List of main battle tanks by generation

Main battle tanks are often classified as belonging to a particular generation, although the actual definition and membership in these generations is not clearly defined. Soviet and Russian military planners organize tanks with the first generation of tanks up to 1945, and four generations of main battle tanks[Note 1][1] while Canadian strategists organize main battle tanks into three generations.[Note 2][2] The military of the People's Republic of China also recognizes three generations of its own tanks.

Australian Army Mk 3 Centurion Tank

In 1983, Rolf Hilmes saw three tank generations and three "intermediate generations", which consisted mainly of upgraded vehicles.[3] The first generation of main battle tanks were based on or influenced by designs of World War II, most notably the T-34 and the Panther tank.[4] The second generation was equipped with NBC protection (only sometimes), IR night vision devices, a stabilized main gun and at least a mechanical fire control system.[4] The third generation is determined by the usage of thermal imagers, digital fire control systems and special (composite) armour.[4]

However, Hilmes acknowledged that tanks cannot be definitively grouped by generations, as each tank-producing country develops and introduces its tanks in tune with its own ideas and needs. He also states that breakdown of postwar tanks by generations is based on timeframe and technical factors, as a basis for further discussion.[5]

First generation
Name Entered service in Origin Number Built Notes
Centurion[3][6] 1946  United Kingdom 4,423[7] First "Universal Tank" (MBT) Culmination of the WWII cruiser tanks.
T-54[3][6] 1949  Soviet Union 100,000 (T-54/T55) USSR's First Generation of MBT.
M47 Patton 1952  United States 8,576 A development of the M46 Patton and M26 Pershing tanks.
M48 Patton 1953  United States 12,000 A further development of the M47 Patton tank.
T-55[3][6] 1958  Soviet Union 100,000 (T-54/T55) Improved T-54.
Type 59 1959  China 10,000 A further development of the T-54 tank.
Sho't 1960  Israel N/A Israeli designation of the 105 mm L7 armed Centurion tank.
Type 61[3] 1961  Japan 560 Used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Second generation

The second generation had enhanced night-fighting capabilities and in most cases NBC protection. Most western tanks of this generation were armed with the 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 tank gun or derivatives of it.

