Tanks of the post–Cold War era

During the Cold War (12 March 1947 – 26 December 1991), the Soviet domination of the Warsaw Pact led to effective standardization on a few tank designs.

The fall of the eastern bloc brought changes as the United States Military cut much of its expenditure, though the level rose again to comparable heights after the War on Terror started in 2001.

In 1974, the United States initiated an impressive programme to modernise its existing tank fleet and start real mass production of the M60A1, and later the M60A3; at the same time the M1 was developed.

Budgets for tank design and production picked up during the administration of president Ronald Reagan, following tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

However, they have been extensively upgraded and in some cases overhauled repeatedly and even completely rebuilt during the ensuing decades with layers of enhanced modern armor, newer guns, electronics and brand new and very different engines.

[citation needed] The Iraqis failed to find an effective countermeasure to the thermal sights and sabot rounds used by the Coalition tanks.

In the war, the Iraqi T-72s were the preferred target for Apache helicopters and A-10s, in an attempt to diminish the combat power of Republican Guard divisions.

The only chance for the Asad Babil T-72s against American tanks was to lure them to close range combat, or trying to ambush them from dug-in positions.

[6] The Lion of Babylon T-72 was utterly outclassed by the M1 Abrams, the Challenger and by any other contemporary Western main battle tank during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

[7] The Israel Defense Forces Merkava Mark III was introduced in December 1989, and had upgrades to the drivetrain, powertrain, armament, and electronic systems.

[citation needed] Some features, such as hull shaping, exterior non-reflective paints, and shielding for engine heat plumes mixing with surrounding air to confuse enemy thermal imagers, were carried over from the IAI Lavi program of the Israeli Air Force to make the tank harder to spot by heat sensors and radar.

[citation needed] The Mark IV includes the larger 120 mm main gun of the prior versions but can fire a wider variety of ammunition, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) kinetic energy penetrator rounds, using an electrical semi-automatic revolving magazine for 10 rounds.

This cannon can fire the same NATO standard 120 mm rounds as the German Leopard 2 and US M1 Abrams, but in practice, only French-produced ammunition is issued.

The most common types are the armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) kinetic energy penetrator with a tungsten core and the high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round.

[citation needed] The hull and the turret are made of welded steel fitted with modular armour, which can be replaced easily for repair or upgraded over the years.

Due to the introduction of modernized threats, the batch 3 has a new armour package, including composite armor, titanium insert and on the sides of the turret, ERA blocks.

[citation needed] In service only since 1992 (after the Persian Gulf War), the Leclerc has no notable experience in true warzone environments, but has seen deployment on multiple low-intensity conflicts, including 15 Leclerc stationed in Kosovo (KFOR) and others in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the context of UN peace-keeping operations, where their performance was judged satisfactory by French officials.

The chassis and engine were produced by Iveco, while the turret and fire-control system were produced by Oto Melara.The Ariete is mounted with a 120 mm smoothbore Oto Melara cannon, autofrettaged and stress-hardened to increase durability over extended periods of fire, allowing the use of armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) kinetic energy penetrator and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds.

In June 1991, after competition with other tank manufacturers' designs (including the M1A2 Abrams and the Leopard 2 (Improved)), the MoD (Ministry of Defense) placed a £520 million order for 127 MBTs and 13 driver training vehicles.

In part due to its high cost, the tank is not expected to be deployed in large numbers, unlike earlier Chinese designs such as the Type 59.

The current production variant of the Al-Khalid uses a diesel engine and transmission supplied by the KMDB design bureau of Ukraine.

Compared with other currently-serving main battle tanks in the JGSDF, the Type 10 has been equipped with enhancements in its capability to respond to anti-tank warfare and other contingencies.

[23] The tank is smaller and rather light for a modern MBT being in the 40+ ton class; specifically designed not to over stress the many bridges one encounters and allow it to maneuver on the small roadways in Japan.

This is combined with an advanced FCS that can accurately hit even when shooting while maneuvering, and a high-speed automatic loading device that can re-fire within 3.5 seconds, and it is possible to demonstrate high striking power.

The last prototype was unveiled on 2 March 2007,[28][29] and the development was officially completed after being declared fit for combat by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in September 2008.

The third mass-produced K2, which began in 2022, included an improved Battlefield Management System (BMS) with the Korea Variable Message Format (KVMF), and the Korean Gunner's Primary Sight (KGPS) and Korean Commander's Panoramic Sight (KCPS) with improved resolution and automatic target tracking function.

On July 29, 2008, Hyundai Rotem and Otokar signed a contract for technology transfer and design assistance for the Altay Tank Development Project.

This contract includes technology transfer and design assistance for systems, armor package, and 120 mm guns required for Altay tank development.

[32][33][34][35] The South Korean military are set to begin development of the K-2 PIP which is to be an upgrade of the current K-2 model with further advancements in aspects such as armour, weaponry and optics such as a hard-kill APS.

[36][37][38] It is named in honor of Army General Fahrettin Altay (1880–1974)[39] who commanded the 5th Cavalry Corps in the final stage of the Turkish War of Independence.