15:17 29-04-2026

T-72 Named Best Tank by The National Interest in Global Ranking

Mil.ru, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The National Interest ranks the Russian T-72 as the best modern tank, highlighting its survivability, protection, and adaptability over newer models.

In a recent analysis, the American publication The National Interest compiled a list of the best modern tanks, evaluating not only traditional combat power but also their performance in real-world conflicts, particularly those of a high intensity.

The British Challenger 2 tank ranked 10th on the list. This tank, currently in service with both the UK and Oman, performed well in operations in Bosnia and Iraq, where it faced adversaries of similar strength. However, in the context of the Ukrainian conflict, the Challenger 2 has shown significant weaknesses. Its heavy weight proved to be a major issue, as the tank often became bogged down in soft terrain. Reports indicate that the Ukrainian military lost at least 14 of these tanks, primarily due to their lack of mobility. The National Interest suggests that the Challenger 2 is an overestimated tank.

Among the top five tanks were the South Korean K2 «Black Panther», the French Leclerc XL, the Israeli Merkava V, the American M1 Abrams, and the Russian T-72. According to the publication, the T-72 took the top spot in the ranking.

The Russian T-72 was praised for its exceptional survivability, effective protection system, long-range capability, and the ability to engage in prolonged combat without requiring resupply. Additional factors such as adaptability, upgrade potential, ease of production, and versatility were also taken into account.

Although the Russian T-14 «Armata» is one of the most advanced tanks ever built, it has rarely seen combat. The reasons for this are its high cost, complexity, and vulnerability in real battlefield conditions. As a result, Russia continues to rely on modernized T-72 tanks.

While the T-72 might seem like an unusual choice among modern tanks, it remains highly effective, even with the advent of newer weaponry like strike drones. The T-72 is still in service with more than 50 countries. Over the decades, it has undergone numerous upgrades, resulting in various versions, including the T-72A, T-72B, T-72BA, T-72B3, and the latest T-72B3M.