Top 10 best tanks in the world

[Jimbuna]

I'm not agreeing with the order as set out in the video link but was suprised at one or two placings.

What do you think?

[Schroeder]

I smell a never ending story.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I smell a never ending story.

This.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I smell a never ending story.

Oh I'm not so sure...I expected a dozen at most would come in and simply state "I reckon no* should be above no**"

[UnderseaLcpl]

I think the person who made this video didn't know what they were talking about. Where is the Stridswagen? Why is the M1A2 behind the Challenger? What criterion were used to judge placements?

How can M1A2 Abrams can be the best, when it using German Reinmetal L44 gun. and Old British Chobham armour? Plus, it drink lots of fuel, it combat range are short. and it had being destroyed many in Iraq. Please, face fact that Abrams is 3rd, not 1st.

I'd agree with the Leopard 2 being ahead of the Abrams, or at least on par, but the Challenger 2 is simply no match. It also uses Chobham armour , but the fire-control systems are somewhat lacking. The rifled L30 120mm lacks the capacity to fire modern APFSDS rounds while the HESH and HEAT rounds are almost useless against modern MBT armour. I'd put it at no higher than third.

For my money, the number one tank in the the entire history of modern warfare is the T-34. No other tank has achieved so much with so little in such a short amount of time. Right after that I'd put the Jagdpanzer Panther, a remarkable vehicle that could hold it's own against even most modern MBTs, even though it isn't technically a tank. Finally, I'd place the Sturmgeschutz III, another non-tank, on the list for it's incredible combat record. Once I had those three, I might consider looking at modern MBTs with extremely short and unremarkable and/or no combat histories.

[Jimbuna]

I personally think the top three are the correct choice....but I'm not so sure of the order

Perhaps the thread title should have stated 'current vehicles' or something like that

[Skybird]

It's stupid to form such lists. Too many factors that are not even directly linked to technology are ignored: logistical capacity of the using army (I just say M1 gas turbines, and fuel...), availabability of precious ores to form ammunition, and that relating to tank fleet sizes that must be supplied (Russia uses Steel for the most, Germany Tungsten, the US uses DU). expected combat environment, combat doctrine: in the attack maybe the M1 is better protected over the complete hull, but in hull down the Leopard2A6 is better than the Abrams, becasue its top is tougher, but the lower hull and flanks are less heavily protected. Then, preferred combat range (depending on terrain, ammunition availability: for example, what is better: the heavy gun callibre of the Swedish CV-9040, or the additional TOWs for the M2 Bradleys? In desert, the Bradley. In the Swedish mixture of rough terrain, forest and missile-blocking, disrupted line of sights: the CV9040).

There are so many factors.

Rating a tank roughly, depends on the best-working balance between mobility, firepower, and protection. then, ergonomy, and technical reliability, and sensors. But "best-working" can have different meanings in differentarmies in different places fighting with different doctrines.

I think, though, that the M1 and the Leopard 2, maybe also the Challenger due to its armour level, play in the same league. I also think that merkava, Leclerc, T-90, form a subordinate second class, which can be lethal for players of the first if these top tanks meet the second league tanks without proper respect.

The only thing one can say for sure is: the most ergonomic tank is the German one.

The Asian tanks I do not comment on, I know almost nothing about them.

[Oberon]

The best tank in the world is one that kills the enemy and keeps you alive.

Although...naturally, I must say, that since the Challenger II has a kettle on board, it wins hands down.

[Bilge_Rat]

The M1A2 SEP, Challenger 2 and Leo 2A6 are probably the best MBTs in the world in 2010. How they rank against each other is hard to say since so much info is classified.

In terms of fire control, all three can engage and hit (usually with the 1st shot) a target while moving at top speed. Basically, they can hit and kill any target they can see with the first shot.

In terms of frontal protection, I would give the edge to the M1A2 SEP over the CR2, but that is just based on the fact that a Iraqi RPG-29 penetrated the frontal armour of a CR2 indicating a potential weak spot.

