Abrams Market Share in World Tank Market Continues to Diminish

DefenceTalk.com ^

[DTAD]

In terms of sheer numbers, the Type 98 of the People's Republic of China, Pakistan's Al-Khalid, and the Russian Federation's T-90 (including India's licensed T‑90S) will continue to dominate the market, accounting for 54.73 percent of all new tanks rolling out worldwide, worth 43.79 percent of the market, through 2021.

[DTAD]

Could we blame this on Obama as well? The American Decline...

[AppyPappy]

It’s more of a cost issue.

[RitchieAprile]

no, M1 was not ever intended to be an export product.

most countries could not afford to fuel these monsters.

If I need a personal tank I’ll go for one of those economy models but the US Army should have the best available. After all, those are our children inside.

[Peter from Rutland]

The M1A1 is by far the best tank in history. They are not for export.

[Will88]

It’s more of a cost issue.

Well, obviously we need to move our tank production to China. It'll be cheaper and there might still be some American tank technology they haven't yet stolen, bought, or been given free of charge.

[GonzoGOP]

The M1A2 is just too expensive, both to purchase and fuel, for third world countries. And most first world countries build their own tanks so won't be importing them from us.

Remember most third world despots use their tanks primarily for squishing rioters. A Chinese or Russian tank will do that just fine. You only need an M1A2 if you actually intend to launch an armored offensive against a neighbor who also has tanks. The only countries likely to do that sort of thing (Iran, North Korea, Syria) aren't countries we would sell to even if they had the money.

[yarddog]

This just got me thinking. The Abrams must be getting pretty old by now. I doubt if any tank in history has so completely dominated the battlefield, tho I have read that the British and German main battle tanks are about as good.

[blueunicorn6]

You can buy any tank. It only matters when you’re riding inside and the other guy’s main gun starts turning towards you.

[TexasRepublic]

“The only countries likely to do that sort of thing (Iran, North Korea, Syria) aren’t countries we would sell to even if they had the money.”

You give the Osama administration more credit that I do.

[donozark]

Correct. Qadaffi did a good job of keeping his people in line with T-55/65/72 series of Soviet tanks. Until of course, NATO air got involved. Then defectors who drove their tanks to rebel lines, as well as tanks captured by rebels evened the playing field. The same thing (sans NATO air) is unfolding in Syria. Some defectors are leaving Assad's lines in their T-62s.

The Egyptians have over a thousand of these puppies. Saudia Arabia, Kuwait many more. Not sure how good the operators are, but if trained by Americans, they are sure to be lethal.

[donozark]

The Abrams went into service in 1980 I believe. Still killing...after all these years.

There are those "experts" on the net who say the German Leopard Tank is superior to the Abrams. But who the hell have the Germans fought in the last 60 years?

[yarddog]

There is an interesting story about the engineer who headed the design team which produced the Abrams. At least it is interesting to me.

When I was a small boy we attended a small Southern Baptist church in the tiny town where I was born, really just a crossroads. Despite that, our preacher had a PHD from Yale. He actually was retired but his wife and he decided to serve the little church. He was Dr. Lett, that is all I remember of his name.

Maybe ten years ago there was a program on “The History Channel” about the development of the Abrams. They interviewed the Design Engineer in charge of the program. His name was Dr. Phillip Lett. I noticed that he looked just like our old preacher and also remember them showing up for church one day in a new Chrysler. Their Son, an Engineer at Chrysler had given it to them. He had designed the car.

I phoned Mother and asked her what Dr. Lett’s Son’s name was and she said “his name was Phillip”. That did it, our old preacher’s son had designed the M1 Abrams tank.

[donozark]

In post 10, “puppies” refers to the Abrams Tanks we have sold (read:given) to Egypt, SA, and Kuwait.

[rmlew]

The M1A1 is by far the best tank in history. They are not for export.
You are rather out of date. Egypt built 1000 M1A1 tanks and we pay them to do so. We are giving the M1A1M (M1A1 without chobam armor) to Iraq. We have exported the M1A2 to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, but these two lack depleted uranium armor. The Australians have a modified M1A1 of their own, with full armor.

As for the Abrams being the best tank, the British Challenger II, the German Leopard 2A4+, The Korean K1A1 88, French Leclerc, Italian Ariete, and Israeli Merkava are comparable. The new Korean K2 (in development) and the German Leopard 2A6 are arguably better tanks than the M1A2 with equal or better armor and Rheinmetall L55 120mm gun, instead of the older Rheinmetall L44 120mm. The extra 1.32 meters means a higher velocity gun and better penetration. The French Leclerc has a 52 caliber length 120mm gun, but it is known for its rear drive for a reason.

[rmlew]

There are those "experts" on the net who say the German Leopard Tank is superior to the Abrams. But who the hell have the Germans fought in the last 60 years?
1. Canada used Leopard 2A4 in Afghanistan 2. Do you really thin that a 1994 M1A2 is better than a Leopard 2A7 from 2010?

[donozark]

You say Canada "used" Leopards in 'Stan. To what degree? Taliban was not known to cruise around in tanks.

And again, Leopards have not saw anywhere near the combat that the Abrams has. There is a reason Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia,etc. want them. And the Abrams have been and are constantly upgraded with the latest in re-active armor, etc.

Most are more interested in results, not projections...

[rmlew]

You say Canada "used" Leopards in 'Stan. To what degree? Taliban was not known to cruise around in tanks.
The same way we did. We used tanks as infantry support.

And again, Leopards have not saw anywhere near the combat that the Abrams has. There is a reason Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia,etc. want them. And the Abrams have been and are constantly upgraded with the latest in re-active armor, etc.
Saudi Arabia is buying 200 Leopard 2a7 tanks from Germany, when they already own the M1A2. http://www.asian-defence.net/2011/07/saudi-arabia-to-buy-200-leopard-2a7.html

[donozark]

The Abrams proved itself in Iraq. No question.

Saudi Arabia also recently bought 150 Russian tanks. But both Russian and German tank purchases are dwarfed by the number of US tanks (Abrams) they own and are upgrading. Approx. 400.

Reason for Saudi Arabian eclectic purchases is that it enables them to crush their civilian population should they rise up (as they have), and when their actions offend the country who's tanks they used and said country cuts off parts supply? They still have other nations tanks with supply lines open.

People went ballistic when the Egyptians rolled a few Abrams into Cairo during Murbarak's toppling. They were soon gone from the scene...

Oh, and the Leopard's have an attachable obstacle clearing blade. Ideal for moving protestors, barricades, etc.optional

[donozark]

Delete word ‘optional’ above.

[rmlew]

The Al Fahd infantry fighting vehicle, EE-11 Urutu APC, Panhard M3 APC would all be better. They are smaller and don’t destroy streets, but with machine guns and/or light cannon can wipe out any group lacking heavy arms.