The development of main battle tanks shifted to the East

43
The development of main battle tanks shifted to the East

The newest Russian tank T-14 Armata demonstrates a new direction: a remote-controlled tower and standard systems common to all machines of the same family

Let's look at countries that are still developing and producing their own main combat Tanks.

This year marks one hundred years since the beginning of the development of the tank, at the expense of this machine, they tried to resolve the stalemate on the Western Front. Although the tank’s roots are in Western Europe, a region that, with the exception of Germany, has reduced its capacity to design, develop, and manufacture main battle tanks (MBTs), in the industry of other countries the situation is almost the opposite, especially in Asia.

In Europe, industry consolidation, shrinking budgets and lengthy combat vehicle programs have caused countries that once created their own facilities to build and manufacture MBT - for example, Sweden with the Bofors S tank and Switzerland with the Pz 61 and Pz 68 tanks - abandoned them in favor of finished imported products. Both countries chose Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Leopard 2 tank, while reassuring the local industry and throwing a bone at it in the form of in-country manufacturing of subsystems, such as an MTU diesel engine.

Swedish Leopard is one of the most well-protected tanks in the world, thus confirming the unusual tendency when many countries choose ready-made imported tanks rather than developing their own and often get more efficient machines compared to the original developer’s machines.

For example, the United Arab Emirates 436 tanks (the only export vehicles of this French MBT) have higher characteristics than tanks of the French army, as well as improvements for operation in the hot climate of this country. Perhaps the most significant change was the installation of a MTU 883 diesel engine with an 1500 horsepower. instead of the original SACM engine. The MTU engine was also installed on the French armored repair and recovery vehicle Leclerc ARV.

Already after entering the UAE, they upgraded their OBT by installing the AZUR protection kit (Action en Zone Urban) developed by Nexter; Recently, these machines were deployed by the allied coalition in Yemen. For comparison, France did not choose additional protection for its own Leclerc tanks.

KMW is currently the main contractor for the tank Leopard 2, which has become the most successful European tank project in recent years, widely exported and subjected to significant upgrades. Licensed production was also carried out in Greece and Spain, but at present virtually all the work on the Leopard 2 tank is focused on upgrading existing platforms, as European operators seek to get rid of the cars and consolidate their fleets. The only exception is the production of 64 new tanks, which should get off the production line and go to Qatar.

Even the new German Leopard 2A7 tanks ordered from KMW represent an upgrade of the Leopard 2A7 from the presence of the Dutch army, as well as overhauled and modified to the new standard version of the 2A4.

Although there are no concrete plans for the near future, the replacement of the Leopard 2 tank may well be the new MBT, developed jointly with France, which will also need to replace its Leclerc MBT in the long term. These opportunities were reinforced by the recent merger of KMW and Nexter Systems, but to date, all attempts at joint development have failed due to a conflict of interest.

Modern plant of the company General Dynamics European Land Systems, built for the production of Leopard tanks in Spain (brand new, but at the moment in his shops silence) is a symbol of the production of the European MBT. If the tank-building companies of Europe do not ensure the modernization of tanks for themselves, their capacities and qualifications will degrade.

Russia

Even the awkward Russian armored industry was reduced and consolidated. The development and production of four main production sites has now been moved to Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil, which developed the T-62, T-72 and T-90 tanks; the latter is still produced for overseas markets. The plant in Omsk, where the T-80 OBT was manufactured, has now entered the huge Uralvagonzavod concern and, apparently, has focused on more specialized OBT platforms.

After a false start with the T-95 MBT, which was armed with an externally-installed 152-mm 2A83 smoothbore gun, Russian efforts shifted to the development of the Armata T-14 MBT, which was officially shown at a military parade in May 2015.

The T-14 tank has a revolutionary layout: three crew members are placed in front in a very sturdy hull (including an active defense complex), shells in an externally mounted smooth-bore 125-mm 2A82A cannon are fed by an automatic loader installed in the turret's stern niche. The base body of the T-14 (modified in some cases) will serve as the base for the full family of armored combat vehicles, and the first of these was the heavy infantry fighting vehicle T-15.

