Top 10 Greatest Military Tanks of All Time

Tanks are some of the most iconic machines in modern warfare, and their history is filled with constant innovation, shifting strategies, and raw firepower. From the slow-moving giants of World War I to the sleek armored beasts of today, tanks have helped shape the outcome of wars and forced militaries to adapt again and again.

This list gives you a chance to decide which tanks truly rise above the rest. Maybe you're a fan of the latest in military engineering with all the bells and whistles. Or maybe you respect the older models for their battle-hardened reputation and influence. You don't need a background in defense to take part, just a solid opinion and maybe a little respect for heavy metal on treads.
The Top Ten
M1 Abrams The M1 Abrams is an American main battle tank introduced in 1980 and named after General Creighton Abrams. It is equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun and features advanced composite armor. The Abrams has been widely used by the U.S. military in conflicts such as the Gulf War and Iraq War.

The original M1 Abrams model from the early 1980s was considered the best tank ever made. Yes, a Leopard or a Challenger could give it one hell of a fight, but this tank has been proven time and time again to be the legend of all battle tanks.

Unlike its newer models, such as the M1A1 and M1A2 variants, this one has many features that changed how tank fighting can be done forever. A true relic for all military junkies and historians.

The Leopard tank is better. No way to sugarcoat that. But 408 awesome tanks vs. 8,325 great tanks - who's the winner now? The Abrams. However, there is no war to test tanks like these great ones in real combat. The only tanks around are Cold War junk, and Russian and Chinese tanks don't come close to the US Abrams, German Leopard, UK Challenger, South Korean Black Panther, Israeli Merkava, Japan's new TKX, and the French Leclerc. These are all better tanks than those from the third world, plus China and Russia. Now, it is a battle of high-tech versus mass production.

Merkava The Merkava is a main battle tank developed by Israel and first entered service in 1979. It was designed with an emphasis on crew survivability and features a front-mounted engine. The Merkava has seen extensive combat use in Middle Eastern conflicts.

The best tank in history when it comes to armor. Innovative in design, with the engine in the front and a door in the back, it is safe for the crew. It can operate in any terrain, has extremely high accuracy and firepower, and has the ability to transport infantry troops, bringing them to the heart of the battle and letting them exit through the rear doors.

Claiming to be the second-best in the world for military technology, Israel put its technological knowledge to work. The Merkava (Chariot in English) showed its capabilities in the '80s and the Gulf War as a standout MBT. With the engine in the front, it gained an advantage in armor and crew protection.

Leopard 2 The Leopard 2 is a German main battle tank that entered service in 1979 as a successor to the Leopard 1. It is armed with a 120mm smoothbore gun and features modular composite armor. The Leopard 2 has been exported to and used by several NATO and allied nations.

Many claim that it's the best MBT in the world today by stats. The Germans created a unique tank that could seem unstoppable. Though it lacks extensive battle history, it is still deadly. Everything about it is superior, from its ability to drive in deep waters to being more fuel-efficient than the American Abrams tank.

Leopard versus Griffin looks interesting. Latest tank boosts. Going to need some Leo.

Leopard 1 The Leopard 1 is a German main battle tank developed in the 1960s by West Germany. It was designed to prioritize mobility and firepower over heavy armor. The Leopard 1 was exported to several NATO countries and saw limited combat service.

What was once a strength of the Abrams is now a major drawback: its power system. Not only is it a fuel waster, but its engine generates huge amounts of heat, making it easier to target with advancements in new anti-tank weapons. Its armor is no longer the standard, and it uses a version of the Leopard tank's gun, which is being updated.

If I were being shot at or using conventional rounds, I'd still choose the Challenger. However, claims that the Abrams has been destroyed in significant numbers are idiotic. The US Army has addressed this problem, planning to replace the engine before funding was killed. The Leopard is being updated to newer standards at a much faster rate and is the preferred tank of most NATO armies that did not build their own.

The Abrams is a fine tank, built in much higher quantities, and has an array of ammo that can take anything out. Don't worry yet. Still, if I had a choice, the Leopard, as an overall package, is it.

