Country of origin |
Israel |
Entered service |
2007 |
Crew |
4 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
55 t |
Length (gun forward) |
9.4 m |
Hull length |
8.26 m |
Width |
3.63 m |
Height |
3.05 m |
Armament |
Main gun |
120-mm smoothbore |
Machine guns |
3 x 7.62-mm |
Mortar |
1 x 60-mm |
Elevation range |
- 9 to + 20 degrees |
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
Ammunition load |
Main gun |
42 rounds |
Machine guns |
? |
Mobility |
Engine |
Continental AVDS-1790-5A diesel |
Engine power |
900 hp |
Maximum road speed |
48 km/h |
Range |
450 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
30% |
Vertical step |
0.91 m |
Trench |
2.6 m |
Fording |
1.4 m |
Fording (with preparation) |
2.4 m |
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The Sabra
main battle tank is an extensive upgrade of the M60A3. This upgrade
was developed in Israel to
extend service life of the ageing
M60
series tanks and making them more capable. Upgraded tanks have
increased lethality, protection and mobility. These main battle tanks are currently in service
only with
Turkey. A contract to upgrade 170 Turkish Army M60 main battle tanks to the Sabra Mk.2 standard was awarded to Israel Military Industries
(IMI) in 2002. The first prototype was delivered for trials and evaluation in 2005. It entered
service with the Turkish Army and is locally known as the M60T. A
total of 170 Turkish Army tanks were upgraded. It looks like these
tanks saw their first combat debut in 2016 during a Turkish military
operation in Syria.
Vehicle is
fitted with new modular armor protection. Upgraded vehicles retain
their original, but up-armored turrets. Upgraded tanks are equipped
with automatic fire suppression systems.
The Sabra
main battle tank is armed with a 120-mm smoothbore gun. This gun was
developed in Israel and is similar to the
Merkava Mk.3 gun. It is significantly superior to the original
105-mm gun installed on the M60 series tanks. This gun is capable of firing
all standard NATO 120-mm ammunition. This gun is loaded manually. A total
of 42 rounds for the main gun are carried. The Sabra also has new
Knight fire control system.
Secondary
armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, and two machine
guns of the same caliber mounted on top of the roof. Alternatively
a 5.45-mm MGs can be used. The Sabra MBT is also fitted with a 60-mm
mortar.
The Sabra
main battle tank has a crew of four, including commander, gunner,
loader and driver.
Vehicle is
powered by Continental AVDS-1790-5A turbocharged diesel engine,
developing 900 horsepower. Chassis of the M60A3 has been upgraded to
coupe with increased weight and for better cross-country mobility.
Variants
Sabra Mk.1
an upgraded version of the
Magach 7C, fitted with
a 120-mm gun,
improved add-on armor and new fire control system. Running gear was
also upgraded;
Sabra
Mk.2 is fitted with modular passive armor and explosive reactive armor. Modular armor can be easily replaced
if damaged or upgraded if more advanced armor is available. This
version can be identified by a large M60-style commander cupola. It
is powered by a more powerful German MTU 881 turbocharged diesel
engine, developing 1 000 hp. The Sabra Mk.2 is in service with the
Turkish Army and is locally known as the M60T;
Sabra
Mk.3 is fitted with armor, similar to that of the
Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank. Commander's machine gun is
enclosed and operated remotely.
M60T is an
upgraded version of the Turkish M60A3 tanks to the Sabra Mk.2
standard. The M60T is a Turkish designation. A contract to upgrade
170 Turkish M60 main battle tanks was awarded to IMI in 2002. The
first prototype was delivered for trials and evaluation in 2005.
Eventually all 170 tanks were delivered. It looks like the M60T
tanks saw their first combat debut in 2016 during military operation
in Syria.
Video of the Sabra main
battle tank |
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