Pre-production copies of the T-14 are currently being tested and, if successful, Russia plans to manufacture at least 2000 vehicles that will replace the T-72, T-80 tanks and, in the long term, the T-90, although it is not entirely clear whether funding sufficient for this. Meanwhile, Russia continues to manufacture and export MBT and support foreign manufacturers.


Russian tank T-90


Russian tank T-72М1М

Ukraine

In Soviet times, Ukraine has gained extensive experience in the design, development and production of MBT, including the T-80UD model, which was equipped with a compact and well-developed diesel engine of local development, and not a voracious and expensive gas turbine engine of Russian T-80U tanks.

Work continued after the collapse of the Soviet Union; further development of the T-XNUMHUD tank led to the creation of a variant of the T-80. Subsequently, at the end of the 84-s, T-90 was sold to Pakistan, although the unresolved relations between Russia and Ukraine meant that there were some disagreements regarding, for example, Russia's objections to the technology of cast towers. In this regard, some cars were delivered with towers from the tank T-84.

The design of the tank is the Kharkov engineering design bureau for them. Morozov, and the manufacture is engaged in a state tank factory them. Malysheva. This plant manufactured and began shipping the first batch of 49 BM Oplot tanks to Thailand at the beginning of 2014, but the exact status of this transaction is not clear in light of the current situation in Ukraine and the decision taken at the beginning of 2015 of the year to concentrate all developments and production to meet the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces.


Tank BM Oplot

Israel

The Abrams M1A1 tank assembly line at a tank factory near Cairo makes Egypt the only country in North Africa with modern tank production facilities, but in the Middle East the only country that has developed its own MBT is neighboring Israel. And even then, the tank in the latest version of the Merkava Mk 4 is not produced (although the upgrade is underway), and its diesel engine is imported (it is a GD883 General Dynamics version of the MTU engine).

And yet, the fact that the family of innovative tanks was successfully designed and manufactured speaks volumes. The Merkava tank, developed by a consortium of Israeli companies, “strained” the national defense industry in ways that would have been impossible in most other countries. Its creation, the final chord of which was assembled by Israeli Ordnance Corps, required a very high level of cooperation and integration between many Israeli companies.


All MBT Merkava have good protection and are distinguished by an unusual layout with a front engine. The tank of the latest configuration Mk 4 is equipped with KAZ Rafael Trophy

The design of the tank is unusual in that the power unit is located in front, and the tower is shifted to the stern of the car. Designers argue that this arrangement increases the survivability of the crew (the crew can leave the car through the rear hatches, while providing at least some protection from enemy fire), and also allows you to free up space for the separation of the landing.

The Mk 4 tank is equipped with many local development systems, including the Rafael Trophy active protection system.

Turkey

Having gained considerable experience in the modernization of obsolete MBT, Turkey decided to build its own tank in the past decade and in August 2008 entered into a contract with Otokar for the Altay project.

The contract cost 500 millions of dollars provided for the design, development and manufacture of an experimental model for testing the running characteristics of the MTR (Mobility Test Rig), the experimental model for FTR (Firing Test Rig) shooting tests and two experimental machines (PV1 and PV2), all of which were tested for this moment completed. Currently, negotiations are underway to produce the first batch of 250 Altay tanks with an MTU EuroPowerPack engine with an 1500 horsepower, although Turkey wants to produce its power unit developed by local enterprises in the future.

In accordance with the common standard Western European practice, the Altay tank is armed with an 120-mm L / 55 smoothbore gun, which is also installed on many Leopard 2A6 tanks and other MBTs. The hand-loading gun is connected to a local-developed fire control system (LMS), and the guidance is carried out using stabilized day and night sights.

The capabilities of the Turkish tank will be developed in stages. Although installation of, for example, a modern booking kit is foreseen for a serial car, in the long run it is expected that it will be equipped with an active protection package from Aselsan.

