If main battle tanks will fight in the urban city, which tank model will prevail?

Paulo Biolani

Since I have elaborated already on the details from the first question I have answered, my answers here will be shorter but much more specific on some terms. I hope you don't mind.

Just to add, against more technologically adept opponents (equipped with weapons better than RPG 7s), in an urban warfare scenario, I do agree that tanks are sitting ducks. But tanks rarely do charge to the city on its own. There will be infantry escorts around. Given that scenario in urban warfare, tanks should watch out for high-velocity anti-tank snipers, mines and explosives, armor-piercing weapons like RPGs and the like. So it will be taken to effect here.

10) Centurion - Just a really old tank. This tank would be scrapped by anti-tank fire. But equipping it with armored skirts and thick steel slabs would make it a good transport tank with minimal offensive capability.

9) T-72 - Soviet-era tank. Really not made for urban warfare as the T-72 was meant to be mass-produced for the Soviet copycat-blitzkreig strategy. So in other words, it's meant to roll through plains, rivers and forests. It's made to be mass produced, and may still do a good job ramming into buildings, fences, other tanks. But that is just old-school. Wars are different now. The T-72 design might not do much today. A bad record in Chechnya, in Kuwait and in Iraq only propels me to place this tank 9th.

7-8) M60 & Chieftain - The new M60A3 in service in Eygpt, Israel and Turkey has been used to effect by the Israelis in Lebanon. The Chieftain has a good record in the First Gulf War. Both of these are good tanks, even the newer M60A3 has some characteristics better than the older M1 models. Even today, these tanks might still pack a punch if used correctly. The Chieftain might have been better than the earlier versions of the M60, but I have to give credit to the M60, because it's still being used.

6) T-90 - I have to give applause to this upgraded version of the T-72. It finally has been put to good use, in an urban warzone called Grozny. Finally, a Russian tank with winning record in Chechnya. The T-90 still isn't a revolutionary tank. It's Konkakt-5 armor is weaker compared to the Chobham armor being used by the Western forces. And it isn't much of a powerhorse like it's brother the T-80. Still a feared weapon. It's fear factor was seen all over the media in the Georgia-Russia war. It was this machine that propelled Russians to swift victories in cities like Gori.

5) K1/K2 - A watered-down version of the Abrams; American expertise has provided the South Koreans with some knowledge. It is a feared weapon by the North Koreans. It's comparatively small numbers give it away, but since it was built like an Abrams, expect it to perform like one.

4) Leopard 2 - For those who don't know, the Leopard 2's armor is considerably superior to the M1 Abram's or Challenger 2's Chobham armor. Leopard 2 technology is touted superior to everyone of its contemporaries. The only thing failing this wonderful tank is its blank rÃ©sumÃ©. Is the technology useful, or are those just propagandic wartoy candies? European crews don't have much experience. Could you believe these tanks are just being used for patrol duty?

3) Challenger 2 - I think these tanks' armor have been optimized against blasts. It has an elevated suspension for better resisting mines. It also has thick front & rear armor, good for resisting stuff, like cheap gunfire, grenades, RPGs. Yes, there is pride in defensive power as only 2 have been lost to enemy fire. Still, it isn't being deployed in a rate anywhere near the Abrams.

2) M1 Abrams - American use of armor in cities must be part of their "shock and awe" strategy, so I believe. Well, it has done a good job of protecting its crews from blasts, particularly from under its hull. The American ability of information sharing, like sharing target information with a tracker drone, or US Satellite or an Apache gives the Abrams an immediate plus. Experience is still on the Abrams side; while some Abrams were lost beyond repair, most of its crews did survive. The Abrams still beats the L2 and C2.

1) Leclerc - I don't care how much the Leopard 2 is technologically advanced, how battle-tested the Abrams is or how only two Challenger 2s have been decommisioned by enemy fire. If it comes to resisting RPG hits from militia on top of a building, then the Leclerc is here made for the job. The NERA + composite armor is made for those random grenade launcher hits, RPG hits and numerous anti-tank sniper fire. The Leclerc is the best tank for the job. Why? Its mobile for urban warfare, and its protection doesn't just lie on its passive armor, but its protective battle system, which main piece is the anti-infantry grenade launchers. Bringing the Leopard 2s, the Abrams and the Challenger 2s in urban zone is like throwing all your money down the drain. The expensive battle technologies contained inside these tanks are just wasted, because Chobham armor could only resist so few strikes. I know the Abrams still reigns supreme on an open field. But considering the price-to-efficacy ratio, the Abrams is not worth sending in an urban warzone.

Ray

The one that gets line of sight on the other first. The one with the most well trained crew.

dude.

Tanks would lose in the urban city, too confined, too easy to take them out. Tanks need room to move, you send your infantry into the city.

Dr.House

1.Leopard 2A6 EX Best tank ever!
2.M1A2 USA
3.Merkava 4 ISRAEL
4.Challenger 2 UK
5.T-90S Russia
6.Olifant MK 1B South Africa?
7.Leclerc France
8.K1/A1 Korea?
9.Ariete Italy
10.M60A3 USA

* roger *

Sorry, I have no idea but thanks for asking..

Jon

I would say that the Challenger would be the most suitable as its Chobham armour would offer the best protection from unguided light anti-tank weapons (more powerful AT weapons would be difficult to use in built-up areas). That said, size of hull, length of main armament barrel, turret rotation speed and other such technical considerations would play a big part in choosing the MBT most applicable for FIBUA (fighting in built-up areas) but as a general rule of thumb, don't send tanks into a city....

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