Favorite NATO tank?, or even any western tank?

Question

I like the Leopard 2 a lot. And the Challenger 2. But the M1A2 is also very nice.

Answer 1

I'm not knocking any NATO tank: M1A2,Challenger 2, nor the Leopard 2A6, but I have always been a fan of the French Leclerc. Some of it's advantages:

1. Smaller size and weight (combat weight around 57 tons) which improves cross country performance and smaller target. Because it weighs less, it can cross more bridges as well. Logistic demands (fuel) are also much lower than the M1 series. I love the M1 and know its combat performance, but large formations require incredible fuel trains to keep them moving forward.

2. The autoloader is fast and reliable. I don't care how strong a soldier is, loading 50+pound projectiles while racing cross country would get very old after the 3rd round.

3. Modular armor allows easy installation of improved versions and replacement of battle damaged sections.

4. The highest horse power to weight ratio of any modern NATO tank giving it the fastest acceleration and speed. This does not count the Abrams with governor removed.

5. Better 20 year life cycle costs due to a 3 man crew instead of 4. Think about it; a solder with all things included costs around $50,000 per year, plus his pension. If he is killed in combat, it will cost an instant $400,000 for his life insurance.

6. Non standard barrel size gives it's APFSDS rounds a very high muzzle velocity.

7. I like the idea of having its .50 caliber machine gun mounted coaxially, integrated into it's fire control system. The Challenger 2 and Leopard only have 7.62mm machine guns.

That's about it with my praise of the Leclerc MBT. I'm not a fan of the modern French government, but I do appreciate their 18th century monarchy helping us with our revolution. Any other modern armored warfare enthusiasts out there? Please do not hesitate to e-mail me at: [e-mail]

Just my 2 cents ~ Jeff

Answer 2

The Abrams is the best tank ever!

Answer 3

M1A2 SEP with MRM-CE rounds and an Advanced Protection System such as the Trophy system or the Quick Kill system.  It can attack things it can't see and the only way to take one out would be an IED or something like cluster bombs because the APS would take out every other thing thrown at it.

http://www.defense-update.com/products/d...

http://www.defense-update.com/products/t...

Answer 4

My "FAVORITE" is the one that has the best chance of survival.

That would be the Abrams.    

Answer 5

Challenger 2, by far the best known tank out there today.

Dan S.

When it comes down to it, speed doesn't mean anything, as you are usually in a convoy with other vehicles. Tanks can hardly dodgey RPG's

The challenger is the best because of the amount of damage it can hit, it has the best offroad capabilities by FAR

"Why is this? Well whats the most common threat of attack against the tank from another tank? APFSDS. So how does your tank moving faster with higher hp increase the tanks survivability against attack? Answer -- it doesn't, because the projectiles fired at it, i.e. an APFSDS, travel so fast that a tank can never escape from it regardless of however much hp you stick in it. So whilst Leo2 A4> & Abrams have more powerful engines, they don't increase the tanks survivability against attack."

Answer 6

Easily, the M1A2 SEP with TUSK add-ons

If the Depleted-Uranium armor wasnt good enough already, the reactive armor added and the RPG slats make it extremely hardy

Main gun is excellent--120mm discarding-sabot shot of DU oughta spear right through any other tank; even if the "almighty challenger 2" can survive a hit head on, the Abrams superior engine could allow it to maneuver around other  opponents to strike at side/rear armor

2nd to the M1A2 SEP/TUSK, are the Swiss S-tank, for its low profile and strange configuration, and the Leopard 2, cuz its like a Euro-M1A2

Answer 7

As a former Cavalry Scout in the U.S. Army, when I think of the best tank in the West (non-Russian/Soviet), I would first think of the Merkava Mark IV.  But after it's terrible showing against anti-tank missles in the Israeli '06 Lebanon invasion, I'd have to go with the M1A2 SEP.  It's armor and fire control system is second-to-none, and the new FBCB-2 digital package gives the tank crew info literally at the speed of light.  But what makes it superior to the Challenger 2 is the 1500 hp Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine and the six speed Allison X-1100-3B Hydro-Kinetic Automatic transmission that allows the tank to not only approach speeds of 60 mph (after the governor is removed), but gives it the ability to reach it's top speed in a matter of seconds.  There's a reason it uses jet fuel!  The tank was literally built around the engine.

Answer 8

M1A1 Abrams with either Leopard or Challenger running 2nd

Answer 9

Merkava Mark IV

or

Abrams M1A2 SEP

I know Isreal isnt NATO but they were never WARSA pact and are somewhat western allies