South Korea

The Turkish company Otokar is assisted by the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem, which has its own experience in the development and production of main battle tanks K1 and K2. South Korea is now completely self-sufficient in the design and manufacture of tanks, tracked and wheeled armored vehicles.

This process began with the development of the first prototype of the K1 tank, made by the American company Chrysler (now General Dynamics Land Systems) in the 1983 year. Then the Korean car went a long way, including four main development and modernization cycles, at the end of which (and finally!) In 2013, the current K1A2 standard tank went into service.

A total of approximately 1500 machines were manufactured, but there were no orders from foreign countries for this machine.

In parallel, as part of an entirely new project, Hyundai Rotem developed a K2 MBT with a higher level of protection, armed with an L / 55 smoothbore gun with an automatic loader placed in the rear of the turret, which allowed for a much higher rate of fire compared to the K1 tank (up to 10 shots per minute).

In accordance with the general trend, a local power unit was to be installed on the K2 tank, but problems encountered during development and associated with achieving sufficient power and reliability of the new engine forced Hyundai Rotem to return to the MTU MT833 engine, although development was not stopped.

The overall layout of the Korean tank is quite traditional, but not without some innovative moments, including an active suspension, which allows you to adjust the clearance and the inclination of the hull within fairly large limits. The machine can “kneel” and fire at the target from the shelter or “nose up” in order to increase the angle of vertical guidance for firing at highly placed targets. Also, the whole body can be raised and lowered depending on the relief being overcome.

Serial production began in 2013, the first tanks entered service in June, 2014, and since then their production has continued (100 tanks are expected to be delivered to 2017, the year). At the moment, there are no export orders for the tank, but it is regularly demonstrated to interested potential customers, including participating in the competition for the Peruvian MBT, competing with the Ukrainian Stronghold and the Russian T-90.

China

Like most of the Chinese military equipment, the tanks of this country are based on the Russian MBT. Initially, the production of Soviet copies went in large quantities, but then the local industry began to gain experience and gain it until China was able to develop its own projects from scratch. China began with the T-54, on the basis of which Type 59, Type 69 and Type 79 tanks were created. They were followed by a Type 80, which had a new building with a turret armed with a NATO standard 105-mm cannon connected to a computerized SLA. Further development in the 80-x and 90-s resulted in a machine with an increasingly characteristic Chinese appearance.

The newest MBT, entered service with the Chinese army, was the Type 99 (the number indicates the year when the tank was shown at a military parade). Although its hull is similar to the hull of a T-72 tank, the experience of this tank’s participation in combat operations, including the Russian presence in Afghanistan and the poor fighting qualities of Iraqi tanks during Operation Storm in the Desert, was carefully studied in order to enhance the level of protection and approbation of some innovations. Among them, for example, an active protection complex and a laser blinding device.

The tank also received a new turret with an 125-mm smoothbore cannon, which shells are fed by an automatic loader, located under the tower's chase.

All tanks were manufactured in large quantities for the local market, but the capabilities of Chinese industry also allowed it to supply various models of tanks to many countries around the world. The Chinese company North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) is currently promoting MBT-3000 (VT-4), MBT-2000 and VT-2 tanks, all with a 125-mm smooth-bore gun and automatic loader.

Little is known about future plans for Chinese MBT, but the latest developments include a light tank Type 62 with an 105-mm gun (also known as ZTQ). At a time when the main battle tanks of other countries are becoming heavier, the Type 62 light machine, designed for operations in mountainous terrain, has a ton of 21 tons of man and an 4 crew of a man.


Hyundai Rotem's K2 is already the second MBT created by South Koreans, but the development of a local power unit was not so easy and the cars of the first batch are equipped with an MTU engine.


