This is a list of main battle tanks, and other vehicles serving that role, in active military service with countries of the world. A main battle tank (MBT) is the type of powerful, heavily armoured and highly mobile tank which is the backbone of a mechanized land force.
20 Leopard 2A6M were leased from Germany in December 2007. The tanks were permanently transferred to Canadian service when tanks purchased from the Netherlands were transferred to Germany in exchange.[12][13]
100 Dutch Leopard 2A4 initially purchased in 2007, and 15 more 2A4s were later purchased from Germany as "Logistic Stock Vehicles" exclusively for spare parts.[13] 20 were upgraded to 2A4M CAN standard in 2010, 20 were upgraded to 2A7 standard and given to Germany in exchange for 2A6Ms, 18 converted into Wisent 2 "Ram" AEVs, leaving 42 Leopard 2A4 CAN in service by 2022. 8 were donated to Ukraine in 2023.[14]
Defence force exists, but operates no MBTs in service. AFVs are used instead in service, such as the LAV III, EE-9 Cascavel, and M8 Greyhound. Only some M3 Stuart are used as gatekeepers.
A significantly upgraded T-54/55. Though the initial prototype (T-54E) was delivered in 1984, full production did not begin until 2004–2005, an additional 140–160 are to be converted from stored T-55.
Out of 735 M60A3 + 700 M60A1 were brought up to A3 Standard from U.S. Army Europe surplus stocks in Germany between 1979–1988 + 173 M60A3 between 1992–2001[25] + 108 M60A3 from the Austrian Army Surplus in 2002,[26]
2A4 no longer in use; for resale by KMW and Rheinmetall. All 19 2A5 only used for training exercises. 18 Leopard 2A8 ordered in 2023 to backfill the 18 2A6 given to Ukraine. Leopard 1s in long-term storage, or held by FFG, KMW, and Rheinmetall for resale.
Police force exists to maintain internal security, armed forces in the process of reactivation, but do not operate MBTs and uses AFVs like Cadillac-GageV-100 instead.
Small military force exists. Does not operate MBTs, but has light armoured vehicles, primarily the MOWAG Piranha, and FV101 Scorpion armoured reconnaissance vehicle
South Korea was given 33 T-80Us during 1996 and 1997 and 2 T-80UKs in 2005 as a partial interest payment of Russian debts incurred during the Soviet era.
Most MBTs retired in 2011, 100 Leopard 2 MBTs sold to Finland in 2014. 18 Dutch Leopard 2s are still in use in the German-Dutch tank battalion Panzerbataillion 414 (leased).[46]
52 Leopard 2A4NLs were acquired from the Netherlands in 2001. 46 of these have been refurbished and brought up to Norwegian standards,[48] while the remaining 6 are being used for spare parts.[49] Furthermore, Norway is planning on upgrading 38 tanks to modern standards in the future.[50]
Also has Leopard 1's in storage (unknown condition and quantity). Not in service.
Norway has ordered 54 Leopard 2A7 with expected delivery starting 2026. The new MBTs are expected to achieve FOC in 2031. Existing Leopard 2A4s are expected to be withdrawn from service with the introduction of the Leopard 2A7s, possibly by donation to Ukraine. 8 Leopard 2A4s, 1 Bergepanzer 2 Armoured Recovery Vehicle, and 3 NM189 Armoured Engineering Vehicles have already been donated to Ukraine.
In service since 2023. 28 M1A2 SEPv2 tanks leased for training in 2020. 116 M1A1 FEPs to be delivered in 2023 and to be upgraded to SEPv3 standard at a later date.[56] 250 M1A2 SEPv3s to be delivered between 2025 and 2026.[56]
In service since 2022. 180 K2s to be delivered between 2022 and 2025 and to be upgraded to K2PL standard at a later date.[56] 820 K2PLs to be produced in Poland from 2026 onwards.[56]
A 4th generation MBT designed and produced by Otokar. The Altay will enter serial production phase in 2016. It is expected that a total of 1000 Altays will be produced.
In May 2023, the decision to buy 54 used M1A2 Abrams from US Army stocks was approved by the Parliament of Romania. The Romanian M1A2 variant is designated M1A2R.[59][60]
800 T-72B3/B3M and 300 T-72A/B are in service.[4] More than a thousand T-72A/B/Ural are in storage, most of which are in varying states of disrepair. The T-72B models are being upgraded to the T-72B3M obr.2022 standard.
100 T-90A and 120 T-90M in service as of 2024. All remaining T-90A are being upgraded to the T-90M standard. All T-90 have been withdrawn from storage due to the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Defence force exists, but operates no MBTs. Regional Security System is also responsible for defence affairs. Uses 3 Daimler Ferret FV-702 4x4 ARVs instead.
Leopard 2A5 modified to Swedish specifications. Sweden also previously leased and operated 160 Leopard 2A4s (locally designated Strv 121) from Germany, but most of these have been returned.[82]
Within scope of TIYK-LEOA4 project 40 Leopard 2A4 T1 tanks were subjected to increase of ballistic protection levels, integration of modern electronics, active protection and other modern systems. The rest will be named as Leopard 2 A4TM and will undergo to armor and overall modernization.
The Sabra was initially developed as a further evolution of the Magach 7C. The ballistic profile of the appliqué armor was improved, incorporated the MG253 120 mm gun and new electronics developed by Israel Military Industries. Then it received further weapons and armour improvements by Turkey.
