Boevaya Mashina / Wikimedia Commons (Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 Germany)
Not All Tanks Are Equal
What do you imagine when you hear the word “tank”? Probably a huge, heavily armed vehicle tearing through the battlefield. That is a Main Battle Tank, or MBT for short! However, not every tank has the same features. Some are designed for special environments, some for fire support, and some for speed. What, then, qualifies a tank as a Main Battle Tank?
What Is a Main Battle Tank (MBT)?
A main battle tank is a mobile, heavily armored ground combat system that is intended to win in direct, front-line combat. MBTs integrate mobility, robust protection, and heavy firepower into a single system. As the backbone of most contemporary land forces, their tasks vary from leading offensives and supporting infantry to engaging enemy armor.
Important Features of an MBT
- Firepower: Usually comes with secondary machine guns and a large-caliber main gun, in general 120mm or 125mm.
- Armor: Has advanced composite and reactive armor that protects against anti-tank weapons and explosives.
- Mobility: A powerful engine and high power-to-weight ratio allow MBTs to charge across rough terrain with the agility of a heavyweight boxer, despite their massive size.
The Differences Between MBTs and Other Armored Vehicles
There are other vehicles on the battlefield besides MBTs. For instance, light tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs), and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) all have distinct functions. Despite their speed and ability to move troops, these vehicles are not equipped with enough armor or firepower to compete with enemy tanks. Conversely, MBTs are made especially for that type of face-to-face confrontation.
Examples of Modern Main Battle Tanks
- Leopard 2A7 (Germany): Several NATO nations use the German Leopard 2A7, which has sophisticated armor and targeting systems.
- Abrams M1A2 SEP v3 (USA): The iconic American tank Abrams M1A2 SEP v3 (USA) has improved armor, electronics, and battlefield connectivity.
- T-90M (Russia): Russia’s most recent development of the T-series tanks from the Cold War is the T-90M.
- Altay (Turkey): A cutting-edge MBT built with both foreign and domestic technology, intended for a variety of combat situations.
- Type 99A (China): China’s top-tier tank featuring advanced armor and active protection systems.
Do Main Battle Tanks Still Have Use Today?
Are MBTs still required in light of the the spread of drones, anti-tank missiles, and urban warfare? The short answer is yes, they are! MBTs are still vital on contemporary battlefields, from the Middle East to Ukraine. Tanks continue to be unparalleled in their capacity to project force and hold ground when paired with infantry support, air cover, and electronic warfare systems.
In conclusion
The mainstay of contemporary ground combat, a main battle tank is more than a steel giant. MBTs are still essential for any army wishing to have an edge in combat because they provide an ideal combination of mobility, protection, and firepower.
In the next lesson, we shift our focus from armored firepower to battlefield support. Let’s break down the basics of modern artillery.