Name Entered service in Origin Notes
T-62 1961  Soviet Union A further development of the T-55, mainly a new 115mm cannon and enlarged chassis.
M60 Patton 1961  United States A further development of the M48 Patton tank. Later models(M60A2 and M60A3) are considered as the first intermediate generation.
Leopard 1 1965  West Germany A main battle tank designed and produced in West Germany that first entered service in 1965.
Panzer 61 1965   Switzerland A further development of the Panzer 58 tank.
MBT-70 1965  United States /  West Germany An American-West German joint project to develop a new main battle tank. Never entered service.
Vickers MBT 1965  United Kingdom British private venture design for export.
Vijayanta 1965  India Indian license built version of British Vickers MBT.
T-64 1966  Soviet Union World's first composite armored tank, later versions of the T-64 may be considered as third generation.
AMX 30 1966  France The AMX 30 served as the principal Main Battle Tank (MBT) for the French Army.
FV 4201 Chieftain 1966  United Kingdom Armed with the British 120 mm Royal Ordnance L11A5 gun.
Magach 3 1967  United States /  Israel Modernized M48A1/A2C/A3. The modifications included British 105 mm L7 cannon, low profile commander's cupola, upgraded communication suite, a 750 hp diesel engine Continental AVDS-1790-2A with Allison CD-850-6 transmission. They were eventually fitted with Blazer ERA.
Stridsvagn 103 1968  Sweden Turretless design developed and employed solely by Sweden. Double engine feature; both diesel and gas turbine.
WZ-122[8] 1970  China Main battle tank developed by the People's Republic of China. Its development started in March 1970. After several prototypes were built, the plan was set aside in 1974.
AMX-30E 1970  France /  Spain Spanish main battle tank based on France's AMX-30. 280 units were manufactured by Santa Bárbara Sistemas for the Spanish Army, between 1974 and 1983.
Panzer 68 1971   Switzerland Swiss Main Battle Tank (MBT) based on the Panzer 61.
M60A2 1972  United States The M60A2 is a variant of the M60 Patton Main Battle Tank (MBT) and was developed as a force multiplier for units, operating the M60A1s. The M60A2 was completed with a new turret, housing an M162 152 mm gun/launcher.
T-72 1973  Soviet Union Hilmes puts the T-72 in the first intermediate generation.
Olifant Mk 1 1974  South Africa A further development of the Centurion Tank.
Type 74 1975  Japan Hilmes puts the Type 74 in the first intermediate generation.
Magach 5 1976  United States /  Israel M48A5 in the original configuration. Generally similar to the Magach 3, but had slightly different engine and transmission Continental AVDS-1790-2D and Allison CD-850-6A accordingly. They were eventually fitted with Blazer ERA.
Vickers Mk III 1977  United Kingdom The Vickers Mk III main battle tank is a further development of the Vickers Mk I MBT. It was developed as a private venture, armed with British L7A1 fully-stabilized 105 mm rifled gun. This gun fires a full range of NATO ammunition. The same gun was used on the Vickers Mk I, however the Mk III has a new fire control system. Vehicle is powered by Detroit Diesel 12V-71T turbocharged diesel engine, developing 720 horsepower.
M60A3 1978  United States The General Dynamics M60A3 Patton is the last tank in the Patton series produced in the United States, and is also the last main battle tank in this series to see use with the United States military.
TR-77-580[9] 1979  Socialist Republic of Romania Romanian variant of the T-54/55 with an extended chassis and 6 road wheels, originally intended to allow the usage of the same engine as the Leopard 1. The refusal of Krauss-Maffei to deliver technology to a Warsaw Pact member and political desire to reach certain production figures meant that the V-55 engine of the T-54/55 was used instead.[149] 227 TR-580s were in service in 2017.