M48A5T2: Turkish M48 variant upgraded along similar lines to the M60A3, with an M68 105 mm main gun, passive night vision, an AVDS-1790 diesel engine, M60A3 thermal imaging, M60A3 fire control system and a laser rangefinder. Used mainly for supporting ground forces
Only T-64BV and T-64BM are in active service. The numbers provided are for tanks in active service, based on data from late 2021 (before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine).[90] Additionally, 578 T-64As and T-64Bs were in storage in 2021 before the war, and would need to be overhauled before returning to service.[91] Remaining numbers unknown, hundreds destroyed in the war.
130 provided are for tanks in active service, based on data from late 2021 (before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine).[90] Additionally, 500 T-72/T-72As were in storage in 2021 with no plans yet for repairs.[91] As of 26 June 2022, 188 T-72 tanks have been visually confirmed captured by the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Territorial Defense Forces and the National Guard, with the biggest number among all Russian MBT types.[92] In April 2022, it was reported that the Czech Republic and Poland (about 200 tanks) had supplied Ukraine with more than 260 T-72 tanks in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some of these were paid for by other countries including 90 from Czech Republic were upgraded using funds from the U.S. and Denmark.[93][94][95]
Only 34 T-80 tanks were accounted by IISS in 2021.[91] According to an advisor to then President Petro Poroshenko in 2015, around 100 T-80BV tanks were to be restored to service.[96] In 2020, Ukrainian media reported multiple deliveries of T-80BV tanks.[97][98][99][better source needed]
Modernized version of T-72. It was disclosed that Poland is supplying PT-91 tanks in July 2022.[101][102] Poland delivered an estimated 10 along with roughly 250 T-72s in 2022. Poland committed to send an additional 60 in 2023.[103]
To be sent in 2023 to help Ukraine resist the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany publicly announced on Feb 07, 2023 that they had approved the export of up to 178 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.[105] Denmark and the Netherlands jointly funded the purchase and refurbishing of these vehicles, which includes 90 of the 99 Leopard 1A5DKs sold to FFG by Denmark in 2010, as well as the 88 Leopard 1A5s held by Rheinmetall whose export was earlier approved on February 3.[106][107] Rheinmetall purchased an additional 50 Leopard 1A5BE from OIP Land Systems in Belgium, 30 of which will be refurbished for combat, 20 delivered for spare parts.[108] Delivery of the Leopard 1A5 began in July 2023.
Rheinmetall is also negotiating the purchase of an additional 96 former Italian Leopard 1A5IT tanks from the Swiss company RUAG to be reconditioned and delivered to Ukraine.[109] The sale of these however currently remains blocked by the Swiss government, however 25 of these Leopard 1A5IT were sold by RUAG to Bavarian firm Global Logistics Support GmbH back in 2019, and could be delivered in the future.[110] Germany is now negotiating with Greece the delivery of some of their Leopard 1A5GRs in exchange for Germany backfilling them with refurbished Leopard 1A5IT from RUAG.[111]
On 24 January 2023, Germany approved the transfer of 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine.[112] On 24 February 2023, this number was increased to 18.[113] Poland agreed to send 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks from their army stocks on January 25.[114] Canada promised to send 4 "combat ready" Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine on January 26.[115] Four additional 2A4 tanks were promised along with 1 ARV on February 24.[116] Spain promised to send at least 10 of its Leopard 2A4 tanks, with more possible pending repairs.[117][118] Norway has promised to send 8 of its 36 operational Leopard 2A4s along with 4 ARV/AEV non-combat versions.[119] Portugal is sending 3 of its 37 Leopard 2A6s.[120] At least 80 Leopard 2 tanks have been pledged to Ukraine from numerous allies according to German sources,[121] although only 71 were publicly confirmed as of 24 February 2023 (including the Swedish "2A5" tanks; see below). The first 4 Leopard 2A4s were delivered from Poland on 24 February 2023.[122] An additional 50 Leopard 2A4 tanks are being prepared for Ukraine by Rheinmetall.[123][124]
On 24 February, the Swedish Minister of DefencePål Jonson announced that Sweden would be providing 10 Leopard "2A5" tanks to Ukraine.[125] These would form part of a 2A5/A6 tank battalion together with Germany's 18 2A6 and Portugal's 3 2A6 tanks.[113] Delivered in July 2023.
Equips three regular and one Yeomanry (reserve) Armoured Regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps, each of 56 tanks.
A Challenger 2 Life Extension Project (LEP) is planned, and will include new optronics, situational awareness and fire control systems, with 148 tanks upgraded and rebadges as Challenger 3.
In 2010 due to budget cuts, 118 tanks were withdrawn from service. Of these, 70 were put in storage and 48 were converted to Driver Training Tanks.
^Marlin Carlsen (20 April 2023). "MBTS Current Initiatives"(PDF) (Press release). Michigan Defense Exposition and APBI - PEO GCS and ACC-DTA. p. 24. Archived from the original(PDF) on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
^ ab"Ukraine's Tanks Could Be Better Than Russia's. It Might Not Matter". Forbes. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022. Today the Ukrainian armor corps possesses 410 old T-64BVs, 210 T-64BV mod 2017s, 100 T-64BM Bulats and around 130 T-72s. Another thousand tanks are in storage.
^ abVerteidigungsministerium [@Verteidigungsministerium] (24 February 2023). "Germany to provide 4 additional Leopard 2A6" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 February 2023 – via Twitter. 'Verteidigungsminister Pistorius hat entschieden, weitere vier #Kampfpanzer #Leopard2 A6 aus Beständen der Bundeswehr an die #Ukraine abzugeben. Damit erhöht 🇩🇪 die Anzahl der gelieferten Panzer von 14 auf 18 & stellt zusammen mit 🇵🇹 & 🇸🇪 insgesamt ein 🇺🇦 Bataillon zur Verfügung.'