

### Overview

Template:Scalable image

1. Periscope
2. Gun mantlet
3. Coaxial gun
4. Bore evacuator
5. Main gun
6. Driver's optics
7. Driver's hatch
8. Glacis plate
9. Continuous track
10. Machine gun ammunition
11. Commander's machine gun
12. Hatch or Cupola
13. Gun turret
14. Turret ring
15. Hull
16. Engine air intake
17. Engine compartment
18. Side skirt
19. Drive sprocket
20. Link
21. Road wheel

### Countermeasures

The Challenger 2 is equipped with Chobham armour, an advanced composite armour.

Originally, most MBTs relied on steel armour to defend against various threats. As newer threats emerged, however, the defensive systems used by MBTs had to evolve to counter them. One of the first new developments was the use of explosive reactive armour (ERA), developed by Israel in the early 1980s to defend against the shaped-charge warheads of modern anti-tank guided missiles and other such high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) projectiles. This technology was subsequently adopted and expanded upon by the United States and the Soviet Union.

IDF Merkava Mk. IVm tank pictured on the Gaza border. It has the Trophy Active Protection System installed, which has become operational in the IDF since 2011 to deal with missile threats.

MBT armour is concentrated at the front of the tank, where it is layered up to 33 centimetres (13 in) thick.[34]

File:Arjun-mbt-2015-chennai.webm

The Russian T-14 Armata has a three-tier protection system, with the Afghanit APS, the Malachit ERA, and composite armour.

Missiles are cheap and cost-effective anti-tank weapons.[35] ERA can be quickly added to vehicles to increase their survivability. However, the detonation of ERA blocks creates a hazard to any supporting infantry near the tank. Despite this drawback, it is still employed on many Russian MBTs, the latest generation Kontakt-5 being capable of defeating both high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and kinetic energy penetrator threats. The Soviets also developed Active Protection Systems (APS) designed to more actively neutralize hostile projectiles before they could even strike the tank, namely the Shtora and Arena systems. The United States has also adopted similar technologies in the form of the Missile Countermeasure Device and as part of the Tank Urban Survival Kit used on M1 Abrams tanks serving in Iraq. The latest Russian MBT, the T-14 Armata, incorporates an AESA radar as part of its Afghanit APS and in conjunction with the rest of its armament, can also intercept aircraft and missiles.[36][37]

MBTs can also be protected from radar detection by incorporating stealth technology. The T-14 Armata has a turret designed to be harder to detect with radars and thermal sights.[38] Advanced camouflage, like the Russian Nakidka, will also reduce the radar and thermal signatures of a MBT.[39]

Other defensive developments focused on improving the strength of the armour itself; one of the notable advancements coming from the British with the development of Chobham armour in the 1970s. It was first employed on the American M1 Abrams and later the British Challenger 1. Chobham armour uses a lattice of composite and ceramic materials along with metal alloys to defeat incoming threats, and proved highly effective in the conflicts in Iraq in the early 1990s and 2000s; surviving numerous impacts from 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s era rocket-propelled grenades with negligible damage. It is much less efficient against later models of RPGs. For example, the RPG-29 from the 1980s is able to penetrate the frontal hull armour of the Challenger 2.[40]

### Weaponry

Merkava Mk 3d BAZ of the Israel Defense Forces firing its main gun

Main battle tanks are equipped with a main gun and at least one machine gun.

MBT main guns are generally between 100 mm (3.9 in) and 125 mm (4.9 in) caliber, and can fire both anti-armour and, more recently, anti-personnel rounds. The cannon serves a dual role, able to engage other armoured targets such as tanks and fortifications, and soft targets such as light vehicles and infantry. It is fixed to the turret, along with the loading and fire mechanism. Modern tanks use a sophisticated fire-control system, including rangefinders, computerized fire control, and stabilizers, which are designed to keep the cannon stable and aimed even if the hull is turning or shaking, making it easier for the operators to fire on the move and/or against moving targets. Gun-missile systems are complicated and have been particularly unsatisfactory to the United States who abandoned gun-missile projects such as the M60A2 and MBT-70,[41] but were diligently developed by the Soviet Union, who even retrofitted them to T-55 tanks, in an effort to double the effective range of the vehicle's fire. The MBT's role could be compromised because of the increasing distances involved and the increased reliance on indirect fire.[30] The tank gun is still useful in urban combat for precisely delivering powerful fire while minimizing collateral damage.[24]

French Leclerc

High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and some form of high velocity kinetic energy penetrator, such as armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds are carried for anti-armour purposes. Anti-personnel rounds such as high explosive or high explosive fragmentation have dual purpose. Less common rounds are Beehive anti-personnel rounds, and high-explosive squash head (HESH) rounds used for both anti-armour and bunker busting. Usually, an MBT carries 30–50 rounds of ammunition for its main tank gun, usually split between HE, HEAT, and KEP rounds. Some MBTs may also carry smoke or white phosphorus rounds. Some MBTs are equipped with an autoloader, such as the French Leclerc, or the Russian/Soviet T-64, T-72, T-80, T-84, T-90, and T-14 and, for this reason, the crew can be reduced to 3 members. MBTs with an autoloader require one less crew member and the autoloader requires less space than its human counterpart, allowing for a reduction in turret size. Further, an autoloader can be designed to handle rounds which would be too difficult for a human to load.[42] This reduces the silhouette which improves the MBT's target profile. However, with a manual loader, the rounds can be isolated within a blowout chamber, rather than a magazine within the turret, which could improve crew survivability. However, the force of a modern depleted uranium APFSDS round at the muzzle can exceed 6000 kN (a rough estimate, considering a uranium 60 cm/2 cm rod, 19g/cm3, @ 1,750 m/s). Composite+reactive armour could withstand this kind of force through its deflection and deformation, but with a second hit in the same area, an armour breach is inevitable. As such, the speed of follow up shots is crucial within tank to tank combat.[43]