Merkava Mark I 1979  Israel First Main Battle Tank developed and used by Israel Defense Forces.
Type 80/88 1980  China Variants include the Type 88, Type 85.
Ch'onma-ho 1980  Soviet Union /  North Korea Copy of the T-62; later versions include upgrades.
OF-40 1981  Italy Main Battle Tank used by United Arab Emirates.
Type 69/79 1982  China A further development of the Type 59. Most advanced Type 79 variant was equipped with a 105 mm rifled gun which was also found on the Type 80 tank.
AMX-32 1982  France The AMX-32 was a French prototype main battle tank developed by AMX and APX during the late 1970s as an export tank to fit in a specific market niche of nations with smaller defence budgets.
Tanque Argentino Mediano 1983  Argentina Medium tank (main battle tank) in service with the Argentine Army.
Bernardini MB-3 Tamoyo[10] 1983  Brazil Main battle tank designed by Bernardini; however, it never reached production status and it never passed beyond the prototype stage. The final model, the Tamoyo III was armed with a NATO 105 mm L7 rifled main gun.
Merkava Mark II 1983  Israel Improved Merkava Mark I.
T-55AM[11][12] 1985  Soviet Union /  Czechoslovakia T-55 with new engine, FCS computer, BDD composite armor (later active armor or ERA; T-55AMV, T-55AMD), equipped with new APFSDS ammunition (BM-20 or BM-25). Frontal protection of T-55AM with BDD add-on equals first T-72s .[11][13][12]
Lion of Babylon 1985  Iraq Licensed copy of the T-72.
CM-11 Brave Tiger 1990  Taiwan Variant from M48 Patton.
CM-12 1990  Taiwan Variant from M48 Patton.
Type 72Z 1997  Iran A highly modernized version of the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks with upgrades carried out by the Iranian Defense Industries Organization.
Type 96 1997  China Domestic version of Type 85-IIM later known as Type 96.
Leopard C2 2000  Canada The Leopard C2 MBT is a Canadian upgrade of the German Leopard 1.
M60-2000 2001  United States /  Turkey Prototype never entered service.
Olifant Mk 2 2003  South Africa Improved Olifant Mk 1 Tank.
Al-Zarrar 2004  China /  Pakistan An upgrade of Pakistan's aging Chinese Type 59 tanks, developed with Ukrainian assistance and manufactured by the Heavy Industries Taxila, featuring a 125 mm smoothbore gun as primary weapon.
Ramses II 2005  Egypt A heavily modernized T-55 main battle tank designed for and used by the Egyptian Armed Forces.
Tifon 2a 2010  Ukraine /  Peru Main battle tank based on the Soviet T-54/55 tank, developed and manufactured jointly by the Peruvian company DICSAC (Diseños Casanave Corporation S.A.C. of Peru) and the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, Ukraine. Trials/Development only to date.
Sabalan 2014  Iran Iranian upgraded version of the US M47 Patton, It has side skirts and a newly built turret fitted with a 105-mm gun, laser range finder, new fire control system and communication equipment. Never used in active service.
Type 59G(BD) Durjoy 2015  Bangladesh An upgraded variant of the Chinese Type 59 tank for the Bangladesh Army.
T-55AGM 2016  Ukraine Ukrainian T-54/T-55 modernization. It brings up the T-54/T-55 tanks to T-80 standard. It can also be applied to Chinese made Type 59 and Soviet T-62. It is fitted with 5TDFM, two-stroke liquid-cooled multi-fuel supercharged diesel engine with opposed pistons which develops 850 hp (634 kW), improved running gear, automated movement control system with a steering handlebar control, additional passive protection, built-in explosive reactive armour, countermeasures system, new fire suppression system with over-ride facilities at the commander's station, automatic loader which holds 18 rounds and anti-aircraft machine gun that can be aimed and fired from within the turret under a complete armour protection.

