The American M1 Abrams has been the world's king among tanks for more than 35 years, writes Popular Mechanics magazine.
The publication claims that during the Gulf War, combat vehicles from the United States destroyed more than a thousand Iranian tanks, in particular the Soviet-built T-72. It is noted that the superiority of the M1 Abrams over the T-72 is explained by the presence of the first M829 shells capable of piercing the armor of the second. In connection with this circumstance, the American edition called M1 Abrams the ideal remedy against the T-72.
Popular Mechanics admits that the new Chinese (Type 99A) and Russian (T-14 "Armata") tanks can challenge M1 Abrams in the XXI century, because they are equipped with 125-millimeter guns capable of firing anti-tank missiles at a long range, and are characterized by high speed. Nevertheless, the publication assures that the Type 99A has yet to be tested in combat, and the T-14 Armata needs more funding.
In October, Army Recognition, citing a press release from Congressman Tim Ryan's team, reported that the American Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima could receive funds for the modernization of the M1A2 Abrams tank. In the USA, they wanted to equip the tank with an uninhabited turret and a loading machine.
Ivan Potapov
