Sabra (tank)
Encyclopedia
The Sabra is an extensively upgraded M60 Patton
tank developed by Israel Military Industries
. A version of this upgrade package was selected for the Turkish Army
's main battle tank
modernization program. The Sabra is known as the M60T in Turkish service.
The Mk.I was essentially an upgraded Magach 7C. It incorporated a new 120 mm gun developed by IMI, improved applique armor, and the Knight fire control system from Elbit Systems
. The running gear would also be upgraded from the Magach to improve cross-country mobility. The hybrid electric and hydraulic system from the Magach 7C is replaced with an all electric system.
Sabra Mk.II / M60T
Unlike the Mk.I which used a low-profile commander's cupola
, the Mk.II retained the larger M60 Patton style M19 cupola with the M85 12.7 mm machine gun found on the M60s in Turkish service. This version would also include a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV
). The Mk.II also uses a more powerful MTU Friedrichshafen
engine built under license in Turkey (MTU Turk A.S.), and a Renk
transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The Mk.II is also equipped with explosive reactive armor. The tanks were upgraded by the Turkish military's 2nd Main Maintenance Center with Israeli cooperation. All the systems except the armor package were built under license with technology transfer in Turkey. Gas tank can accommodate up to 500 litres of diesel fuel.
Sabra Mk.III
The Sabra Mk.III incorporates armor technology, the RWR/IR
warning system, and tracks from the Merkava
Mk.IV.
M60 Patton
The 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank, M60, also known unofficially as the M60 Patton, is a first-generation main battle tank introduced in December 1960. It was widely used by the U.S. and its Cold War allies, especially those in NATO, and remains in service throughout the world today...
tank developed by Israel Military Industries
Israel Military Industries
Israel Weapons Industries , formerly the "Magen" division of the Israel Military Industries Ltd. is an Israeli firearms manufacturer. In 2005, the Small Arms Division of IMI was privatized....
. A version of this upgrade package was selected for the Turkish Army
Turkish Army
The Turkish Army or Turkish Land Forces is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The modern history of the army began with its formation after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire...
's main battle tank
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
modernization program. The Sabra is known as the M60T in Turkish service.
Overview
The Sabra was initially developed as a further evolution of the Magach 7C. The ballistic profile of the appliqué armor was improved, and it incorporated the MG253 120 mm gun developed by IMI. The upgrade package was first offered to Turkey as an option for its tank modernization program, and later offered for general export. The Turkish government selected a further modified version of the Sabra (the Sabra Mk.II) for its upgrade program, and contract was signed on March 29, 2002, estimated to be worth $688 million USD. The first Sabra Mk.II was delivered for Turkish trials in 2005, and it passed qualifications in May, 2006. 170 were upgraded between 2007 and April, 2009. The upgrades were undertaken by the Turkish Army's 2nd Main Maintenance Center Command, with the upgrade kits supplied by IMI.Variants
Sabra Mk.IThe Mk.I was essentially an upgraded Magach 7C. It incorporated a new 120 mm gun developed by IMI, improved applique armor, and the Knight fire control system from Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is one of the world's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators. Established in 1967, and based in Haifa, Israel, Elbit employs 11,000 people worldwide....
. The running gear would also be upgraded from the Magach to improve cross-country mobility. The hybrid electric and hydraulic system from the Magach 7C is replaced with an all electric system.
Sabra Mk.II / M60T
Unlike the Mk.I which used a low-profile commander's cupola
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
, the Mk.II retained the larger M60 Patton style M19 cupola with the M85 12.7 mm machine gun found on the M60s in Turkish service. This version would also include a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV
CITV (disambiguation)
CITV may refer to one of the following:* CITV, children's television block on the British ITV network* CITV-DT, Global Television Network owned-and-operated station in Edmonton, Alberta* CITV , local government-run channel in Bermuda...
). The Mk.II also uses a more powerful MTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909...
engine built under license in Turkey (MTU Turk A.S.), and a Renk
Renk
RENK AG is a German company, part of the MAN Group. It has its headquarters in Augsburg, and is producer of gears, other components of propulsion technology and test systems. It is currently the leading manufacturer of transmissions for tracked vehicles, worldwide and a major supplier for marine...
transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The Mk.II is also equipped with explosive reactive armor. The tanks were upgraded by the Turkish military's 2nd Main Maintenance Center with Israeli cooperation. All the systems except the armor package were built under license with technology transfer in Turkey. Gas tank can accommodate up to 500 litres of diesel fuel.
Sabra Mk.III
The Sabra Mk.III incorporates armor technology, the RWR/IR
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
warning system, and tracks from the Merkava
Merkava
The Merkava is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces. The tank began development in 1974 and was first introduced in 1978. Four main versions of the tank have been deployed. It was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War...
Mk.IV.
See also
- MagachMagachMagach designation refers to a series of tanks in Israeli service. The tanks are based on the American M48 and M60 Patton tanks. Magach 1, 2, 3 and 5 are based upon M48 tanks; Magach 6 and 7 are based upon M60 tanks.-Service history:...
- Served as the starting point for the Sabra design. - M60-2000M60-2000 Main Battle TankThe M60-2000, or 120S, is modernized M60 Patton main battle tank marketed for export by General Dynamics Land Systems . The development of the M60-2000 was primarily due to thousands of M60 MBTs in service with many nations unable to afford a sufficient force of more modern main battle tanks...
- An alternative upgrade option from General Dynamics Land SystemsGeneral Dynamics Land SystemsIn February 1982 Chrysler announced the sale of Chrysler Defense, its profitable defense subsidiary to General Dynamics for US$348.5 million. The sale was completed in March 1982 for the revised figure of US$336.1 million. General Dynamics renamed the division General Dynamics Land Systems. In 2003...
which was also offered to Turkey.