As secondary weapons, an MBT usually uses between two and four machine guns to engage infantry and light vehicles. Many MBTs mount one heavy caliber anti-aircraft machine gun (AAMG), usually of .50 caliber (like the M2 Browning or DShK), which can be used against helicopters and low flying aircraft. However, their effectiveness is limited in comparison to dedicated anti-aircraft artillery. The tank's machine guns are usually equipped with between 500 and 3,000 rounds each.

In 2025, Rheinmetall's 130 mm smoothbore cannon became the reference gun for multiple European MBT projects, including Leopard 3 and MGCS, reflecting a continental shift beyond NATO-standard 120 mm calibers.[44]

### Situational awareness

Further information: Situational awareness

Circular review system of the company LimpidArmor

Performing situational awareness and communicating is one of four primary MBT functions.[45] For situational awareness, the crew can use a circular review system combining augmented reality and artificial Intelligence technologies.[46] These systems use several externally mounted video sensors to transfer a 360º view of the tank's surroundings onto crew helmet-mounted displays or other display systems.

### Mobility

MBTs, like previous models of tanks, move on continuous tracks, which allow a decent level of mobility over most terrain including sand and mud. They also allow tanks to climb over most obstacles. MBTs can be made water-tight, so they can even dive into shallow water (5 m (16 ft) with snorkel). However, tracks are not as fast as wheels; the maximum speed of a tank is about 65 km/h (40 mph)[lower-alpha 2]. The extreme weight of vehicles of this type 40–70 t (39–69 long tons; 44–77 short tons) also limits their speed. They are usually equipped with a 1,200–1,500 hp (890–1,120 kW) engine (more than 25,000 cc (1,526 cu in)), with an operational range near 500 km (310 mi).

The German Army has prioritized mobility in its Leopard 2 which is considered one of the fastest MBTs in existence.[35] The Leopard 2A8 retains the MTU MB 873 Ka-501 engine delivering 1,500 horsepower, paired with enhanced suspension for higher endurance over rough terrain.[47] Ergonomic redesigns, improved climate control, and NBC protection further enhance crew performance in extended combat scenarios.

The MBT is often cumbersome in traffic and frequently obstructs the normal flow of traffic. The tracks can damage some roads after repeated use. Many structures like bridges do not have the load capacity to support an MBT. In the fast pace of combat, it is often impossible to test the sturdiness of these structures. Though appreciated for its excellent off-road characteristics, the MBT can become immobilized in muddy conditions.

The high cost of MBTs can be attributed in part to the high-performance engine-transmission system and to the fire control system. Also, propulsion systems are not produced in high enough quantities to take advantage of economies of scale.[48]

Crew fatigue limits the operational range of MBTs in combat. Reducing the crew to three and relocating all crewmembers from the turret to the hull could provide time to sleep for one off-shift crewmember located in the rear of the hull. In this scenario, crewmembers would rotate shifts regularly and all would require cross-training on all vehicle job functions.[49] Cargo aircraft are instrumental to the timely deployment of MBTs. The absence of sufficient numbers of strategic airlift assets can limit the rate of MBT deployments to the number of aircraft available.[50]

Military planners anticipate that the airlift capability for MBTs will not improve in the future.[51] To date, no helicopter has the capability to lift MBTs.[24] Rail and road are heavily used to move MBTs nearer to the battle, ready to fight in prime condition.[51] Where well maintained roads allow it, wheeled tank transporters can be used.[52]

The task of resupply is usually accomplished with large trucks.[53]

* Ukrainian BM Oplot, produced by the KMDB guided onto a tank transporter

* A former British Army Challenger 1

* The Italian Ariete. Its relatively low weight (54 tonnes) facilitates mobility, especially while crossing bridges.

* The Indian Arjun MK1A demonstrating movement over bump track

### Storage

Main battle tanks have internal and external storage space. Internal space is reserved for ammunition. External space enhances independence of logistics and can accommodate extra fuel and some personal equipment of the crew.[54]

Many main battle tanks have a bustle, an extension on the rear of the tank turret usually used for storage of ammunition, often with blow-out panels and separated from the rest of the crew compartment, that serve to protect the tank from being totally destroyed in the event the ammunition is hit, which has become known as the Jack-in-the-box-effect.

