Only a few countries produce their own tanks.Among them - the US, Russia, Germany, Israel, France, UK, Japan, South Korea and China.The defense industry is trying to improve some of its own design of armored vehicles on the basis of the purchased specimens abroad, while making no substantive changes.
Armament is made not only for defense needs, but also for export, while, according to the laws of the market, there is competition.The best tanks in the world compete demonstration runs and shooting during international exhibitions, their advantages and disadvantages is estimated by experts.The most comprehensive comparative analysis of possible during military conflicts, but this assessment is subjective, as the success of military operations depends essentially on the training of crews, tactical advantages the terrain and many other factors, leveling quality indicators armor.
All the best tanks of the world have a number of common features that define the general line of modern design solutions.The most important parameters are the characteristics of the weapons, the degree of vitality, speed, maneuverability and ergonomics.
modern tank main armament is currently the turret gun, its size in the last two decades has increased from 120 to 140 mm.In addition, the best tanks in the world can use their trunks to shoot not only shells, but also guided missiles.
persistence, that is, the ability to resist modern means of destruction, is determined by the properties of armor.To create a modern defense is not enough just to increase its thickness, its structure is important, as well as the presence of reactive layers that can dissipate the cumulative impacts.Important indicators include and to create conditions that allow the crew to quickly leave the car in the event of defeat.
speed and maneuverability and driving characteristics are determined by the capacity of the power plant.Most tanks are equipped with the world at the moment diesel.Future direction of the engines - gas turbines.
Rationalization of the crew and the movements of the maximum automation of combat units create advantages in time, which can be a decisive factor in the victory.Ergonomic issues of military equipment paid a lot of attention.
On the basis of the criteria most foreign experts believe that the German "Leopard 2A5" - the best tank of the world in 2013.Its main advantage is the ability to modify products previously manufactured machines to the level of the latest model by installing new instruments and guidance engine.
American M1A2 tank is equipped with a turbine, which, despite the obvious advantages, showed its vulnerability in terms of sand and dust storms.Engines too often have to send from the conflict zone in the United States for repair.In all other respects it is not inferior to the tank "Leopard."
third, fourth and fifth place, according to foreign military observers went to the Japanese "Tipu-90", the French "Leclerc" and the British "Challenger-2."All three machines are not very different from each other and from the "Leopard", they are built in the "mainstream" of the design ideas of the 1990s, heavily equipped with electronics and electric drives.
very cautious approach is taken in assessing the fighting qualities of the Russian "Black Eagle".The data are published about him sparingly, but just in case he took sixth place in the global ranking of the tank.His predecessor (T-80) are often criticized, but significant changes have been made, and apparently they are concerned precisely identified deficiencies.
same considerations dictated the assignment of the seventh seat of the Russian T-90.Dinamoreaktivny armor system "Contact-5" electronic security "blind-1", the gun, capable of firing missiles with laser guidance - all would suggest that this is the best modern tank in the world, but failed insufficient by Western standardslevel of comfort.The same claim to the Ukrainian T-84.
South Korean "Type-88" is similar to the Japanese "Type-90".Why is it in eighth place, is unclear.Presumably, the small experience tank builders "Land of Morning Calm."
Russian T-72 in the ninth place of honor.Its export version, many countries are willing to buy, it is good, reliable, inexpensive.Perhaps, according to some characteristics, he concedes, "The Leopard" and "Abrams," but to perform common tasks, putting in front of tanks, is quite suitable.
Israeli tank "Merkava III» should not have been included in this rating.This machine is very specific, it was created for the conditions of the Middle East.The tank has a powerful armament, protection, adapted to evacuate the wounded from the battlefield, but the slug.That's right, Israel - a small country, and that the offensive is not expected, the main thing - to defend her.
Chinese cars in the top ten were not included.
possible that this ranking is not objective, it is composed of Western observers in accordance with their own preferences.
Russians and Ukrainians did not get prizes.About our tanks know little, but still we are respected and considered among the best.
