tank questions

I know that the Merkava has a modular package for the 12.7mm machine gun mounted besides the 60mm internal mortar.  It's installed depending if they expect helicopters to be operating where their mission is headed.  I know that the Soviets originally dropped the HMG, as well, given the altitudes and velocities CAS aircraft operated at the time, but when helicopters became a threat they were quick to reinstall the HMG on top.

IIRC, there are several ammunition programs designed to make anti-tank missiles compatible with anti-helicopter operations.  I've seen videos of the Merkava IV shoot down helicopters, and the LeClerc has a similar fire control system and battlefield management system as to the M1A2 Abrams and to the Merkava IV.

It really wouldn't be the first time.  The Merkava IV has shot down helicopters on several occasions. 

 

Turkey wants to develop a modern tank together with someone else. Pakistan was their first choice, Korea is however also likely. Both produce modern yet cheap weapons, that allow the not so strong turkish economy to support mass production. Of course these weapons are not as good as their american or german counterparts.

Turkey bought the 300 Leo2A4 to counter the Greek purchase of 170 Leo2A6 and 183 Leo2A4 (+150 Leo1A5). I don't know if they plan to invest on them though (actually I doubt it). Turkey and France haven't had any cooperation in weapons until now. And I doubt they will, as France made a defensive agreement with Cyprus, and I guess that pissed of the turks.

 

About the AMX-30, I have to say that in Greece it was considered the best tank of the army in the late '60s early '70s, but it didn't survive anything near as long as the M60 and the Leo1. And as sated already, it's armour was regarded to be be far too weak. It still serves in the cypriot army though.

I've heard the Leclerc was designed to shot at helicopters. Is it true or pure propaganda?

Originally posted by Exarchus The future Turkish MBT will be a variant of the Leclerc.

thats a bif IF not will

I dont see the turks starting to buy or use lots of french equipmant in any big way. They will go back to the USA (esp with its new military head) or go east like korea.

Edited by Leonidas - 17-Aug-2006 at 09:17

I was just quoting from Exarchus!!! but countries like Turkey do tend to have a large mix of equipment and weapons with not too much in the way of standardisation. I suspect that you  may find auto loaders in the non Leopard Tank regiments assuming Exarchus is correct.

Originally posted by Scorpius Originally posted by Exarchus   Originally posted by Scorpius Does Leaopard2A4 have auto loaders? Not that I know.   Originally posted by aghart As for Auto loaders!! well what can I say!!  Israel., The USA, The UK, the 3 countries with the most up to date tank combat experience on the planet think that auto loaders are a bad idea.  But hey Pakistan and Turkey think they are great.   If they think they are great then why are they investing at Leopard 2A4?   "In November 2005, an agreement was signed for the sale of 298 German army Leopard 2A4 tanks to Turkey. Deliveries are planned for early 2006-07."   Source: http://www.army-technology.com/projects/leopard/

their choice doesn't mean anything. What is economically better often takes priority over what is militarily the better choice. Not every country needs the worlds best tank. it depends on who the capabilities of their opponents and the geo-political climate that they reside in.

About the autoloader thing, I believe Marsh Gelbart, author of the Merkava book commented about having less crew member to deal with the vehicle maintenance is viewed as unfavorable. Too much work for a smaller crew.

Originally posted by Scorpius Does Leaopard2A4 have auto loaders?

Not that I know.