Turkey is the only NATO country to start a program to develop and manufacture its own Altay MBT

India

The efforts of India to develop its Arjun MBT are well known, they perfectly illustrate the general problems associated with developing a competitive machine within the country, as well as problems specific to India. Numerous delays, technical problems and the sky-high cost of supplying 124 problem machines Mk1 in 2004 year (30 years after the start of development), the second order "pulled by the ears" for 118 tanks upgraded to the standard Mk2 in 2014 year, and the cost of one the cars, according to various estimates, range from 8 to 10 million dollars, all this makes the Arjun OBT the most expensive tank in the world.


Indian tank Arjun

Despite the fact that the Arjun tank is essentially considered a modern design, it has several strange flaws, including the 120-mm rifled gun, which confronts India with the same fire problems that the United Kingdom and Oman faced with the Challenger tank.

In order to compensate for the problems associated with the development of its tank, India bought Russian tanks T-72M1 and T-90, which were manufactured under license and upgraded by installing ready-made systems, such as Catherine sights from Thales. So, despite the many problems with the development, India has gained extensive experience in the production of tanks inside the country.

Pakistan

Pakistan, instead of starting to develop a new MBT from scratch, made a much more prudent decision, establishing close cooperative ties with China.

These two countries have been cooperating for quite some time. They started with NORINCO’s Chinese OBT Type 59 batch, which Pakistan has upgraded at its plant (including the installation of a new 105-mm rifled gun and a computerized SLA), followed by local assembly / production of Type 69-II tanks, Type 85 tanks and, in Ultimately, MBT-2000, which received the Pakistani designation Al Khalid. Since 2001, more than 300 Al Khalid tanks have been manufactured and their production continues.


Pakistani Al Khalid Tank

After implementing a successful Al Khalid project, Pakistan now has plans to begin producing a localized version of the NORINCO's VT-4 / MBT-3000 tank under the designation Al-Hyder, which was successfully tested at the end of the 2014 year. That is, at present this country is guaranteed to retain the possibilities for the production of modern tanks.

Japan

As long as we stay in Asia and take a look at the opportunities of Japan in this area. This country has extensive experience in the development and production of MBT, but its pacifist policy does not allow (for now, but soon allow) it to offer its tanks to other countries.

The newest Japanese MBT Mitsubishi Type 10 vividly illustrates the advantages of developing a tank in accordance with national requirements, since this tank of 44 ton tons goes against the general trend of increasing mass. Japan needed to develop a lighter tank with smaller dimensions, since the previous Type 50 and Type 90 models had difficulty moving along the roads and railways of this country.


Japanese tank Type 10

U.S.

The armored power of the United States will be based on M1 Abrams tanks up to the 2050s. In order for the tank to meet modern threats, it goes through several successive upgrades, starting with the M1A3 configuration, expected early next decade.

The production of this tank continues, the machines were exported to Australia (M1A1 ATM), Egypt (co-production M1A1), Iraq (M1A1SA, several tanks were lost in battles with the Islamic State), Kuwait (M1A2) and Saudi Arabia, in the case of a number of people, who are in a position of some of them, who will be in a position of a number of people who will be in a position of a number of them, and a number of people who will be in a position to be a member of the United They have all the capabilities and know-how that will create the next generation tank.

Meanwhile, in connection with the replacement of Abrams tanks in the US Army, there is a lot of talk about the possibility of developing uninhabited light tanks for engaging in scenarios that large and heavy MBTs will not be able to meet, or regarding building up its combat capabilities as part of the concept of combining habitable and uninhabited systems. similar to the one that is implemented with assault helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.


American tank M1A2 Abrams

Comment

While the death of the MBT was predicted several times already, especially after the defeat of the tank groups of Syria and Egypt in the Doomsday War in 1973 and in connection with the end of the Cold War, there is still no other weapon system that could replace the MBT.

Although his main role in the destruction of other MBTs was largely assumed by other weapons systems, the tank repeatedly proved its importance by supporting the dismounted infantry during hostilities in Russia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

One can only guess what the future MBT will look like, for example the Armata T-14 project with a remotely controlled tower offers its own vision of the future.

