"Their light tanks were retired": Malaysia did not appreciate the purchase of Israeli Sabrah

There is an increasing demand for lightweight modifications in the world tanks... However, the justification of the growing applications for this type of armored vehicles is under a big question.

At least experts from the Malaysia Flying Herald are questioning the procurement policy of the military departments of a number of countries, which have decided to rely on lighter versions of tanks. In particular, the Indonesian army intends to replenish its fleet by 2024 with the Harimau MT vehicle, created jointly with Turkey.

Sadly, a shocking decision was made last year when the [Israeli-developed] Sabrah light tank was chosen to meet the needs of the Philippine army.

- the observer assessed another "breakthrough" of light tanks on the world market.

As noted in the publication, the experience of the past operation of such machines in Malaysia was a failure. Since 1983, more than 20 Alvis Scorpion light tanks have been purchased for the 11th regiment of the Royal Armored Corps, based in Sabah. Unlike most Scorpion tanks in service around the world, the Malaysian variant was equipped with the 90mm Cockerell gun. At that time, studies analyzing the conflict in Angola and the Bush war in Africa showed that 90mm guns were more than enough to destroy armored vehicles.

Given Malaysia's predilection for light armored vehicles, the British tank Vickers Mk 1 [weight 38,1 tons] was strongly offered to her.

Fortunately, rational thinking prevailed when the army acquired 48 PT-91M Pendekar MBTs [a Malaysian version of the Polish PT-91Z tank based on the T-72M1]

- writes the edition.

Immediately after the arrival of the PT-91M, the British Scorpions were redeployed to the "less hot" parts of the theater of operations, and in 2018, "Malaysia sent its light tanks into retirement," deciding to decommission the Scorpions.

Comments

[Profiler]

"Their light tanks were retired": Malaysia did not appreciate the purchase of Israeli Sabrah

This is the second publication about an Israeli light tank.

The first was the article - "Replacing the outdated Soviet T-72": the Czech press praised the Israeli light tank Sabrah

And specifically in the comments to this article, the user
sen (sen) pointed out (quote):

In fact, "Sabra", Sabrah - this is how it is written in English and we are talking about a tower that can be installed on various tracked and wheeled platforms ...........
As a tracked base for the Philippine contract, the ASCOD 2 armored personnel carrier of General Dynamics European Land Systems (joint production in Austria and Spain) was used. As a wheel - Czech Excalibur Group Pandur II (respectively, production in the Czech Republic).

That is, "Sabra" - Sabrah, this is a kind of "Lego constructor", from the elements of which are assembled machines of a certain kind and purpose.

In fact, the Israeli manufacturer has just developed a turret combat module and is integrating it on different platforms, repeating a similar Chinese experience.
But what happens in the end - "centaur" or mutant, can only show long-term military operation and / or combat operations.

[Dodikson]

Why is the world not paying attention not to the combat module, but to the full-fledged T-64 tank?
its weight is the same as that of "light" tanks, a full-fledged 125mm cannon and anti-cannon armor.
and these castrates are in everything, the weight is the same, the gun is smaller, the armor is weaker, and at the same time 10 times more expensive.

[Castro Ruiz]

A on plavaet? Ochen somnevaius.

[Dodikson]

he does not swim, but he knows how to overcome rivers up to 5m deep.
these Israeli "tanks" cannot swim or cross rivers.
and at the same time with a weak cannon, cardboard armor and a price 10 times higher.

[Coconut]

There is an increasing demand in the world for lightweight modifications of tanks

In my humble opinion ... this is a very controversial statement ... in the world dozens (hundreds) of ATGMs .. to disperse the demonstrators? drive the Papuans across the desert ..? ... well, seriously .. a light tank lives off its low weight and .. high speed ... it is effective against infantry and cavalry ... in the coming war there will be no cavalry and the infantry will go there where the city will look like a desert of molten concrete ... something like this

[Revolver]

Quote: Coco

to disperse the demonstrators? drive the Papuans across the desert ..?.

Exactly. Not in the desert, but in the jungle. The Philippines just need to have a nightmare like the Papuans. They have a Muslim minority that has staged a jihad for separating Muslim-dominated territories from the Philippines, their armed wing is called Abu Sayyaf, and seems to be a branch of either Al-Qaeda or ISIS. Recognized as a terrorist organization by most civilized countries. Basically, they terrorize the Filipinos, and the funds for terror are obtained by piracy in the surrounding seas.

