Is the m60 still used?

Is the M60 Still Used?

The M60 is a legendary American tank that has been in service for over six decades. Designed and developed in the 1950s, it was one of the first main battle tanks to be fielded by the United States military. Since its introduction, the M60 has seen extensive action in various conflicts around the world, including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But with the development of newer and more advanced tank designs, the question remains: is the M60 still used?

Early Years and Service

The M60 was first introduced in 1960 and quickly became a mainstay of the US Army’s armored forces. It was designed to be a more powerful and heavily armored alternative to the earlier M48 Patton tank. The M60 was powered by a 750 horsepower diesel engine and had a top speed of around 30 miles per hour. It was armed with a 105mm M68 cannon and had a crew of four.

During the Vietnam War, the M60 played a significant role in supporting US ground troops. It was often used to provide suppressive fire and to knock out enemy bunkers and fortifications. The tank’s armor was also found to be effective against enemy anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Post-Vietnam and Modernization

After the Vietnam War, the M60 underwent several modernization programs to improve its firepower, mobility, and armor. The most significant upgrade was the addition of a new turret and fire control system, which allowed the tank to engage targets more accurately and at longer ranges. The tank’s armor was also upgraded with the addition of reactive armor, which helped to protect it against anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Despite these upgrades, the M60 began to be phased out of service in the 1990s and replaced by more modern tank designs, such as the M1 Abrams. The M60 was deemed to be too heavy and expensive to maintain, and its armor was no longer considered adequate against modern anti-tank threats.

Current Status

So, is the M60 still used? The answer is yes, but only in limited numbers and in certain roles. While the M60 is no longer used as a main battle tank, it is still used in some countries as a support tank or a tank trainer. For example, the United States still has a small number of M60s in service, primarily for training and testing purposes.

Here are some examples of countries that still use the M60:

• Israel: The Israeli military still operates a small number of M60s, which are used primarily for training and reserve purposes.
• South Korea: The South Korean military operates a large number of M60s, which are used as support tanks and for reserve purposes.
• Thailand: The Thai military operates a small number of M60s, which are used primarily for training and reserve purposes.

Table: Countries that Still Use the M60

Conclusion

The M60 is a legendary tank that has been in service for over six decades. While it is no longer used as a main battle tank, it is still used in some countries as a support tank or a tank trainer. Its legacy lives on in the many countries that still operate the tank, and its design has influenced the development of many modern tank designs.