Fully remote-controlled platforms are already used in special operations, for example, they are involved in demining, and in the future such systems may be further developed with the aim of their participation in hostilities.

Materials used:
www.uvz.ru
www.morozovkmdb.com
www.otokar.com.tr
www.hyundai-rotem.co.k
www.norinco.com
www.drdo.gov.in
www.mitsubishicorp.com
www.wikipedia.org
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    1. +14
      14 December 2015 07: 42
      I don’t understand what it means "" Merkava-4 "is not being manufactured?" belay MASHA is producing the Mk-4 battalion kit and the Namer battalion kit per year. Slow? Well, here is the question of priorities. There is no immediate threat of conventional war, and according to plans, the Mk-2 army should be replaced by 2028. So by this time they will release the required amount of Mk-4. And society is not ready to drive the release of tanks at the expense of medicine, education and social affairs without an immediate threat.
      1. -2
        14 December 2015 11: 37
        Last year, they received 3 billion from the United States for defense - is that your half-war budget?) In general, kept women), and medicine has nothing to do with it, would not be enough for pants without the USA)
        1. +4
          14 December 2015 13: 44
          Quote: shans2
          Last year, they received 3 billion from the United States for defense - is that your half-war budget?) In general, kept women), and medicine has nothing to do with it, would not be enough for pants without the USA)

          About a quarter, actually. It’s just that approximately the same amount is received according to the results of the peace treaty from the 1979 year and Egypt (it’s just that somewhere around half of this money is shifted towards economic assistance in the areas of infrastructure development, agriculture and health). At the same time, Israel lost a huge fertile piece of land saturated with hydrocarbons (Sinai), and received an additional problem in the form of relatively free transportation of weapons to the Gaza Strip. In general, American military assistance is perceived very ambiguously - because of it, the project of the very successful Israeli fighter LAVI was curtailed, not one or two multi-billion dollar transactions, etc. were torpedoed. A number of experts note that this money has more crap than good. However, they did not appear from scratch, and as compensation to Israel for much more significant losses
          1. +1
            14 December 2015 18: 05
            Quote: Pimply
            In general, American military assistance is perceived very ambiguously - because of it, the project of the very successful Israeli fighter LAVI was curtailed

            The Americans simply forbade you to make "Lavi" because it was actually a copy of the F-16 with a wing from "Kfir".
            Quote: Pimply
            A number of experts note that this money has more crap than good.

            Absolute nonsense without this help, Israel would simply not have survived, for example, US aid of three billion dollars is equal to half of all Israel’s health spending for the year.
            Quote: Pimply
            However, they did not appear from scratch, and as compensation to Israel for much more significant losses

            And for what?
            1. 0
              14 December 2015 18: 09
              Quote: quilted jacket
              Quote: Pimply
              In general, American military assistance is perceived very ambiguously - because of it, the project of the very successful Israeli fighter LAVI was curtailed
              The Americans simply forbade you to make "Lavi" because it was actually a copy of the F-16 with a wing from "Kfir".
              Quote: Pimply
              A number of experts note that this money has more crap than good.
              Absolute nonsense without this help, Israel would simply not have survived, for example, US aid of three billion dollars is equal to half of all Israel’s health spending for the year.
              Quote: Pimply
              However, they did not appear from scratch, and as compensation to Israel for much more significant losses
              And for what?