Third generation

The third generation of main battle tanks is characterized by composite armour and computerized stabilized fire control systems, which allow firing on the move as well as very high first hit probability on targets up to 2,000 meters away.

Name Entered service in Origin Notes
T-80[14] 1976  Soviet Union World's first turbine engine equipped tank. Though the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 that entered service in 1960s used a turbine engine alongside a diesel. However, T-80 in Hilmes's book is very different to a T-80 in real world,[15] and early models of the T-80 offer no big differences compared to T-64A in overall performance. So models prior to the T-80B should be regarded as Second generation intermediate.
Leopard 2[16] 1979  West Germany Development of the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) began in 1970. It was just a couple of years after a previous Leopard 1 entered service. Is armed with a fully-stabilized Rheinmetall RH-M-120 120 mm smoothbore gun.
MBT-80 N/A  United Kingdom Prototype, never entered service.
M1 Abrams 1980  United States Production began (at Chrysler) in 1979 and continued to 1985 (at General Dynamics) (3,273 built for the US). The first 110 tanks were Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) models, still called XM1s, because they were built prior to the tank being type-classified as the M1.
FV4030/4 Challenger 1 1983  United Kingdom Replaced FV 4201 Chieftain. The Challenger 1 is armed with a fully-stabilized British L11A5 120 mm rifled gun. It is a significantly improved version of the Chieftain's gun. It is extremely accurate, however this MBT was fitted with slow fire control system. The Challenger 1 MBT is powered by a Rolls-Royce Condor CV12 TCA turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 200 hp.
AMX-40 1983  France Prototype, never acquired by the French Army.
M-84 1984  Yugoslavia The M-84 main battle tank is essentially the Soviet T-72, produced under license. However it has a number of Yugoslavian sub-systems. Production of the M-84 MBT began in 1983 and first vehicles entered service in 1984. By 1992 over 600 of these MBTs have been built. Currently it is operational with some countries of the former Yugoslavia and Kuwait.
EE-T1/EE-T2 Osório 1986 Brazil Prototype, never acquired by the Brazilian Army.
M1A1 Abrams 1986  United States Improved M1 Abrams. Production started in 1985 and continued to 1992, pressurized NBC system, rear bustle rack for improved stowage of supplies and crew belongings, redesigned blow-off panels and M256 120 mm smoothbore cannon (4,976 built for the U.S. Army, 221 for USMC, 59 M1A1 AIM SA sold to Australia).
TR-85 1986  Romania Main battle tank based on the TR-77-580, designed for the Romanian Land Forces.
Panzer 87 1987   Switzerland License manufactured in Switzerland of the Leopard2A4. This version included Swiss-built 7.5 mm MG 87 machine guns, communications equipment, and featured improved NBC protection system. Switzerland operated 380 Panzer 87 tanks.
K1 88-Tank 1988  South Korea First Main Battle Tank in use with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, developed by Hyundai Precision (later Hyundai Rotem).[17]
Merkava Mark III 1989  Israel As of 2016, the Merkava III is by far the most numerous tank in frontline IDF service. Compared to the Merkava II, it has upgrades to the drivetrain, powertrain, armament, and electronic systems. The most prominent addition was the incorporation of the locally developed IMI 120 mm gun.
Type 90 1990  Japan Development of the new Japanese Main Battle Tank (MBT) commenced in 1976. It was intended to replace the Type 61 medium tanks in service with Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF). The new tank was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in cooperation with German Krauss-Maffei and MaK tank manufacturers. This MBT is armed with German Rheinmetall RH-M-120 120 mm smoothbore gun, which was produced in Japan under license by Japan Steel Works. It fires HEAT-MP and APFSDS-T rounds, but is also compatible with all standard NATO 120 mm tank ammunition.
M-91 Vihor 1991  Yugoslavia Prototype, never entered service.
Pokpung-ho II 1992  North Korea A further development of Ch'onma-Ho. The tank may incorporate technology found in the T-62, T-72, and Ch'onma-ho MBTs. The P'okp'ung-ho is only known to be used in North Korea.
M1A2 Abrams 1992  United States Improved M1A1 Abrams. Production began in 1986 and entered service in 1992 (77 built for the U.S. and more than 600 M1s upgraded to M1A2, 315 for Saudi Arabia, 1,005 for Egypt, 218 for Kuwait). The M1A2 offers the tank commander an independent thermal sight and ability to, in rapid sequence, shoot at two targets without the need to acquire each one sequentially, also 2nd generation depleted uranium armor components.
Leclerc 1992  France Replaced AMX 30. The Leclerc main battle tank was developed by GIAT Industries. Its development began in 1978 and first prototypes were built in 1989. Production of the Leclerc MBT started in 1991. It is named in honor to general Philippe Jacques Leclerc, commander of French armored division during World War II. It is in service with France (406) and United Arab Emirates (388). Some sources claim that currently only 340 Leclercs remain in service with the French Army.
