New Tank Development Around The World

[TTK Ciar]

Without drilling too deeply into any one product or country, what's the current state of new MBT development and production around the world? Who is doing what? Who is planning to build new MBTs or modernize old ones?

 

These are my impressions, which could be wrong. Corrections and additions would be tremendously welcome.

 

Serbia:

 

VTI modernized their M-84's to the M-84AS standard, and Yugoimport manufactured it until 2010, but are there any plans for further development?

 

Croatia:

 

Duro Dakovic has developed a modernization for their M-84's to the M-95 standard, but haven't put it into production yet.

 

Poland:

 

Ongoing development of the PT-91 seems quite vigorous. Gliwice develops while Bumarcombine produces.

 

China:

 

Norinco has ambitious tank development and production programs, including their new MBT3000 (VT4) and ongoing modernization/production of the Type-98, Type-99, and MBT2000.

 

Israel:

 

Various domestic companies continue to develop and manufacture different Merkava-IV components. A few hundred more Merkava-IV units are on order to be produced, but if I understand it correctly production will cease after this (unless the Columbian deal of 40 tanks finds completion). No Merkava-V is being planned for development, but many components of Merkava-IV will continue to be developed and produced for modernization.

 

France:

 

Nexter has been granted rights to "support and modernization" for the Leclerc MBT, which is no longer in production. Are there any modernization programs in progress or planned for Leclerc? I find nothing at http://www.nexter-group.fr/en/search

 

Argentina:

 

They developed the TAM back in the 1970's, but seem to have contracted out recent modernization work to Elbit in Israel.

 

Do they have any domestic MBT development efforts today?

 

Germany:

 

Krauss-Maffei continues to develop the Leopard-2 family of tanks. They are also still producing new units, is that correct?

 

Iran:

 

Shahid Kolah Dooz continues to develop and produce the Zulfiqar family of tanks, albeit in low numbers.

 

Japan:

 

Mitsubishi developed and produced small numbers of the Type-10 MBT, but is further production planned? The Type-10 was introduced too recently for modernization programs to reasonably come to light, but modernization efforts seem likely.

 

North Korea:

 

The Second Machine Industry Bureau developed the Pokpung-ho as a modernization of the Chonma-ho in the 1990's, and Ryu Kyong-su produces it, albeit fitfully -- production has stopped for years at a time, but it is believed to be in production again now (is this correct?). What of more recent modernization programs? Are any known?

 

South Korea:

 

Hyundai Rotem continues to develop and produce new tanks, most recently (2014) the K2 MBT. Modernization efforts are already underway, with the first "product improvement package" expected to see release sometime around 2018.

 

Pakistan:

 

Norinco and HIT collaborated on the Al-Khalid, which HIT is still producing today. KMDB of Ukraine and HIT are supposed to be collaborating on modernization, but has the war in Ukraine put that on hiatus?

 

Russia:

 

Uralvagonzavod of course continues to modernize and produce the T-90 MBT family.

 

Ukraine:

 

My impression is that all tank development capabilities have been redirected to the repair and refit of existing T-64 stocks for the war effort. Is this correct? When the war is over, should Morozov be able to pick up where they left off with the T-84?

 

United States:

 

The US Army keeps trying to end GDLS Abrams production, but Congress keeps propping it back up. Various modernization efforts for the M1A2 have been developed and produced, and more are underway. The M1A3 MBT is under development.

 

Turkey:

 

Aselsan, MKEK, Otokar and Roketsan developed the Atlay MBT, which started production in 2015. Production is ongoing, and modernization programs are planned.

 

I realize there are already threads on tanknet specific to some of these programs (and linking to them from here would be great), but this thread is more about noting changes in future or ongoing development anywhere in the world.

[JasonJ]

Japan:

So far, about 60 Type 10s have been built. As of now, they will keep producing them in small numbers per year (14.5 IIRC) until 100 tanks have been produced. It's said to be easily upgradable to an L50 or L55 120mm cannon.

