The world's ten best main battle tanks

New Delhi: Convention wars may be passe, but the reality is that regional conflicts are on the rise, and tanks and armoured vehicles do come out for war, be it the Iraq War-I and II, Afghan War, Korean War, three India-Pak wars, or sundry other regional conflicts. While most people around the world are advocating world peace, the government of the so-called “super powers” never stop inventing powerful and destructive weapons like fighter aircrafts, nuclear weapons, tanks and many others. One such invention is the Main Battle Tanks. Tanks are armored warfare vehicles designed and built specifically for front-line combats. They are known for their fearsome firepower, all terrain mobility and highly advanced defensive capabilities. They were first used by the British Army on Sept. 15, 1916 at Flers-Courcelette, during the Battle of the Somme, as an effective means to break through the deadlock of the trench fighting. Following is a list of ten of the best tanks in the world, as rated by a leading U.S. military magazine. 1. Leopard 2A6 (Germany) The Leopard 2 is the main battle tank of Germany. It entered service in 1979. It first saw combat in Kosovo with the German Army and has also seen action in Afghanistan with the Danish and Canadian ISAF forces. The Leopard 2 is one of the most expensive tanks in the world. The Leopard 2A6 is shielded by composite armor of a new generation and features additional external modular armor. Since 1979, various versions of the Leopard 2 have been fielded to the German armed forces, plus those of about ten other European countries as well as those of several non-European countries. 2. Challenger 2 (United Kingdom) The pride of the UK – the FV4034 Challenger 2, it is the main battle tank (MBT) of British Army and Oman. It is advertises as the world's most reliable main battle tank. During the 2003 Invasion of Iraq the Challenger 2 tanks operating in the Gulf suffered no total losses to enemy fire. It was designed and built by British Vickers Defense Systems (now known as BAE Systems Land and Armaments). The Challenger 2 provides high-level protection against direct fire weapons. 3. M1A2SEP (United States) The M1 Abrams, named after General Creighton Abrams, is a third-generation MBT Designed used in modern armored ground warfare. It's highly mobile, well-armed and heavily-armored. Three main variants of the M1 Abrams, namely, the M1, M1A1 and M1A2, have been deployed so far. The M1A2SEP, based on the M1A2, features a greatly enhanced armament, and advanced protection, electronics and reliability systems. 4. K2 Black Panther (South Korea) Currently the Black Panther is one of the most advanced main battle tank in the world, outclassing anything North Korea or China have. This tank uses composite armor of undisclosed type and explosive reactive armor modules. The K2 is also completed with active protection and countermeasures systems. It's protection is broadly similar to the M1A2 Abrams, considering that the K2 is much lighter. This new South Korean tank is armed with the latest German 120-mm gun, similar to that used on the Leopard 2A6 and 2A7. The Black Panther is fitted with a powerful diesel engine. It is fast and has a state-of-the-art hydropneumatic suspension. 5. Merkava Mark IV (Israel) The Merkava, which is means Chariot in Hebrew, is the main battle tank of Israel Defense Forces. Four main types of the Merkava series have been deployed since 1978. The Merkava Mark IV, the series' latest edition, is the more advanced version of the Merkava Mark III. It came into service with the Israel Defense Forces in 2004. Until now, a total of 360 Merkava Mark IV vehicles have been built, with an additional 300 in production. Slightly larger than the Mark III, the new vehicle is one of the best shielded tanks in the world. 6. K1A1 (South Korea) The K1A1 main battle tank (MBT) is an upgraded version of the K1 MBT. Designed and developed by Hyundai Rotem, it came into service with the South Korean Army in 2001, despite the fact that production of the first vehicle had already been completed in 1996. A total of 484 units were produced between 1999 and 2010. To a large extent, it is similar to the US M1A1 Abrams in firepower and protection mechanism. One remarkable fact is that a number of the K1A1's major components, like its engine, transmission and fire control systems, were imported. 7. Type 96 (China) Type 99, a 3rd generation main battle tank operated by the Peoples Liberation Army of China, is the fastest tank in the world. It is also known as ZTZ-99 and WZ-123. The newest and much improve variant is the Type 99KM. Like the Russian tanks the Type 99 also lacks accuracy against long-range targets, however it is also capable to launch anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. It is currently the most advanced MBT in the People's Liberation Army. It entered the PLA service in 2001. 8. Leclerc (France) The Leclerc is the main battle tank of France created by Nexter. It was named after Gen. Philippe Leclerc of WW II. It entered service in 1992 and is also operated by United Arab Emirates. The French Army has a total of 406 Leclercs and the UAE has 388. The Leclerc has advanced composite armor with add-on modular armor. It has a powerful gun and high hit probability against stationary and moving targets. Also it has a hunter-killer capability. This tank has good mobility due to it's 1 500 hp engine and hydropneumatic suspension. 9. Arjun (India)Arjun is India's main battle tank. Its name was taken from one of the main characters of the longest epic in the world from India, the Mahabharata. The Arjun features a 120 mm main rifled gun with indigenously developed APFSDS ammunition, one 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm machine gun. It is powered by a single MTU multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,400 hp, and can achieve a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). It has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader and driver. Automatic fire detection and suppression, and NBC protection systems are included. All-round anti-tank warhead protection by the newly developed Kanchan armour is claimed to be much higher than available in comparable third generation tanks.10. T-90 (Russia) The T-90 is a Russian main battle tank and presently the most advance tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Indian Army. The T-90 has a small profile which makes it a harder target to hit. Significant drawback of the T-90 is that due to it's carrousel-type autoloader ammunition is stored in the main compartment, rather than a separate compartment with a blow-out panels. The T-90 is not as accurate against long-range targets, however it can launch anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. The T-90MS Tagil is a recent version with new armor, new engine, new gun, improved turret, updated observation and aiming system.