Battle tanks are some of the most essential military vehicles an army can have in their ranks. They dominate the battlefield with their ability to obliterate enemy battalions and turn the tide of battles. Countries have been competing with each other for decades to purchase and manufacture the best battle tanks in the world to stay ahead of the military game.
There are all kinds of tanks in the world built for all kinds of purposes. When it comes to firepower, there are some that stand head and shoulders above the others. These machines boast explosive weapons at their disposal and are capable of routing enemy formations with relative ease. Take a look at 10 of the best battle tanks in the world in terms of firepower.
10 T-14 Armata – 12 Rounds Per Minute
The T-14 Armata is a Russian-manufactured battle tank that is among the very best tanks in the business. It has a formidable reputation in military circles due to Western countries being in the dark regarding most of its abilities, but the little information they are aware of forced them to recognize it as a devastating machine.
The T-14 Armata has every country worried, what with its unmanned remote weapon station turret that the Russians believe could be the first step towards robot battle tanks. The tank is capable of firing guided missiles that can hit targets up to 5 kilometers away. It is also capable of blasting down low-flying air targets such as enemy helicopters and can be equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, making it quite the menace on the battlefield.
9 KF51 Panther – 10 Rounds Per Minute
Although it is not as powerful as the Leopard 2, those who dismiss the KF51 Panther on the battlefield are sure to pay the price. It is a dangerous battle tank that boasts plenty of damage potential, and is one of the finest machines Germany has ever produced.
The KF51 Panther has at its disposal a Rheinmetall Future Gun System that is made of a 130 mm cannon and a fully automatic ammunition handling system. This allows it to fire at and destroy multiple targets at once from a long way out. The autoloader makes sure that the guns fire at incredible rates and is ably assisted by the advanced fire computer. As such, there are very few tanks that can eliminate targets quite as effectively as this German monster.
8 K2 Black Panther – 10 Rounds Per Minute
South Korea is a country that faces greater military needs than most other nations. When it comes to the battle tank department, they are more than equipped to take on any challenge, having had the K2 Black Panther in their possession for years. A derivative of the legendary M1 Abrams tank model, it is one of the most insane tanks ever made and does the American machine proud.
The K2 Black Panther's firepower and defense systems are world-class. It has a Hyundai WIA 120 mm 55-calibre smooth-bore gun mounted to it that can fire 10 rounds per minute nonstop for three minutes. It also boasts chemical energy rounds that can deal with armored vehicles and helicopters with relative ease. Furthermore, its Battle Management System allows it to share its status with friendly tanks, which means assistance is only a message away. That, however, is not required in most battle situations.
7 Leclerc T4 – 9 Rounds Per Minute
The French main battle tank by the name of Leclerc T4 needs no introduction to tank aficionados. Dubbed 'Le Terminateur.' it lives up to that moniker in fine style. Boasting some of the most advanced weapons, it is a force to be reckoned with and comes with the ability to send enemy troops packing.
The Leclerc T4 comes with a 120 mm GIAT CN120-26/52 series smooth-bore main gun and multiple kinds of projectiles. As such, it can deal with a wide variety of targets that range from armored enemy tanks to fortified battalions. Its control system is fully automatic and allows the tank to fire rounds accurately even when it is moving. The turret can rotate in full circles, which makes it a threat, no matter where enemies engage it from.
6 Merkava Mk4 – 10 Rounds Per Minute
The Merkava Mk4 is Israel's powerful main battle tank and one of the cornerstones of the Israeli armed forces. It is one of the most explosive tanks in the world and comes with plenty of firepower to light up the battlefield. It has been with the country for decades and is still one of the very best in the business.
The Merkava Mk4 comes with a 7.62 machine gun and a coaxial M2 heavy 12.7 mm machine gun mounted together. They are two of the most versatile guns in the world, allowing the battle tank to function as both a point-blank eradicator and a deadly sniper. It can take on infantry, tanks, and even low-flying helicopters, making it an enemy's nightmare on the battlefield.
5 Challenger 2 – 7 Rounds Per Minute
The Challenger 2 is a legendary British tank that lives up to its name. It challenges the best battle tanks on all fronts and establishes itself as their superior, thanks in no small part to its power. Indeed, the weapons it has puts many of its counterparts to shame and puts fear into the hearts of anyone coming up against it.
The Challenger 2 is slower than other modern tanks, but when it comes to pinpoint accuracy, it has them all dusted. In fact, it holds the record for destroying a tank from the longest distance, which means an enemy is not safe, no matter how far away they are. This comes thanks to its mighty rifled 120 mm L30A1 main armament. Its secondary weapons include 7.62 mm versions of a chain gun and a machine gun, which means enemies on the battlefield are guaranteed to be blitzed by the tank's ammunition.
4 Type 10 – 12 Rounds Per Minute
Hailing from the land of the rising sun, the Type 10 is a battle tank with an appetite for destruction. With its arsenal of weapons, it can outgun rival tanks and leave them in a heap. That, combined with the advanced technology it boasts, makes it a true work of art.
The Type 10 uses a 120 mm smooth-bore gun and a cannon that fires the Type 10-exclusive APFSDS round. It has both lightweight and heavyweight ammunition, allowing it to seamlessly switch between the roles of rapid-shooter and armor-piercer. In addition to that, it can be fitted with NATO-standard ammunition as well, making it one of the most versatile tanks in the world.
3 MBT-3000 – 8 Rounds Per Minute
China's best contribution to this battle tank party is the MBT-3000 (also called the VT-4). It is a third-generation tank that comes with weapons that were designed to rule the battlefield. The potential of said weapons are positively in the stratosphere, with some details surrounding them remaining a mystery.
What is known about the MBT-3000 is that it means business, coming with a 125 mm smooth-bore cannon that can fire four kinds of rounds and guided missiles. With its thermal image system and its secondary 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, it is relentless at being the ultimate tool for the total annihilation of enemies. The VT-4 is capable of reaching a staggering 700 mm armor penetration, which essentially means armored vehicles might as well wave a white flag when they see one of these approaching them.
2 M1A2 Abrams – 9 Rounds Per Minute
The M1A2 Abrams is not only the USA's best battle tank, but arguably the world's most advanced battle tank. It is one of the final variants of the iconic M1 tank and has been upgraded enough to ensure that it stands head and shoulders above most of its counterparts. The firepower it boasts is capable of annihilation on a staggering level, making it a machine no army wants to face.
The M1A2 Abrams's primary weapon is a 120 mm L/44 M256A1 smooth-bore gun that can fire off 40 rounds. It is aided by a 12.7 mm M2HB heavy machine gun with 900 rounds and two 7.62 mm M240 machine guns with an insane 10,000 rounds. This means it is capable of raining fire on its enemies without stopping, forcing them to surrender with a sheer downpour of bullets and blasts.
1 Leopard 2 – 12 Rounds Per Minute
The Leopard 2 is widely regarded as the best battle tank in the world, and there is good reason for it. This German monster boasts superiority and impact on the battlefield that puts it on a different level compared to its peers. That is partly down to its firepower, which is both purposeful and devastating.
The Leopard 2's primary gun is a Rheinmetall RH-M-120 120 mm smooth-bore that is fully stabilized and comes with 42 rounds of ammunition. That in itself is enough to get the job done, but it goes one step further by introducing two secondary 7.62 mm machine guns, one mounted coaxially and the other on top of the tank's roof. Germany's super tank is capable of firing multipurpose and armor-piercing rounds, which means no matter the battle situation, it is always within touching distance of victory.