>>>>Right now there are a number of top tier MBTs out there, but none with the proven track record of the Abrams. The Challenger probably comes in second.<<<<<
Oh, c’mon. Give USMC T-72s and Arabs M1A1s and both Gulf Wars won’t be any different. It wasn’t all about tanks.
Abrams has numerous obvious cons and Leo2 seems to be a much more refined platform.
Challenger?? Please...
I remember how everyone loved Merkava. It was undisputed “best tank” right before it met any competent terrorist armed with 1970s Soviet technology, instead of 1940s.
Both the French AMX-56 Leclerc and ROK K2 for example, may actually outperform an Abrams or a Challenger in certain regards. Neither has the battle record. the Leopard 2 has seen limited use in Kosovo and Afghanistan, but nothing like the engagements fought by the Challenger and Abrams in both Desert Storm (Challenger 1 / M1A1) or the Gulf War (Challenger 2 / M1A2).
Yes thanks. Only Challenger ever taken out. Friendly fire by... another Challenger.
The Marines didn’t have the Abrams when they went right up the middle of Saddam’s armor that included the T-54, T-55, T-62, Type 69, and T-72s. That fight was done with the M60A3. Only one tank lost, no casualties.
A few M60A3’s scored over 30 kills.
Israel still has over 700 M60A3’s in service. The Abrams is superior and the Marines have them now but there is no armor made by anyone that even comes close in head-on battle to the Abrams.