Top five best tanks in world Ranking by The National Interest

The ranking of the world's best tanks has been unveiled. 

Selecting the best modern tanks is a debated topic, yet five models frequently emerge as leading contenders. Among them, Israel's Merkava V is noted for its exceptional protection, featuring the advanced Trophy Active Protection System, Caliber.Az reports, citing The National Interest. 

The Merkava tank series has been in operation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since the late 1970s, undergoing continuous upgrades over the years. The latest iteration, which was introduced last year, has recently been deployed in Gaza.

This platform has seen consistent enhancements, with the newest model being the Merkava Mark V, also referred to as "Barak," meaning "lightning" in Hebrew. Developed over five years, the Israel Defense Ministry has labelled it as the "fifth generation Merkava battle tank," and it was delivered to the 52nd Armored Battalion of the 401st Brigade last year.

Russia's T-14 Armata features an unmanned turret, while the T-90M Proryv is a significantly upgraded variant of the T-90. The US Army’s M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 incorporates advanced enhancements and outstanding firepower. Developed by Uralvagonzavod, the T-14 was first showcased during the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, 2015. One of its most highlighted attributes is the unmanned turret, equipped with a remotely controlled 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore main gun and a fully automated loading system.

It's also difficult to overlook the T-90M Proryv MBT, which received high praise from Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Uralvagonzavod in February 2024. He declared, “The T-90 is the best tank in the world, without any exaggeration. Tank crews and even adversaries recognize it as the finest globally.”

The Proryv variant is equipped with a 125mm 2A46M-4 smoothbore gun, capable of firing both standard rounds and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), specifically the Refleks NATO Code AT-11 Sniper-B. Its secondary armament features a remotely operated weapon station with an NSVT 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm PTKM coaxial machine gun. When the M1 Abrams was first introduced, "Dallas" was the must-watch TV show, and Ronald Reagan was just beginning his presidential campaign. 

Over 2,500 Abrams tanks currently in service with the US military are not the same models that came off the assembly line nearly forty-five years ago. As Stavros Atlamazoglou pointed out in The National Interest, “Manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, the M1A2 Abrams is one of the most advanced main battle tanks in the world. It is the third production variant of the main battle tank after the M1 Abrams and M1A1 Abrams.”

The current M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 MBT is equipped with a 120mm XM256 Smooth Bore Cannon, capable of accurately striking targets over 3,000 meters away. For secondary armament, the tank includes a 7.62mm M240 coaxial machine gun and a .50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun. It is powered by a gas turbine engine that generates 1,500 horsepower and can operate on nearly any combustible fuel, enabling speeds of up to 42 miles per hour. Its effective operational range is around 270 miles. 

Finally, South Korea’s K2 Black Panther is a fourth-generation tank that features advanced technology and exceptional mobility. While the list excludes notable tanks like the German Leopard 2 and British Challenger 2—both of which are outstanding—the K2 Black Panther claims the final spot. Just a decade ago, it would have seemed unlikely for South Korea to develop such an impressive tank, yet it may currently be among the best in the world.

The K2 Black Panther MBT has a three-member crew, consisting of a commander, gunner, and driver. Its main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, manufactured under license in South Korea and equipped with a domestically-designed automatic loader, which allows for projectile loading on the move, even on uneven terrain. The 120mm gun can reportedly fire around ten to fifteen rounds per minute and is compatible with various munitions, including all standard NATO tank rounds.

By Naila Huseynova