[svp67]

Each army has its own combat experience and needs. One thing I want to note is that the "Scorpion", unlike our PT-76, is not floating, and hence its scope is still limited. And it turns out that as a reconnaissance vehicle it is inferior, as well as a battlefield vehicle.

[loki565]

Maybe the Octopus will suit them better, it will be exported

[Private-K]

Quote: svp67

Each army has its own combat experience and needs.

Exactly.
The local soils of Southeast Asia are soft and moist. And if you drive off roads with asphalt, then the cross-country ability becomes critically important.
It is only doubtful that the 38-ton vehicle can be considered "lightweight" - except perhaps in comparison with the 55-68-ton monsters of the current MBT standard.
Well, and if you choose the 38-ton, then it is better to take the T-64 (with modernization) or the T-72 (where there is 38 and 42 tons). All the same, with the reservation of these Soviet tanks of 300-400 mm, yes + NDZ, it will be somehow quieter; as opposed to 100-150 as offered.
But in general, the locals need a really light and amphibious tank weighing up to 20 tons.

[rotmistr60]

There is an increasing demand in the world for lightweight modifications of tanks

Well, if they think so in Malaysia, then the flag is in their hands. But while talking about the Indonesian army, the same observer (as I understand it) suddenly starts talking

a shocking decision was made (about Israeli technology) ...

, but about Malaysia

Fortunately, rational thinking prevailed (about the Polish tank variant) ...

To solve certain problems, of course, light and amphibious tanks are needed, but it is not reasonable to give preference to them exclusively. Although in Malaysia they think differently.

[Old tanker]

Do not forget that Malaysia is a state divided into 2 islands, and even with a bunch of smaller islands. So it is possible that the choice was also influenced by the possibility of transporting cars on sea transports and landing ships.

[Alien From]

Jewish Thai is not a comrade, but a friend

[Konnick]

Interest in lightweight tanks arises from the improvement of active protection systems. Passive armor can no longer help against modern means of destruction, and a further increase in armor leads to a too large increase in the mass of the tank, the more necessary protection from all angles. It is enough for a modern tank to have a good KAZ and armor from small-caliber rapid-fire cannons, such as 57mm and protection of observation and aiming equipment from large-caliber small arms, as well as to withstand the shock wave of a nuclear explosion within reasonable limits. Better than a cannon with a caliber of more than 100mm to destroy tanks to have ATGMs, and for the destruction of long-term ones, the accuracy of direct fire is no longer required, modern artillery has such accuracy.

[Quadro]

Yes, that's why "light tanks" have the weight of a full-fledged T-64, a defective 105mm cannon in the modern world, and approximately zero protection. Yes, yes, there are all myths and fictions - the guns can easily intercept the Kaz, and the "incredibly high-precision artillery" should not shoot at any dugouts and windows of houses.

[Growlers]

What a strange article. the impression that I blinded you from what happened. Without any connection and meaning. And where is the conclusion?

[Revolver]

light tank Sabrah [Israeli design]

Actually, the Sabra is never a light tank, it is an MBT, a development of the Magach 7, which in turn is based on the American M60 Patton. And his cannon is 120 mm, standard NATO caliber.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabra_(tank)

[Professor]

Quote: Nagan

light tank Sabrah [Israeli design]

Actually, the Sabra is never a light tank, it is an MBT, a development of the Magach 7, which in turn is based on the American M60 Patton. And his cannon is 120 mm, standard NATO caliber.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabra_(tank)

https://elbitsystems.com/media/Sabrah-Light-Tank.pdf

[Revolver]

Quote: professor

https://elbitsystems.com/media/Sabrah-Light-Tank.pdf

So trust google and wiki.
In general, it is so indecent to call two tanks by the same name. Have you got there, completely strained with fantasy? Well, at least they used alphanumeric indexes.

[Professor]

Quote: Nagan

Quote: professor

https://elbitsystems.com/media/Sabrah-Light-Tank.pdf

So trust google and wiki.
In general, it is so indecent to call two tanks by the same name. Have you got there, completely strained with fantasy? Well, at least they used alphanumeric indexes.

Duc and you have falcones there, too, like on a copier.

[Ugochaves]

Quote: Konnick

good KAZ and armor from small-caliber rapid-fire guns, such as 57mm

And how long will the KAZ last from a dozen shots of a 57-caliber rapid-fire cannon? And will he have time to intercept them all?

[Castro Ruiz]

MY dolzhna imet i plavayushchie tanki, ez legkie no obyazatelno s KAZ.