Since their first appearance during the First World War, tanks have come a long way of improving and building up their combat power. They have become an integral part of land wars, largely deciding their outcome. And the experts of Military Watch Magazine took on a difficult mission - to choose the best tanks in the world.
This list does not include tanks that are still in development, prototypes, or models that will never reach mass production. The only exception is a Russian development called "Armata", which was produced in small quantities for testing and evaluation.
5.K2 Black Panther, South Korea
In 2014, the South Korean government and Hyundai Rotem signed a $ 820 million contract for the delivery of the first hundred K2 Black Panther tanks. In general, the South Korean army, according to experts, will adopt about 600 Black Panther tanks.
It is one of three fourth generation battle tanks (the other two, the Russian T-14 Armata and the Japanese Type 10, are also among the most powerful tanks in the world).
The main weapon of the K2 Black Panther is a 120mm smoothbore cannon, which can be equipped with an autoloader for ammunition. Secondary armament includes 7.62 and 12.7 mm machine guns.
The maximum speed of 70 km / h and the range of 450 km make the K2 tank very mobile on the battlefield. It has an advanced fire control system and can detect, track and conduct automatic fire not only at ground targets, but also at low-flying helicopters without the need for any action from the operator.
4.T-14 Armata, Russia
The first prototype of this tank, assembled at Uralvagonzavod, was first presented to the public during a military parade in Moscow on Victory Day on May 9, 2015.
The full technical characteristics of the tank are classified, but the "Armata" is considered one of the most protected tanks in the world and can withstand the hit of any anti-tank weapon from the existing ones. It has an uninhabited turret, and all three crew members sit side by side in an armored capsule located in front of the hull and separated from the ammunition load. "Armata" will remain combat-ready, even if its armor has been pierced, but the crew's armored capsule is not damaged.
The Armata has a top speed of 90 km / h and is armed with a new 125 mm smoothbore cannon (upgradeable to a 152 mm gun). It is also equipped with anti-tank guided missiles, aircraft missiles, RPGs and artillery armor-piercing subcaliber shells. The result is an ideal hunter-killer, almost invulnerable and unobtrusive in thermal and radar spectra.
However, according to unofficial data, the drop in oil prices may negatively affect the plans for the serial production of Armata tanks. This was announced by military expert Alex Hollings, who is referred to by Rambler Novosti.
3. T-90M "Breakthrough", Russia
The third place in the top 5 best tanks in the world for 2020 is occupied by another Russian development. It borrowed many of the capabilities of its heavier counterpart T-14 Armata (for example, the active defense "Afghanit"), while being cheaper and easier to manufacture.
The T-90M is the next step in the development of the Russian T-90 battle tank. The upgrade has touched all the characteristics of the base variant to increase its operational capabilities and make it more effective against modern threats on the battlefield.
The weight of the T-90M "Breakthrough" has increased by 1,500 kg compared to the base T-90 model and reached 48 tons, but it is still significantly less than the German Leopard 2A6 main battle tank and the American M1A2 Abrams.
The "Breakthrough" is equipped with an automated fire control system "Kalina", as well as a 125-mm smooth-bore cannon 2A46M-4. The combat vehicle is protected from enemy fire by anti-cumulative lattice screens paired with the "Relic" dynamic protection system.
2. Type 99A, China
ZTZ99A, also known as Type 99A, is manufactured by China Northern Industries Group Corporation. It is the most advanced main battle tank in service with the Chinese army.
It entered service at the end of 2001 in place of its predecessor, the ZTZ99, and differs from it with improved firepower, higher mobility and improved protection.
Among the outstanding features of the Chinese tank are a system of active laser counteraction against enemy ATGMs (including those mounted on helicopters) and a 125 mm cannon with an automatic loader (modernized counterparts from the Soviet T-72).
1.Type 10, Japan
An advanced fourth generation tank manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, designed for the Japanese Ground Forces. The development of the Type 10 was initiated by a research institute of the Japanese Ministry of Defense in 2002 to replace the old Type 74 tank, which had been in service since 1991.
The main armament of the tank consists of a 120 mm cannon, and its protection has been improved from all angles. This combat vehicle is protected from RPG fire even in side projections. Due to the modular design of the armor, the replacement of damaged modules can be carried out in the field. It is also possible to hang additional protection modules, which is why the tank can be 48 tons heavier.
Honorable Mention from Military Watch Magazine: Merkava IV "Windbreaker", Israel
The latest modification of the Merkava is equipped with the Trophy active protection system, and is still considered one of the best protected tanks in the world. Trophy successfully intercepts grenade launchers and anti-tank missiles, including the Kornet thermobaric anti-tank systems.
The excellent survivability of the Israeli Merkava tank is evidenced by the fact that none of them were lost in the fighting in 2008 and 2014.
The Merkava IV "Windbreaker" moves at a maximum speed of 64 km / h and is always ready to "treat" the enemy with a round from its powerful 120-mm smooth-bore MG253 cannon. It is capable of firing cumulative projectiles, as well as anti-tank guided missiles.