Hey Joe, I would like to comment a little on your list. I pretty
much agree with almost all your points, but points 2, 3 and 5 are a
little too extravagant.
"2. active defensive suites including a laser warner, IR warner, IR
jammer, laser disruptor "
I do believe that a laser warner, wire-quided missile jammer ( to
defeat TOW type threats) and a combination of multi-spectral smoke
screen from smoke grenades would give sufficient protection. If one
wants more, maybe an IR suppressive paint coating would be good to
reduce the detection range of any enemy tank equipped with a
thermal detector. As for equipping our tank with a laser-disruptor,
why? Our tanks are not facing any threat from laser guided missiles
in the near term. Besides, even if there were such a threat, the
above mentioned system of laser-warning and smoke screen protection
should provide enuff protection to the tank.
"3. Some form of digitised battlefield management system including
an IFF system. "
A digitised battlefield management system would also be, IMHO,
extravagant. Such a system, if fielded, would need to be robust to
prevent enemy jamming or worse, enemy hacking. Also, we do not have
a huge ISR backbone comprising d ARLs, J-STARS, U-2S etc ala US.
Thus, the benefits accrued from a digitised force would not be as
great, considering the expense required to equip our tanks. I feel
that a IFF system would suffice.
"5. chassis mounted close circuit camera for driver (liken to that
used in Mekarva 4 and Leo2A6). "
This is also, IMHO, an extravagance, unless this tank is going to
spend a lot of time in the urban environment.
"2. commander .50 cal MG for infantry/soft skinned vehicles "
I would prefer the 40mm AGL with HEDP and air-burst munitions
instead. This would give much higher killing power. Maybe the .50
for the commander, and the 40mm co-axially mounted? 
