List of main battle tanks by generation

Like jet fighter generations, main battle tanks are often classified as belonging to a particular generation, although the actual definition and membership in these generations are not defined. Typically, generations are defined either by the time of their introduction or technological advancements, such as new armour technologies, the introduction of new electronic sub-systems and more powerful guns.

Definition of main battle tank generations

The fundamental issue with classifying main battle tanks into generations is the lack of a common, internationally accepted definition. Different attempts to define main battle tanks have been made by authors, historians and militaries in the past, many of which co-exist to this day.

The Canadian Army Command & Staff College developed a system to classify Western main battle tanks in three different generations (Soviet/Russian ones are not covered).[1] Tanks such as the Chieftain, Leopard 1, M48 and M60 are considered first generation MBTs, while the Challenger 1, Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams are considered second generation ones. Digital tanks such as the Leclerc, Leopard 2A5 and M1A2 Abrams are considered third generation tanks.

The military of the People's Republic of China also recognizes three generations of its own tanks.

In his 1983 book, Rolf Hilmes describes three generations of post-war main battle tanks.[2] In his system for the classification of main battle tanks, the first generation of MBTs was roughly being fielded between 1950 and 1960, the second generation roughly between 1960 and 1970, and the third generation starting in 1980 with a predicted end by 1990.

In Hilmes' system, older tanks cannot reach higher generations via upgrades even when these upgrades include all characteristics defining the newer generations. Instead, heavily upgraded tanks belong to so-called intermediate generations (Zwischengenerationen) with the first, ranging from 1970 to 1980, containing upgraded second generation MBTs (e.g. M60A2, Leopard 1A4) as well as new MBTs produced during that time frame (e.g. the T-64, Merkava and TAM) which lack some of the features defining the third generation. The first generation of main battle tanks was based on or influenced by designs of World War II, most notably the Soviet T-34.[3] The second generation was equipped with NBC protection systems, night-vision devices, a stabilized main gun and at least a mechanical fire-control system.[3] The third generation is in Western parlance determined by the usage of thermal imagers, improved fire-control systems and special armour. However, Hilmes acknowledged that tanks cannot be definitively grouped by generations, as each tank-producing country develops and introduces its tanks in tune with its own ideas and needs. He also states that breakdown of postwar tanks by generations is based on timeframe and technical factors, as a basis for further discussion.

By 2007, Hilmes saw a fourth generation of post-war main battle tanks (containing certain tanks fielded in 1990 to 2000) and predicted a fifth (expected to appear by 2010).[4] Defining characteristics of the fourth generation are autoloaders, adapted modular armour, battlefield managements systems and improved digital electronics, more powerful guns, night sights (passive or thermal imagers) for the commander's independent periscope and often hydropneumatic suspensions.[4] Additionally, a third intermediate generation (1990 to 2000) was established in his system, containing tanks like the Leopard 2A5, the PT-91 Twardy and the T-90.[4]

In the late 1990s, the Russian author Gennady Lvovich Kholyavasky describes a total of five generations of main battle tanks; with the first starting in 1920 and lasting to the end of World War 2, followed by the second generation covering 1946 to 1960, the third generation lasting from 1961 to 1980 and a fourth generation starting in 1981.[5] As per Kholyavasky, no Russian fourth generation tank was fielded by 1998, but the Challenger 2, the M1A2 Abrams, and Leopard 2A6 can be considered fourth generation tanks. Despite not providing an official end for the fourth generation, the Leclerc was considered a fifth generation main battle tank.[6]

As per Rafał Kopeć from the University of the National Education Commission, Krakow no fourth generation tank had already been fielded by 2016, suggesting that all earlier tanks belong to the earlier three generations based on the system he used for classification.[7] In addition to the three main generations, tanks like the T-64, T-72 and Merkava belong to a generation "two plus" according to Kopeć. In a similar fashion, a generation "three plus" consisting of never fielded prototypes with 140–152 mm guns is defined.[7]

In their 2010 book, the Hungarian authors Ernő Hegedűs and Károly Turcsányi define four generations of main battle tanks.[8][9] The first generation of main battle tanks has no autoloader, a conventional propulsion system with diesel engine and layered armour. This generation includes tanks like the Challenger and Leopard 2. The second generation of main battle tanks has a similar set-up with layered armour, conventional diesel propulsion systems but features and autoloader; it includes tanks such as the Leclerc and T-72. The third generation of MBTs like the second but uses a conventional propulsion system with a gas turbine instead of a diesel; it includes the T-80, the HSTV(L) and the Stridsvagn 103. Hegedűs and Turcsányi define a fourth generation of main battle tanks, utilizing composite materials in their construction, gas turbines and electromagnetic weapons, with the ACAV-P and FCS-T being examples of implementations of fourth generation tank technologies.[8]