Attached to this bustle extension may be an externally mounted bustle rack, where tank crews can store gear and supplies that would be useful when out in the field on operation or exercise, but not essential for operation of the tank and subsequently not needed inside it.[55]

The Israeli Merkava can accommodate crew members displaced from a destroyed vehicle in its ammunition compartment.[49]

## Crew

Emphasis is placed on selecting and training main battle tank crew members. The crew must perform their tasks faultlessly and harmoniously so commanders select teams taking into consideration personalities and talents.[24]

World War II era main battle tanks had between four and five crew members. During World War II, American, British and German main battle tanks were designed to be crewed by a commander, gunner, driver, loader and a fifth crew member who, depending on the tank model, would usually serve a dual role such as assistant driver and bow gunner or co-loader and radio operator, while Soviet and Italian tanks were designed for a four person crew of commander, gunner, driver and loader.[56]

Modern main battle tanks have been reduced to between three and four crew members where the fifth dual role member has been eliminated entirely, and three person tank crews make use of an autoloader to eliminate the need for the loader role, such as in post World War II Soviet and modern day Russian tank designs, as well as the current French main battle tank, the Leclerc. [57]

Most NATO member countries, and nations that use tanks designed by them, retain the loader crewmember and opt for a four person crew.[58][59][60]

## Role

US Marines during the Iraq War ride on an M1A1 Abrams tank in April 2003.

The main battle tank fulfills the role the British had once called the "universal tank", filling almost all battlefield roles. They were originally designed in the Cold War to combat other MBTs.[30] The modern light tank supplements the MBT in expeditionary roles and situations where all major threats have been neutralized and excess weight in armour and armament would only hinder mobility and cost more money to operate.

Reconnaissance by MBTs is performed in high-intensity conflicts where reconnaissance by light vehicles would be insufficient due to the necessity to "fight" for information.[51]

In asymmetric warfare, main battle tanks are deployed in small, highly concentrated units. MBTs fire only at targets at close range and instead rely on external support such as unmanned aircraft for long range combat.[61]

Main battle tanks have significantly varied characteristics. Procuring too many varieties can place a burden on tactics, training, support and maintenance.[62]

The MBT has a positive morale effect on the infantry it accompanies.[63] It also instills fear in the opposing force who can often hear and even feel their arrival.[24]

## Procurement

### Manufacture

Mechanics at Anniston Army Depot line up an M1 Abrams turret with its hull.

MBT production is increasingly being outsourced to wealthy nations. Countries that are just beginning to produce tanks are having difficulties remaining profitable in an industry that is increasingly becoming more expensive through the sophistication of technology. Even some large-scale producers are seeing declines in production. Even China is divesting many of its MBTs.[51]

The production of main battle tanks is limited to manufacturers that specialize in combat vehicles. Commercial manufacturers of civilian vehicles cannot easily be repurposed as MBT production facilities.[64]

Prices for MBTs have more than tripled from 1943 to 2011, although this pales in comparison with the price increase in fighter aircraft from 1943 to 1975.[30]

### Exports and License Builds

MBT models, such as the French AMX-40, Italian OF-40, British Vickers MBT and more recently the Chinese VT-4, can be developed and marketed almost solely as export vehicles and not used by the producing nations armed forces in large numbers, or at all.[51] Other tanks, such as the Soviet T-54/5 and German Leopard 2, see widespread adoption by both their home nation as well as overseas.[65] Some tank producers, such as Japan and Israel, choose not to market their creations for export.[51] Others have export control laws in place.

Export variants of tanks exist, where a tank that was initially intended to be the fielded by a nation is modified for export. Export variants are usually downgraded versions of domestic tanks, having inferior armor and technology, or modified to prevent them from firing certain types of ammunition. Export variants may also not be newly produced tanks, but rather from surplus stock of existing tanks taken from storage.

This is usually done to control the ownership of the latest technologies used on tanks, both preventing the customer nation from owning it, as well as reducing the risk that an export tank gets captured by an adversary who are unable to assess the full capabilities of the tank due to the fact it does not truly represent the capabilities of the standard non-export model from which it is derived.

Export variants of Soviet military equipment, also known as "Monkey Models" were instances where a Soviet main battle tank used by the Soviet Armed Forces was modified and downgraded for export customers outside the USSR. Modern Russian tanks use the moniker "S" to denote that the tank is an export model, for example the T-90M used by the Russian Armed Forces is sold abroad as the T-90MS, notably featuring a lighter 7.62mm caliber PKT remote weapon station compared with non-export M model fitted with the 12.7mm caliber Kord heavy machine gun for its remote weapon station and lacking the latest Arena-M active protection system installed on domestic Russian M models.[66][67][68][69][70][71][72]

The American M1 Abrams is also sold to export countries in a more stripped down variant, most notably is the absence of depleted uranium armor on the M1A2S variant of the M1A2 sold to Saudi Arabia.[73][74]Other Abrams tanks have been equipped with diesel engines for export customers, differing from the standard turbine engine found in US versions of the tank.[75]

In other cases, specialised, but not downgraded, versions of tanks will be produced for export to a specific country. The German Leopard 2 has been modified to meet various national requirements, such as the Canadian Leopard 2A4M CAN and A6 CAN, the Norwegian 2A8 NOR and the Spanish Leopard 2E.

