The military prowess and effectiveness of an armed force can be significantly enhanced via the inclusion of tanks. These engineering beasts provide substantial firepower, mobility, and protection. This combination empowers armies to push forward under hostile fire, while hitting back powerfully and explosively. Notwithstanding their utility, tanks come with a hefty financial burden, costing millions in terms of procurement, coupled with further millions for upkeep and ammunition over time. Many countries economize by keeping their tanks in service for lengthy periods, purchasing from other nations and upgrading the components to convert dated models into contemporary war assets.
Developed in the 1970s by Germany, the Leopard 2 tank stands testament to the enduring nature of solid engineering design principles. It has stood the test of time through various modifications and enhancements throughout the years. The most widely recognized model is the Leopard 2A4, which hit the production line in 1985. Alongside boosted armor, the 2A4 model includes an interior fire-suppression system, granting it resilience in battle, even when facing internal fire damage.
The M1 Abrams, entering service back in 1980, is very much the emblem of American armored capability. Its imposing, sharp-edged silhouette exudes an impression of armored dominance. It boasts impressive speed for its size and weight, capable of exceeding 40 MPH on firm road surfaces, and maintaining up to 25 MPH over challenging off-road terrains.
The T-72 is a product of the Soviet era, being introduced in 1972 as a rival to the T-64. Its deployment has spanned many conflicts linked to the Soviet Union and Russia, across and beyond the Cold War period. The T-72 earned its stripes as a cost-effective solution and can be found in various conflict zones throughout the world ever since it was launched.
The credit for producing the T-64 goes to Ukraine, done during the period when it was a part of the Soviet Union. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine continued its commitment to maintaining and upgrading T-64s in a bid to keep them in competition with newer tank models.
Introduced by France, the AMX-30 is akin to a ‘glass cannon’ on the battlefield. While its armor provided sufficient resistance against small weapons fire, it needed to rely on its agility and 105mm cannon in battles against larger firepower or opposing tanks.
Germany’s Leopard 1 is a resilient war machine originating from 1965. Even with the introduction of its successor, the Leopard 2, the original Leopard 1 maintains its competitive edge in the domain of armored warfare. Its lighter weight category (for a tank), alongside its 105mm main gun, positioned the Leopard 1 as a forerunner in mobility and firepower, attributes still valued in current battle scenarios.
Devised in China during the late 50s, the Type 59 tank entered the fray in 1959, inspiring its name. It’s based on the Soviet Union’s T-54 from 1946 and saw action during the Vietnam War. As of the present day, China continues to employ about 400 derivative models of Type 59 in active service and it is still in use in multiple countries globally.
The antecedent to the aforementioned Chinese Type 59 was the T-55, a post-World War II tank developed by the Soviets. Alongside the T-54, the T-54/T-55 series has seen wide adoption worldwide, leading to the development of numerous derivative models.
Named after General George S. Patton, the M47 tank is a piece of resilient American engineering. Its only current active duty is within Iran. Yet, an exclusive M47 variant can still be found in action in the U.S., albeit in a different setting.
Acknowledging the contributions of General Walton Walker, the M41 Walker Bulldog, an American tank developed during the Cold War, bears his name. Although employed during the Vietnam War, it found itself outmatched by enemy PT-76 and T-54 tanks. Nevertheless, the M41 continues to serve in various countries today.
The Centurion tank, developed by the British towards the end of World War II, was intended to rival the formidable German Tiger. Its completion only occurred post-war, in 1945. South Africa adopted the design, modifying it into the Olifant, an entirely new tank using the same hull with a different internal build.
In 1941, during the heat of World War II, the M3 Stuart was introduced by the Allied forces to even the odds against the superior German tanks. Its deployment played a significant role in winning the battle against Nazi Germany. As per our latest data, Paraguay is the lone country employing the M3 Stuart on active duty.
The post Harnessing the Power of Tanks in Armed Forces appeared first on Real News Now.
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