Press Release
Contact: Dean Lockwood, Weapons Systems Analyst
Phone: (203) 426-0800
Fax: (203) 426-1964
Web site: www.forecast1.com
E-mail:
dean.lockwood@forecast1.com
Forecast International, Inc.
22 Commerce Rd. Newtown, CT 06470 USA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Forecast International Re-evaluates Main Battle Tank
Market
Ranks M1A2 SEP Abrams
World's Best Combat Tank
PARIS, [June 14, 2004] ― In light of the global war on
terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Forecast International Weapons Group
has re-evaluated its annual ranking of the world's best main battle tanks.
With an unmatched combat record in Operation Desert Storm (1991) and Operation
Iraqi Freedom (2003-present), the M1A1 Abrams by General Dynamics Land Systems
Division has clearly proven itself to be the premier main battle tank in
service today. Based on its combat debut with the U.S. 4th Infantry Division
(Mechanized) during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement
Package) Abrams now sets the international standard for main battle tank
performance.
"With the demands of the global war on terror, we no longer
have the luxury of evaluating weapons systems solely on their performance in
the safe confines of a training environment," said Dean Lockwood, author of the
Forecast International rankings. "For man and machine alike, combat has a way
of revealing previously unknown strengths and weaknesses," Lockwood said.
When viewed through the prism of actual combat performance,
the annual main battle tank ranking takes on a radically different character
from years past. The Israel Ordnance Corps Merkava Mark IV moves up to second
place in the Forecast International ranking. Although generally considered to
be outside the mainstream of international tank development, the Merkava series
is uniquely suited for the demands of the Israeli security environment. Like
the M1A1 Abrams, the Merkava can boast a proven combat record.
Japan's Type 90, by Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, maintains its third-place position on the Forecast
International list. Drawing heavily on German Leopard 2 technology, the Type 90
is arguably the most technologically advanced main battle tank in service
today. However, the Type 90 suffers from being untried in combat. As such,
its performance remains essentially theoretical. For the same reason, the
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Leopard 2A6 falls to fourth place. The oft-praised
advanced features of the Leopard 2 and the integration of the Rh 120/55 main
armament simply cannot compensate for the fact that the Leopard 2A6 remains
untested in the crucible of combat.
Fifth place on the
Forecast International ranking belongs to the British Challenger 2 by Vickers
Defence Systems Division. Like the Abrams, the Challenger 2 has earned a solid
combat record during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In comparison with the other
tanks on this list, however, the Challenger 2 suffers from the lack of
NATO-standard ordnance. Should the U.K. Ministry of Defence adopt the
NATO-standard 120mm Rh 120 ordnance as part of the Challenger Lethality
Improvement Program (CLIP), the Challenger 2 will likely take over second place
on this list.
Forecast International, Inc., is a leading provider of
Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power
systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast
International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market
presentations, including regular 10-year forecasts. Its products are utilized
by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and
governments worldwide. To arrange an interview with Forecast
International's analysts, please contact Monty Nebinger (203-426-0800,
monty.nebinger@forecast1.com)