[TRYTRY]

China:

MBT & VT series is for export.

ZTZ96 is around 1200, updated ZTZ96A is around 1000.

ZTZ99 is around 300, updated ZTZ99A is less 100.

ZTZ96A produced about 120 per years to replace ZTZ59(105 gun).

[bojan]

...

Serbia:

 

VTI modernized their M-84's to the M-84AS standard, and Yugoimport manufactured it until 2010, but are there any plans for further development?

 

There is no possibility of tank production in Serbia. Most complex vehicle currently in production, NORA-B-52K made for Kenya, Bangladesh and Myanmar use about 75% of imported parts, including guns, FCS parts and armor.

[urbanoid]

Poland:

 

Ongoing development of the PT-91 seems quite vigorous. Gliwice develops while Bumarcombine produces.

 

Not really, 233 PT-91s were delivered (98 newbuilds and 135 upgraded T-72s) a decade ago, then 48 for Malaysia, it's a done deal. There's a reason why we bought another 119 Leo2s last year (mostly A5s, in addition to 128 A4's we already have). PTs may receive some upgrades in the future, but I wouldn't count that as 'tank development'.

[methos]

Argentina:

 

They developed the TAM back in the 1970's, but seem to have contracted out recent modernization work to Elbit in Israel.

 

Do they have any domestic MBT development efforts today?

 

Germany:

 

Krauss-Maffei continues to develop the Leopard-2 family of tanks. They are also still producing new units, is that correct?

 

The TAM was not developed by Argentina nor in Argentina. It's pretty much a Marder IFV hull with minor modifications and a 105 mm gun turret, all developed by Thyssen Henschel. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann hasn't produced any new tanks for a while, they have only refurbished and upgraded older Leopard 2 tanks in the past time. However there was a deal announced some time ago in 2013, about Qatar buying probably newly built Leopard 2A7 tanks. The tanks will supposedly be delievered in 2015, but it is still not sure if these are newly built tanks. Jane's writes about "production", but this could be also a bad case of translation regarding refurbishment/upgrading.

 

http://www.janes.com/article/49181/leopard-ready-to-prowl-in-qatar

Edited February 22, 2015 by methos

[Damian]

 

Poland:

 

Ongoing development of the PT-91 seems quite vigorous. Gliwice develops while Bumarcombine produces.

 

There is no ongoing development of PT-91, Army decided they do not see a T-72 based platforms as having any perspectives and plan to withdraw all of them froms ervice as soon as possible by finding a suitable replacement.

 

Currently there are two ongoing programs, Leopard 2A4 and Leopard 2A5 modernization to Leopard 2PL standard, and R&D for new tank that will replace T-72M1 and PT-91 in future.

 

 

United States:

 

The US Army keeps trying to end GDLS Abrams production, but Congress keeps propping it back up. Various modernization efforts for the M1A2 have been developed and produced, and more are underway. The M1A3 MBT is under development.

 

Wrong info.

 

US Army requested in recent years to stop manufacturing of existing M1 variants and redirect limited funds to Engineering Change Proposal modernization program which will result in M1A2SEPv3/M1A3 variant induction in to service.

 

Congress said no and decided for conitnous production of existing variants, and currently it seems Congress was right.

 

Actually US Army changed it's mind, and asked Congress to increase M1 tank program funding by 50%, and also ordered another batch of M1A1's to be modernized to M1A2SEPv2 standard. As there is more and more talk about ending sequestration, more funds will probably be avaiable in time.

 

Also GDLS just this year will finish all 9 prototypes of M1 with ECP1A upgrades and transfers them to US Army for tests and evaluation.

 

 

Germany:

 

Krauss-Maffei continues to develop the Leopard-2 family of tanks. They are also still producing new units, is that correct?

 

No new Leopard 2's manufactured for years, only upgrades of existing ones to keep production lines open.