Similarly, some nations may chose to upgrade tanks they import from other nations, featuring domestic elements, or using parts from other tanks. For example the British Sherman Firefly was an American M4 Sherman with a more powerful British-built QF 17-pounder gun fitted in place of the 75mm or 76mm gun. South Africa's current Main Battle Tank, the Olifant, is a heavily upgraded British Centurion tank, swapping the original British Rolls Royce Meteor 4B for the American Continental AV1790.

Tanks can also be licensed build, a practice dating back to even the earliest models of tanks produced during World War I. The first tanks mass-produced by America, the M1917, and Italy, the Fiat 3000, were licensed built copies of the French Renault FT light tank while the first Main Battle Tank to be licensed built was the Indian Vijayanta, a copy of the British Vickers MBT.[76] More recently, the Panzer 87, built by Switzerland for its armed forces, is a licensed built copy of the German Leopard 2, and the T-72 has been licensed built in various nations, even after domestic production ended.

In other instances, countries may use another nations tanks to form the basis of their own tank production, developing the tank into a different one. This differs from licensed built examples in that the tank differs from the original model in significant ways, such as different powerpacks, fire control systems, armament and protection, while licensed built examples are usually one to one copies of the original model. [77] Examples include and the Turkish Altay, based on the South Korean K2 Black Panther, having replaced the South Korean auto loader with a manual loading system, [78] and the Chinese Type 99 based on the T-72 chassis.[79][80]

## Current and future MBT development (2020s–)

As of the mid-2020s, several countries have launched parallel main battle tank (MBT) development programs in response to aging fleets,[81] evolving battlefield threats such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and the ongoing war in Ukraine. These programs reflect a broader European Defence Fund (EDF) strategy of maintaining sovereign industrial capabilities and preparing for eventual convergence into a next-generation MBT family.

Key initiatives include:

* Type 100 tank (ZTZ-100): The Type 100 is a Chinese fourth-generation MBT that entered service in 2025. It uses a 105 mm gun, a radical departure from similar fourth-generation MBT concepts, and features a hybrid-electric drive, GL-6 active protection systems, and an armored crew capsule. The crew uses augmented-reality headsets to interface with cameras embedded around the tank, enabling them to process visual information within a 360-degree field of view.[82] The PLA currently fields a low number of Type 100 MBTs for evaluation and training purposes.

* Leopard 2A8: Developed by Germany's KNDS Deutschland, the Leopard 2 A8 serves as an interim solution, integrating upgrades such as the Hensoldt MUSS 2.0 active protection system, a hybrid-ready powerpack, Safran Paseo panoramic sights, and a digital BMS V3 backbone. As of 2025, over 400 units have been ordered by Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Lithuania, with a low number of 2A8s in Norwegian service for evaluation and testing.

* M1E3 Abrams: A next-generation variant of the M1 Abrams tank family, this technology testbed/demonstrator vehicle is part of an initiative to modernize and future-proof the US Army's MBTs, integrating technologies such as a 3-man crew, autoloaded cannon, hybrid powertrain, and gun-launched ATGMs.[83]

* Leopard 3: An experimental demonstrator platform developed by Rheinmetall of Germany, intended to test key subsystems for MGCS. It features a 130 mm smoothbore gun, AI-based fire control, optional remote turret, and enhanced mobility via hybrid-electric drive. Leopard 3 bridges the technological gap between current systems and MGCS fielding.

* Main Ground Combat System (MGCS): A Franco-German project formally launched in 2017, MGCS aims to field a new "system-of-systems" to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks by 2040. The MGCS Project Company (MPC) was formed in 2025 by KNDS (Germany and France), Rheinmetall, and Thales to serve as the industrial prime contractor.[84] The system is expected to include a manned MBT, robotic wingmen, and integrated counter-UAS and AI command layers.

* FMBTech (Future Main Battle Tank Technologies): This European Union project was launched in April 2025 with €19.9 million in European Defence Fund (EDF) funding;[81] the programme, led by French company Thales, develops modular subsystems—such as crew-machine interfaces, sensor fusion, and AI command tools[85]—for integration into both legacy and future MBTs.

* Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT): The Future Main Battle Tank is being developed by the Indian Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The FMBT design is expected to replace the older generation MBTs of the Indian Army Armoured Corps from 2030 onwards. The tank is a further development of the previous generation Arjun main battle tanks of the Army. FMBT is to be fitted with the 1500hp DATRAN engine.[86]

* MARTE (Main ARmoured Tank of Europe): Also European-Defence-Fund-backed, MARTE is a clean-sheet tank development initiative led by Franco-German KNDS and Germany's Rheinmetall.[81] It emphasizes life-cycle cost modeling, 3D digital prototyping, and platform-agnostic architecture not limited to the Leopard or Leclerc lineage.