Like Hilmes, military historian Hptm Marc Lenzin, Oberst Peter Forster, Div Fred Heer and Hptm Stefan Bühler from the Swiss Army recognise five generations of post-war main battle tanks, as well as a further four Zwischengenerationen consisting of upgraded versions of older main battle tanks.[10][11] Tanks are categorised by generation based solely on the rough date of their introduction into service rather than on technical aspects of their design.[10] The first generation covers tanks introduced between 1950 and 1960; the second generation, between 1960 and 1980. The third generation covers tanks introduced between 1980 and 1990, followed by the fourth generation, which lasted from 1990 to 2010. The fifth generation of main battle tanks has been in production since 2010.[10]

List of main battle tanks by generation

Because there is no widely accepted definition of main battle tank generations, it is often difficult to determine which generation a tank belongs to. Depending on the definition used by the author, the same tank may belong to several different generations. For example, according to Hegedűs and Turcsányi, the Leopard 2 is a first-generation main battle tank, whereas Pierre Lamontage of the Canadian Army Command & Staff College places it in the second generation. German author Rolf Hilmes considers the Leopard 2 a third-generation tank, assigning upgraded variants to different Zwischengenerationen (intermediate generations).

Consequently, a tank may be listed as belonging to multiple generations. The name(s) behind the entry refers to the author, so placements based on the same definition can be identified.