T-14 ARMATA The T-14 Armata is a Russian next-generation main battle tank unveiled in 2015. It features an unmanned turret, active protection systems, and a 125mm smoothbore gun. The T-14 is built on the Armata Universal Combat Platform.

Seriously? 4%? Come on, people! Trust the Russian metal a bit! First, they said the American Lockheed Martin F35 would rule the sky and the Russians would lose their advantage, but in the end, the Russian Sukhoi Su-57 gave the Americans a run for their money. In my view, Russian metal can always be trusted.

As an M1-A2 SEP Abrams gunner with combat experience, I can say as a simple matter of fact that the Armata, though untested in combat, is on paper the best operational tank in the world. Let's not forget that at a third the cost of my Abrams, the economic impact in a real-world scenario is significant as well.

T-90 The T-90 is a Russian main battle tank that entered service in the 1990s as an evolution of the T-72. It features a 125mm smoothbore gun, reactive armor, and an active protection system. The T-90 has been exported to several countries including India and Algeria.

I hate when people say that this is just an upgraded T-72. What does the word "upgrade" mean? Improved, better, etc. This tank could easily destroy an Abrams with its 125mm 9M119 Svir cannon, which can also fire guided ATGMs that could help destroy a helicopter. It's also a much smaller target than most modern tanks and goes up to 40 mph, almost as fast as the Abrams. They also use Kontakt-5 reactive armor, which makes them immune to depleted uranium.

Originally named the T-72BU, the T-90 is the most current tank in the Russian Federation's services. Similar to most modern MBTs, the T-90's toughness suits its purpose on the battlefield. It has been seen to successfully drive underwater and withstand hits from seven RPGs while remaining operational.

Tiger I The Tiger I was a German heavy tank used during World War II, entering service in 1942. It was equipped with an 88mm gun and heavily armored for its time. The tank was deployed on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.

The Tiger is undoubtedly one of the most legendary tanks of WWII. It was a masterpiece of German engineering, combining very thick armor with powerful shells from its Flak36 8.8cm anti-tank gun and its intimidating size. However, this legendary tank had a few drawbacks. Its speed and mobility were compromised due to its thick and heavy armor, and it was expensive to produce due to its size and complicated controls and design.

Despite these drawbacks, the investment paid off for the Germans as a decent number of $100,000 Tigers were produced and feared throughout the war by the Allies. There is no doubt that this is still one of the top tanks of WWII.

Type 99 The Type 99 is a Chinese main battle tank that entered service in the early 2000s. It features a 125mm smoothbore gun, composite armor, and active protection systems. The Type 99 is used by the People's Liberation Army and represents China's third-generation tank design.

It is sometimes used to destroy Challenger tanks and Abrams tanks.

Challenger 1 The Challenger 1 is a British main battle tank that entered service in the early 1980s. It was armed with a 120mm rifled gun and utilized Chobham armor. The tank was deployed in the Gulf War by British forces.

The Challenger II and Leopard II tanks can give an M1A2 Abrams a run for its money. However, similar to the Challenger, none have been completely lost due to enemy fire. Friendly fire and accidents have brought a handful down, but no enemy fire has ever penetrated the Abrams and destroyed it. There have been instances where an Abrams was damaged by enemy fire, but not much more than that.

On top of all this, the Abrams has been produced on a mass scale, especially in comparison with the Challenger and Leopard. Additionally, the Abrams has repeatedly proven itself in war, whereas the Challenger and Leopard, due to limited numbers, have had much less of a role (the Leopard didn't even fight in Desert Storm). Any other tank outside of these three is crushed by any one of these three, including but not limited to the T-90A, T-90, T-80, and T-72.

T-34 The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank introduced in 1940 during World War II. It combined mobility, armor, and firepower in a revolutionary design that influenced future tank development. The T-34 was produced in large numbers and played a major role in the Eastern Front.

In terms of a specific weapon system's influence over the course of a war, the T-34 stands out supreme in military history. The T-34 gave the Soviets a bulk tank immensely superior to the German bulk tanks, compensating for the German superiority in morale and training during the first stages of the war. This, along with other factors, gave the Soviets the breathing space for regrouping and getting even.