## See also

* Armoured warfare
* List of the United States military vehicles by model number
* List of main battle tanks by country
* List of main battle tanks by generation
* Tanks in the Cold War
* Tanks of the post–Cold War era

## Notes

1. ↑ "Chieftain, which until then had been called Medium Gun Tank No 2, was renamed the Main Battle Tank".[1]
2. ↑ 72 km/h (45 mph) for the Leopard 2[citation needed]

## References

1. ↑ Forty, George (1979). Chieftain. London: I. Allan. p. 16. ISBN 0-7110-0943-0. OCLC 16495641.
2. ↑ House (1984), Toward Combined Arms Warfare: A Survey of 20th-Century Tactics, Doctrine, and Organization
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Green, Michael; Green, Gladys (2012). Panther: Germany's Quest for Combat Dominance. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781849088411.
4. ↑ "T-44". 29 October 2015. http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/soviet/soviet_T-44.php.
5. ↑ Conners, Chris (27 August 2015). "M26 Pershing". http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m26pershing.html.
6. ↑ Hunnicutt, R.P (1996). Pershing : A History of the Medium Tank T20 Series. Berkeley, California: Feist Publications. p. 112. ISBN 1-112-95450-3.
7. ↑ Zaloga, Steven (2015). Armored Champion : The Top Tanks of World War II. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 263. ISBN 9780811714372. OCLC 895501029.
8. ↑ Zaloga, Steven (2015). Armored Champion: The Top Tanks of World War II. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 289. ISBN 978-0-8117-1437-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=QuvyCQAAQBAJ&q=The+M26+formed+the+basis&pg=PT539. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
9. ↑ The Rolls Royce Meteor: Cromwell and other Applications. Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust.
10. ↑ Template:Fletcher: Universal Tank
11. ↑ Baldwin, Hanson W. (19 May 1947). "Tank Role Is Seen In Atomic Warfare". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1947/05/19/archives/tank-role-is-seen-in-atomic-warfare-armors-spearhead-mission-in.html.
12. ↑ Ogorkiewicz 2018 p178
13. ↑ The Design and Development of Fighting Vehicles. R.M. Ogorkiewicz, page 43
14. ↑ Ogorkiewicz, 2018 p179
15. ↑ Советская Военная Энциклопедия. Под ред. Гречко А.А. – М.: Воениздат, 1976–80 гг., в 8-и томах, статья «Танк» (Soviet Military Encyclopedia)
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Thomas W. Zarzecki (2002). Arms Diffusion: The Spread of Military Innovations in the International System. Psychology Press. p. 212. ISBN 0-415-93514-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=fhnixhMQqW8C&q="main+battle+tank". Retrieved 5 April 2011.
17. ↑ T-64 manual ("Танк Т-64А. Техническое описание и инструкция по эксплуатации. 1984") state T-64 as "main battle" tank, while previous T-62 and T-55 (in corresponding military manuals, like "Танк Т-62. Руководство по материальной части и эксплуатации. 1968") stated as "medium" tanks
18. ↑ Танк Т-62. Руководство по материальной части и эксплуатации. 1968
19. ↑ MIL-T-45308 state "Tank, Main Battle, 105MM Gun, M60", while MIL-T-45148 state "TANK, COMBAT, FULL-TRACKED, 90MM GUN, M48A2"
20. ↑ AcademicJohn Harris; Andre Gsponer (1986). Armour defuses the neutron bomb. Reed Business Information. p. 47. https://books.google.com/books?id=mYVNkaEJpz4C&pg=PA47. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
21. ↑ Academic American encyclopedia, Volume 2. Aretê Pub. Co., 1980. 1980. p. 177. ISBN 9780933880009. https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZEJAAAAIAAJ&q="main+battle+tank". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
22. ↑ Daniel H. Else (III.) (2008). "Chapter 3". Bias in weapon development. George Washington University. p. 62. ISBN 9780549385172. https://books.google.com/books?id=Tl3aSoTJ5RcC. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
23. ↑ Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies (1993). The Canadian strategic forecast. Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. p. 73. ISBN 9780919769489. https://books.google.com/books?id=-p8pAQAAIAAJ&q="main+battle+tank". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Chris McNab; Hunter Keeter (2008). Tools of violence: guns, tanks and dirty bombs. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781846032257. https://archive.org/details/toolsofviolenceg0000mcna. Retrieved 6 April 2011. "Main battle tank."
25. ↑ Panda, Ankit (13 January 2015). "Main Battle Tanks in Asia: Useful Junk". https://thediplomat.com/2015/01/main-battle-tanks-in-asia-useful-junk/. "Beyond Asia’s large militaries, the broader proliferation of tanks makes sense given the security needs of states with relatively weaker militaries. Naval and amphibious warfare focused states such as Japan and Indonesia are acquiring new tanks to build capacity in land warfare (urban warfare in Japan's case). Bangladesh, as a developing nation, is acquiring cheaper Chinese MBTs for similar reasons. None of these states expect to use these tanks for an expeditionary purpose, or even against a foreign invader. MBTs can play an important role in maintaining internal security."
26. ↑ Anthony H. Cordesman (2006). Arab-Israeli Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric Wars. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-275-99186-5. https://books.google.com/books?id=3eZK7cm6pjoC. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
27. ↑ Komarow, Steven (29 March 2005). "Tanks take a beating in Iraq". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-03-29-abrams-tank-a_x.htm.
28. ↑ Komarow, Steven (29 March 2005). "Tanks adapted for urban fights they once avoided". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-03-29-tank-inside_x.htm.
