Range is one of the most overrated parameters in tank rankings. Promotional materials may show 600 or 700 km, but in real-world operation, almost all modern vehicles fall within the same range.
"Pervyy Tekhnicheskiy" compared heavy armored vehicles by range and identified the winner. For a fair comparison, we considered highway driving without external tanks, in standard configuration.
5. M1A2 Abrams (USA)
The M1A2 Abrams has a range of about 400–425 km, but in practice, its autonomy is limited by the high fuel consumption of its gas turbine engine. It provides power and dynamics but sharply increases dependence on logistics.
Even when stationary with systems running, the Abrams consumes fuel faster than diesel counterparts, which reduces its actual autonomy in prolonged operations.
4. Leopard 2A7 (Germany)
The Leopard 2A7 has a range of approximately 420–450 km, maintaining a balance between a powerful diesel engine and a high weight of over 60 tons.
Despite an efficient engine, the increased weight of modern modifications directly affects fuel consumption.
3. Challenger 2 (United Kingdom)
The Challenger 2 has a range of about 450–480 km, ensuring stable operation at operational distances without frequent refueling.
Thanks to its diesel engine and relatively balanced weight, it slightly outperforms heavier American and German vehicles in fuel efficiency.
2. T-90M "Proryv" (Russia)
The T-90M "Proryv" shows a range of about 450–500 km, while remaining one of the most compact and lightest vehicles in its class.
Its lower weight and efficient layout allow it to maintain a good balance between fuel consumption and combat weight.
1. K2 Black Panther (South Korea)
The K2 Black Panther has a range of over 500 km, demonstrating a high level of energy efficiency thanks to its modern power plant and optimized weight.
In ideal conditions, it can show slightly better results in driving economy, but this advantage remains minimal and does not form a separate class in terms of autonomy.
If marketing figures and external tanks are removed, it becomes obvious that modern tanks hardly differ in range.
All of them are within a corridor of approximately 400–500 km, and the difference between them is measured not in hundreds, but in tens of kilometers.