Name Year entered service Origin No. built Mass (tonnes) Engine power Generation Notes
M47 Patton 1951 United States 8,576 41 t 750-810 hp 1st (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć[12])
M48 Patton 1952 United States ~12,000 44 t 750-825 hp 1st (Hilmes,[2] Lamontagne,[1] Kopeć[12]) Hilmes also considers the A1 and A2 models first generation MBTs[2]
Centurion 1945 United Kingdom 4,423 51 t 650 hp 1st (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć,[12] Lamontagne[1])
T-44 1944 Soviet Union 1,823 32 t 520 hp 1st (Hilmes[2])
T-54 1948 Soviet Union ~87,000 36 t 520-800 hp 1st (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć[12])
Type 59 1959 People's Republic China 9,500 36 t 520 hp 1st (Hilmes[2])
Type 61 1961 Japan 560 35 t 570 hp 1st (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć[12])
M60 1959 United States 2,205 46 t 750 hp 1st (Lamontagne[1])
2nd (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć[13])
M60A1 1961 United States 7,948 47.7 t 750 hp 2nd (Hilmes[2])
Chieftain 1966 United Kingdom 1,896 55 t 750 hp 1st (Lamontagne[1])
2nd (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć[13])
Vickers Mk. 1 Vijayanta 1965 United Kingdom 2,270 39.5 t 535 hp 2nd (Hilmes [2])
T-62 1961 Soviet Union more than 22,700 37 t 580-620 hp 2nd (Hilmes,[14] Kopeć[13])
AMX-30 1966 France 3,571 36 t 680-720 hp 2nd (Hilmes, [2] Kopeć[13])
Leopard 1 1965 West-Germany 4,744 42 t 830 hp 1st (Lamontagne[1])
2nd (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć,[13] Lenzin et al.[15])		 Hilmes also considered the A1, A2, and A3 second generation MBTs[2]
Panzer 61 1965 Switzerland 150 39 t 630 hp 2nd (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć,[13] Lenzin et al.[15])
Stridsvagn 103 1967 Sweden 290 42.5 t 290 hp (diesel) + 489 hp (gas turbine) 2nd (Hilmes, [2] Kopeć,[13] Lenzin et al.[15])
3rd (Hegedűs et al[8])
M60A2 1973 United States 526-540 47.2 t 750 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin et al.[16])
M60A3 1979 United States ~5,400 49.5 t 750 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin et al.[16])
Vickers Mk. 3 1977 United Kingdom 226 39.5 t 720 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
T-64 1966 Soviet Union ~13,000 38-42 t 700 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Generation 2+ (Kopeć[13])		 Hilmes also considers the T-64A to be a tank of the 1st Zwischengeneration[2]Production number for all variants.
T-72 1973 Soviet Union ~25,000 41-44.5 t 780-840 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin et al.[16])
2nd (Hegedűs et al. [8])
Generation 2+ (Kopeć[13])		 Production number for all variants
AMX-30B2 1979 France 700 37 t 720 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin et al.[16])
Leopard 1A4 1974 Germany 250 42 t 830 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin et al.[16])
OF-40 1977 Italy 39 45.5 t 830 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Panzer 68 1971 Switzerland 390 40.8 t 660 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Type 74 1975 Japan 873 38 t 750 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Merkava 1 1979 Israel 250 61 t 908 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Merkava 2 1983 Israel 580 62 t 950 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Generation 2+ (Kopeć[13])
Tanque Argentino Mediano 1983 Argentina
West-Germany		 280 30.5 t 720 hp 1st Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
T-64B 1976 Soviet Union ~6,000 40.6 t 700 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin et al.[16])
T-80 1976 Soviet Union more than 5,500 42.5 t 1,000 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin et al.[16])
3rd (Kopeć,[13] Hegedűs et al.[8])
T-80B 1978 Soviet Union more than 3,000 42-43 t 1,000-1,100 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Type 85 1988 People's Republic of China ~300 44 t 730 - 790 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[2] Lenzin[16])
Leopard 1A5 1986 West-Germany 1,587 42 t 830 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
Panzer 68/88 1988 Switzerland 195 41.7 t 660 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[17] Lenzin et al[16])
Merkava 3 1989 Israel 780 63.5 t 1,200 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[2])
3rd (Kopeć[13])
M1 Abrams 1980 United States 3,268 54.4-55.3 t 1,500 hp 3rd (Hilmes,[2] Kopeć[13])
M1A1 Abrams 1981 United States 5,000-5,800 57.2-59.5 t 1,500 hp 2nd (Lamontagne)[1]
3rd (Hilmes[17])
Challenger 1 1984 United Kingdom 420 62 t 1,200 hp 1st (Hegedűs et al[8])
2nd (Lamontagne[1])
3rd (Hilmes,[2][17] Kopeć[13])
Challenger 2 1998 United Kingdom 447 64 t 1,200 hp 3rd (Hilmes[14])
3rd Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
4th (Kholyavasky[6])
T-80U/UD 1985-87 Soviet Union ~1,600 46 t 1,000-1,200 hp 2nd Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
3rd (Hilmes[17])
Leopard 2 1979 West-Germany ~3,600 55.15 t 1,500 hp 1st (Hegedűs et al.[8])
2nd (Lamontagne [1])
3rd (Hilmes,[2][17] Kopeć[13])
Type 90 1990 Japan 341 50.2 t 1,500 hp 3rd (Hilmes,[17] Kopeć[13])
C1 Ariete 1995 Italy 200 54 t 1,270 hp 3rd (Hilmes,[17] Kopeć[13])
4th (Lenzin et al.[16])
Type 98 1999 People's Republic of China ~40 51 t 1,200 hp 3rd (Hilmes[17])
K1 Type 88 1987 South Korea 1,511 51-55 t 1.200 hp 3rd (Hilmes,[17] Kopeć[13])
Leclerc 1992 France ~862 54 t 1,500 hp 2nd (Hegedűs et al.[8])
3rd (Lamontagne,[1] Kopeć[13])
4th (Hilmes,[17] Lenzin et al.[16])
M1A2 Abrams 1992 United States 1,500-1,700 62.5 t 1,500hp 3rd (Lamontagne[1])
3rd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[17] Lenzin et al.[16])
4th (Kholyavasky[6])
M1A2 SEP v1 1999 United States 600+ 63 t 1,500 hp 3rd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[17])
Leopard 2A5/A6 1995 Germany 1,164 59-64 t 1,500 hp 3rd (Lamontagne[1])
3rd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[17] Lenzin et al.[16])
4th (Kholyavasky[6])
T-84 1999 Ukraine 10 46 t 1,200 hp 3rd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes[17])
T-90 1992 Russia ~120 46 t 840 hp 3rd (Kholyavasky[6])
3rd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[17] Lenzin et al.[16])
PT-91 Twardy 1993 Poland ~285 46 t 1,000 hp 3rd Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
Type 99 2001 People's Republic of China ~1,300 51 t 1,500 hp 3rd Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
Al-Khalid 2001 Pakistan ~300 46 t 1,200 hp 3rd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes, [17] Lenzin et al.[16])
Arjun Mk. 1 2004 India 124 58.5 t 1,400 hp 3rd Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
Merkava 4 2004 Israel 320 65 t 1,500 hp 3rd (Kopeć)[13]
3rd Zwischengeneration (Hilmes,[17] Lenzin et. al[16])
T-14 Armata 2021 Russia less than 100 55 t 1,500 hp 5th (Lenzin et al.[16])
K2 Black Panther 2014 South Korea more than 440 55-58 t 1,500 hp 5th (Lenzin et al.[16])
Type 10 2012 Japan 117 44 t 1,200 hp 5th (Lenzin et al.[16])
Altay 2025 Turkey 5 65 t 1,500 hp 5th (Lenzin et al.[16])
Type 99A 2011 People's Republic of China 1,300 55 t 1,500 hp 4th Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
Arjun Mk. 2 - India - 68 t 1,400 hp 4th Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
M1A2 SEP v3 Abrams 2017 United States 690 66 t 1,500 hp 4th Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
Leopard 2A7 2014 Germany 254 63-67.5 t 1,500 hp 4th Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
T-72B3 2013 Russia 1,000 - 1,700 46-47 t 1,130hp 4th Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
T-80BVM 2018 Russia 250-300 46-48 t 1,260 hp 4th Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])
T-90M 2020 Russia 100+ 52 t 1,130 hp 4th Zwischengeneration (Lenzin et al.[16])

