This 8-Wheeled Armored Vehicle Was Built to Destroy Slow-Moving Tanks

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• We used data from a catalog of tanks from the Military Factory.
• Modern tanks all have one consistent aspect: each is equipped with smoke grenade dischargers or dispensers, which exist to create a smoke screen for the tank.
• Also, Discover “The Next NVIDIA”

In September 1916, the first tank secretly made its way onto the fields of the Battle of Somme. The British had developed the technology and were ready to reveal it on the trenched and barbed wire battlefields of World War I. At the time, they did not prove to have the best track record, breaking down and unreliable, but the psychological effect the machines had on the German soldiers they were fighting was well worth the trouble. Fast forward to World War II, and military tanks played a key role in the invasion. Modified tanks, known as Hobart’s Funnies, were used to perform a variety of tasks. These tanks did more than fight. They could clear mines, throw flames, and knock down concrete roadblocks.

Military generals have long proclaimed tanks as critical instruments in battle. General Patton once said of war tanks, “The tank is a special, technical, and vastly powerful weapon. It certainly is neither a cavalryman nor an infantryman. Yet, give it half a chance over suitable terrain and on proper missions, and it will mean the difference between defeat and victory to the infantry or cavalry with which it is cooperating.”

Today’s tanks have advanced even more than those WWII-era tanks, with heavily armored versions dominating today’s battlefield. 24/7 Wall St. has identified the latest generation of modern-era tanks using data from a catalog of tanks from Military Factory. We’ve ordered the list by the date when the tank was first introduced, and we stopped at tanks introduced before 1990. Further data that came from the Military Factory includes type of tank, country of origin, manufacturer, top speed, and number manufactured. We’ve excluded tanks with less than ten units manufactured and tanks that only made it to the prototype/proposal stage.

Modern tanks all have one consistent aspect: each is equipped with smoke grenade dischargers or dispensers, which exist to create a smoke screen for the tank. This is to reduce enemy visibility or accuracy, allowing friendly vehicles to take evasive action, counterattack, or withdraw under cover. This is a key component in the modern tank. 

The reader may note this list does not include American-made tanks. Although tanks on the list were heavily influenced by American technology, including the Egyptian-made Ramses II, interestingly, there are no American tanks on the list. The M1 Abrams were not included as they entered service before 1990. 

The Ramses II draws heavily on U.S. and Soviet tech. The chassis is a heavily modified version of the Soviet Cold War era T-54 main battle tank. Along with the existing T-54 equipment, it combines the weapons systems of the M60 Patton tank. The Ramses II boasts a 105mm M68 main gun, or turret, with secondary armaments of a 12.7mm Browning M2HB anti-aircraft heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. This tank only entered the service of the Egyptian military in 2005. 

Why This Matters

Tanks are a major expenditure for militaries around the world. Looking into the latest generation of battle tanks around the world provides insight into some of the major global powers and how countries outside the U.S. are investing in military and national defense systems.

Here is a look at the latest generation of modern-era tanks.

36. AMX-56 Leclerc

• Year introduced: 1992
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm GIAT CN120-26/52 smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm GIAT M693 coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm NFI anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: France
• Total units manufactured: 862
• Manufacturer(s): GIAT Industries / Nexter
• Top speed: 44 mph

35. Pokpung-ho (Storm Tiger) (M-2002)

• Year introduced: 1992
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm main gun, 14.5mm KPVT anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62 PKT general-purpose coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: North Korea
• Total units manufactured: 250
• Manufacturer(s): Ryu Kyong-su Tank Factory
• Top speed: 37 mph

34. Type 90 (Kyu-maru)

• Year introduced: 1992
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm main gun, 7.62 coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Japan
• Total units manufactured: 341
• Manufacturer(s): Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Top speed: 43 mph

33. Stridsfordon 90 (CV90 / Strf 90)

• Year introduced: 1993
• Type: Infantry fighting vehicle / light tank
• Armament: 40mm Bofors autocannon, 7.62mm Browning coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Sweden
• Total units manufactured: 1,200
• Manufacturer(s): Hagglunds / BAe Systems
• Top speed: 43 mph