 

 

South Korea:

 

Hyundai Rotem continues to develop and produce new tanks, most recently (2014) the K2 MBT. Modernization efforts are already underway, with the first "product improvement package" expected to see release sometime around 2018.

 

Current activities are:

 

1) Upgrade K1 tanks to K1E1.

2) Upgrade K1A1 tanks to K1A2.

3) Manufacture K2 tanks.

4) Prepare product improvements for K2.

 

 

Russia:

 

Uralvagonzavod of course continues to modernize and produce the T-90 MBT family.

 

UVZ manufatures currently T-90S tanks for exports, India is said to purchase T-90SM besides normal T-90S. For Russian Army, UVZ upgrades T-72B tanks to T-72B3 standard. Also R&D work is done on next generation vehicles based on heavy tracked platform "Armata".

 

 

Ukraine:

 

My impression is that all tank development capabilities have been redirected to the repair and refit of existing T-64 stocks for the war effort. Is this correct? When the war is over, should Morozov be able to pick up where they left off with the T-84?

 

For Ukrainian Army they repair T-64's from stocks, some are modernized to T-64BM "Bulat" or T-64B1M or T-64BM1M standards.

 

For Thai Army, more T-84BM "Oplot" tanks are manufactured despite obvious problems.

Edited February 22, 2015 by Damian

[BansheeOne]

France:

 

Nexter has been granted rights to "support and modernization" for the Leclerc MBT, which is no longer in production. Are there any modernization programs in progress or planned for Leclerc? I find nothing at http://www.nexter-group.fr/en/search

 

[...]

 

Germany:

 

Krauss-Maffei continues to develop the Leopard-2 family of tanks. They are also still producing new units, is that correct?

 

There has been talk for some years to develop a joint successor to Leclerc/Leopard 2, though it might be mostly a German tank with French input. The planned Nexter-KMW merger could help this along, but it's all very theoretical so far.

[Ken Estes]

KMW delivered its last of 20 Leo IIA7 tanks to the German Army in December. Is now building 62 Leo IIA7+ [KMW's name for the IIA7] for Qatar. Thus it is the "only MBT design currently in production in NATO," according to Jane's IDR (Feb15).

[methos]

KMW delivered its last of 20 Leo IIA7 tanks to the German Army in December. Is now building 62 Leo IIA7+ [KMW's name for the IIA7] for Qatar. Thus it is the "only MBT design currently in production in NATO," according to Jane's IDR (Feb15).

 

German Leopard 2A7s are refurbished tanks that originally belonged to the Dutch army but were bought by Canada to pay back the 20 Leopard 2A6Ms loaned from Germany. So only the tanks for Qatar would be newly built vehicles.

[Ken Estes]

Just responding to the OP. The logic would also follow that the Leo IIA7+ will become the new standard for the Bundeswehr. Whether they have enough A6s for the rebuild is moot, given the likelihood they will need more tanks in their active force than they recently determined.

[Colin]

Too bad we cant get involved. its probably belatedly occurring to some people that cutting up quite so many challenger2s and giving all the C1s away to Jordan perhaps wasnt the smartest move we could have made.

Could a Chally 2 turret fit a M1 or Leopard hull? I suppose the hull gets the most wear

[jmcmtank]

[Panzermann]

tHat was an interesting vehicle from Vickers.

 

 

But why bother putting old Challenger 2 turrets on Abrams or Leopard 2 hulls? Could just as well take the whole tank including the turrets and benefit from the economies of scale through the commonality.

[Colin]

Politics perhaps, ammo stocks, weird things happen. Just wondering if it was technically possible.

[DB]

Unless things have changed in the last few years, one of the reasons for trialling the German 120mm in the CR2 was that there was no longer a UK source for all the ammunition natures. (I think it was propellant that was no longer produced in the UK, but my memory may be faulty). It seems unlikely that ammunition stocks would preclude a change of tank.

