A tank should be understood as an armored fighting vehicle on caterpillar tracks. Modern tanks have a cannon as their main equipment.
What is a tank?
The first combat vehicles were equipped mainly with machine guns. And only after the Second World War, the designers began to experiment. Accordingly, tanks appeared that had missile weapons. There were also models that were equipped with flamethrowers. Modern tanks do not have a clear definition. Yes, and the old models also did not lend themselves to a single description. This is due to the fact that their concept changed regularly. In different armies, combat vehicles had their own unique features. If we take the models that appeared during the First World War, then at the present stage it is unlikely that anyone will call them tanks. It is also worth noting that some vehicles were called small tanks or wedges. And there are also models that did not have a turret. Experts defined them as super-heavy self-propelled guns.
Features
Modern tanks have one main distinguishing feature compared to other types of tracked combat vehicles equipped with guns. We are talking about the possibility of rapid transfer of fire within a fairly wide range of both elevation angles and horizontal angles. In a huge number of models, the designers managed to realize such an opportunity by mounting the gun in a special rotating turret. However, there were exceptions.
There are also self-propelled artillery mounts that are very similar to modern tanks in many ways. However, they are needed to solve completely different tasks: the destruction of enemy combat vehicles. They cope with such a task from an ambush or with the help of fire support for the troops, located in a closed position. In this regard, there are some differences from the tanks. Basically, it concerns the balance between firepower and the degree of security.
Improvement of combat vehicles
Modern Russian tanks, as, in principle, combat vehicles from other countries, were obtained in the course of continuous improvement. Armament has improved over long periods of time. This mainly concerned such parameters as caliber, muzzle velocity, accuracy of fire. Back in the Soviet army, they adopted a combat vehicle equipped with a 125-mm tank gun. Since then, such weapons, together with all their modifications, are considered mandatory and are used in all production models.
For all those years in which serial production took place, the military gun was subjected toseveral changes. They concerned the increase in operational parameters. Increasing the accuracy of fire. And the main distinguishing feature of modern guns from the first 125-mm gun 2A46 is considered to be an automatic loader. It is also possible to use guided anti-tank missiles, which are launched through the gun barrel.
Differences from foreign models
If we take American, British and German tanks for comparison, modern domestic vehicles differ from them in that when firing armor-piercing sub-caliber shells, the penetration of enemy guns is much higher. However, it should be noted that domestic models are equipped with guided missiles. And this allows you to successfully hit enemy combat assets located at a distance of up to 5 kilometers. The enemy's firepower is not particularly effective at such times.
When evaluating combat vehicles, one should not forget about lightly armored and unarmored vehicles, which must be present on the battlefield without fail. Domestic models have full-fledged high-explosive fragmentation shells, the combat power of which is quite confidently ahead of Western models. It should be clarified that even the most modern tank of foreign countries is armed with buckshot shells.
What is the result?
Due to the presence of guided weapons in combat vehicles of domestic production, tanks have some advantage in combat that takes place at long distances. In addition, modernRussian tanks are equipped with an effective means of destroying lightly armored vehicles. However, domestic models are not capable of reliably defeating those modern combat vehicles that are in service in other countries.
Promising combat vehicle of Russia
Not so long ago, the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering received an assignment to create a number of Armata tracked platforms. We are talking about an armored, repair and recovery vehicle, a heavy infantry fighting vehicle, an assault armored personnel carrier. Naturally, the tank should also be designed. There is a chance that the designers will develop a combat vehicle, which is necessary to support the tanks. Given the timing, there is a possibility that this will use the already existing luggage of the "Object 195".
Speaking about modern Russian tanks, it should be noted that "Armata" should be a little smaller, cheaper, simpler and lighter than the "Object 195". The equipment of the latest combat vehicle is as follows: sufficiently powerful armor, behind which there will be an isolated armored capsule with a crew, an automated fighting compartment equipped with an uninhabited tower at the top, and an engine compartment. It is planned that the gun will be located quite high.
When discussing modern Russian tanks, it must be said that the Armata must be equipped with a new generation of dynamic protection. In addition, it is planned to equip the combat vehicle with an active protection complex. The tank must be armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun. This gun is planned to be placed on the new version of the T-90AM. The gun has all the necessarycapabilities to destroy virtually any NATO tank.
Supposedly the most modern tank in the world "Armata" is classified. Naturally, there are guesses about him, but how much they correspond to reality is unknown. The real data on the combat vehicle should be announced in 2015.
Guns must match
It is clear that the most modern tank in the world must have the appropriate weapons. Firepower refers to the main properties of combat vehicles. The constant improvement of the ability to defeat enemy forces is given key attention in the design of tanks.
As already described above, until recently, the main domestic gun was the 2A46M model. The latest modification 2A46M-5 is characterized by higher firing accuracy and lower total dispersion during fire. Due to improvements, it became possible to fire the latest armor-piercing and sub-caliber shells of increased power.
The best modern tanks that are in service with foreign countries are equipped with a 120-mm smoothbore gun. The shells that are used are characterized by high armor penetration parameters.
Development of a powerful gun for a new tank
Naturally, the designers, engaged in the production of the main combat vehicle, pay great attention to such a parameter as firepower. In the 2000s, the latest 125 mm 2A82 gun was produced. It can fire both existing and advanced projectiles. Technical levelguns far exceed the performance of already produced tank guns, including the 120-mm system described above.
Judging by all of the above, even the best modern tanks in the world will be inferior to the Armata combat vehicle equipped with this type of weapon. And it is worth noting that today it is known about the production of an even more powerful domestic gun of 152 mm caliber.
