There’s just one problem: the K2 is wildly expensive. In a long-term war in which South Korean infrastructure is destroyed or seriously damaged, how can one mass-produce this system and maintain it?

Save for that, the electronic warfare capability and overall technical prowess in combat that this tank exhibits should make it the best tank in the world. 

But it will be difficult to replace these systems once they are lost in large numbers in a major war, making these systems suspect. 

4. French Leclerc XL

This MBT is designed for speed and maneuver. It can travel 50 miles per hour and can blast targets as far as 2.5 miles away. This tank is lighter than many of its third-generation MBT counterparts, such as the M1 Abrams.

Because of its lightness, it is nowhere near as well armored as the other tanks it competes against are. The Leclerc does possess reactive armor, though, just like the Leopard-IIs do. 

Only three other nations operate this tank. It has a limited combat record. Although, it was used by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when that country intervened in the Yemen Civil War, where observers said that the Leclerc performed better than did the Saudi arsenal of American-made M1 Abrams MBTs.  The production line ended in 2008 and 50 upgraded versions are currently being made. Again, though, mass producing these tanks will be difficult and they may not fare well against a near-peer rival, such as Russia. 

3. Israel’s Merkava V

Nicknamed “Barak,” or “Lightning,” Israel’s Merkava V MBT not only has advanced technology, such as sensors and electronic warfare abilities, but it also has an artificial intelligence system. It has one 120mm smooth-bore gun that has been developed by Israel Military Industries able to fire high-penetration projectiles and guided shells with a firing range of up to 4,000 m. 

The second armament consists of a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the right side of the turret roof, and an internally mounted 60 mm breech-loaded mortar. Its sensors and electronics are incredible and it has an impressive engine. It is currently deployed in a limited fashion with the IDF. Considering that Israel is a small country and is not seeking a wider ground war against a near-peer adversary, the Israelis have both an incredible tank and they likely can produce enough of them to maintain fighting capabilities.

2. American M1 Abrams

A legendary MBT with a marvelous service record, this tank is one of the world’s finest systems. Sadly, it is aging. And the upgraded AbramsX version, while it will be even more sophisticated than its predecessor—including having an onboard AI system, like the Israelis have on their new tank—it is no longer relevant to the battlefield.

The Ukraine War alone has proven how drones are far more effective in warfare than are MBTs.

And these tanks are expensive and hard to reproduce, thanks to America’s utterly broken defense industrial base. What’s more, the Abrams promised to Ukraine (around 30 of them) have not fully deployed and will not make the kind of tactical difference Ukraine expects them to. 

1. Russian T-72

The reason that this old Soviet tank is the best in the world is because of the fact that it is used by multiple countries. It is easy to operate and cheap. The Russians have found that their war in Ukraine has not gone well by using either its T-90M MBT or its aforementioned T14 Armata.

The T-72 has kept the Russians in the fight. What’s more, these systems are easy to mass produce and when they’re lost (so many have been lost in combat), it doesn’t really matter, because Russia can simply—quite easily and cheaply—produce many more. 

The T-72, despite the drones and other hardships it has endured, is winning the war against Ukraine for Russia. It isn’t being done with any finesse. But it’s getting the job done. That’s why this is the greatest tank in the world today.

Author Experience and Expertise: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock. 

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