Irani new development of the M-60?

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well, I'll start with this...
https://mehler-protection.com/blog/s...les-explained/

What this Iranian tank is NOT ...
https://electronics.leonardo.com/doc...=1678369710974
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/moder...rade-solution/
(Includes a range table for Detection, Recognition and Identification of targets.)

It's not even an M60A3 SLEP though it's the weakest of the upgrades as far as the turret in particular is concerned but it has the M256 120mm as was carried on both the M1A1 & M1A2 ABRAMS (Early.) plus a RWS 25MM CG.
Further it's powered by a 1200HP engine.
https://fighting-vehicles.com/tanks/m60a3-slep-tank/

Similar to the SLEP ...
https://fighting-vehicles.com/tanks/...n-battle-tank/
https://www.army-technology.com/projects/sabra/?cf-view
(As submitted and entered in also for Turkey. They also have just this year done a further upgrade to those tanks.) .

But "fear not" the Iranian tank looks sort like the first proposed upgrade from the early 80's it was from us so therefore you can appreciate its name the US Super M-60 and no one bought it including us. Well...

Until now by Iran and they called it the "SOLEIMAN-402" 44 years later they almost look the same as compared to the "Super M-60 (Though has less rivets and a cleaner finish.)"
https://tanknutdave.com/the-us-super...grade-package/

Like it's new counterpart in North Korea, with all those rivets it's just another "Titanic" on tracks. This shows in tank manufacturing with limited resources just how far behind these countries (Iran/North Korea some others.) (are) in tank development; I'd say at least a generation in most areas of tank development certainly construction. And SHOTORA 1 you'd almost be better off throwing rocks at the incoming missiles.

Grant it they look "modern" but, that won't help you on the "modern" battlefield.

It's late!!!! Have to sneak in "Commando" style!?!

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

Like it's new counterpart in North Korea, with all those rivets it's just another "Titanic" on tracks. This shows in tank manufacturing with limited resources just how far behind these countries in tank development; I'd say at least a generation in most areas of tank development certainly construction. And SHOTORA 1 you'd almost be better off throwing rocks at the incoming missiles.

Grant it they look "modern" but, that won't help you on the "modern" battlefield.

It's late!!!! Have to sneak in "Commando" style!?!

Regards,
Pat

Pat... the bottom line is this "upgrade" brings the Iranian M60 to the level the Israelis were at with their M60s 34 YEARS AGO with the Mag'ach 7.....maybe as good..... but probably not. They are using the "dazzlers" that even the Russians don't use any longer and the side skirts they put on it look to be little better than sheet metal.

look at the side skirt plates of this Gimel



compared to the Soleiman



It's the type of target the Warthogs were designed to chew up

( FWIW I now have the correct photo for the Mag'ach 7A ( Alef) into the game now )

ALSO

https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/0...-israeli-m60t/

claims

the enlarged turret complicates the driver’s task of exiting the tank through the hatch. To navigate this challenge, the turret must swivel to a 90-degree angle, enabling the driver to exit safely.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

From the para you quoted from, I'm right there with you ...
"This shows in tank manufacturing with limited resources just how far behind these countries (Iran/North Korea) (are) in tank development; I'd say at least a generation in most areas of tank development certainly construction. "

It's NOT even as good as the Israeli tank for one Israel (And some others.) are on par or near peer in tank development to include armor though DU certainly still has its advantages.

I'm not seeing any signs of ceramic or applique armor on that Iranian tank I see armor steel riveted over an M-60 tank with some ERA. Not unlike the North Korean one or the CHALLENGER 2 from Ukraine where at least they made an effort to make it look "presentable".

Iran had the same issues somewhat recently with F-16A modernization which was to simply just to keeping them flying and really nothing more. I wonder how many "micro-cracks" some of those fuselages have as those jets date back to the late 70's with less than a handful received before we cancelled the order for 160 fighters with the fall of the Shah in 1979. It is thought of the rest came from Venezuela in the early 2000's but would've been just as old as what they got from us. They don't have very many of them.

My thinking is the Israeli UNIT 035 Mag'ach 6R is closer with some minor adjustment for the side skirts but that's just me.

Regards,
Pat

[Stratos]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

Iran had the same issues somewhat recently with F-16A modernization which was to simply just to keeping them flying and really nothing more. I wonder how many "micro-cracks" some of those fuselages have as those jets date back to the late 70's with less than a handful received before we cancelled the order for 160 fighters with the fall of the Shah in 1979. It is thought of the rest came from Venezuela in the early 2000's but would've been just as old as what they got from us. They don't have very many of them.

Are you talking about the F-14A Tomcat? Iran never received the F-16's.