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2023-02-01
Europe’s MBT Strategy Faces Upgradation Hurdles
Major shifts in warfare are mostly associated with technological innovation — from battle tanks to nuclear weapons to cyber and space systems. However, a multitude of other underlying factors — political economic, social, cultural, scientific, and industrial — also drive the way nations and alliances think about war, prepare for war and fight.
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) are an important component of modern armies. Their role and characteristics have changed rapidly with times. A new MBT requires a greater technological effort than in the past.
MBTs survivability needs to be completely re-thought, particularly in terms of Active Protection Systems (APS). Future MBTs will rely more and more on sophisticated vehicle electronic, vetronics and optronics, and will most probably have a fully digitalised cockpit on-board to enable a 360 degrees situational awareness.
Collective Defence
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) priority to collective defence implies higher requirements for its members, and allies are rebalancing the force mix in favour of the heavy component, including MBTs.
What is important to note is that MBTs in European inventories are mostly found to be outdated and their readiness level is low.
In the post-Cold War period, NATO attention towards out-of-area operations and a changed threat perception caused a shift of focus from conventional warfare to non-conventional or hybrid ones. Among allies there has been widespread poor regard and investments on the army’s heavy component.
After the 2008 and particularly 2014 and 2022 Russian military actions, NATO members, primarily in the Eastern flank, started to fear a possible armed attack.
NATO’s renewed priority to collective defence implies higher requirements for its members, in both qualitative and quantitative terms, and allies are rebalancing the force mix in favour of the heavy component, including MBT.
In Europe, the percentage of vehicles concretely ready to operate at very short notice is far from 100 per cent.
Only four European industrial players have recently designed, developed and produced MBTs: the French Nexter, German KMW, Italian Consorzio Iveco Leonardo (CIO), and the BAE Systems in the United Kingdom (UK). Other European companies are able to develop Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) and/or to produce MBT under licence, but they would probably struggle in the autonomous production of a new generation tank.
Many European countries will need to guarantee an adequate, renewed fleet of MBTs, but at the moment no European producer is able to independently deliver a cutting-edge technology MBT through an economically affordable programme.
Different Categories
MBT’s features can be grouped in five broad categories: general characteristics, mobility, survivability, lethality and new technologies. All these domains are strictly interconnected.
Weight Factor
MBT’s weight has been climbing globally, although Russian tanks are lighter than Western vehicles. Today, Western MBTs reach 65-70 tonnes weight and the trend is for a further growth well over 70 tonnes. That weight would exceed the performances of the heaviest commonly deployed vehicle launched bridge, which are Military Load Class 70 (MLC 70), and is exceeding the payload of naval Landing Craft.
A further increase in weight would have serious repercussions on strategic and road mobility of MBTs, making it imperative to keep weight and dimensions of future tanks similar or even lower to that of the current MBT generation.
Different solutions and technologies have been under study. Some countries are orientating towards a high-low mix of vehicles, meaning a combination in their military inventories of heavier MBTs together with lighter vehicles.
Another way to keep the MBTs’ weight low is the reduction of crew members.
In Russia, since the introduction of the T-64 in the ‘60s, the standard crew of a MBT was reduced from four to three members. In the West, with some exceptions, the crew of the most common MBTs (Abrams, Leopard 2, Ariete, Merkava and Challenger) is still of four members: a driver, a commander, a gunner and a loader.
Future Western tanks will be likely operated by three members, although a study to further reduce it to only two is underway. Placing the entire crew in the chassis, inside a citadel, as it is in the T-14 Armata, is a good way to maximise the protection level of the crew compartment without great increase in the overall weight.
Power Pack
On power pack, the current technological reference is the German EuroPowerpack, a combination of Motoren Turbinen Union (MTU) 883 by Rolls-Royce Power System (1,500-1,600 HP, equivalent to 1,100-1,200 kW) coupled with Renk HSWL 295 automatic transmission: it is a very compact, powerful and reliable solution.
