Sabra (tank upgrade package)
| 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 | |
The Sabra (Hebrew: סברה, "prickly pear") is a family of tank upgrade package developed by Israel Military Industries for export market.[4][5] The Mk II version of this upgrade package was used in one of the three Turkish Army's modernization programs of M60T tanks.[2][6]
Overview
The Sabra was initially developed as a further evolution of the Magach 7C.[7] The ballistic profile of the appliqué 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 million USD 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]
Variants
- Sabra Mk I
The Mk I was essentially an upgraded Magach 7C. It incorporated a new 120 mm gun developed by IMI, improved applique armor, and the Knight fire control system from Elbit 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]
- Sabra Mk II / M60T
Unlike the Mk I which used a low-profile commander's cupola, 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 powerful MTU Friedrichshafen engine built under license in Turkey (MTU Turk A.S.), and a Renk transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The Mk II is also equipped with explosive reactive armor.[1] Total 170 M60A1 tanks of the Turkish 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]
- Sabra Mk III
The Sabra Mk III incorporates armor technology, cannon, the RWR/IR warning system, and tracks from the Merkava Mk IV.[13][7]
Users
- Turkey – 170 Sabra Mk II upgrade packages sold to the Turkish Land Forces.[2]
See also
- Magach, served as the starting point for the Sabra design.
- M60-2000, an alternative upgrade option from General Dynamics Land Systems which was also offered to Turkey.
References
- ^ a b c d "Sabra Main Battle Tank, Israel". Army-Technology.com. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g "M60T Tank". Undersecretariat for Defence Industries. Archived from the original on 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
- ^ a b "Sabra Main Battle Tank". Military Analysis Network. Federation of American Scientists (FAS). Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ "The Old Patton M60 Tank Keeps Getting Souped up (And Deadlier Than Ever)". 8 September 2019.
- ^ D, Dave. "The Israeli Sabra M60A1/A3 Upgrade Package". TankNutDave.com. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ "Turkish Army Receives Modernized M60TM Main Battle Tanks". MilitaryLeak. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
- ^ a b c "Merkava Remains at Forefront of Israel's Armoured Arsenal". Nation Shield. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
- ^ a b Gelbart, Marsh (2004). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985-2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 1-84176-579-1.
- ^ Ahronheim, Anna (17 October 2019). "Turkey using Israeli-upgraded tanks in anti-Kurd offensive in Syria". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 7 January 2026.
- ^ Eshel, Noam (2010-04-15). "Turkey Reveals the First Image of its National Tank". Defense Update. Archived from the original on 2025-05-20. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ Kogan, Eugene (September 2005). Cooperation in the Israeli-Turkish Defence Industry (PDF) (Report). Conflict Studies Research Centre, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. ISBN 1-905058-38-1. Middle East Series 05/43. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 November 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Nash, David (2017-06-11). "Sabra (M60T) main battle tank". Tank Encyclopedia. Tank-AFV. Retrieved 2025-12-18.
- ^ Sabra - Main battle tank