T-90 1993  Russia Updated version of the T-72; originally introduced into service in October 1992 as T-72BU, but simultaneously renamed as the T-90.
Zulfiqar I 1994  Iran Iranian tank derived from T-72 and M60 Patton. Prototype, never entered service.
PT-91 Twardy 1995  Poland A development of the T-72M1. The PT-91 Twardy (hard) is an improved variant of the Soviet T-72 main battle tank. The PT-91 was developed in Poland in the early 1990s. Production of the PT-91 Twardy tanks for the Polish Army were completed in 2002. A total of 233 tanks were delivered. Currently Polish Army also operates 120 older T-72M1 tanks (plus 470 in storage) and a number of ex-German Leopard 2A4 and Leopard 2A5 tanks. The older Leopard 2A4 tanks are planned to be upgraded to Leopard 2PL standard.
Ariete 1995  Italy The Ariete (ram) main battle tank (also referred as the C-1) was developed by Iveco and OTO Melara. It is named in honor to Italian Ariete armored division, which fought during World War II. This main battle tank was intended to replace ageing fleet of M60A1 in service with Italian Army. First prototype of the C1 Ariete was revealed in 1986 and six pre-production vehicles were built in 1989. It entered service with Italian army in 1995. Italy operates 200 MBTs of this type.
TR-85M1 "Bizonul" 1997  Romania First built in 1985, the modernised TR-85M1 "Bizonul" (the bison) variant was updated in 1996, as an effort to bring it up to date with other NATO countries. The project was a cooperative effort between Aerospatiale-Matra, Sagem, Kolmorgen-Artus, Racal and Romanian factories, such as ROMARM, METRA, I.O.R. and Aerostar
Stridsvagn 122 1997  Sweden Swedish main battle tank based on the German Leopard 2 Improved variant utilizing newer technology such as command-, control-, and fire-control systems, as well as reinforced armour and long-term combat capacity.
M-95 Degman 1997  Croatia Croatian development of the prototype Yugoslav M-91 Vihor. Only 2 prototype, never entered service.
Zulfiqar II 1997  Iran Further development of the Zulfiqar I. It is an interim MBT, which served as a test bed for the Zulfiqar 3. It had an extended hull and was fitted with new engine. It also has a new turret with sloping front and bustle at the rear. This may indicate removal of the autoloader, or possibly, a new autoloader.
FV4034 Challenger 2 1998  United Kingdom Further development of the Challenger 1. The new main battle tank is significantly more capable than its predecessor. It entered service with the British Army in 1994. Currently the Challenger 2 is in service with United Kingdom (386) and Oman (38). Recently a couple of proposed modernization programs for the Challenger 2 tanks were proposed. However, due to budget cuts British Army could completely retire its Challenger 2 fleet in the near future. Armed with the British 120 mm Royal Ordnance L30 gun.
M1A2 Abrams (SEP) 1999  United States System Enhancement Package (SEP) has upgraded third-generation depleted uranium armor components with graphite coating (240 new built, 300 M1A2s upgraded to M1A2 SEP for the US, also unknown numbers of upgraded basic M1s and M1IPs, also 400 oldest M1A1s upgraded to M1A2 SEP).
T-84 1999  Ukraine The T-84 is a Ukrainian main battle tank. It is a further development of the T-80UD. Development of the T-80UD began in the late 1980s. Models of the T-84 include the T-84U MBT with new armored side skirts, built-in Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor, muzzle reference system and some other improvements.
Zulfiqar III 2000  Iran The most advanced variant of the Zulfiqar family which was selected for production, bears an uncanny resemblance to the American M1 Abrams. It features considerable upgrades to the fire-control system, chassis, engine and main gun. The new variant is equipped with the 2A46 125 mm smoothbore cannon with an autoloader, a laser rangefinder and a new fire-control system. It is also fitted with a reinforced turret and the wheels are covered by an armoured skirt.
K1A1 2001  South Korea The K1A1 main battle tank is an improved version of the K1 88-Tank. It was developed in South Korea by Hyundai Rotem. It is broadly similar to the US M1A1 Abrams in terms of firepower and protection. First production vehicle was completed in 1996, however it entered service with the ROK Army only in 2001. Production ceased in 2010. A total of 484 of these tanks were reportedly built..
Type 99 2001  China The Type 99 main battle tank is a further development of the Type 98 MBT. It is generally similar to the Type 98, but has a number of improvements. The Type 99 was revealed in 2000 and entered service with the Chinese Army in 2001. This main battle tank shows a mixture of Russian and Western influence in its design and technology. As of 2017 improved version of this tank is produced in China. Currently it is the most advanced Chinese main battle tank.
MBT-2000/Al-Khalid[18] 2002  China /  Pakistan The Al Khalid main battle tank was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. It is a further development of the Chinese Type 90-II tank, which was not accepted to service with the Chinese Army. In the late 1990s it was marketed for export as the MBT-2000. Pakistan acquired production license of this MBT. The Al Khalid is named after the legendary general Khalid ibn al-Walid. First deliveries of this tank were made in 2002. The Al Khalid is currently in service with Pakistan.
