M1A2 MBT

last SG · 2003-04-09T19:18:04+00:00

surprisingly other then the fact that the brits are keeping very very quiet about it i cant find anything else..... ok so maybe kicking the butt of the M1A2...

electric_lucid SG

Russian main battle tank T-90 is also as good as M1. Any comment.

Joe Black SG

The latest upgrade to the Abrams is in fact the M1A2 SEP.

See the info:
http://w4.pica.army.mil/wsb/Maneuver%20Systems/Abrams/m1a2_sep.htm

SAF does not need a nearly 70 tonnes tank. Even a 50 ton tank is slightly too heavy. We cannot hope that SAF will replace the SM1 with anything other than a 105mm or 120mm light tank. The Centurions however would most likely be replaced by an older generation of MBT, my guess would be Mekarva 3 (Baz???) or some upgraded version of M-60A3.

SAF was reported looking at getting AMX-30B2 at some time, but I seriously doubt that would be good for tropic region.

So, my ideal armoured force for SAF would be

1. 3,6,9 Div to replace 2 armoured brigade SM1 tanks with a locally made light tank, eg. Bionix chassis with the RAUG 120mm gun, possibly on a foreign turret like the CV90-120T ones. Second option is to look at getting the Jordanian Falcon 2 turret with the 120mm gun.

2. replace 1 armoured brigade SM1 tanks with a modern MBT of around 50 tons. The only one I can is the Leclerc.

3. For the new 32 Div, replace all current centurions with an MBT with whatever SAF choice is. If Mekarva is to be chosen, I would like to see the Merk 3Baz with independent commander panaromic sight coupled with Hunter-Killer mode plus a whole range of active and passive densive aids used in Mekarva 4.

Just my 2 cents.

bigballs11 SG

Some thoughts

Based on current doctrine, 3,6,9 div organic armour brigade won't be a heavy armour brigade, so can forget anything that has an MLC load class of above 30 (approx 35 metric tons based on engineer calculation). They only play a support role to provide heavy direct firepower and thrust. Most probably replacement will be a variant of Bionix with 120mm cannon turrut or worse case stick to the current SM1. At most in close combat (FIBUA), this light tank will wear a "bra protection kit" consisting of reactive armour, additional armour plates and barang barang hangings outside the tank to soften the impact from HEAT rounds like RPG-7, AT-4, recoiless rifle etc. In this configuration, the light tank mobility will be greatly reduced but that won't be a problem as FIBUA fighting does not require cross country performance say 65km/hr.

So any thoughts of new heavy armour will be the 32 div. Maybe we can get a few of the 2nd hand M1A1 after this iraqi war Mr. Green

SingaporeTyrannosaur SG

No way, the russian T-90 is actually an improved version of the T-72, the Abrams will have little trouble fraggin' it in a stand up fight. Besides, the T-90 was built on the old soviet doctorine of mass numbers of inferior quality tanks. One on one, the M1 series has greater range, accuracy and armor, not to mention mobility.

For russian MBT that stand a fair chance against western MBTs, look at the Black Eagle and the exist-on-paper-only T-95.

SingaporeTyrannosaur SG

I would not want to put a weight limit on any of our future armoured systems, but I am in favour of a 40 ton system with modular armor that can be adjusted to various needs. Mobility will be an issue as well, and must be enough to keep the Malaysians reeling back, and defeat their MBTs in a stand up fight as well.

|-|05| SG

i agree i'd say the French Leclerc or the Italian ARIETE
both being about the same but both heavier then the Malaysia's MBT's(i think)

laser51088 SG

ahh. . . reactive armour and u kill your own soldiers travelling with the tank on the outside . . FIBUA will mostly be the infantry fighting, the armour can only support or blast buildings, whatever. . .

bigballs11 SG

wa lao ay
surely no troops sitting on top of the tank la, U see any troops sitting on top of a tank when in the heat of battle in bulit-up area meh Mr. Green
Those Israeli chap got those "bra" package, consisting of reactive armour, addon armour plates, iron chains, sandbags which helps to absorb those small arms fires, RPG, cocktails, grenades, death squad thrown on their tanks, sound SM rite Laughing

laser51088 SG

I mean those on FOOT. . .not on the tank!
applique armour would be better if you want your troops on foot to go in with ur tanks or near your tanks. . .

laser51088 SG

Oh yah, another, I agree with Joe Black that Singapore will probably get a upgraded Merkava 3 or similar tank. . . Merkava 4, Leopard 2, etc are all too high profile. . .it'll make headline news in JDW. . . and then we're screwed. . .

When on earth do they intend to announce the AMX-13SM1 or give some hint at replacing it soon?!! There been no news about replacing it. . . I think they forgot or something after they announced that there MIGHT be a light tank on Bionix chassis. . .

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