(VIDEO) Iranian Military Upgrades, Modernizes Inherited American-Made M60 Tanks
(VIDEO) To ensure that the M60 tanks inherited from the pre-1979 era remain capable of meeting modern warfare challenges, the Iranian Armed Forces have upgraded and equipped them with several modern features.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Iranian Armed Forces are believed to still possess around 150 American-made M60 tanks, inherited from the era before the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
This number has significantly decreased from the approximately 460 tanks they had in the pre-1979 era.
To ensure that these M60 tanks, inherited from the pre-1979 era, remain capable of meeting modern warfare challenges, the Iranian Armed Forces have upgraded and modernized them as well named them as “Soleiman-402.”
The M60 tanks, originally developed in the late 1950s, have undergone significant transformations.
Observers note that the most striking change is the upgraded turret of the Iranian M60 tanks, which has likely been completely replaced with a new one.
While it is difficult to identify the specific modifications, the changes made by Iranian experts are markedly different from the original M60 turrets.
The upgraded turret appears to have enhanced defensive capabilities and is equipped with modern combat modules and a Remote Control Weapon System (RCWS), indicating a design in line with contemporary tanks in the market.
There is also speculation that the upgraded M60 tanks now feature a larger caliber gun compared to the original 105mm cannon.
It is suggested that Iran may have equipped the upgraded M60 tanks with a 125mm cannon, the standard caliber for Russian-made tanks.
Given that the M60 tanks were manufactured by the American defense industry, there is also a possibility that the upgraded Iranian M60 tanks are now fitted with a 120mm cannon.
Observers note that Iranian experts have enhanced the firepower and protection of the upgraded M60 tanks by outfitting them with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) and Composite Armor SLERA on the hull and turret, similar to modern tanks.
Additionally, the tanks are equipped with Thermal Imaging systems to ensure high precision targeting.
One unique feature identified by observers in the upgraded Iranian M60 tanks is their similarity to the M60T Sabra tanks, which were upgraded several years ago and are still in service with the Israeli armed forces.
The design of the turret and panoramic view of the upgraded Iranian M60 tanks resembles that of the M60T Sabra tanks.
This raises questions about whether Iran’s M60 tank modernization and upgrade program is another example of “reverse engineering” from the Israeli M60T Sabra tanks. – DSA
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