Challenger 2 (United Kingdom)

Challenger 2 (United Kingdom)

Weight: 62.5 tons; Length: 8.30m, 11.50m with gun forward

Width: 3.50m; Height: 2.50m

Crew: 4

Primary Armament: L30A1 120mm rifled gun

Operational Range: 450 km; Speed: 56 km/h

The Challenger 2, derived from the Challenger 1, is a main battle tank (MBT) currently in service with the armies of the United Kingdom and Oman. It was designed and built by British Vickers Defense Systems (now known as BAE Systems Land and Armaments). Considered to be the world's most reliable tank, the Challenger 2 provides high-level protection against direct fire weapons. It was used in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and is said to be capable of enduring 14 hits from rocket-propelled grenades and one MILAN anti-tank missile. One Challenger 2 MBT costs about US$8 million.

Merkava Mark IV (Israel)

Merkava Mark IV (Israel)

Weight: 65 tons; Length: 9.04m

Width: 3.72m; Height: 2.66m

Crew: 4

Primary Armament: 120mm smooth bore gun

Operational Range: 500 km; Speed: 64 km/h on road, 55 km/h off road

Four main types of the Merkava series have been deployed since 1978. The Merkava Mark IV, the series' latest edition, is the more advanced version of the Merkava Mark III. It came into service with the Israel Defense Forces in 2004. Until now, a total of 360 Merkava Mark IV vehicles have been built, with an additional 300 in production. Slightly larger than the Mark III, the new vehicle is one of the best shielded tanks in the world. One Merkava MBT costs about US$5 million.

T-90A/S (Russia)

T-90A/S (Russia)

Weight: 46.5 tons; Length: 9.53m

Width: 3.78m; Height: 2.22m

Crew: 3

Primary Armament: 125mm smooth bore gun with autoloader

Operational Range: 550–700 km; Speed: 65 km/h

The T-90 is a Russian main battle tank (MBT) derived from the T-72 design, featuring improvements in its firepower, mobility and protection. The T-90, which came into use in 1992, is manufactured by the Uralvagonzavod Plant in Nizhniy Tagil, Russia. It is currently the most advanced tank used by the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry. At present, Russia operates about 500 of these MBTs. Sources claim that more than 1,600 T-90 MBTs of all variants have been built. The T-90A, sometimes called the T-90 Vladimir, is the Russian army's version, featuring a welded turret, V-92S2 engine and ESSA thermal viewer. The T-90S is the export version of the T-90A. A T-90 tank was worth US$2.77- 4.25 million in 2011.

Type 99 (China)

Type 99 (China)

Weight: 54 tons; Length: 11.0m

Width: 3.4m; Height: 2.2m

Crew: 3

Primary Armament: 125mm smooth bore gun with autoloader

Operational Range: 600km; Speed: 80 km/h on road and 60 km/h cross country

The Type 99, also known as ZTZ-99 and WZ-123, is a 3rd generation main battle tank (MBT) operated by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA). The Type 99, a more advanced spin-off of the Type 98G, features both Russian and Western influences in its design and technology. The Type 99, currently the most advanced MBT fielded by China, is manufactured in a limited number due to its high cost compared to the more economical Type 96. The Type 99, made to rival other modern tanks, was unveiled in 2000 and came into service in 2001. The Type 99 is the primary variant of the Type 99 series, and the latest in trial is the Type 99KM. One Type 99 is worth about 17 million yuan (US$2.5 million).

Leclerc (France)

Leclerc (France)

Weight: 54.5 tons; Length: 9.87m

Width: 3.71m; Height: 2.53m

Crew: 3

Primary Armament: 120mm smooth bore gun with autoloader

Operational Range: 550km, 650km with external fuel; Speed: 72 km/h

The AMX-56 Leclerc, commonly known as the Leclerc, is a main battle tank (MBT) developed by GIAT Industries, France. It is claimed to be one of the fastest tanks in the world. It is named after General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, commander of the French armored division during World War II. Having been into production ever since 1991, the Leclerc came into use in 1992 in order to replace the AMX 30 as the country's main armored platform. The French Army has a total of 406 Leclerc MBTs and the United Arab Emirates Army counts 388 of them. One Leclerc is worth about US$7.4 million.

Type 96 (China)

Type 96 (China)

Weight: 42.8 tons; Length: 10.28m

Width: 3.45m; Height: 2.30m

Crew: 3

Primary Armament: 125mm smooth bore main gun

Operational Range: 450 km, 600 km with external fuel; Speed: 70 km/h

The Type 96 main battle tank (MBT) was derived from the previous Type 85-III series tank design, albeit with some modifications. It was displayed in 1999 during the military parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Compared to the Types 85 and 88, the Type 96 features newly integrated thermal imaging/day sight, a Chinese infra-red/laser jamming system, a more powerful engine, improved electronics and a western-style turret.

Panzer VI King Tiger (Germany) World warKing Tiger

King Tiger

Number built—492

Weight 68-76 tons

Length 10.3 m

Height 3.3 m

Wide 3.8-4.3 m

Crew 5

Armor 40-185

Weapon Cannon 88 mm L71 [1] Machine 7.92 mm [3]MG-34[2] MG-42[1]

Speed 38-42 km/h

Even larger and heavier than the Tiger I the Königstiger was the largest and most powerful tank released by German forces during the war. It had the firepower to knock out virtually any Allied tank and enough armor to shrug off most Allied firepower at the time (excluding hollow charge weapons), but it suffered from multiple mechanical problems due to its rushed development and excessive weight.