29. ↑ Anthony H. Cordesman; Aram Nerguizian; Ionut C. Popescu (2008). Israel and Syria: The Military Balance and Prospects of War. ABC-CLIO. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-313-35520-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=PS2MEnlD7TAC. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Neville Brown (2009). The Geography of Human Conflict: Approaches to Survival. Sussex Academic Press. p. 254. ISBN 978-1-84519-169-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=TJrQ1kq9TjEC&q="Main+battle+tank". Retrieved 5 April 2011.
31. ↑ Stan Krasnoff (2008). A Claytons Defense. Strategic Book Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 9781606932681. https://books.google.com/books?id=A3U5otuf2hUC&q="Main+battle+tank". Retrieved 5 April 2011.
32. ↑ Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter, Volume 30. Asia-Pacific Defence Publications. 2004. https://books.google.com/books?id=gEG6AAAAIAAJ&q="UK's+Challenger+11+were+indispensable+elements+in+the". Retrieved 2 April 2011.
33. ↑ Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 1989. p. 3. http://www.osce.org/library/14087. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
34. ↑ Stan Windass; Paul Walker (1985). Avoiding Nuclear War: Common Security as a Strategy for the Defence of the West. Brassey's Defence Publishers. p. 38. ISBN 9780080311753. https://books.google.com/books?id=tDnfAAAAMAAJ&q="main+battle+tank". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Holmes, Richard; Strachan, Hew; Bellamy, Chris (2001). The Oxford Companion to Military History. Oxford University Press. pp. 493, 902. ISBN 9780198662099. https://books.google.com/books?id=ro8YAAAAIAAJ&q="main+battle+tank". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
36. ↑ ""Армата" расстреляет снаряды противника из пулемета". Известия. 9 April 2014. http://izvestia.ru/news/568891.
37. ↑ "Танк Т-14 "Армата" или Т-99 "Приоритет" - Продукция - Библиотека - ВПК.name". http://vpk.name/library/f/armata.html.
38. ↑ "БМП "Армата" сможет уничтожить вертолеты и беспилотники". 5 May 2015. http://www.rg.ru/2015/05/05/armata-site.html.
39. ↑ ""RPM "Cloak" to protect from exploration and precision weapons"". niistali.ru. http://www.niistali.ru/security/2010-07-05-08-58-15?start=1.
40. ↑ Sean Rayment (12 May 2007). "MoD kept failure of best tank quiet". Sunday Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1551418/MoD-kept-failure-of-best-tank-quiet.html.
41. ↑ African armed forces journal. Military Publications Ltd.. 1994. p. 10.
42. ↑ Jeff Groman (1985). Weapons of War. Gallery Books. p. 126. ISBN 9780831793845. https://books.google.com/books?id=R7y9k9JfYqoC&q=autoloader. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
43. ↑ Thomas W. Zarzecki (2002). Arms Diffusion: The Spread of Military Innovations in the International System. Psychology Press. ISBN 9780415935142. https://books.google.com/books?id=fhnixhMQqW8C. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
44. ↑ "European MBT Programmes Post-2027 — FMBTech, MARTE, MGCS, Leopard 3 & 2A8 Integration Tracks" (in en). 2025-04-29. https://www.grosswald.org/european-mbt-programmes-post-2027-fmbtech-marte-mgcs-leopard-3-2a8-integration-tracks/.
45. ↑ Slyusar, Vadym (10–11 October 2018). "﻿Methodology of identification of the critical requirements for armaments and military equipment﻿". VI International Scientific and Practical Conference "Coordination problems of military technical and devensive industrial policy in Ukraine. Weapons and military equipment development perspectives". Abstracts of reports (Kyiv, Ukraine). doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.36335.69281. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330386141.
46. ↑ Slyusar, Vadym (2019). "﻿Artificial intelligence as the basis of future control networks﻿". Preprint. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334573170.
47. ↑ "Großwald Systems: The Leopard 2A8 Main Battle Tank and Trophy APS" (in en). 2024-12-31. https://www.grosswald.org/grosswald-perspectives-the-leopard-2a8-main-battle-tank-and-trophy-aps/.
48. ↑ National Research Council (US). Committee on Adiabatic Diesel Technology (1987). A Review of the State of the Art and Projected Technology of Low Heat Rejection Engines: A Report. National Academies. p. 108. https://books.google.com/books?id=BWErAAAAYAAJ&q="Main+battle+tank". Retrieved 2 April 2011.
49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Fletcher, Robin (May 1995). "The Crewing and Configuration of the Future Main Battle Tank". Armor: 6–8, 42, & 43. https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1995/MAY_JUN/ArmorMayJune1995web.pdf. Retrieved 4 May 2011. (HTML version )
50. ↑ Chichester, Michael; Wilkinson, John (1987). British Defence: A Blueprint for Reform. Brasseys Defence. p. 126. ISBN 9780080347455. https://books.google.com/books?id=vnHfAAAAMAAJ&q="A+main+battle+tank+is". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 51.3 51.4 51.5 Albrecht, Ulrich (1998). "Chapter 5: The changing structure of the tank industry". Restructuring the Global Military Sector: The End of Military Fordism. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 108. ISBN 1-85567-428-9.
52. ↑ Brian MacDonald (1997). Military Spending in Developing Countries: How Much Is Too Much?. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP. p. 136. ISBN 0-88629-314-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=F9NEecs7ACIC&q="Main+battle+tank". Retrieved 2 April 2011.
53. ↑ Michael Green (2008). War Stories of the Tankers: American armoured Combat, 1918 to Today. Zenith Imprint. p. 281. ISBN 978-0-7603-3297-9. https://books.google.com/books?id=bEUduMN4u8gC&q="A+main+battle+tank+is". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
54. ↑ David Miller (2000). The Illustrated Directory of Tanks of the World. Zenith Imprint. p. 384. ISBN 0-7603-0892-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=Es5Pxu8AGqcC&q="A+main+battle+tank+is". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
55. ↑ Green, Michael. M1 Abrams at War. Zenith Imprint. ISBN 9781610607315.
