Sabra Main battle tank (Israel)

The Sabra main battle tank is an extensive upgrade of the M60A3. This upgrade was developed in Israel to extend service life of the ageing M60 series tanks and making them more capable. Upgraded tanks have increased lethality, protection and mobility. These main battle tanks are currently in service only with Turkey. A contract to upgrade 170 Turkish Army M60 main battle tanks to the Sabra Mk.2 standard was awarded to Israel Military Industries (IMI) in 2002. The first prototype was delivered for trials and evaluation in 2005. It entered service with the Turkish Army and is locally known as the M60T. A total of 170 Turkish Army tanks were upgraded. These tanks made their first combat debut in 2016 during a Turkish military operation in Syria against Kurdish fighters.

Vehicle is fitted with new modular armor protection. Upgraded vehicles retain their original, but up-armored turrets. Upgraded tanks are equipped with automatic fire suppression systems.

The Sabra main battle tank is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun. This gun was developed in Israel and is similar to the Merkava Mk.3 gun. It is significantly superior to the original 105 mm gun installed on the M60 series tanks. This gun is capable of firing all standard NATO 120 mm ammunition. This gun is loaded manually. A total of 42 rounds for the main gun are carried. The Sabra also has new Knight fire control system.

Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, and two machine guns of the same caliber mounted on top of the roof. Alternatively a 5.45 mm machine gun can be used. The Sabra MBT is also fitted with a 60 mm mortar.

The Sabra main battle tank has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

Vehicle is powered by Continental AVDS-1790-5A turbocharged diesel engine, developing 900 horsepower. Chassis of the M60A3 has been upgraded to coupe with increased weight and for better cross-country mobility.

Sabra Mk.1 an upgraded version of the Magach 7C, fitted with a 120 mm gun, improved add-on armor and new fire control system. Running gear was also upgraded.

Sabra Mk.2 is fitted with modular passive armor and explosive reactive armor. Modular armor can be easily replaced if damaged or upgraded if more advanced armor is available. This version can be identified by a large M60-style commander cupola. It is powered by a more powerful German MTU 881 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. The Sabra Mk.2 is in service with the Turkish Army and is locally known as the M60T.

Sabra Mk.3 is fitted with armor, similar to that of the Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank. Commander's machine gun is enclosed and operated remotely.

M60T is an upgraded version of the Turkish M60A3 tanks to the Sabra Mk.2 standard. The M60T is a Turkish designation. A contract to upgrade 170 Turkish M60 main battle tanks was awarded to IMI in 2002. The first prototype was delivered for trials and evaluation in 2005. Eventually all 170 tanks were delivered. The M60T tanks saw their first combat debut in 2016 during military operation in Syria. In 2017 an upgraded version of the M60T was introduced. The project was known as FIRAT-M60T. Upgraded tank was fitted with a remotely-controlled weapon station armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun. It was also fitted with laser warning receiver and 360° view cameras. Turkey upgraded at least some of its M60T series tanks to the new standard.