A modern tank has long ceased to be a machine solely for direct fire. Today, the range of engagement depends not only on the power of the gun but also on guided missiles and digital fire control systems.
"Perviy Tekhnicheskiy" has compiled a top list of tanks by fire range. Important: for a fair comparison, the rating considers the actual range of standard armament.
5. Challenger 2 (United Kingdom)
The British Challenger 2 is capable of effective operation at distances up to 4 km thanks to its rifled 120-mm L30A1 gun.
However, the tank's concept remains classic: the emphasis is on accurate direct fire, not on long-range guided munitions.
4. Leopard 2A7 (Germany)
The German Leopard 2A7 with its Rheinmetall L55 gun can confidently engage targets at ranges of about 4 km.
But the real capabilities of the "Leopard" are still limited by classic direct fire. At distances over 4 km, even modern APFSDS lose effectiveness against heavy armored vehicles.
3. M1A2 Abrams SEP v3 (USA)
The American Abrams SEP v3 operates in a range of about 4–5 km. The main advantage of the vehicle is its electronics, thermal imagers, and high probability of hitting with the first shot.
At the same time, the USA has not opted for serial tank-launched guided missiles fired through the barrel.
2. T-80BVM (Russia)
The famous "flying" T-80BVM uses guided missiles of the "Refleks" complex, which allow engaging targets at a range of up to 5 km through the barrel of its 125-mm gun.
In addition, the tank can use high-explosive fragmentation shells in a high-angle trajectory at distances over 10 km, effectively operating as light self-propelled artillery.
1. T-90M "Proryv" (Russia)
The T-90M takes the lead thanks to a combination of several factors – "Refleks-M" guided missiles with a range of up to 5 km, a modern FCS, and high versatility of application.
High-explosive fragmentation ammunition allows the T-90M to engage targets at distances of about 10–12 km from concealed positions.
If we only look at the range of direct-fire sub-caliber rounds, modern tanks are roughly at the same level – about 3–5 km.
But in real conflicts, guided missiles and operations from concealed positions are gaining increasing importance. This is where the Russian T-90M and T-80BVM gain an advantage due to the combination of ATGM, powerful ballistics, and the ability to use the tank as a versatile fire platform.