For lighter vehicles up to 45 tonnes MTU 890 (800 kW-1,070 HP) 10 cylinder diesel coupled with a Renk HSWL 256 automatic transmission is an even more compact and up-to-date power pack. A more powerful (1,500-1,600 HP, equivalent to 1,100- 1,200 kW) 12 cylinder evolution of MTU 890 can be developed, but is not an expected development.
In contrast, gas turbine is not a viable solution while other current diesel engines have lower performances compared to EuroPowerpack.
‘Survivability Onion’
In the West, MBTs survivability needs to be completely re-thought. With a few exceptions, most western MBTs currently rely mainly on traditional passive armour. The application of several proven survivability solutions, such as Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), active/passive defence suite, APS, camouflage, is not common on current platforms. Some of these features are widespread on Russian and Chinese MBTs.
Current Western upgrades begin to introduce these solutions, but they are more effective on a new design MBT because they can be integrated in the vehicle’s architecture right from the beginning. On Abrams, the U.S., Army is introducing Trophy APS which is produced by the Israeli company Rafael, integrated by Leonardo DRS and proven on the Israeli Merkava Mk-4.
The design of future MBTs should adopt the “survivability onion”, a well-known notion implemented in naval and aeronautical designs for years. It is focused on an ensemble of different elements: not to be seen, not to be hit, and, in case of hit, do not be penetrated — or limit the damage. However, the role of armour is still fundamental: an armour protection is really effective if the projectile does not penetrate – and if there is no penetration the damages are very little.
Strengthening Firepower
The appearance of Russian new generation reactive armour such as RELIKIT, active solutions such as Malakhit and Afghanit, as well as of newly designed passive solutions installed on new T-14 Armata, came as a shock to Western armed forces. Their possible application on upgrading legacy T-80, T-72 and T-90 MBTs forced American and European industries to start rapid development of new solutions to boost firepower.
For the short to medium term, Rheinmetall, the main Western gun designer, has developed a roadmap to improve its 120mm main gun and its kinetic energy ammunition: the two key elements of the weapon system. Its 120L55 smoothbore gun has been improved with L55A1 evolution, a gun designed to handle higher internal pressures thanks to the use of a higher-strength steel coupled with up-rated recoil brakes.
In Germany, Rheinmetall is working on a new 130mm, while in France Nexter is working on a 140mm49 and in U.S. several studies are on evolved 120mm smoothbore traditional one, but also on electro-thermal chemical guns and other technologies such as electromagnetic and direct energy guns.
Electronic Core
New MBTs will rely more on vehicle electronic or vetronics. All MBTs will be equipped with Battle Management System (BMS): some already have this system, some will get them after upgrade programmes.
The BMS can be seen as its “electronic core.” Such kind of evolved capabilities are not for free: the BMS will become more expansive and will be a sensible component of the vehicle’s unitary cost of a vehicle.
The vetronics will be increasingly sophisticated. New generations of laser/ radar systems (sometimes evolution of APS sensor suite) will allow discovery and identification of enemies at 18/20 km range gaining time in operational theatres to face the threat properly.
New technologies are mostly connected to the digital world. One of them is a fully digitalised cockpit on-board, with several large screen displays to enable a 360 degrees situational awareness.
MBTs in Europe
Differently from the U.S., where the basis model of heavy tanks is just one, the 22 EU member states (MSs) having MBTs in their land forces operate 14 different basis models.
The variety of used basis models in Europe underlines the industrial fragmentation and the inability of some of the European defence industries to produce complex assets.
Just four countries — France, Germany, Italy and the UK — have the national industrial capacities to autonomously produce a MBT. Other countries either bought from international partners, or tried to adapt foreign platforms through national procurement programmes. The latter is the case of Romania and Poland that produced their national versions of MBTs under licence.
In Spain, the local headquarter of General Dynamics European Land System (GDELS) successfully produced the Austrian-Spanish Cooperation Development (ASCOD) family of IFV that comprises the Spanish Pizarro, the Austrian Ulan and the British Ajax. In Sweden, the BAE Systems Hägglunds, produces and exports the CV90 IFV.
Leaning on Leclerc
Third generation Leclerc is the MBT of France. Its architecture allows it to be upgraded with the latest systems to adapt to ever-changing battlefield threats.