56. ↑ "Tank Crews – Army Tanks" (in en-US). https://www.armytanks.org/tank-crews.
57. ↑ Mao, Ming; Xie, Fang; Hu, Jian-jun; Su, Bo (2014-03-01). "Analysis of workload of tank crew under the conditions of informatization". Defence Technology 10 (1): 17–21. doi:10.1016/j.dt.2013.12.008. ISSN 2214-9147. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214914713000597.
58. ↑ "Serve as a Tank Crewman - Royal Armoured Corps | Army Jobs" (in en). https://jobs.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-armoured-corps/tank-crewman/.
59. ↑ "Armor Crewmember" (in en). http://www.goarmy.com/.
60. ↑ "Soldatin / Soldat der Panzertruppe | Bundeswehr Karriere". https://www.bundeswehrkarriere.de/soldatin-soldat-der-panzertruppe-413.
61. ↑ "New Designs Suit Tanks For Asymmetric War". The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.. 25 April 2011. https://aviationweek.com/new-designs-suit-tanks-asymmetric-war.
62. ↑ Saudi Arabia Enters the Twenty-first Century: The Military and International Security Dimensions. Greenwood Publishing Group. 2003. p. 140. ISBN 9780275979973. https://books.google.com/books?id=CGEJvqjn-1MC&q="Main+battle+tank". Retrieved 1 April 2011.
63. ↑ Stanley Sandler (2002). Ground Warfare: An International Encyclopedia, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 59. ISBN 1-57607-344-0. https://books.google.com/books?id=L_xxOM85bD8C&q="main+battle+tank". Retrieved 5 April 2011.
64. ↑ United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations (1990). Department of Defense Appropriations for 1991, Part 6. U. S. Govt. Print. Off.. https://books.google.com/books?id=PJEcAAAAMAAJ&q="Main+battle+tank+is+a". Retrieved 4 April 2011.
65. ↑ Buchholz, Katharina (2023-01-23). "Infographic: Germany's Leopard 2: Where the Tank Is in Use" (in en). https://www.statista.com/chart/12657/german-tanks-for-the-world.
66. ↑ n.a. (2025-06-20). "Russia Has Tripled Production of T-90M Tanks: Can it Keep Up with Wartime Attrition?" (in en). https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-tripled-production-t90m-keep-up-wartime-attrition.
67. ↑ n.a. (2025-06-19). "How Many Т-90M Tanks does Russia Produce? CIT Research" (in en). https://notes.citeam.org/eng_t90.
68. ↑ Episkopos, Mark (2019-01-08). "Russia's Deadly T-90S Tank Is An Export Hit (Here's What It Can Do)" (in en-US). https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-deadly-t-90s-tank-export-hit-heres-what-it-can-do-40962/.
69. ↑ n.a. (2023-10-03). "Why Russia Exported Almost All the Tanks it Built Until 2022: Few New T-90s or T-14s Ordered Until Ukraine War" (in en). https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russia-exports-almost-all-tanks-t90s-clients.
70. ↑ n.a.. "T-90MS" (in en-us). https://www.armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/main-battle-tanks/main-battle-tanks/t-90ms-russia-uk.
71. ↑ "T-90". https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/t-90-variants.htm.
72. ↑ "Russia Pushes New T-90MS Tank Production With India 25 Years After First Deal" (in en). 2026-02-17. https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-pushes-new-t-90ms-tank-production-with-india-25-years-after-first-deal-15979.
73. ↑ Fretay, Halna du. "Focus : M1A2S Abrams— A Saudi Adaptation of Power and Precision" (in en-us). https://www.armyrecognition.com/focus-analysis-conflicts/army/analysis-defense-and-security-industry/focus-m1a2s-abrams-a-saudi-adaptation-of-power-and-precision.
74. ↑ Axe, David (2023-01-27). "The Tungsten M-1—How Ukraine's Tanks Will Differ From America's" (in en). https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/01/27/the-tungsten-m-1-how-ukraines-tanks-will-differ-from-americas/.
75. ↑ "M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (USA)". https://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_m1abrams.html#google_vignette.
76. ↑ "Vijayanta". https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/vijayanta.htm.
77. ↑ Suciu, Peter (2024-06-06). "Turkey is Set to be a Tank Powerhouse with Altay Main Battle Tank" (in en-US). https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/turkey-set-be-tank-powerhouse-altay-main-battle-tank-211329.
78. ↑ "Turkish Altay tank: how does it compare to the K2 Black Panther? - Technology Org" (in en-US). 2023-02-15. https://www.technology.org/2023/02/15/altay-main-battle-tank-from-turkey-is-it-related-to-south-korean-k2-black-panther/.
79. ↑ Foss, Christopher F (2006). Jane's Armour and Artillery 2006-2007. Janes Information Group.. ISBN 978-0710627476.
80. ↑ Foss, Christopher F (2011) (in English). Main battle tanks (32nd ed.). London: Janes Information Group. pp. 5-6. ISBN 978-0-71062960-9.
81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 "European MBT Programmes Post-2027 — FMBTech, MARTE, MGCS, Leopard 3 & 2A8 Integration Tracks" (in en). 2025-04-29. https://www.grosswald.org/european-mbt-programmes-post-2027-fmbtech-marte-mgcs-leopard-3-2a8-integration-tracks/.
82. ↑ Sato, Daisuke (17 August 2025). "More details emerge on China's next-gen tank". Defense Blog Media Group. https://defence-blog.com/more-details-emerge-on-chinas-next-gen-tank/.
83. ↑ "The Army’s M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program". 2026-04-23. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12495.
84. ↑ "MGCS GmbH: The Franco-German Company Building Europe's Next Main Battle Tank" (in en). 2025-04-22. https://www.grosswald.org/mgcs-gmbh-the-franco-german-company-building-europes-next-main-battle-tank/.
85. ↑ "Cognitive Command: AI-Enhanced Decision-Making in Multinational Battle Networks" (in en). 2025-03-25. https://www.grosswald.org/cognitive-command-ai-enhanced-decision-making-in-multinational-battle-networks/.
86. ↑ "First Prototype of CVRDE's DATRAN 1500 HP Diesel Engine For FMBT Tested". https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2024/01/first-prototype-of-cvrdes-datran-1500.html.

