Tank Battles. I've picked 8 tanks and paired them up at random. Once one tank or another has gotten three vouches I'll go on to the next one. Give reasons for your vouch. Assume each side to have ten tanks each driven by the best operators that they had. Assume a terrain that would be no particular advantage to one or the other. Here's some blurb on the first pair; The Abrams M1A2 is a combat proven main battle tank developed by General Dynamics Land Systems, primarily for the US Army. The tank was designed based on the experience gained from the performance of M1A1 and incorporates new technologies to deliver superior firepower and mobility, making it one of the best battle tanks in the world. The main gun of the tank is a manually loaded 120mm XM256 smooth bore cannon which can fire a range of Nato ammunition against armoured vehicles, infantry and low-flying aircraft. The tank is also armed with two 7.62mm M240 machine guns and a .50 cal M2 machine gun and can store 42 rounds of 120mm, 11,400 rounds of 7.62mm, 900 rounds of 50 calibre ammunition, 32 screening grenades and 210 rounds of 5.56mm ammo. The Abrams M1A2 integrates heavy exterior composite armour and steel-encased depleted uranium armour at forward hull and turret to offer high level of protection to its crew. The tank has a cruising range of 426km and can travel at maximum speed of 67.5km/h. And The Merkava Mark IV is the latest version of the Merkava range of main battle tanks built by MANTAK (Merkava Tank Office). The tank entered into service with the Israel Defence Forces in 2004 and is regarded as one of the best protected tanks in the world. The Mk.4 is armed with a 120mm MG253 smoothbore gun capable of firing high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and sabot rounds, as well as LAHAT anti-tank guided missiles. The 7.62mm coaxial and 12.7mm swivel-mounted machine guns and 60mm grenade launcher complement the fire power of the tank. The Merkava Mk.4 is fitted with special spaced armour, sprung armour side skirts, an Elbit laser warning system and IMI in-built smoke-screen grenades. The Trophy active protection system aboard the tank protects the crew against advanced anti-tank missiles. The tank moves at a maximum speed of 64km/h.
The Merkava is not even in the same league and is due to be replaced soon. In Lebanon25 % of them were knocked out or disabled in the Beqaa valley by Hezbollah. Not even a contest.
You've won me over then, I'd go with the ten Abrams M1A2's as well. So that's 2-0 and its the first to get 3 vouches that goes through.
The latest Abrams is likely the Elite...for now. Don't underestimate the Merkova.. a potent and unique tank. Depleted Uranium is a rather exotic and hard/tough thing ..and the Abrams is about it. The Abrams also has top grade electronic goodies, a lot of speed. It can target fast,hit accurate. The DU Sabot..is a killer. So far.. HIGH %. A feature of a Merkova is the forward engine.. and so a hit may stop the tank.. and the crew survives. All that is great.. but against an Abrams? Not enough.
Comparing tanks without consideration for the crew, training, tactics, experience, terrain? Waste of time.
Merkava is a fine urban warfare tank designed to protect its crew at all costs. It does that job well. But overall the Abrams is almost certainly the superior tank both one on one and fighting as part of a unit.
