The second generation had enhanced night-fighting capabilities and in most cases NBC protection. Israeli designation of the 105 mm L7 armed Centurion tank.įirst main battle tank developed and used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Swedish Army designation for its Mk 10 Centurions ( 105 mm L7) with Swedish machine guns, instrumentation and radios, etc.Ĭhinese-produced version of the Soviet T-54A tank, an early model of the ubiquitous T-54/55 series. Produced under license in Czechoslovakia. Prototype used to develop various concepts later used in the Chieftain. He also states that breakdown of postwar tanks by generations is based on timeframe and technical factors, as a basis for further discussion.įirst 'Universal Tank' (MBT) Culmination of the WWII cruiser tanks.Ī further development of the M47 Patton tank. 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. The third generation is in Western parlance determined by the usage of thermal imagers, digital fire-control systems and special (composite) armour (Soviet doctrine, however, de-emphasizes thermal vision and electronic fire control, preferring large-caliber gun and engines of high power).

The second generation was equipped with NBC protection (only sometimes), night-vision devices, a stabilized main gun and at least a mechanical fire-control system. The first generation of main battle tanks was based on or influenced by designs of World War II, most notably the Soviet T-34. In 1973, Rolf Hilmes saw three tank generations and three 'intermediate generations', which consisted mainly of upgraded vehicles. The military of the People's Republic of China also recognizes three generations of its own tanks. Soviet military planners organize tanks with the first generation of tanks up to 1950, and four generations of tanks (with the first main battle tank being the third-generation T-64), while American strategists organize main battle tanks into three generations. Main battle tanks are often classified as belonging to a particular generation, although the actual definition and membership in these generations are not defined. Chronological listing of main battle tanks British Centurion Main Battle Tank T-54 Main Battle Tank

Most modern 72 tank in the world