All three have weaker side and rear armour which can be penetrated by any ATGM/RPG.

However, in the real world, a ranking such as this is meaningless, since the army operating the weapon is often more important than the weapon itself.

The German Army, equipped with Pz III/IVs , trounced the Soviet Army in 1941-42, even though the Soviet T-34s and KV1s were much better tanks. The IDF equipped mostly with upgunned WW2 era shermans beat the Jordanian Army equipped with more modern M47 "Patton" tanks in 1967.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Oberon

"The thing I'm most interested in tho, is the big gun. Which is as you can see rifled for greater accuracy. Not like those smooth-bore american ones that just hit something 'over there'."

Haha, always cracks me up!

[Oberon]

One should also not count out Russian equipment simply because 'It's Russian'.

When the wall fell the Bundeswehr found themselves in an interesting position of having Soviet and Western kit in their hands and were able to put them both to the test, with some surprising results.

Originally Posted by wikipedia

The July 1997 issue of Jane's International Defence Review confirmed that after the collapse of USSR, US and German analysts had a chance to examine Soviet made T-72 tanks equipped with Kontakt-5 ERA, and they proved impenetrable to most modern US and German tank projectiles; this sparked the development of more modern Western tank ammunition, such as the M829A2 and M829A3. Russian tank designers responded with newer types of Heavy Reactive Armour, including Relikt and Kaktus.

Like Skybird said, never take your opponent for granted, even if you think they may be less lethal, always treat them with respect or you will be nastily surprised.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Dowly

"The thing I'm most interested in tho, is the big gun. Which is as you can see rifled for greater accuracy. Not like those smooth-bore american ones that just hit something 'over there'."

Haha, always cracks me up!

"Right, he's going around in circles the little BLEEP!"

"Oh no! I seem to have brought Puff Daddys car...to the Somme!"

"This really is just a battle of range...who runs out of fuel first...and that's a bad plan because I suspect it's going to be me..."

[Bilge_Rat]

good point. No one knows how good the T-90 really is. The Iraqi T-72s destroyed by coalition forces were a mixture of export and home built Iraqi models, all of which were reportedly inferior in terms of quality/features to the models used by Russian forces.

In a head to head matchup, the T-90 is probably inferior to the best western MBTs, but it can certainly win if it gets a flank shot, again a case of who is commanding the tank being more important than the tank itself, for example:

One example of this increased firepower was displayed by Lt. G.K Henry's Firefly during the defense of Norrey-en-Bessin on 9 June against an attack by the 3rd Company of the 12th SS Panzer Regiment of the 12th SS Panzer Division. Determined to capture the town in preparation for a larger offensive to drive the British and Canadians back into the sea, Kurt Meyer ordered an attack by 12 Panthers of the 3rd Company and infantry to attack Norrey-en-Bessin and drive the Canadians out of the town. The attack got underway at 1300 hours with the Panthers racing to the town at full speed only to stop to fire their guns, quickly outrunning their infantry support which was forced to ground by allied artillery fire. Within 1,000 m (1,100 yd) of the town, 9 Shermans of the 1st Hussars opened fire into the advancing Panthers flanks. Lt. Henry's gunner, Trooper A. Chapman, waited until the Panthers "lined up like ducks in a row" and quickly knocked out five German Panthers with just 6 rounds. The attack was repulsed with the loss of 7 of the 12 attacking Panthers, the majority credited to Lt. Henry's single Firefly

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Firefly

[Jimbuna]

Further to Oberons link, is the CR2 the fastest over rough terrain?

[Bilge_Rat]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Further to Oberons link, is the CR2 the fastest over rough terrain?

hard to say, officially top speed cross-country is:

M1A2- 48 km
T90s- 45 km
CR2- 40 km

but they may be deliberately misrepresenting their capabilities for security purposes.

max speed does not really mean anything on a tactical level, a tanker will never go fast over rough terrain and run the risk of bogging or throwing a track unless he has no other choice.

Here is a good site for general non-classified info on modern tanks:

http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/main.html