Sabra (tank)

Infobox Weapon
name= M60T


caption=M60T at the IDEF'07 Show, Ankara, Turkey.
origin=Israel & Turkey
type=Main battle tank
is_vehicle=yes
number= 170
crew= 3
length= 6.95 m
width= 4.05 m
height= 3.37 m
weight= 59 tons
armour= Classified, Steel/Laminate armour
primary_armament= 120 mm smoothbore gun
secondary_armament= 7.62 mm M240 Coaxial weapon
7.62 mm MG3A1 Machine gun
12.7 mm M85 Machine gun
60 mm internal mortar
engine= MTU 881 KA-501 turbo diesel engine
transmission= Renk 304S transmission
engine_power= 1000+ HP
suspension= Independent, trailing arm
speed= 55+ km/h
pw_ratio= 16.95 hp/ton
vehicle_range= 450+ km

The M60T, also known as the Sabra Mk.III, is a highly upgraded version of the M60 Patton MBT which is designed for the main battle tank modernization program of the Turkish Army.

Turkish Army 2nd Main Maintenance Center Command is upgrading the M60A1's with a new modular armour package which is delivered to Turkey in kits by Israeli Military Industries (IMI) with technology transfer. The upgraded version retained the M60 Patton style M19 cupola with its 12.7mm M85 machine gun. This mini-turret and the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) allow the 12.7mm M85 MG to be fired from inside. The modernization program includes the Elbit Systems electric gun and turret drive stabilization mechanism with a new fire control system (built by Aselsan) and a new 120mm MG253 smoothbore gun (built by MKEK). In addition, the upgraded tank is equipped with thermal imaging system, an automatic fire and explosion suppression system, a threat warning system, smoke grenade launchers and a 60 mm mortar system (supplied by Soltam Ltd). The upgrade program also encompasses the Merkava Mk.IV add-on armour technology and explosive reactive armour (ERA), 1000 hp MTU Friedrichshafen diesel engine/transmission, full system modernization and integration capability, a new improved Merkava Mk.IV tracks, RWR/IR warning system and NBC protection.

The prototype was completed and passed the qualification tests in May 2006. Several other prototypes are being tested in Israel and Turkey as part of USD 688 million contract dated 29 March 2002. The M60A1 modernization program is currently in the mass modernization phase. The project will end by April 2009. The remaining M60 tanks are likely to undergo the same upgrade process with more involvement of Turkish companies, upon completion of the upgrade of first 170 tanks.

Israeli military officers described the Sabra upgraded Turkish M60A1 configuration (M60T) as "a totally different tank", with one IDF armour specialist claiming that "in some areas it even almost equals the Israeli Merkava Mk.IV".

ee also

*M60-2000 Main Battle Tank
*Magach

ources

* [http://www2.ssm.gov.tr/katalog2007/eng/urunler.html TURKISH DEFENCE INDUSTRY PRODUCTS M60 T]
* [http://www.ssm.gov.tr/EN/Projeler/karaaraclari/prjgrptank/Pages/M60A1__K.aspx M60 Tank Modernization Project]
* [http://www.imi-israel.com/news.aspx?FolderID=13&docID=678 JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - JUNE 06, 2007]

External links

* [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/sabra/index.html Army Technology]
* [http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/sabra/Sabra.html Israeli-weapons - Sabra]
* [http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/sabra/Sabra2.htm Israeli-weapons - Sabra 2]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/sabra.htm Federation of American Scientists]
* [http://www.patton-mania.com/M60_Patton/m60_patton.html Development and History of the M-60 tank]