Tank EX 2002  India Prototype, Never entered service.
Pokpung-ho III 2002  North Korea Outside parties codename the tank M-2002 because the tank went through performance trials on February 16, 2002 (therefore being officially confirmed by outside sources), although the tank may have been in existence since 1992.
T-72M4CZ[19] 2003  Czech Republic Upgraded Czech version of the T-72 tank. The T-72 main battle tank was licensed-produced in the former Czechoslovakia. It entered service with the Czechoslovakian Army in 1981. After the dissolution of the Czechoslovakia in the early 1990s upgrade programs were developed both in Czech Republic and Slovakia to keep their fleets of T-72 MBTs operational and combat capable.
Leopard 2E 2003  Germany /  Spain A derivative of the Leopard 2A6, with greater armour protection, developed under a programme of co-production between the defence industries of Spain and Germany.
M60 Phoenix 2004  Jordan The M60 Phoenix is a Jordanian upgrade of the M60A3 main battle tank. It was developed by the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB). A total of 182 Jordanian M60A3 tanks were reportedly upgraded to the Phoenix standard. A 105 mm rifled gun was replaced by a Swiss RUAG CTG fully-stabilized 120 mm/L50 smoothbore gun. It is compatible with all standard NATO 120 mm tank ammunition. The Jordanian M60 Phoenix is notable for packing heavier punch than other upgunned M60s, that have 120 mm/L44 guns.
Arjun MBT 2004  India The first prototype of the Arjun main battle tank was built in 1984. It was first publicly revealed in 1985. This main battle tank was designed to replace the ageing Vijayanta and the Soviet T-72M MBTs in service with the Indian Army. Development of an indigenous tank was plagued with delays. First pre-production MBTs were delivered in 2004.
Merkava Mark IV 2004  Israel The Merkava Mk IV Main Battle Tank (MBT) entered service with Israel Defense Forces in 2004. It is a further development of the Merkava Mark III. A total of 360 of these tanks have already been built and another 300 have been ordered by Israeli Defense Forces. For a long time these tanks were not available for export, though some of the tank's systems and components were offered for the export customers. However, in 2014 it was reported, that Israel will export a number of these tanks to an undisclosed customer, possibly Columbia.
M-84AS 2004  Serbia Upgraded Yugoslav version of the M-84 tank. M-84AS is sometimes referred to as M-84AB1 and M-2001.
C2 Ariete 2005  Italy The C2 Ariete was revealed in 2005. It has a modular armor, 120 mm smoothbore gun fitted with an autoloader, hydropneumatic suspension, 1500 hp engine and more advanced fire control system.
Type 96A/B 2006  China Type 96G (also referred as Type 96A). It is an upgraded version of the Type 96, fitted with explosive reactive armor and thermal imaging system for all-weather, day/night operation. It was revealed in 2006. It is believed that upgraded vehicles approach the Type 99 in terms of protection, firepower and mobility. Weight of upgraded MBT increased to 42.8 t. All Type 96 tanks might be upgraded to this standard. This tank is also proposed for export customers as the VT2B. In 2016 a new version of the Type 96G emerged, which is most likely to be fitted with a new engine.
Mobarez 2006  Iran A domestically upgraded version of the British Chieftain tank by Iran.
Challenger 2 CLIP 2006  United Kingdom Challenger Lethality Improvement Programme (CLIP) was a programme to replace the current Royal Ordnance L30A1 rifled gun with the smoothbore Rheinmetall Rh-120 mm gun currently used in the Leopard 2A6.
Sabra Mk I 2007  United States /  Israel An extensively upgraded M60 Patton tank developed by Israel Military Industries.
Al-Khalid I 2009  Pakistan Upgraded variant with Ammunition capacity increased to 49 125 mm rounds, 1,500 12.7 mm rounds and 7,100 7.62 mm rounds. Incorporates modifications made to the fire-control system which is now a more advanced multi process fire control computer with up to 7 km effective identification range.
T-84 Oplot-M 2009  Ukraine The newest and most sophisticated version of the T-84 is an upgraded version of the "T-84 Oplot" mounting more advanced armor, new electronic countermeasure systems, and others. One visible feature is the new PNK-6 panoramic tank sight. The T-84 Oplot-T is an export version for Thailand.
T-95 2009  Russia Prototype, Never entered service.
Sabra Mk II/M60T 2009  Israel /  Turkey The Sabra Mk II is known as the M60T in Turkish service.
Leopard 2A4M CAN 2010  Canada The Leopard 2A4M CAN is the upgraded Canadian version of the Leopard 2A4 acquired from the Royal Netherlands Army surplus. The Leopard 2A4M CAN is specially designed for the War in Afghanistan, based on experience gained by Leopard 2 operators.
T-72B3 2013  Russia Upgraded Russian version of the T-72. T-72B3M is the most advanced variant.
PT-16 2016  Poland A further development of PT-91 Twardy. Upgrades include improved armor, armament, and mobility.
M-84D 2018  Croatia Upgraded version of the M-84 with improvements to its armor, armament, mobility and electronics. 75 to be upgraded, possibly replacing the 125mm 2A46 gun with a NATO 120mm gun.