              Vatnichik, Israel.
    2. 0
      14 December 2015 08: 39
      WE HAVE A PARADISE CENTER OF TOPCHIKHA IN ALTAI, SO THERE TO THE HORIZON ON ALL SIDES STORED TANKS. THE SAME GOOD WHY IS VANISHING ... IT IS UNDERSTANDING THAT "IF TOMORROW IS A WAR" ETC. BUT HOW DO YOU IMAGINE THAT THOUSANDS OF TANKS DIRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY WERE FOR PRESERVATION AND LATER WILL LEAVE FOR DISPOSAL FOR SOME TIME - IT'S A Pity to BECOME ... THIS IS HOW MUCH BABLA IS FLYING IN THE WIND
      1. gjv
        +2
        14 December 2015 18: 39
        Quote: RUSLAN
        TOPCHIKA, SO THERE BEFORE THE HORIZON IN ALL TANKS OF STORAGE

        Yeah, impressive ...
        1. -5
          14 December 2015 20: 42
          TYPE ACTIVATED THE ENTIRE SATELLITE GROUPING SITTING ON THE SOFA IN WRITTEN TRUFFLES FROM A BOTTLE OF BEER IN ORDER TO DELIVER ME TO THE PLACE ... YOU REALLY DO IT NOT REALLY!
        2. The comment was deleted.
        3. The comment was deleted.
    3. AX
      0
      14 December 2015 08: 41
      Just a small digest ... Why?
    4. +4
      14 December 2015 09: 26
      Well, mistakes about Merkava. That is, the Egyptians, who assemble completely from the kits supplied from the USA, have a full cycle, and Israel, which installs only a number of foreign-made units, and the rest, slowly but surely changes the entire fleet to Merkava Mk.4 BAZ - is it not production? Funny 8). If anything, then Merkava 2 and Merkava 3 will not be upgraded to the 4 version. It's like trying to upgrade the T-62 or T-55 to T-72 and T-80.
      Well, the Korean is considered the most expensive tank. The cost of the order of 12 million bucks
    5. +4
      14 December 2015 12: 11
      Quote: Aspeed
      I suggest that our Israeli friends not be offended, start each article with the following phrase:

      Merkava is the best tank, and Israel has the most powerful tank building in the world. Now let's talk about applicants for second place ...

      This will save a ton of time and discussion posts.


      For Israel, MK is really the best tank. Whatever you replace it with, where the IDF uses it.
      1. +3
        14 December 2015 12: 44
        Quote: Netwallker
        For Israel, MK is really the best tank.

        You rode very well in the centurions, and it’s not a fact that Merkava would have sold England to the Israel Chieftains.

        I change the photo, on the photo of the fastening of the upper wing of the aft hatch)))
        1. +1
          14 December 2015 13: 11
          "and not the fact that there would be a Merkava selling England to Israel Chiefs." ////

          This is true ... It would be happiness, but unhappiness (embargo) helped smile .
          1. +1
            14 December 2015 13: 18
            The impulse gave for sure.
            But I personally think that Chieftain was better than Merkava 1 / 2. And it would be interesting to look at his successes in skilled hands, and not among Iranians.
            1. +3
              14 December 2015 15: 02
              "oh, I personally think that Chieftain was better than Merkava 1" ////
              Perhaps Chieftain was not bad, but the tanks of the usual layout were in
              In principle, they are not very suitable. We have to fight more and more in the densely populated
              areas, urban development is entirely. Need circular protection
              all-round defense (including from above), like tortoise shell, and reverse,
              like the front. And the gun is almost not protruding from the front,
              to turn the tower on a narrow street.
              They would inevitably come to the Merkava variant.
              1. +1
                14 December 2015 15: 11
                Quote: voyaka uh
                We have to fight more and more in the densely populated
                areas, urban development is entirely.

                Well, it’s now. And the 70-80-e could have been different. And in the end, instead of the merkava, they would have got something like an assault tank. The network in the merkava is still a big reserve for anti-tank work.
                1. +2
                  14 December 2015 15: 37
                  "Vet in the merkava is still a big reserve for anti-tank work" ////

                  In the 80s it was important to reduce losses among
                  crews compared to 73 when the Centurion armor
                  no longer pulled against 115 mm OBPSov.
                  Merkava-1 fulfilled this condition in the 82-year war. They were knocked out by T-62 at close range, but none of the tankers died.
                  Then gradually began the transition to counter-guerrilla war and circular defense. And offensive anti-tank capabilities were decided by increasing the power of shells.
              2. +1
                14 December 2015 21: 36
                Quote: voyaka uh
                ... and the gun is almost not protruding from the front,
                to turn the tower on a narrow street.
                They would inevitably come to the Merkava variant.


