FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Forecast International Again Ranks Leopard 2 Worlds Best
Tank Overall
NEWTOWN, Conn., July 15, 2002 -- In its annual ranking of the
worlds best tanks, Forecast International lists Germanys Leopard
2 A6EX model as the worlds number one tank overall. A product of
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the potent Leopard 2 has been steadily
improved over the years and the latest version, the A6EX, maintains
the lead.
"The Leopard 2 just edged out the United States M1A2 System
Enhancement Package tank," said Gregory Fetter, author of the
Forecast International rankings. "The deciding factor was the
Leopard 2s 55 caliber version of the Rh 120 tank gun and its DM 53
long rod penetrator ammunition," Fetter said.
However, the M1A2 Abrams tank, built by General Dynamics Land
Systems, outperforms the Leopard 2 in actual combat situations. In
addition, various ongoing improvements to the Abrams will further
enhance its proven hunter-killer mode of fighting, according to
Fetter.
Third on Forecast Internationals best tank list is Japans Type
90, a technically sophisticated tank built by Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries that draws heavily on German technology, including a 120
millimeter Rh 120 tank cannon. However, the Japanese tank does
possess some features not found on the Leopard 2, such as an
automatic loader and three-man crew.
Making a major advance in the 2002 tanks rankings is Israels new
Merkava Mark IV, built by Israel Ordnance Corps. While this model
has only just been officially unveiled, sufficient information has
leaked regarding this latest manifestation of the unique Merkava
design to rank it number four, above the French Leclerc and British
Challenger 2.
The Mark IVs main features include a further improved fire control
system and an integrated active vehicle protection system. The Mark
IV tank includes a further refined automatic target tracking
system; the fire control suite is reportedly very flexible with a
good degree of mission planning capability. The Merkavas
power-to-weight ratio is greatly improved over earlier models by
the integration of the EuroPowerPack.
While unique in some ways, the latest Russian and Chinese tanks
still do fare well in comparison to Western tanks, according to the
report. However, survivability and reliability concerns as well as
quality control issues rank these tanks at the bottom of the top
ten list of worlds best tanks.
Forecast International/DMS Inc. is a leading provider of Market
Intelligence and Analyses in the areas of aerospace, defense, power
systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA,
Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts
and innovative marketing presentations, including regular 10-year
forecasts. To arrange an interview with Forecast Internationals
analysts, please contact Monty Nebinger
Source:
http://www.forecast1.com/press/press70.htm