Modernized

These are third-generation tanks modernized with fourth-generation technology.

Name Entered service in Origin Notes
Merkava IVm Windbreaker 2011  Israel Merkava Mark IV equipped with the Trophy active protection system (APS), designated "Meil Ruach" (Hebrew: מעיל רוח; "Windbreaker" or "Wind Coat").
T-90M 2011  Russia The main features include the modernisation of the old turret design, which is equipped with the new advanced Fire control system "Kalina" (with integrated combat information and control systems), improved armor on the ammo carousel, and a new upgraded gun 2A46M-5, as well as a remote-controlled anti-aircraft gun "UDP T05BV-1".
Arjun MBT MK 2 2012  India The Arjun Mk II is an improved version of the original Arjun (tank) main battle tank. It was developed in cooperation with Israeli defense companies. A total of 13 major improvements were made. After prolonged development the original Arjun Mk I entered service with the Indian Army in 2004.
T-90MS[20] 2013  Russia Also known as T-90SM, it is an updated version of the T-90S. The T-90MS is ready for serial production.
Type 99A 2014  China The Type 99G is a Chinese main battle tank. It is an improved version of the Type 99, which was adopted by the Chinese Army back in 2001. This tank is also referred as the Type 99A, Type 99A1 and Type 99A2. It has a number of improvements over the baseline Type 99, related with fire control, targeting and countermeasures systems and modified suspension.
Leopard 2A7+ 2014  Germany The Leopard 2A7+ is an advanced third generation tank and has been tested by the Bundeswehr under the name UrbOp (Urban Operations).
VT-4 2016  China The VT4 is a Chinese main battle tank, developed specially for export. It is also known as the MBT-3000. It is being marketed by NORINCO. This tank can be seen as a simplified export version of the Type 99G, which is used by the China's Army. The VT4 is a further development of the VT1A, which is in turn a downgraded export version of the Type 99.
Karrar 2017  Iran New Iranian tank said to be on a par with the Russian T-90. Iran, however, denies any Russian involvement in the project.
M1A2C Abrams (SEPv3) 2017  United States Prototypes began testing in 2015, and the first unit were delivered in October 2017.
Challenger 2 CLEP 2019  United Kingdom Challenger Life Extension Programme (CLEP) is designed to replace obsolete equipment, enhance protection, increase range and provide improved lethality of the tank until an out of service date of 2035 - extending its life from 2025.
Leopard 2PL[21] 2020  Poland Modernized version of the Leopard 2A4 tank, is a submersible tank used by the Polish Armed Forces.
Leclerc XLR 2020  France Newest upgrade package part of the SCORPION program. Inclusion of new tactical interfaces, new armor packages, RWS turret, as well as several additional sensors and grenade launchers. Deliveries starting in 2020.
M1A2D Abrams (SEPv4) 2021  United States Under engineering development with delivery planned to start by 2021.
Al-Khalid II 2022  Pakistan Under development. Upgraded variant incorporating redesigned turret, increased weight, upgraded modular armour package and sensors, improved ammunition and a new powerpack developing 1,500 hp.