Later on, equipped with a new turret, a superior gun, and well-trained troops, the T-34 spearheaded the largest offensive the world has ever seen. I am aware of no tank that influenced the course of a conflict (and the design of tanks) so deeply.

The Newcomers

? Type 80 The Type 80 is a Chinese main battle tank developed in the 1980s as an advancement of the Type 59 and Type 69 series. It was equipped with a 105mm gun and modernized fire control systems. The tank served as a transition model leading to more advanced Chinese tanks like the Type 96.

Originally made in China. It has been in service since the early '80s.

? Type 74

The Type 74 was originally made in Japan. As of today, fewer than a thousand were produced in total.

The Contenders
Arjun The Arjun is an Indian main battle tank developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It entered service with the Indian Army in the early 2000s. The tank is armed with a 120mm rifled gun and includes a fire-control system and composite armor.

Great accuracy, the new MK2 has ERA, good if not superb armor, ATGM firing capability (LAHAT), great firepower, and good mobility. For a new tank, what else do you need? I'm sure it will evolve into something much better over time. The DRDO guys need to solve the weight problem though. It's very heavy (MK2 = 67-69 tons).

The Arjun tank now has superb firepower.

M4 Sherman The M4 Sherman was the primary American medium tank used during World War II. It entered service in 1942 and was armed with a 75mm gun. The tank was mass-produced and used by Allied forces across multiple theaters.

It may have gotten its butt kicked by the Tigers, but one thing to remember is that this tank had way more survivors than the Tiger. This was mainly because of the number of malfunctions in the Tiger tank, leaving them trapped and weak in the middle of a battle. They also ran out of fuel 50 percent of the time, making them vulnerable. Most documentaries forget to include these facts. The Tiger only wins if it doesn't have any malfunctions. I'm not saying the Sherman is perfect, though. It also has some malfunctions.

Panzer VIII Maus The Panzer VIII Maus was a German super-heavy tank prototype developed during World War II. It weighed nearly 190 tons and was equipped with a 128mm main gun. Only two prototypes were completed before the end of the war.

Known as the heaviest tank in history and weighing almost 2 million pounds, this beast can't be mistaken. The thought of what it could do on the field is mind-boggling. Sadly, it never saw combat, and only two were ever made. The first was destroyed in a bombing, while the second was captured by the Soviets.

The version designed for combat may have had a 7-inch gun and more armor.

Olifant Mk.2 The Olifant Mk.2 is a South African main battle tank upgraded from the British Centurion platform. It features a 105mm gun, improved armor, and advanced fire control systems. The Mk.2 version was introduced to enhance the South African Army's armored capabilities.

Easily up to the standard of most Western and Russian tanks.

Panzer IV The Panzer IV was a German medium tank used extensively throughout World War II. It was initially designed as an infantry support tank but evolved into a frontline combat vehicle with a long-barreled 75mm gun. The Panzer IV was produced in large numbers and served in all major theaters.

Main battle tanks were important for fighting later in the war. Light and medium tanks became more reliable at the moment, and the Germans had what they needed. As an overall great medium-sized tank, the Pz. IV became a popular panzer on most European frontlines.

M36 Tank Destroyer The M36 Tank Destroyer was an American armored vehicle used during World War II and the Korean War. It mounted a 90mm gun and was designed to counter heavily armored German tanks. The M36 provided fire support and engaged enemy armor from distance.
Churchill Mk IV The Churchill Mk IV was a British heavy infantry tank used during World War II. It was equipped with a 6-pounder gun and thick armor for close support roles. The tank saw service in North Africa, Italy, and the Western Front.
M48 Patton The M48 Patton is an American main battle tank introduced in the 1950s as part of the Patton series. It was used extensively during the Cold War and in the Vietnam War. The tank featured a 90mm gun and several iterations with upgraded firepower and electronics.

Still in frontline use (with upgrades), combat-proven, and still serving after 70 years!

Al-Khalid The Al-Khalid is a main battle tank jointly developed by Pakistan and China. It entered service with the Pakistan Army in the early 2000s. The tank is equipped with a 125mm smoothbore gun and uses a fire-control system for target acquisition.

