Main battle tanks (MBTs) have evolved from being simple and light to heavy, modernised and highly mobile, with advancements in weaponry and countermeasures. Here is the lists of 10 most deadliest main battle tanks in the world based on weaponry, mobility and protection-
T90A (Russia)- T90A main battle tanks of Russia procured from Russia is the most leathal battle tank in the world manufactured by Uralvagonzavod.The 125mm 2A46M-5 gun of the tank fires different types of ammunition with high accuracy. The tank is also armed with a 6P7K 7.62mm antiaircraft machine gun on a remotely controlled weapon station.A V-92S2F engine with a rated power of 1,130hp provides a maximum speed of 60km/h to the tank.
Leopard 2A7 (Germany)- The Leopard 2A7+ is a next-generation main battle tank (MBT) revealed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) in 2010. The Leopard 2A7+ is armed with 120mm L55 smoothbore gun capable of firing standard Nato ammunition and new programmable 120mm HE-rounds. The tank integrates an FLW 200 remotely controlled light weapon station mounting a 7.62mm/ 12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm grenade launcher. This highly mobile tank has a maximum speed of 72km/h and cruising range of 450km.
Abrams M1A2( USA)- The Abrams M1A2 is a combat proven main battle tank developed by General Dynamics Land Systems, primarily for the US Army. The main gun of the tank is a manually loaded 120mm XM256 smoothbore cannon, which can fire a range of Nato ammunition against armoured vehicles, infantry and low-flying aircraft. The tank is also armed with two 7.62mm M240 machine guns and a .50 cal M2 machine gun and can store 42 rounds of 120mm, 11,400 rounds of 7.62mm, 900 rounds of 50 calibre ammunition, 32 screening grenades and 210 rounds of 5.56mm ammo. The tank has a cruising range of 426km and can travel at a maximum speed of 67.5km/h.
Challenger 2 (United Kingdom)- The Challenger 2 (CR2) is the main battle tank of the British Army. The MBT was designed and manufactured by British Vickers Defence Systems based on the Challenger 1 tank. The 120mm L30 CHARM gun of the Challenger 2 provides primary firepower while a C-axial 7.62mm chain gun and a turret-mounted 7.62mm machine gun serve as secondary weapons. The tank can carry 50 Armour Piercing, Fin Stabilised, Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), high-explosive squash heads (HESH) and Soke rounds, as well as 4,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The Perkins-Condor CV12 engine of the tank ensures a maximum on-road speed of 59km/h and off-road speed of 40km/h.
Merkava Mk.4 (Israel)- The Merkava Mark IV is the latest version of the Merkava range of main battle tanks built by MANTAK (Merkava Tank Office). The tank entered service with the Israel Defence Forces in 2004 and is regarded as one of the best-protected tanks in the world. The Mk.4 is armed with a 120mm MG253 smoothbore gun capable of firing high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and sabot rounds, as well as LAHAT anti-tank guided missiles. The 7.62mm coaxial and 12.7mm swivel-mounted machine guns and 60mm grenade launcher complement the fire power of the tank. The tank moves at a maximum speed of 64km/h.
K2 Black Panther (South Korea)- The K2 Black Panther is a modern MBT developed by Hyundai Rotem for the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA). The MBT is intended to offer high mobility, firepower and self-protection. The Black Panther entered service with RoKA in 2014. The K2 Black Panther’s primary weapon is a 120mm smoothbore gun, which can fire advanced kinetic energy ammunition and is equipped with autoloader for on-the-go ammunition loading, even in rough terrain. The secondary armament includes 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns. The maximum speed of 70km/h and range of 450km make the K2 highly mobile on the battlefield.
Leclerc (France)- The Leclerc is a French main battle tank developed by GIAT Industries for the French Army. The first Leclerc tank was handed over to the DGA in January 1992. Leclerc is a third-generation tank armed with a Nato standard CN120-26 120mm smoothbore gun, a coaxial 12.7mm machine gun and a roof-mounted 7.62mm machine gun. The tank can carry 40 rounds of 120mm ammunition and more than 950 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition.The tank has a maximum speed of 72km/h and can strike targets at a speed of 50km/h on any terrain.
Type 90- The Japanese Type 90 tank was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in cooperation with German Krauss-Maffei and MaK tank manufacturers. This MBT is armed with German Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore gun, which was produced in Japan under license. It fires all standard NATO 120 mm tank rounds. Unusual feature of the Type 90 is that this tank was fitted with a bustle-mounted automatic ammunition loading system. At the time only Soviet and Chinese tanks had autoloaders. This Japanese tank has a fire control system with independent commander's sight. Another unusual feature of this tank is that it has a hydropneumatic suspension. It allows this MBT to "kneel", or "lean", giving a number of advantages.
T-14 Armata (Russia)- T14 Armata is a new-generation Russian MBT being manufactured by Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) for the Russian Army. The tank is currently under production with deliveries scheduled for 2020. The main gun fitted to the tank is a 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore gun fed by an automatic loader. The secondary armament includes a Kord 12.7mm machine gun and a PKTM 7.62mm machine gun. The tank can carry 45 rounds of ammunition and fire laser-guided missiles. Powered by an A-85-3A turbocharged diesel engine, the tank offers a maximum speed of 90km/h and range of 500km.
VT4 MBT-3000 (China)- The VT4 MBT is a third-generation tank designed and manufactured by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) primarily for export markets. The main battle tank is armed with a 125mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing APFSDS rounds, HEAT warheads, artillery, and guided missiles. The secondary armament includes a remotely operated 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The maximum road speed of the VT4 MBT is 70km/h while its maximum range is 500km.