32. T-90

• Year introduced: 1995
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade discharges
• Country of origin: Russia
• Total units manufactured: 2,055
• Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
• Top speed: 40 mph

31. CIO Ariete

• Year introduced: 1995
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm L44 smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Italy
• Total units manufactured: 200
• Manufacturer(s): IVECO / OTO-Melara
• Top speed: 40 mph

30. PT-91 Twardy

• Year introduced: 1995
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm 2A46M main gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, smoke grenade dispensers
• Country of origin: Poland
• Total units manufactured: 232
• Manufacturer(s): Zaklady Mechaniczne Bumar-Labedy
• Top speed: 37 mph

29. DIO T-72Z (T-55)

• Year introduced: 1996
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 105mm M68 rifled main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62 coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Iran
• Total units manufactured: 400
• Manufacturer(s): Defense Industries Organization (DIO)
• Top speed: 40 mph

28. DIO Zulfiqar

• Year introduced: 1996
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62 coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Iran
• Total units manufactured: 250
• Manufacturer(s): Defense Industries Organization (DIO)
• Top speed: 43 mph

27. NORINCO ZTZ-96 (Type 96)

• Year introduced: 1997
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: China
• Total units manufactured: 2,200
• Manufacturer(s): First Inner Mongolia Machinery Factory
• Top speed: 40 mph

26. Challenger 2 (FV4034)

• Year introduced: 1998
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm L30 CHARM main gun, 7.62mm coaxial anti-infantry machine gun, 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: United Kingdom
• Total units manufactured: 446
• Manufacturer(s): Vickers Defence Systems / BAe Systems
• Top speed: 37 mph

25. Stridsvagn 122 (Strv 122)

• Year introduced: 1998
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Sweden
• Total units manufactured: 120
• Manufacturer(s): Bofors Defense / Alvis Hagglunds
• Top speed: 45 mph

24. T-84 (Oplot)

• Year introduced: 1999
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm KBA-3 main gun, KT-12.7 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun
• Country of origin: Ukraine
• Total units manufactured: 76
• Manufacturer(s): Malyshev Factory
• Top speed: 40 mph

23. T-64BM (Bulat)

• Year introduced: 1999
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm KBA3 main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Ukraine
• Total units manufactured: 720
• Manufacturer(s): Malyshev Factory
• Top speed: 45 mph

22. NORINCO VT-1A (Type 90-II)

• Year introduced: 2000
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm W85 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm type 80 general purpose machine gun, smoke grenade launchers
• Country of origin: China
• Total units manufactured: 550
• Manufacturer(s): China North Industries Corporation
• Top speed: 40 mph

21. NORINCO ZTZ-99 (Type 99)

• Year introduced: 2001
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, smoke grenade launchers
• Country of origin: China
• Total units manufactured: 1,005
• Manufacturer(s): China North Industries Corporation
• Top speed: 50 mph

20. HIT Al Khalid (MBT 2000)

• Year introduced: 2001
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Pakistan
• Total units manufactured: 600
• Manufacturer(s): Heavy Industries Taxila / NORINCO
• Top speed: 45 mph

19. CV90120-T

• Year introduced: 2001
• Type: Light tank
• Armament: 120mm L/50 compact tank gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Sweden
• Total units manufactured: 20
• Manufacturer(s): BAe Systems
• Top speed: 43 mph

18. DRDO Arjun (Lion)

• Year introduced: 2004
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm rifled main gun, 12.7mm HCB anti-aircraft machine gun, 7.62mm TK715 coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: India
• Total units manufactured: 124
• Manufacturer(s): DRDO / CVRDE / Heavy Vehicles Factory
• Top speed: 42 mph

17. HIT Al-Zarrar

• Year introduced: 2004
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Pakistan
• Total units manufactured: 320
• Manufacturer(s): Heavy Industries Taxila
• Top speed: 40 mph

16. BMD-4 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)

• Year introduced: 2005
• Type: Light infantry fighting vehicle
• Armament: 100mm main gun, 30mm cannon, AT-5 Spandrel anti-tank guided missile launcher, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, 5.45mm general purpose machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Russia
• Total units manufactured: 200
• Manufacturer(s): Volgograd Tractor Plant
• Top speed: 43 mph