 

Budget for replacements is far more likely an issue, as it is for every military system in service or in development for the UK.

 

We are walking a very, very fine line between controlling the deficit and spending enough on everything we need to spend money on.

[Panzermann]

Thing that has to be remembered, Challenger 2 didnt have much money spent on it BEFORE the deficit either. The only money it has spent on it has been the Urban combat updrade with the CWS and the enhanced armour pack. There has been a belief in the MOD for a long time the tank has had its day, and that it keeps on being useful must be a source of deep frustration to them, poor dears.

it was the fashion of the time. Cold war ended, tanks not needed and then all this networked medium weight force was proposed for the expected colonial wars. See Stryker Brigade, the originally british participated Boxer and the overall reduction in MBT and IFV numbers because those cost money. Then reality crashed in and once again and made the declared osolescence of heavy forces void. And looking at the civil war in Ukraine I would call that a battle between heavy forces on both sides.

[TTK Ciar]

Incorporating everyone's assertions/corrections from the last week:

 

Serbia:

 

VTI modernized their M-84's to the M-84AS standard, and Yugoimport manufactured it until 2010, but further tank production is unlikely for some time.

 

Croatia:

 

Duro Dakovic has developed a modernization for their M-84's to the M-95 standard, but haven't put it into production yet.

 

China:

 

Norinco has ambitious tank development and production programs, including their new MBT3000 (VT4) and ongoing modernization/production of the Type-98, Type-99, and MBT2000.

 

The MBT (VT) series are for export, while the Type-96, -98, and -99 are used domestically.

 

Israel:

 

Various domestic companies continue to develop and manufacture different Merkava-IV components. A few hundred more Merkava-IV units are on order to be produced, but if I understand it correctly production will cease after this (unless the Columbian deal of 40 tanks finds completion). No Merkava-V is being planned for development, but many components of Merkava-IV will continue to be developed and produced for modernization.

 

France:

 

Nexter has been granted rights to "support and modernization" for the Leclerc MBT, which is no longer in production. Are there any modernization programs in progress or planned for Leclerc? I find nothing at http://www.nexter-group.fr/en/search

 

Germany:

 

Krauss-Maffei continues to develop the Leopard-2 family of tanks. They are producing 62 new Leopard-2A7 tanks now for sale to Qatar.

 

Iran:

 

Shahid Kolah Dooz continues to develop and produce the Zulfiqar family of tanks, albeit in low numbers.

 

Japan:

 

Mitsubishi developed and produced about 60 Type-10 MBT, with a small number planned for production each year until 100 tanks are produced. The Type-10 was introduced too recently for modernization programs to reasonably come to light, but it is said to be easily upgradable to an L50 or L55 120mm cannon, and modernization efforts seem likely.

 

North Korea:

 

The Second Machine Industry Bureau developed the Pokpung-ho as a modernization of the Chonma-ho in the 1990's, and Ryu Kyong-su produces it, albeit fitfully -- production has stopped for years at a time, but it is believed to be in production again now (is this correct?). What of more recent modernization programs? Are any known?

 

South Korea:

 

Hyundai Rotem continues to develop and produce new tanks, most recently (2014) the K2 MBT. Modernization efforts are already underway, with the first "product improvement package" expected to see release sometime around 2018.

 

Hyundai Rotem is also currently upgrading K1 tanks to the K1E1 standard, and K1A1 tanks to the K1A2 standard.

 

Pakistan:

 

Norinco and HIT collaborated on the Al-Khalid, which HIT is still producing today. KMDB of Ukraine and HIT are supposed to be collaborating on modernization, but has the war in Ukraine put that on hiatus?

 

Russia:

 

Uralvagonzavod of course continues to modernize and produce the T-90 MBT family, and also upgrades T-72B tanks to the T-72B3 standard.

