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| Sabra | |
|---|---|
 Turkish M60 upgraded with the Sabra Mk II package | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2007–present |
| Used by | Turkish Land Forces |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israel Military Industries |
| Manufacturer | Israel Military Industries ROKETSAN (under license) |
| Unit cost |
|
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
|
| Length | 6.95 m (22.8 ft)[2] |
| Width | 3.63 m (11.9 ft)[2] |
| Height | 3.27 m (10.7 ft)[2] |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor |
|
Main armament | 120 mm MG253 gun |
Secondary armament |
|
| Engine |
|
| Power/weight | 16.95 hp/ton (Mk.II) |
| Payload capacity |
|
| Transmission |
|
| Suspension | Independent,trailing arm |
| Fuel capacity | 200 L (44 imp gal; 53 US gal) (internal fuel) |
Operational range | 450 km (280 mi) (all variants) |
| Maximum speed | |
TheSabra (Hebrew:סברה, "prickly pear") is a family of tank upgrade package developed byIsrael Military Industries for export market.[4][5] The Mk II version of this upgrade package was used in one of the threeTurkish Army's modernization programs ofM60T tanks.[2][6]
The Sabra was initially developed as a further evolution of theMagach 7C.[7] The ballistic profile of theappliqué armor was improved and it incorporated the MG253 120 mm gun developed by IMI.[8] 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 the Sabra Mk II (a further modified version of the Sabra) for its upgrade program, which was intended as a stopgap measure. A contract estimated to be worth $687 millionUSD was signed on March 29, 2002.[9] The first Sabra Mk II was delivered for Turkish trials in 2005 and 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 upgrade kits supplied by IMI.[7]
The Mk I was essentially an upgraded Magach 7C. It incorporated a new 120 mm gun developed by IMI, improved applique armor, and the Knightfire control system fromElbit Systems. The running gear would also be upgraded from the Magach to improve cross-country mobility. The hybrid electric and hydraulic turret traverse system from the Magach 7C is replaced with an all-electric system.[8]
Unlike the Mk I which used a low-profile commander'scupola, 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. The Mk II also uses a more powerfulMTU Friedrichshafen engine built under license in Turkey (MTU Turk A.S.), and aRenk transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The Mk II is also equipped withexplosive reactive armor.[1] Total 170 M60A1 tanks of theTurkish Land Forces were upgraded by the Turkish military's 2nd Main Maintenance Center with Sabra Mk II package to M60T with Israeli cooperation.[10] Most of the systems except the armor package were built under license, benefiting from technology transfer within Turkey.[11][12] The Sabra can carry 500 litres of diesel fuel.[12]
The Sabra Mk III incorporates armor technology, cannon, theRWR/IR warning system, and tracks from theMerkava Mk IV.[13][7]
Turkey – 170 Sabra Mk II upgrade packages sold to theTurkish Land Forces.[2]
| Main battle | |
|---|---|
| Light /medium | |
| Prototypes, experimentals | |
Background:History of the tank,Tank classification | |