15. Ramses II (T-54E)

• Year introduced: 2005
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 105mm M68 rifled main gun, 12.7mm Browning M2HB anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm SGMT coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Egypt
• Total units manufactured: 425
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Top speed: 43 mph

14. T-72M4 CZ (T-72M1)

• Year introduced: 2006
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm 2A46M smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade discharger
• Country of origin: Czech Republic
• Total units manufactured: 30
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Top speed: 38 mph

13. NORINCO ZBD2000 (Z-Series)

• Year introduced: 2006
• Type: Amphibious ARV / IFV / Light Tank
• Armament: 105mm rifled main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: China
• Total units manufactured: 550
• Manufacturer(s): China North Industries Corporation
• Top speed: 40 mph

12. Sabra (M60T)

• Year introduced: 2007
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm MG253 main gun, 7.62 M240 coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm M85 anti-aircraft machine gun, 7.62mm MG3A1 machine gun, 60mm field mortar, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Israel
• Total units manufactured: 170
• Manufacturer(s): Israel Military Industries
• Top speed: 30 mph

11. 2S25 (Sprut-SD)

• Year introduced: 2007
• Type: Light tank
• Armament: 125mm 2A75 main gun, 7.62 coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Russia
• Total units manufactured: 70
• Manufacturer(s): Volgograd Tractor Plant
• Top speed: 43 mph

10. T-90M Bhishma

• Year introduced: 2009
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm 2A46M-5 main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: India
• Total units manufactured: 354
• Manufacturer(s): Heavy Vehicles Factory
• Top speed: 37 mph

9. Type 10 MBT

• Year introduced: 2012
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm L44 smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm Browning M2HB anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm type 74 coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Japan
• Total units manufactured: 110
• Manufacturer(s): Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Top speed: 43 mph

8. ROTEM K2 (Black Panther)

• Year introduced: 2013
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 120mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm anti-infantry coaxial machine gun. 12.7mm K6 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: South Korea
• Total units manufactured: 241
• Manufacturer(s): Hyundai ROTEM / Samsung / Doosan / World Industries Ace Corp.
• Top speed: 43 mph

7. T-99 Armata

• Year introduced: 2013
• Type: Multirole tracked armored vehicle
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm coaxial machine gun, 57mm automatic grenade launcher
• Country of origin: Russia
• Total units manufactured: 40
• Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
• Top speed: 50 mph

6. NORINCO VT-4 (MBT-3000)

• Year introduced: 2014
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: China
• Total units manufactured: 50
• Manufacturer(s): China North Industries Corporation
• Top speed: 42 mph

5. Type 59G (Durjoy)

• Year introduced: 2015
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm Type 86 coaxial anti-infantry machine gun, 12.7mm W85 anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Bangladesh
• Total units manufactured: 174
• Manufacturer(s): Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory
• Top speed: 31 mph

4. JSC Uran-9

• Year introduced: 2015
• Type: Unmanned ground combat vehicle
• Armament: 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon, 7.62mm PKT/PKTM anti-infantry machine gun, 9m120 “Ataka” anti-tank guided missiles, “Shmel-M” rocket launchers
• Country of origin: Russia
• Total units manufactured: 20
• Manufacturer(s): JSC 766 UPTK
• Top speed: 22 mph

3. T-14 (Armata)

• Year introduced: 2016
• Type: Main battle tank
• Armament: 125mm 2A82 smoothbore main gun, 30mm autocannon, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: Russia
• Total units manufactured: 45
• Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
• Top speed: 50 mph

2. NORINCO ZTQ-15 (Type 15 / VT-5)

• Year introduced: 2021
• Type: Light tank
• Armament: 105mm turret gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, smoke grenade dischargers
• Country of origin: China
• Total units manufactured: 265
• Manufacturer(s): China North Industries Corporation
• Top speed: 43 mph

1. CIO Centauro II

• Year introduced: 2022
• Type: 8×8 Wheeled tank destroyer
• Armament: 120/45mm turret, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, 81mm electrically-discharged smoke grenades
• Country of origin: Italy
• Total units manufactured: 10
• Manufacturer(s): CIO / IVECO FIAT / OTO-Melara
• Top speed: 65 mph

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