10. ZTZ-99 (China) – $2.6 million
The ZTZ-99 was introduced into service with the People’s Liberation Army
(PLA) in 2001. Like previous Chinese tanks, the ZTZ-99 ‘borrowed’
heavily from the designs of Soviet-era tanks and there are similarities
to the Soviet T-72’s appearance and use of a 125mm main gun. The angular
welded turret and 1500 hp diesel engine show the Western influence
which the Chinese have incorporated into their newest tank. Chinese
designers have also fitted this vehicle with a laser defense system
meant to warn of incoming missiles, disrupt targeting and sighting
equipment and even blind human operators who are targeting the tank. For
those projectiles which get past the laser system, a classified armor
package, including explosive reactive armor, protects the crew of three
inside this 58 ton vehicle.
9. T-90AM (Russia) – $4.25 million
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union had a policy of building two types
of tanks: a cheap mass produced version suitable for export (T-62,
T-72) and an expensive high end version (T-64, T-80). In recent years
this policy proved to be too expensive so the decision to focus on one
type of tank was taken. The result was the T-90. There are various
models of this tank with the cheaper T-90S exported to countries like
India. The higher end (and nearly twice as expensive) T-90AM currently
serves with the Russian army. This tank is an evolution of the T-72
using a newer 125mm main gun, newer 1230 hp engine and an advanced array
of armor and defense equipment. The T-90AM has the latest fire-control
equipment and uses an advanced explosive reactive armor which is said to
be highly effective against the newest Western ammunition. It also
sports an active protection system which can destroy many types of
incoming prjectiles. Like the T-72, the T-90 has a three-man crew and
uses an automatic loader for the main gun.
Tied-7. Merkava IV (Israel) – $6.0 million
Following their experiences fighting the Egyptians and Syrians with
Western tanks in the 1960s and 1970s, the Israeli Defence Forces opted
to design and build their own tank. The result was the Merkava series of
tanks. Today, the current version is the Merkava IV armed with a 120mm
main gun. The Merkava is built with protection as the number one
priority. The tank’s armor is a composite of steel and ceramic and is
modular in design which allows for quick removal and replacement of
damaged parts. The engine is placed at the front of the tank which adds
extra protection to the crew and any infantry who can ride in the back.
This armor has been shown capable of standing up to most anti-tank
weapons with only two Merkava IV destroyed during the 2006 Lebanon War –
and only one of these was destroyed by enemy anti-tank missiles. An
active protection system is currently being fitted to these tanks which
improves the probability of destroying incoming enemy missiles.
Tied-7. Arjun Mk II (India) – $6.0 million
The Arjun first entered service with the Indian Army in 2004. The latest
version, the 55 ton Arjun Mk II, finished its trials over the past two
years and is now entering service. This newest Indian tank contains many
of the modern features found on the newest Russian and Western designs.
The tank uses a 120mm rifled main gun which can fire conventional
ammunition and guided missiles. Armor is provided by a modular composite
which is classified but is likely to include steel and ceramic material
similar to other tank designs. Defensive equipment includes laser
warning receivers, infrared jammers and aerosol smoke grenades to
counter incoming guided antitank missiles. The Arjun Mk II has added
explosive reactive armor to increase protection further, as well as
improved navigational equipment and optics to aid the crew of four in
operating the vehicle.
6. Leopard 2A6 (Germany) – $6.79 million
The oldest tank on this list, the Leopard 2 first entered service in
1979. Since then the tank has gone through a number of upgrades and
modernizations with the 2A6 model being the ‘standard’ frontline version
in use today. Like most Western tanks, the Leopard 2A6 uses a 120mm
smoothbore main gun which can fire an assortment of projectiles with
very high accuracy. The 63 ton tank uses an advanced armor package which
is composed of steel, ceramic, tungsten and plastic. Armor is thickest
on the front of the turret, hull and sides. The engine is a 1500 hp
diesel which can propel the tank up to 45 mph. As with most Western tank
designs, ammunition is stored in a separate compartment to prevent
catastrophic explosions like those witnessed in Soviet/Russian tank
designs. One of the most successful tank designs, the Leopard 2 is used
by several nations with the 2A6 currently in service with Germany,
Canada, Finland, Greece and Portugal. A newer 2A7+ model is currently
being tested and marketed with a price estimated of around $12 million
per unit.
