The M60 Patton tank—a Cold War juggernaut—is back in action in 2024, but not in the way anyone expected. As part of a $400 million U.S. aid package to Ukraine¹, the M60 is arriving not as a combat tank but as a bridge-deploying machine, ready to help Ukrainian forces cross rivers and fortifications with ease.
How has this 60-year-old design stayed relevant? From Cold War tank-killer to versatile support vehicle, the M60’s legacy is built on upgrades, battlefield successes, and constant adaptation.
Here are 15 ways this tank continues to shape modern conflicts.
1. Countering the Soviet Threat
Introduced in 1960, the M60 Patton tank was designed to counter the threat posed by Soviet T-54/T-55 medium tanks during the Cold War era.
2. 105mm Main Gun: a Force to Be Reckoned With
Armed with a powerful 105mm main gun, the M60 could engage enemy tanks effectively at ranges up to 2,000 yards, providing significant firepower against armored targets.
3. Diesel Power, Impressive Range
Powered by a Continental V-12 559.7KW air-cooled, twin-turbocharged diesel engine, the M60 boasted a range of just over 300 miles, making it a true battlefield workhorse.
4. Yom Kippur War: Proving Ground
Israeli forces first employed the M60 under the “Magach 6” designation during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where it performed admirably against comparable Soviet-made tanks like the T-62.
5. Flexibility Fuels Longevity
The spacious interior layout of the M60 allowed for numerous upgrades over the decades, adapting to evolving warfare and technological advancements, contributing significantly to its long service life.
6. Marines’ Trusty Steed
While the U.S. Army transitioned to the M1 Abrams, the Marine Corps continued to rely on the M60 for many years. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Marine M60A1s effectively defeated Iraqi armored forces, (ref) including T-72 tanks, proving their worth in modern combat scenarios.
7. Worldwide Adoption
Since its introduction, the M60 has been used by the militaries of 22 nations. As of 2015, Egypt remains the largest operator with 1,716 upgraded M60A3s, followed by Turkey with 866 units.
8. Cutting-Edge Fire Control
The M60A3 variant featured a computerized ballistics system, thermal sight, and an improved laser rangefinder, significantly enhancing its combat effectiveness.
9. Beyond the Battle: Versatility in Action
Serving as the basis for a wide variety of utility and support vehicles, the M60’s hull was adapted for roles such as armored recovery, bridge laying, and combat engineering.
10. Desert Storm Dominance
Operation Desert Storm marked the United States’ largest deployment of M60s, where they proved highly effective against Iraqi armor, showcasing the tank’s enduring capabilities even as newer models entered service.
11. Explosive Reactive Armor: A Game-Changer
During the 1982 Lebanon War, Israeli forces equipped their M60s with explosive reactive armor, significantly improving their survivability against guided missiles.
12. Enduring Service
M60-series vehicles continue to serve in the militaries of numerous countries, often with significant upgrades, despite being retired from U.S. front-line service in 1997.
13. Refusing to Retire
With its robust design and adaptability, the M60 has remained relevant for over six decades, a testament to its engineering and combat effectiveness. Its longevity has surprised many military analysts, who initially expected the tank to be phased out much earlier.
14. Bridging the Gap
Recently promised to Ukraine, the M60 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) variant can deploy a 60-foot bridge capable of supporting heavy vehicles, showcasing the platform’s versatility beyond combat roles.
15. Inspiring Future Generations
The M60’s design principles have influenced subsequent tank developments worldwide, setting benchmarks for durability and adaptability in armored vehicle design, with its impact on modern military technology still felt today.
Source:
1. Militarnyi
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