                In the order of scoring delirium. Comic.
                Knowing the quality of buildings in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, it is cheaper to make avenues instead of streets than to design and produce modern tanks like the Merkava 4.
                Well Schaub tower with such a cannon naarmalnoy ... :))))
        2. The comment was deleted.
      2. 0
        14 December 2015 13: 36
        Somewhere I saw a cool photo of "Abrams" in Iraq, standing upside down on a cannon in a concrete ditch, which the driver did not notice ...
        Can anyone post it?
        1. +1
          14 December 2015 13: 53
          I didn’t come across this. And my favorite of the damaged abrams is this one
        2. 0
          14 December 2015 14: 09
          Not Abrams, Merkava was just there. In the load - a bunch of other inverted tanks 8)
          http://forum.wotanks.com/showthread.php/55-Упавшие-танки
          1. 0
            14 December 2015 14: 31
            Nope, there was definitely "Abrams'" and in a CONCRETE ditch ...
            1. 0
              14 December 2015 18: 38
              Quote: Nick1953
              Nope, there was definitely "Abrams'" and in a CONCRETE ditch ..






              I honestly don’t remember in a concrete canal.
              1. The comment was deleted.
            2. 0
              14 December 2015 20: 25
              Quote: Nick1953
              Nope, there was definitely "Abrams'" and in a CONCRETE ditch ...

              I remembered that photo, but I can not find
    6. 0
      14 December 2015 12: 20
      The development of national tanks suggests that the policy of many national states is "shifting" in the direction opposite to the processes of globalization, which are imposed on the world by transnational corporations. A modern tank is a complex, that is, a system of the highest level of complexity. The creation and production of a tank makes it possible for states to have a relatively independent national high-tech industry, gain experience in creating high-tech products, and have personnel. Of course, it turns out in different ways, but in many cases "the ultimate goal is nothing, movement is everything."
    7. +3
      14 December 2015 12: 35
      The saying is especially cool - Even the slow-moving Russian armored industry was reduced and consolidated. And this is nothing that since 1940 the USSR has been the legislator in the world of fashion and trends in the tank industry. Only three countries can boast breakthrough technologies in tank building. These are England, the 1st tank, France, the tower layout (a classic of the genre), the USSR, rational tilt angles of armor, and its successor, Russia, the uninhabited tower.
      1. +1
        14 December 2015 12: 41
        Quote: Dimon19661
        USSR-rational tilt angles of armor,

        Actually, it’s also the French. Only tank diesel, Japanese attempts can be made.
        to count.
    8. 0
      14 December 2015 12: 43
      for me, the future is for crewless vehicles, due to lighter, versatile weapons and modular in purpose, radio-controlled remotely from air (space) or from a mobile gearbox ...
      1. 0
        14 December 2015 13: 50
        The most vulnerable spot of such cars will be the radio channel. Turning on the electronic warfare system will lead to a loss of control by the tanks or will start firing at their own in the case of robots. The brave commander inside the box is more reliable ...
    9. +2
      14 December 2015 13: 18
      Quote: Kars
      Quote: Netwallker
      For Israel, MK is really the best tank.

      You rode very well in the centurions, and it’s not a fact that Merkava would have sold England to the Israel Chieftains.

      I change the photo, on the photo of the fastening of the upper wing of the aft hatch)))


      What's so special about it?
      1. +1
        14 December 2015 13: 27
        Quote: Netwallker
        What's so special about it?

        Thank you for your attention. I'm interested in mounting ..blocks .. to the top of the hatch.
        I want to make it open in the model
        1. The comment was deleted.
    10. +1
      14 December 2015 13: 30
      Quote: Kars
      Quote: Netwallker
      What's so special about it?