The Leclerc XLR is a modernised version of the standard Leclerc MBT and part of the Scorpion programme of the French army with the goal to acquire new types of armoured vehicles and offer inter-operability for all combat vehicles in service with the French army. It features many new improvements in terms of mobility, firepower, and protection.
The Leclerc XLR is fitted with a new type of active and passive modular armour offering more protection against modern anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. The sides of the hull and the turret are fitted with active reactive armour as well as slat-armour mounted at the rear sides of the hull and the turret. The tank is fitted with a mine and IED (Improvised Explosive Device) protection kit.
KMW Leopard
Of the total in-service platforms in Europe, almost half of them are represented by the German-made Leopard family, in its 1A5 and 2A4, 2A5, 2A6 and 2A7110 variants. Germany’s MBT inventory consists of Leopard 2A6/A7s.
The latest version of this battle tank, the Leopard 2 A7+ was developed and qualified for the new tasks of the German Bundeswehr.
The Leopard 2 A7+ owes its outstanding performance to an ideal combination of protection, mobility, manoeuvrability and fire power. The 120mm main gun (calibre length 55), together with the improved optronics, make for the exceptional combat capabilities of the Leopard 2.
Thanks to its ability to fire programmable ammunition, it can react to a wide variety of threat scenarios.
The armed forces of 19 nations rely upon the Leopard’s superiority. All vehicles were supplied by KMW with over 3,500 units worldwide.
ASCALON Concept
Nexter is proposing the ASCALON concept (Autoloaded and SCALable Outperforming guN) designed to cope with the latest generation of heavy armour while staying ahead of the threats of the next half-century.
Based on technical solutions that will be fully mature by 2025, ASCALON offers an open architecture designed to serve as the basis for cooperative development under the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) programme. This concept lays the foundations for the future European battle tank gun and ammunition standard, drawing on previous experiences with allies, such as in the 140mm Future Tank Main Armament (FTMA) gun programme.
ASCALON is characterised by: A wide choice of terminal effects: the enlarged calibre enriches the range of ammunition for an optimal effect on the target thanks to rods of unparalleled length. It makes it possible to foresee intelligent ammunition for firing beyond direct sight, which will provide new capacities while reducing the vulnerability of the tank.
With a maximum length of 130 cm, ASCALON telescoped ammunition will be more compact than an equivalent calibre ammunition. It can be stored and integrated in a self-loading turret.
The optimised chamber offers exceptional operational performance with an energy level close to 10 megajoules for kinetic ammunition, while remaining below the internal pressure level of current calibres.
Rheinmetall’s Challenger
Challenger 2 is heavily armoured and highly mobile, designed for use in direct fire zones. Whilst its primary role is to destroy or neutralise armour, Challenger 2 can operate across a spectrum of high intensity conflict, counter insurgency and peace keeping roles.
The vehicle is equipped with an L30 120mm rifled tank gun, firing both long rod penetrator and High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) ammunition natures. Secondary armaments are provided with a 7.62mm co-axial chain gun and a 7.62mm pintle mounted General Purpose Machine Gun.
Optical and thermal imager sights are provided for both the Commander and Gunner, including an independent 360ᵒ panoramic sight for the Commander. The sighting systems, turret and gun are stabilised enabling rapid target engagement when static and on the move.
In May 2021, the UK MOD awarded an £800m contract to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) to upgrade 148 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks for the British Army.
The upgraded vehicle, to be called Challenger 3, will be a network-enabled, digital Main Battle Tank with state-of-the-art lethality, upgraded survivability, plus world-class surveillance and target acquisition capabilities.
Ariete Versions
The Italian Army operates around 160 C1 Ariete tanks with a 120mm cannon in three tank regiments.
The Ariete is a second generation main battle tank characterised by high performances, advanced armour protection and substantial fire power. Hull and turret are made of welded steel with composite armour.
The power pack incorporates an Iveco V-12 MTCA turbocharged intercooled 12 cylinder diesel power plant that develops 1275 hp, directly coupled to a fully automatic transmission providing four forward and two reverse speeds.
