If you are a fan of military vehicles, you might be curious about which tanks are the fastest in the world. Speed is an important factor for tanks, as it allows them to maneuver quickly on the battlefield, evade enemy fire, and pursue or retreat from their targets. In this blog post, we will rank the top 10 fastest tanks in the world and explain what makes them fast.
10. Challenger 2 (UK) – 37 mph (59 km/h)
The Challenger 2 is the main battle tank of the British Army and the Royal Army of Oman. It is an upgraded version of the Challenger 1, which was used in the Gulf War and the Balkans. The Challenger 2 has a 120 mm rifled gun, a composite armor, and a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system. It can reach a maximum speed of 37 mph (59 km/h) on road and 25 mph (40 km/h) off-road.
9. Stridsvagn 103 (Sweden) – 38 mph (61.2 km/h)
The Stridsvagn 103, also known as the S-Tank, is a unique tank design that was used by the Swedish Army from 1967 to 1997. It has no turret, but instead uses an adjustable suspension system to elevate or depress its 105 mm gun. The S-Tank can also reverse at the same speed as it can go forward, making it very agile and flexible. It can reach a maximum speed of 38 mph (61.2 km/h) on road and 31 mph (50 km/h) off-road.
8. T-90S (Russia) – 40 mph (64.4 km/h)
The T-90S is an export version of the T-90, which is the main battle tank of the Russian Army and several other countries. It is a modernized variant of the T-72, which was widely used in the Cold War and various conflicts around the world. The T-90S has a 125 mm smoothbore gun, a reactive armor, and an infrared jamming system. It can reach a maximum speed of 40 mph (64.4 km/h) on road and 28 mph (45 km/h) off-road.
7. AMX-56 Leclerc (France) – 40 mph (64.4 km/h)
The AMX-56 Leclerc is the main battle tank of the French Army and the United Arab Emirates Army. It is named after General Philippe Leclerc, who led the Free French Forces during World War II. The Leclerc has a 120 mm smoothbore gun, a modular armor, and an autoloader system that reduces its crew to three. It can reach a maximum speed of 40 mph (64.4 km/h) on road and 31 mph (50 km/h) off-road.
6. M1A1 Abrams (USA) – 42 mph (67.6 km/h)
The M1A1 Abrams is an upgraded version of the M1 Abrams, which is the main battle tank of the United States Army and several other countries. It was first used in combat during the Gulf War in 1991, where it proved its superiority over Iraqi tanks. The M1A1 Abrams has a 120 mm smoothbore gun, a depleted uranium armor, and a gas turbine engine that gives it high mobility and power. It can reach a maximum speed of 42 mph (67.6 km/h) on road and 30 mph (48 km/h) off-road.
5. Leopard 2 (Germany) – 43 mph (70 km/h)
The Leopard 2 is the main battle tank of Germany and many other European and non-European countries. It is a successor to the Leopard 1, which was one of the first tanks to use a modern fire control system and thermal imaging sights. The Leopard 2 has a 120 mm smoothbore gun, a composite armor, and a digital command and control system. It can reach a maximum speed of 43 mph (70 km/h) on road and 31 mph (50 km/h) off-road.
4. M41 Walker Bulldog (USA) – 45 mph (72.4 km/h)
The M41 Walker Bulldog is a light tank that was used by the United States Army and several other countries from 1951 to 1970s. It is named after General Walton Walker, who commanded the US forces in Korea. The M41 Walker Bulldog has a 76 mm gun, a torsion bar suspension, and a gasoline engine that gives it high speed and acceleration. It can reach a maximum speed of 45 mph (72.4 km/h) on road and 25 mph (40 km/h) off-road.
3. M18 Hellcat (USA) – 55 mph (89 km/h) on road & 26 mph (42 km/h) off-road
The M18 Hellcat is a tank destroyer that was used by the United States Army during World War II. It is the fastest tracked armored vehicle ever built, and was designed to exploit its speed and firepower to hunt down enemy tanks. The M18 Hellcat has a 76 mm gun, a torsion bar suspension, and a radial engine that gives it exceptional performance. It can reach a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h) on road and 26 mph (42 km/h) off-road.
2. T-14 Armata (Russia) – 47–50 mph (75–80 km/h)
The T-14 Armata is a new generation of main battle tank that is being developed by Russia. It is expected to enter service in the near future, and will replace the older T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks. The T-14 Armata has a 125 mm smoothbore gun, an active protection system, and an unmanned turret that reduces its crew to three. It can reach a maximum speed of 47–50 mph (75–80 km/h) on road and 37–40 mph (60–65 km/h) off-road.
1. FV101 Scorpion (UK) – 51.1 mph (82.2 km/h)
The FV101 Scorpion is a reconnaissance vehicle that was used by the British Army and several other countries from 1973 to 1994. It is the fastest tank ever recorded, and holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest production tank. The FV101 Scorpion has a 76 mm gun, an aluminum armor, and a diesel engine that gives it high speed and endurance. It can reach a maximum speed of 51.1 mph (82.2 km/h) on road and 31 mph (50 km/h) off-road.