Designed to survive everything, it could very well do so with some modern weapons and armor.

T-72 The T-72 is a Soviet main battle tank introduced in 1969 and widely exported. It is armed with a 125mm smoothbore gun and features composite armor. The T-72 has seen action in numerous conflicts across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

The T-72 often gets a bad reputation for its pitiful performance while serving with the Iraqi army. However, the reality is that the T-72 was a masterpiece in tank engineering at the time of its creation. Its ability to take out any tank available during its time and its extremely cheap and cost-effective design were remarkable.

Its poor performance in the Iraqi army was due to poor tactics, practice ammunition (horrible, no uranium core), and it being a downgraded export version of an already downgraded tank (the T-72m). Not to mention, it had to face a modern, fully equipped Abrams.

Panther The Panther was a German medium tank introduced during World War II as a counter to the Soviet T-34. It featured sloped armor and a high-velocity 75mm gun. The Panther saw combat on both Eastern and Western Fronts.

The Pz. Kfw. V Panther was the best operational main battle tank of WWII. Its primary advantages over other tanks of the time were its strong angled frontal armor, faster turret traverse, and speed. Its 75mm gun also had excellent range and accuracy. While the 75mm American short guns and 57mm Soviet AT guns were accurate, they couldn't maintain stopping power at long ranges like the German guns could.

Building a tank that could hit a target at 1200 meters wasn't that difficult, but building a tank that could destroy targets at that range was an entirely different story. However, like many German vehicles of the time, the Panther was over-engineered and thus very expensive to produce. It also carried sufficient side armor but was still prone to AT rifle hits.

Centurion Mk 1 The Centurion Mk 1 was a British main battle tank developed near the end of World War II. It was equipped with a 17-pounder gun and 20mm Polsten cannon in its early configuration. The tank set the foundation for subsequent Centurion variants used globally in post-war conflicts.

The Centurion is undoubtedly one of the greatest tank designs of all time. It was in service around the world as a universal tank for decades and is still in use as a combat tractor. It saw service in North Korea with the British, where it was very valuable as a force multiplier. It also served with the Australians during the Vietnam War, proving itself to be the best tank of its time.

In the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur War, armored units such as the 7th and Barak brigades faced down T-55 and T-62 tanks, which sometimes outnumbered them 15-1. An awesome tank.

Tiger II The Tiger II, also known as the King Tiger, was a German heavy tank introduced in 1944. It combined the armor of the Tiger I with the sloped design of the Panther and was armed with an 88mm gun. The tank saw combat mainly on the Eastern and Western Fronts in the final stages of World War II.

Which tank had the thickest armor? The most powerful gun?

Even though this tank had a bad track record for mechanical failures, it was still at least in the top three of the most powerful tanks in World War II. The only reason it was not number one is because only 500 of these beasts were produced. But they were still incredibly effective.

It should be at least top seven or eight, not number 22.

In my opinion, and I have done a lot of research into World War II tanks, nothing could beat a Tiger II.

Unless the tank broke down or ran out of gas, otherwise, forget about it. No contest.

Challenger 2 The Challenger 2 is a British main battle tank introduced in 1998. It is armed with a 120mm rifled gun and uses Dorchester armor for enhanced protection. The tank has been deployed in conflicts such as the Iraq War.

Supplied to two armies, including the United Kingdom and the Oman Army. A newer design based on the Challenger I, it was sent on many peacekeeping missions in the Middle East.

Many missions showed that it was impenetrable to all enemy fire except for IEDs.

The Challenger 2 may be slightly heavier than most MBTs, so it's slightly slower. It also wasn't built in as many numbers as the T-54/55 or as successful as the T-34.

But it has the best gun (with a rifled barrel, so it hits what you're aiming at), the best targeting technology, the best life support systems, the best camouflage fitting, and the best MBT armor. It is also not as big a target as the M60 or the Abrams.

AMX Leclerc The AMX Leclerc is a French main battle tank developed by GIAT Industries and introduced in the 1990s. It features a 120mm smoothbore gun, modular armor, and a high degree of automation. The Leclerc is used by France and the United Arab Emirates.
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