      Thank you for your attention. I'm interested in mounting ..blocks .. to the top of the hatch.
      I want to make it open in the model


      Well, probably.
      1. +2
        14 December 2015 13: 50
        Thank you. It’s. It would be a picture for more.
        1. +1
          14 December 2015 14: 11
          Quote: Kars
          Thank you. It’s. It would be a picture for more.
          Open image in new tab
          1. +2
            14 December 2015 14: 18
            Thank you. Really more. I'm used to just clicking on the picture.

            and so I’ll cut a couple of felt-tip pens and tint it with a bang
    11. +1
      14 December 2015 13: 44
      Quote: Kars
      Quote: Netwallker
      What's so special about it?

      Thank you for your attention. I'm interested in mounting ..blocks .. to the top of the hatch.
      I want to make it open in the model

      The exit to the "gate" is blocked off by some kind of mesh, I think it is needed to prevent the sleeves (pallets) from rolling.
    12. +3
      14 December 2015 13: 47
      Quote: Nick1953
      Somewhere I saw a cool photo of "Abrams" in Iraq, standing upside down on a cannon in a concrete ditch, which the driver did not notice ...
      Can anyone post it?


      There is another ... The battle tractor of Israel.
    13. +2
      14 December 2015 14: 26
      Quote: Kars
      Thank you. It’s. It would be a picture for more.

      Is it more visible here?
      1. +1
        14 December 2015 14: 28
        Also useful.
        1. +1
          14 December 2015 14: 46
          [img]http://waronline.org/fora/index.php?attachments/8d79a1ca0757-jpg.6008[/img]


          On, catch it, will it?
          1. +1
            14 December 2015 14: 57
            In principle, it’s enough, anyway I won’t draw much detail, only the general view. All that remains is a coaxial machine gun and a mortar nest. Although I’ll torture it vryatli
    14. 0
      14 December 2015 14: 27
      Wait and see. So far, Armata has led Russia into the lead, and the T-90MS added a headache to the West. The case is in production and series. The most important thing will not stop. Indeed, now for the United States and our liberals to prevent the implementation of the rearmament program. Because then their chances of defeating Russia will approach zero.
    15. 0
      14 December 2015 14: 28
      Quote: Nick1953
      The most vulnerable spot of such cars will be the radio channel. Turning on the electronic warfare system will lead to a loss of control by the tanks or will start firing at their own in the case of robots. The brave commander inside the box is more reliable ...


      The commander's place in the MK-4.
      1. 0
        15 December 2015 10: 15
        It feels like you’re not sitting in the tank, but in the office smile
    16. 0
      14 December 2015 17: 15
      as for good scenery for merkava, it is necessary for Palestinians to ask the Palestinians they burn it well
      1. 0
        14 December 2015 18: 10
        Quote: Angry Pinnochio
        as for good scenery for merkava, it is necessary for Palestinians to ask the Palestinians they burn it well

        Mmm, examples?
        1. +1
          14 December 2015 18: 32
          Quote: Pimply
          Mmm, examples?

          "Merkava" as a tank is primarily intended to "drive" virtually unarmed Bedouins across the desert. But they also learned how to deal with it, and in view of the absence or extreme shortage of anti-tank weapons, they began to use powerful land mines.


          1. 0
            15 December 2015 08: 34
            Quote: quilted jacket
            "Merkava" as a tank is primarily intended to "drive" virtually unarmed Bedouins across the desert. But they also learned how to deal with it, and in view of the absence or extreme shortage of anti-tank weapons, they began to use powerful land mines.

            Vatnichik, Israel 8)
        2. 0
          14 December 2015 18: 59
          they were brought to you if itk doesn’t take it, it will take a land mine book do not book
    17. 0
      14 December 2015 20: 05
      Quote: Kars
      I didn’t come across this. And my favorite of the damaged abrams is this one

      yyy ... after such "damage" this tank is only suitable for scrap metal laughing

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