Fourth generation/next generation

Next generation[22] or fourth generation tanks are still under development or at early stages of their generation. While the term "(fourth) next generation" has no formal basis, these main battle tanks are using the latest technology and designs to compete with the current advanced warfare environment.[23]

Name Entered service in Origin Notes
Type 10[24] 2012  Japan Next generation[25]
K2 Black Panther[24][26] 2014  South Korea Next generation
T-14 Armata 2015  Russia Next generation
Altay 2021  Turkey Next generation[27]

See also

Explanatory notes
  1. "The Soviets saw tank generations in this manner: 1920–1945, first generation; 1946–1960, second generation; 1961–1980, third generation; and 1981–present, fourth generation. Since the last really new tank design, the T-80, came out in 1976, they feel that they have not produced a true Fourth Generation Tank Design. In comparison, they count the M1, Challenger, and Leopard 2 as Fourth Generation and the LeClerc as Fifth Generation."
  2. "The Canadian Directorate of Land Strategic Concept defines three generations of Main Battle Tanks. The first generation of post World War II Main Battle Tanks includes the U.S. M48/M60, the German Leopard 1 and the British Centurion and Chieftain. The second generation includes most of the 120 mm Main Battle Tanks such as the American M1A1, the German Leopard 2 and the British Challenger. As for the third generation Main Battle Tank, they include the latest 'digital' tank such as the French Leclerc and perhaps the American M1A2 and the German Leopard 2A5."
  • Note to the Pancerni website source: Translation of most important parts of 1st, 2nd, 2.5 and 3rd generation MBTs characteristics: "The first generation MBTs are tanks made immediately after WWII. The second generation MBTs have better sights in comparison to the first generation MBTs. Also second generation MBTs were the first ones to use laser sights and APFSDS rounds. The third generation consists of tanks armed with high caliber and velocity guns like M1A1 Abrams. Third generation tanks also use composite armour as well as armour made out of highly resistant sintered ceramic materials. Third generation tanks also have full stabilization system for the main gun. There tanks between second and third generations, like Soviet T-72 which has powerful gun which would classify it as a third generation MBT but at the same time the stabilization system is much too primitive for it to a third generation MBT. It also lacks engine power to be a third generation MBT and has ammunition with less quality."

Citations
  1. Sewell 1988, note 1.
  2. Lamontagne 2003, pp. 7–8.
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General bibliography
  • Lamontagne, J. G. Pierre (2003). "Are the Days of the Main Battle Tank Over?" (PDF). Toronto, Ontario, Canadian Forces College. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Sewell, Stephen 'Cookie' (1998). "Why Three tanks?" (PDF). Armor. US Army Armor Center, Fort Knox, KY. 108 (4): 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-28.
  • Hunnicutt, R. P. (1984). Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank. ISBN 0-89141-230-1.
  • Hilmes, Rolf (1983). Kampfpanzer der Die Entwickelungen der Nachkriegszeit (in German). ISBN 3-524-89001-6.
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