## Bibliography

* Ogorkiewicz, Richard (2018). Tanks: 100 Years of Evolution. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781472829818.

## Further reading

* Hernandez, Marco; Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (2025-09-08). "How the Ukraine-Russia War Is Transforming the Tank" (in en-US). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/09/08/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-drones-tanks-military.html.

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* TR-85
* Type 59
* Type 61
* Type 69/79
* Type 74
* Type 80/85/88
* Type 90
* Vickers MBT Mk 1
* Vijayanta
* Vickers MBT Mk 3

Light|

* AMX-13
* HSTV(L)
* M41 Walker Bulldog
* M551 Sheridan
* PT-76
* PT-85
* SK-105 Kürassier
* Stingray
* Type 62
* Type 63
* Type 64
* X1A

Medium|

* Charioteer
* M46 Patton
* M47 Patton
* Panzer 58
* Panzer 61
* Stridsvagn 74
* Super Sherman
* TAM
* T-54

Heavy|

* ARL 44
* Conqueror
* IS-4
* M103
* T-10

Prototypes,
experimentals|

* AMX-32
* AMX-40
* AMX-50
* Char 25T
* EE-T1 Osório
* Emil
* Expeditionary Tank
* HSTV(L)
* IS-7
* Lorraine 40t
* M8 armored gun system
* MB-3 Tamoyo
* MBT-70
* MBT-80
* Object 187
* Object 279
* Object 292
* Object 490A
* Object 770
* Object 785
* Spähpanzer Ru 251
* Spähpanzer SP I.C.
* T92 light tank
* T95 medium tank
* TR-125
* Vickers MBT Mk 4 Valiant
* Vickers MBT Mk 7
* WZ-111 heavy tank
* WZ-132 light tank
* WZ-122

* Cold War tanks
* List of modern armoured fighting vehicles

Background: History of the tank, Tank classification, Tanks in the Cold War

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Tanks of the post–Cold War era

Main battle|

* Al-Khalid tank
* Al-Zarrar
* Altay
* Ariete
* Arjun
* Challenger 2
* Durjoy
* Haider
* K2 Black Panther
* Karrar
* Leclerc (Leclerc XLR, Leclerc Evolution)
* Leopard 2 (Leopard 2E, Leopard 2PL)
* M1 Abrams
* Merkava IV
* Pokpung-ho
* PT-91 Twardy
* Ramses II
* Sabra
* Stridsvagn 122
* T-72M4CZ
* T-84
* T-90
* Type 10
* Type 72Z
* Type 96
* Type 99
* VT-4
* Zulfiqar
* Type 100

Light / medium|

* Kaplan MT / Harimau
* Sabrah
* Sabre CVRT
* 2S25 Sprut-SD
* Tosan
* Type 15 / VT-5
* Type 63A
* ZTD-05 / ZLT-05

Prototypes,
experimentals|

* AbramsX
* Black EagleX
* Challenger 3
* Cheonma-2
* CV90105 / CV90120
* K21-105
* Leopard 3
* M8 armored gun systemX
* M10 BookerX
* M60-2000X
* M-84AS
* M-84AS1
* M-84D
* M-95 DegmanX
* Main Ground Combat System
* Marder medium tank
* Panther KF51
* PatagónX
* PL-01X
* Tiam
* T-14 Armata
* T-55AGM
* T-95X
* Tank EXX
* Zorawar

Cancelled or derelict projectX

* Post–Cold War tanks
* List of modern armoured fighting vehicles

Background: History of the tank, Tank classification

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Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main battle tank. Read more

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