 

Uralvagonzavod also developed the new Armata platform for a family of vehicles, which includes an MBT -- http://www.tank-net.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40198

 

Ukraine:

 

Tank development capabilities have mostly been redirected to the repair and refit of existing T-64 stocks for the war effort. Some T-84BM "Oplot" tanks are still being produced for the Thai Army by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, but this production has been problematic.

 

Some T-64's are also being modernized to the T-64BM "Bulat", T-64B1M, and T-64BM1M standards.

 

United States:

 

General Dynamics Land Systems developed various modernization efforts for the M1A2, and more are underway. Production continues in small numbers at the Lima Army Tank Plant (which is owned and operated by GDLS). The M1A3 MBT is under development.

 

Turkey:

 

Aselsan, MKEK, Otokar and Roketsan developed the Atlay MBT, which started production in 2015. Production is ongoing, and modernization programs are planned.

[DavidDCM]

Israel:

 

Various domestic companies continue to develop and manufacture different Merkava-IV components. A few hundred more Merkava-IV units are on order to be produced, but if I understand it correctly production will cease after this (unless the Columbian deal of 40 tanks finds completion). No Merkava-V is being planned for development, but many components of Merkava-IV will continue to be developed and produced for modernization.

Israeli companies are also highly successful in the Soviet/Russian aftermarket modernisation, having modernized T-55 tanks for Slovenia and Vietnam, and T-72 tanks for Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and possibly others.

 

Italian company Galileo Avionica adjusted the Ariete tank's fire control system to the T-72 and sold it to the Czech Republic (T-72M4CZ) and also to Syria in an undisclosed number some time before the civil war broke out.

[stimpy75]

found this on MP.net

predesign of the İndian FMBT

[Damian]

T-90S and Arjun bastard child? At least turret is properly designed compared to that nightmare placed on Arjun hull.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Damian

[methos]

found this on MP.net

predesign of the İndian FMBT

 

Still no armour covering the turret flanks?

 

Also: Manually loaded 125 mm gun despite having an autoloader, or why four crewmen?

Edited March 2, 2015 by methos

[Panzermann]

There ist side armour. Those black coloured pieces next to the hatches. The layout reminds me of the classic soviet pattern used since the T-64 with angled turret front armor arrays also covering the turret sides when seen from the frontal aspect. But the bustle looks vulnerable.

 

the crew of four seems like a typo to me. The turret does not look like having room for a human loader IMHO. And over all it looks basically like a T-72/-90 turret with bustle auto loader. Making that a crew of three. The T-90S must have impressed the indians that they now pursue this design.

 

Interesting to note that they dump their home grown 120 mm cannon. I guess it is easier to source 125 mm ammunition than their own special 120 mm that nobody else uses.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Panzermann

[shep854]

"Actually US Army changed it's mind, and asked Congress to increase M1 tank program funding by 50%, and also ordered another batch of M1A1's to be modernized to M1A2SEPv2 standard. As there is more and more talk about ending sequestration, more funds will probably be avaiable in time."-- Damian

 

The US seems to have a rather effective recycling program going through Iraq. Sent old tanks over to be used as targets (good training for zoomies), get new production and save jobs at home!

Edited March 2, 2015 by shep854

[Damian]

Foreign sales were short term sollution to keep lines open, tough Congress never approved ideas to close lines for US Army and forced them to modernize at least necessary minimum of tanks per year... seems like Congress had right.

 

Currently US Army prepares ECP1 modernization for M1's, it will be large, assuming from the quantity of ordered new next generation armor packages for modernized tanks, they will upgrade around 2000 tanks in the initial order. This upgrade should start per plans in 2017, but might be earlier, 2015-2016. The ECP1A is nearly ready with majority of upgrades, ECP1B will include replacement of 2nd generation FLIR with 3rd generation and probably some other additional improvements.

 

9 M1 ECP1 prototypes should be delivered to US Army just now or something like, hopefully soon we will be able to see photos of them during some field tests.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Damian