Ariete Mk.2 was revealed in 2005. It has a modular armour, 120 mm smoothbore gun fitted with an autoloader, hydropneumatic suspension, 1 500 hp engine and more advanced fire control system.
A new version of the Italian Ariete MBT is fitted with new optronics and electronics. It will keep the same armament as the previous Ariete MBT.
Up to 125 Ariete are expected to undergo a 10-year modernisation programme.
Polish Inventory
Poland’s MBT inventory consists of PT-91, Leopard 2 and T-72 MBTs.
The PT-91 Main Battle Tank (MBT), also named Twardy (Hard), is a further development by the Zaklady Mechaniczne Bumar-Labedy SA of the Russian-made T-72M1 tank which has been produced under licence in Poland for many years.
The PT-91 Twardy main battle tank is armed with the same 125-mm smoothbore gun 2A46 used in the T-72, fitted with an automatic reloading mechanism that allowed for removing the gun’s loader as a crew member, and gave a rate of fire of 8 to 10 rounds per minute.
Additional armament includes a 7.62-mm coaxial PKT and 12.7mm anti-aircraft NSVT machine guns. It has a thermal smoke device generating smoke screens from fuel and 24 grenade launchers fitted with smoke or anti-personnel fragmentation grenades.
Serbian Selection
M-84AB1 (M-2001) is the latest upgrade of the M-84AS main battle tank (MBT), a Serbian version of the M-84. The new tank is designed to offer ground forces with enhanced firepower, armour protection and mobility in the battlefield.
Serbia currently operates a total of 212 M-84 MBTs, including M-84AS. The M-84 series is also in service with the ground forces of Kuwait, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The M-84 MBT was manufactured as a licence-built version of the Soviet T-72 in Yugoslavia first in 1984. The M-84A variants were built between 1988 and 1991. The M-84 was upgraded to M-84K command tank in 1994.
Serbia’s state-owned Yugoimport SDPR produced the M-84AB1 version with additional armour protection and firepower capabilities. Other variants of the M-84 MBT are M-84AB, M-84ABK and M-84ABN.
The M-84AB1 is powered by a multi-fuel, four-stroke, turbocharged V46-TK-1 engine, which has a generating capacity of 735kW.
Design Superiority
The T-72 is the most widely used main battle tank in the world. It has been manufactured in six countries, is in service with the armies of 35 nations and has fought in all the major wars of the last 20 years. Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Hungary, Zerbia, Slovakia all depend on T-72.
The striking feature of T-72 is the low profile. This is achieved by careful design. The vehicle has an auto-loader, which can feed the gun at any angle with a separate projectile and charge case. The ammunition is arranged around the turret rather like the carousel of a slide projector.
The upgraded T-72 tank with a fire control system incorporating a thermal sight attracts attention by its low silhouette, relatively light weight, lethal armament and high reliability at minimum operating costs, which has put it on a par with the best tanks in other countries, immediately and for years to come.
Looming Challenge
By 2040-2050, allied nations will potentially face the return of high-intensity confrontations. Armies will have to equip themselves with modern means for tactical superiority, manned or unmanned, integrating numerous systems, reaching the highest levels of protection for the crew and the capacity to neutralise the adversary.
In aggregated terms, by 2025 the total number of platforms to be phased out in Europe is 2,116, that is more than half (52 per cent) of the currently in-service platforms. The remaining 1,953 tanks with an operational life that goes beyond 2025 are only the Leopard 2A5/7, Leclerc, Challenger 2, Ariete C1, PT-91 Twardy, and M-84.
Of these units, 52 per cent (or 1,019 tanks) are Leopards 2A5/7, again underling the relevance of the German supplier.
The question of what type of MBT will be available beyond 2025 is looming in Europe. The characteristics of the currently available tanks are not sufficiently advanced to confront adversary tanks in the mid-term, even if complemented with mid-life upgrades.
Should a new generation tank not be available within the next decade, the number of additional tanks to procure will increase proportionately to the technological gap to be filled.
Reference Text/Photo:www.iai.it,www.nato.int,www.iveco-otomelara.com,www.rheinmetall.com,www.baesystems.com,www.kmweg.com
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