Main battle tanks are often classified as belonging to a particular generation, although the actual definition and membership in these generations are not defined. Soviet military planners organize tanks with the first generation of tanks up to 1950, and four generations of tanks (with the first main battle tank being the third-generation T-64 ), while American strategists organize main battle tanks into three generations. The military of the People's Republic of China also recognizes three generations of its own tanks.
7-676: EMBT (also E-MBT ) is a French-German prototype of the enhanced fourth-generation main battle tank (MBT) developed and manufactured by the KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS). The tank was presented during the Eurosatory 2018, and 2022. The new version was presented during the Eurosatory 2024. First prototype tank was presented as European Main Battle Tank in 2018 and combines a Leopard 2A7 chassis with
14-512: A Leclerc 120mm turret operated by only 2 crew members instead of 3 thanks to the autoloader. Since the Leclerc features a lighter autoloading turret, compared with the manually loaded Leopard 2A7, the EMBT is lighter and has a growth potential of around 6t. Second prototype tank was presented as Enhanced Main Battle Tank in 2022 and features a 120-millimeter Ascalon main gun . Third prototype tank
21-471: Is based on timeframe and technical factors, as a basis for further discussion. 1976 (Pz57) 12 The second generation had enhanced night-fighting capabilities and in most cases NBC protection . Most western tanks of this generation were armed with the 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 tank gun or derivatives of it. The third generation of main battle tanks is characterized by composite armour and computer stabilized fire control systems, which allow firing on
28-800: The autonomous selection and queuing of weapon systems on board the platform to successfully prosecute targets in order of priority. The 2024 version will be further developed and is a kind of technology demonstrator for the Main Ground Combat System . Expected to enter service in 2035, the MGCS will replace the European Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks. List of main battle tanks by generation#Fourth Generation In 1973, Rolf Hilmes saw three tank generations and three "intermediate generations", which consisted mainly of upgraded vehicles. The first generation of main battle tanks
35-412: The move as well as very high first hit probability on targets up to 2,000 meters away. These are third-generation tanks modernized with fourth-generation technology. A generation of tanks developed since the beginning of the 21st century and implemented since the 2010s. In August 2023, Hungary announced that it will join the development. A generation of tanks developed since the beginning around of
42-922: Was based on or influenced by designs of World War II , most notably the Soviet T-34 . The second generation was equipped with NBC protection (only sometimes), night-vision devices, a stabilized main gun and at least a mechanical fire-control system. The third generation is in Western parlance determined by the usage of thermal imagers, digital fire-control systems and special (composite) armour (Soviet doctrine, however, de-emphasizes thermal vision and electronic fire control, preferring large-caliber gun and engines of high power). However, Hilmes acknowledged that tanks cannot be definitively grouped by generations, as each tank-producing country develops and introduces its tanks in tune with its own ideas and needs. He also states that breakdown of postwar tanks by generations
49-591: Was presented as EMBT ADT140 in 2024 and features a 140-millimeter Ascalon main gun with an autoloader and a coaxial 20×102-millimeter automatic gun and a remote controlled weapon station with ARX30 30mm x 113mm. Tank features six anti-drone radars, four laser and missile warning sensors, an acoustic gunshot detector and provides 360-degree coverage of the surroundings for enhanced situational awareness. EMBT also includes French Ministry of Defense's Prometheus active protection system, AI-enabled “SAFE” fire control system, an internally developed solution designed to assist
#262737