See also

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lamontagne, J. G. Pierre (2008). Are the days of the main battle tank over?. Kingston, Ontario: Canadian Forces College. p. 8.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao Hilmes, Rolf (1983). Kampfpanzer der Die Entwickelungen der Nachkriegszeit (in German). Verlag Soldat und Technik. ISBN 3-524-89001-6, p. 7.
  3. ^ a b Hilmes 1983, p. 8.
  4. ^ a b c Hilmes, Rolf (30 November 2007). Kampfpanzer heute und morgen: Konzepte - Systeme - Technologien. Motorbuch Verlag. pp. 26–29. ISBN 9783613027930.
  5. ^ Kholyavasky, Gennady (1998). Полная энциклопедия танков мира. 1915-2000 (in Russian). Moscow: Издательство АСТ. p. 112. ISBN 9851386030.
  6. ^ a b c d e Kholyavasky, Gennady (1998). Полная энциклопедия танков мира. 1915-2000 (in Russian). Moscow: Издательство АСТ. p. 125. ISBN 9854332535.
  7. ^ a b Kopeć, Rafał (2016). "Czekając na czwartą generację… Perspektywy rozwoju czołgów podstawowych w świetle doświadczeń wynikających z zastosowania ich w pozimnowojennych konfliktach zbrojnych". Przemysł zbrojeniowy: Tendencje, perspektywy, uwarunkowania, innowacje (in Polish): 120–148. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Hegedűs, Ernő; Turcsányi, Károly (2010). A légideszant II. Ejtőernyős-, helikopteres- és repülőgépes deszantok a modernkori hadviselésben (1945-2010). Budapest: Puedlo kiadó. ISBN 9789632491240.
  9. ^ Ocskay, István. "CONCEPT FOR CLASSIFICATION OF ARMOURED INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLES BY GENERATIONS". Katonai Logisztika. 2022. évi 3-4. szám: 109.
  10. ^ a b c Lenzin, Marc; Bühler, Stefan; Heer, Fred; Forster, Peter (2022). Die großen Panzerschlachten: von Cambrai bis Desert Storm (1. Auflage ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. pp. 13–14. ISBN 978-3-613-04450-0.
  11. ^ Bühler, Stefan. "100 Jahre Panzerentwicklung". Schweizer Soldat (in German) (März 2020): 48–53.
  12. ^ a b c d e Kopeć, Rafał (2016). "Czekając na czwartą generację… Perspektywy rozwoju czołgów podstawowych w świetle doświadczeń wynikających z zastosowania ich w pozimnowojennych konfliktach zbrojnych". Przemysł zbrojeniowy: Tendencje, perspektywy, uwarunkowania, innowacje (in Polish): 120. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Kopeć, Rafał (2016). "Czekając na czwartą generację… Perspektywy rozwoju czołgów podstawowych w świetle doświadczeń wynikających z zastosowania ich w pozimnowojennych konfliktach zbrojnych". Przemysł zbrojeniowy: Tendencje, perspektywy, uwarunkowania, innowacje (in Polish): 121. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  14. ^ a b Hilmes, Rolf (30 November 2007). Kampfpanzer heute und morgen: Konzepte - Systeme - Technologien. Motorbuch Verlag. p. 26. ISBN 9783613027930.
  15. ^ a b c Lenzin, Marc; Bühler, Stefan; Heer, Fred; Forster, Peter (2022). Die großen Panzerschlachten: von Cambrai bis Desert Storm (1. Auflage ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. p. 12. ISBN 978-3-613-04450-0.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Lenzin, Marc; Bühler, Stefan; Heer, Fred; Forster, Peter (2022). Die großen Panzerschlachten: von Cambrai bis Desert Storm (1. Auflage ed.). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. p. 13. ISBN 978-3-613-04450-0.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Hilmes, Rolf (30 November 2007). Kampfpanzer heute und morgen: Konzepte - Systeme - Technologien. Motorbuch Verlag. p. 26. ISBN 9783613027930.

General and cited references

  • Hilmes, Rolf (1983). Kampfpanzer: Die Entwickelungen der Nachkriegszeit (in German). Frankfurt am Main: Verlag Soldat und Technik. ISBN 3-524-89001-6. OCLC 13410347.
  • Hunnicutt, R. P. (1984). Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank. Novato, Calif.: Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-230-1. OCLC 471892846.
  • Lamontagne, J. G. Pierre (2003). Are the Days of the Main Battle Tank Over? (PDF) (Master of Defence Studies). Toronto: Canadian Forces College.
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