Top 10 Main Battle Tanks

Military organizations around the world develop an array of fearsome vehicles and cutting edge weaponry to protect their country against dangerous assailants. There have been many types of tanks created the military, but these 10 are the main battle tanks created. Here is the list of top 10 main battle tanks:

10. T-90 (Russia)

The T-90 is a third-generation Russian battle tank that entered service in 1993. The T-90 Main Battle Tank (MBT) is a further development of the T-72.  It was adopted by the Russian Army in 1993 and its low-rate production commenced in 1994. Originally called the T-72BU, but later renamed to T-90, it is an advanced tank in service with Russian Ground Forces and the Naval Infantry.

9. Oplot-M (Ukraine)

The Oplot-M main battle tank (MBT) is developed by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (KMDB) for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine continued development of the T-84 main battle tank. Their latest version of this tank is the Oplot-M. The Oplot-M is fitted with explosive reactive armor of new generation. The Oplot-M MBT is fitted with Duplet (Nozh-2) built-in Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) of new generation, that protects against tandem warheads.

8. Leclerc (France)

The Leclerc main battle tank (MBT) built by Giat Industries (now known as Nexter Systems) is operational with the French Army and the armed forces of Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates. The AMX-56 "Leclerc" has become the pinnacle of French combat tank design in the modern world. This French main battle tank entered service in 1992. It is protected with advanced modular armor system, which can be tailored to the threat. Its armor is a combination of steel, ceramics and Kevlar. Overall it is a successful design. The Leclerc was used during a number of peacekeeping and military operations.

7. Type 90 (Japan)

The main battle tank, Type 90, is domestically designed and produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Development of the Type 90 tank was initiated in 1977, and it was accepted for service in 1990. The Type 90 tank  is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It was designed as a replacement for all deployed Type 61 and Type 74 tanks. The Type 90 has an all-welded hull and turret. Its composite armor has superior resistance qualities. Half of the ammunition is stored in the turret bustle with blow-out panels.

6. Merkava Mk4 (Israel)

The Merkava Mk4 is the latest Israeli main battle tank.  It is a successor to the previous Merkava Mk3. The Merkava Mk4 entered service with Israel Defense Forces in 2004. It is one of the most protected tanks in the world.  The Merkava Mk4 is slightly larger than the previous Mk3.  It has a new armor, comparing with predecessor. The Mk4 is also fitted with new modular armor, that can be reconfigured to match specific threats.

5. T-14 Armata (Russia)

The T-14 Armata is a Russian main battle tank based on the Armata Universal Combat Platform. The Armata was developed as a replacement to the cancelled T-95.Trials of the Armata commenced in 2014. The new MBT was first publicly revealed in 2015. The Armata is a new-generation tank. It is a clean sheet design with a number of advanced features. It has little in common with the current T-90 and other older Soviet tanks.

4. Challenger 2 (United Kingdom)

Challenger 2 is an advanced main battle tank built by BAE Land Systems (formerly Vickers Defence Systems. The Challenger 2 is a British main battle tank (MBT) in service with the armies of the United Kingdom. Vickers Defence Systems began to develop a successor to Challenger 1 as a private venture in 1986. It is one of the most protected tanks in the world. This main battle tank provides a very high level of protection against direct fire weapons.

3. M1A2 SEP (USA)

The M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) is a successor to the M1A2.It is also an upgrade package for the older Abrams tanks. It has improved armor protection, improved system components, improved computer components, and some other improvements.  It is named after General Creighton Abrams. This tank has incredible technology and armor.  Also it has seen combat.  It is one of the most feared MBTs.

2. K2 Black Panther (South Korea)

The K2 Black Panther main battle tank evolved from the XK2 programme. This next-generation MBT was developed in South Korea using indigenous technology only. Its development began in 1995.The K2 Black Panther is a South Korean main battle tank that will replace most of the M48 Patton tanks and complement the K1 series of main battle tanks currently fielded by the Republic of Korea. Mass production commenced in 2013 and the first K2s were deployed with the armed forces in June 2014 .

1. Leopard 2A7 (Germany)

The Leopard 2A7 main battle tank was developed by German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in cooperation with the German Army. It is a proposed upgrade package for existing MBTs. It was first revealed in 2010.The Leopard 2A7 is a main battle tank developed for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army.