5. M1A2 SEP (USA) – $8.5 million
Of all the tanks on this list, the M1 Abrams is the most battle proven.
In 1991 and 2003, this tank proved it was superior to any Soviet era
tank the Iraqis had. In fact, the greatest threat to Abrams came not
from enemy tanks but from IEDs and insurgents striking the side and rear
of the tank with advanced Russian antitank weaponry. The latest version
of the Abrams is the M1A2 SEP. This model weighs over 69 tons thanks in
large part to its advanced armor which consists of composites with
depleted uranium and graphite. It is armed with a 120mm smoothbore gun
which, with the aid of advanced electronics and optics, can fire with a
high level of accuracy. The tank can be further upgraded with the Tank
Urban Survival Kit (TUSK) which adds, among several things, reactive
armor to the sides, slat armor to the rear and a remote control
machinegun on the turret roof.
4. Challenger 2 (Great Britain) – $8.6 million
Considered one of the most reliable and best protected tanks in the
world, the Challenger 2 has been in service since 1998. It has seen
service in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq where, in conjunction with the M1
Abrams, it dominated any Iraqi tank it faced. The Challenger 2 uses the
newest form of armor known as ‘Chobham armour’ whose composition is
highly classified but said to be more than twice the strength of steel.
This protection is complemented with additional panels of explosive
reactive armor on the sides and front and slat armor around the rear of
the tank. This 69 ton tank is propelled by a 1200 hp engine making it
one of the least maneuverable tanks on this list. However, the armor
protection and accuracy from its 120mm rifled main gun more than make up
for this shortcoming. Outside of the United Kingdom, only Oman operates
the Challenger 2.
3. K2 Black Panther (South Korea) – $8.8 million
The newest South Koran tank, the K2 is one of the most advanced tanks
in the world. Having never been in combat, it’s hard to rate the tank’s
abilities but on paper the specifications are impressive. The K2
combines all of the best characteristics found in Western and Russian
tank designs. Similar to the Leopard 2, the K2 uses a 120mm 55 caliber
smoothbore gun and a 1500 hp diesel engine. The armor is a classified
composite material with an additional use of modular explosive reactive
armor for enhanced protection. Missile warning and jamming equipment
helps the tank detect incoming antitank missiles and jam their controls
while deploying a protective aerosol smoke screen. Like the T-90 and
Merkava, the K2 is said to be capable of operating an active protection
system to destroy incoming missiles, although this is still under
development. Also similar to Russian designs, the crew consists of only
three people with the loading of the gun done by an autoloader.
2. Type 10 (Japan) – $9.4 million
The Type 10 is the newest Japanese tank, entering service in 2012.
Weighing only 48 tons, the Type 10 is highly maneuverable with a
reported top speed in excess of 70 km/h. Like most Western tanks,
armament is a 120mm smoothbore gun which can fire domestically made
ammunition or NATO compatible rounds. Armor protection is modular and
uses a composite blend of hardened steel and ceramic. In comparison to
the other tanks on this list, the Type 10 may be slightly less capable
against other main battle tanks but very resistant to handheld antitank
weapons like Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPG). Like Russian tanks, the
Type 10 has a three man crew and uses an autoloader in place of a fourth
crewman. A warning system and smoke dispensers provide passive
protection against any incoming guided antitank missiles.
1. AMX-56 Leclerc (France) – $12.6 million
This is France’s main battle tank and currently the most expensive tank
in the world. Figures on the cost of this tank vary greatly depending on
who you talk to. Critics within the French government say each Leclerc
has cost France $23 million or more. Companies who build and upgrade
these tanks give a more conservative (but still ridiculously high)
figure of $12.6 million per tank. The Leclerc entered service in 1992
after 15 years of development and trials. The tank uses modular armor
which can be taken off and replaced quickly. The armor is a composite of
steel, ceramics and Kevlar. Protection on the roof of the turret and
sides is very thick and the tank even has redundant electrical systems
to ensure survivability. Like other Western tanks, the Leclerc uses a
120mm smoothbore gun and 1500 hp engine. It only has a crew of three and
uses an autoloader very similar to the one used in South Korea’s K2
Black Panther, reportedly able to fire 12 rounds per minute. Advanced
optics and computer systems make this one of the best tanks in the world
– and the most expensive.