All this will allow the Armata tank to take a worthy position among the most modern combat vehicles in the world.
List of tanks that can be considered modern
For a long time there has been constant debate about which tank is more modern. Most likely, such discussions will never end. This is due to the fact that different countries spare no expense, investing millions of dollars in their developments. The best modern tanks in the world will be listed below.
The tenth position is occupied by a miracle of Iranian production called "Zulfikar". This is a Soviet T-72 tank, seriously modified by Iranian engineers. For its modification, parts used in the American-made M-48 combat vehicle were taken. The Zulfikar tank is equipped with a 2A46 smoothbore gun, which is paired with two machine guns. They are necessary to destroy enemy air forces. Fire on the move is carried out with 23-kilogram shells. Their initial flight speed is 850 m/s.
Telling about the modern tanks of the world, we should highlight the Ukrainian T-84. This combat vehicle is located on the 9th position. Thanks to the excellent ratiothe power of the power unit and weight, it was called the "flying tank". Due to the fact that there are about 24 liters per ton of mass. with., the combat vehicle reaches 75 kilometers per hour. The tank is equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, which is paired with a machine gun. An anti-aircraft machine gun is located on the tower. There are also models that are equipped with a 120-mm smoothbore gun, focused on NATO shells. The Ukrainian tank is an improved model of the domestically produced T-80.
South Korea and China keep up with other countries
The Korean-made K1A1 combat vehicle is in eighth position in the list of "Modern World Tanks". It is characterized by composite armor, which reliably protects the crew. The machine is equipped with a 120-mm smoothbore gun, supplemented by three machine guns. The tank is a modification of the M1A1 Abrams model, which has been adapted for use in Southeast Asia.
Chinese-made combat vehicle Type 99 is included in the list of "The Best Modern Tanks in the World". It is an improved model of the T-72 tank. Active protection is available, which is effective against missiles. The Chinese-made tank boasts a system of active counteraction to rangefinders, target designators and enemy missiles due to laser blinding. The combat vehicle is equipped with a 125-mm cannon, which allows you to fire shells with depleted uranium. It is also possible to fire guided missiles. Among other things, the tankequipped with machine guns and grenade launchers.
French and British tanks took their places on the list
Considering new, modern tanks, the AMX-56 Leclerc model should be highlighted. At one time, this French-made combat vehicle was considered the best in the world. The speed of movement reached 75 km / h. The tank was characterized by exceptional maneuverability, multi-layer armor made of ceramic, tungsten and titanium. A 120 mm smoothbore gun with an automatic loader was used. The ammunition rack could contain up to 18 shells. In addition, "Leclerc" was equipped with two machine guns. The French tank, in addition to all of the above, has become the most expensive model in the world. At the present stage, this combat vehicle occupies the sixth position in the ranking.
Talking about modern tanks, the photos of which can be seen in this review, one cannot help but highlight the British Challenger 2 model. This is the second generation of the Challenger series combat vehicles, the production of which began back in 1994. Regardless of advanced age, the tank is able to provide good protection for the crew. Equipped with a 120-mm rifled gun, which distinguishes this combat vehicle from other models. The gun has a high accuracy of firing over long distances. The tank is also equipped with several machine guns and a mortar.
Israel confidently takes fourth place in the ranking
Israeli combat vehicle called Merkava IV is characterized by better crew protection. In its appearance, it resembles a pillbox on tracks. Tankequipped with a 120 mm smoothbore gun that can fire LAHAT missiles. The tank is equipped with several machine guns, a mortar and 12 grenades. Due to the specific design, the combat vehicle can only be used on terrain that is distinguished by the presence of solid ground.
Third place on the list
A new Russian-made tank T-90 was able to gain a foothold in third position. It is equipped with a 125-mm smoothbore gun of the fifth modification, which allows firing armor-piercing, cumulative, high-explosive fragmentation, sub-caliber shells, as well as special missiles aimed at destroying tanks. A machine gun is fixed on the roof, which can produce about 800 rounds per minute. With this weapon, you can hit air targets. There is another machine gun, which is paired with a cannon. With it, you can fire about 250 rounds per minute, hitting targets at a distance of up to two kilometers.
Combat vehicles from Germany took second place
There are also German tanks on the list. Modern combat vehicles of the Leopard 2 model are characterized by the presence of a three-layer composite armor, which includes tungsten and steel. The tank is armed with a 120 mm cannon, which is considered one of the best. There are several machine guns, one of which is paired with a cannon, and the second is fixed on the hatch. It can be used to hit aerial targets. At the present stage, a German-made tank has been adopted by 18 countries around the world.
First on the list
The leading position in the list was occupied by one of the most famous tanks in the world - "Abrams". This combat vehicle took part in three wars and went through several fairly significant upgrades. The tank is equipped with a 105 mm rifled gun. There is also an option that suggests that the combat vehicle can be armed with a 120-mm smoothbore gun coaxial with a machine gun. The tank is flanked by grenade launchers that fire smoke grenades.
Conclusion
In this review, we talked about what prospects are available in Russia in the field of tank building. It cannot be said that they are invisible or too small. On the contrary, there is every chance to make a leap forward and produce the best tank.
The review also listed the best modern tanks in the world (2014). Naturally, this list will be updated more than once. This is due to the fact that all countries of the world are trying to become the best in this area. And it is possible that after a short period of time the rating of tanks will change completely. After all, every manufacturer wants to be in the lead. We hope that this review will help you figure out which tanks are considered the most modern today.
