[Marcello]

"How is a 46 ton tank, better than one nearly twice it's weight?"

I suppose that if by "equivalent" he means that it would not be a Gulf War style one sided massacre he might be right.Consider however:
1) no thermal sight;
2) several weak spots in the front armor;
3) ammunition performance likely insufficient to deal with M1A1 HA;
4) various odd ends, like unprotected ammo storage, insufficient main gun depression etc.;