This article looks at 15 countries with the most battle tanks in Asia. You can skip our detailed analysis on the subject, and head over directly to the 5 Countries with the Most Battle Tanks in Asia.
Tanks in Modern Warfare
The mass destruction of tanks on both sides in the conflict in Ukraine has raised doubts in certain circles about the utility of tanks in modern warfare. However, most defense analysts agree that this critical heavy combat equipment remains a piece of significant military equipment in war, especially when used alongside other weapons in synchronicity.
READ ALSO: 15 Countries with the Most Battle Tanks in the World and 15 Most Powerful Asian Countries in 2024.
The M1 Abrams, developed by General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD), is one of the most superior battle tanks in the world. These third-generation tanks are equipped with advanced electronics, improved self-defense systems, and powerful weapons. The tank is protected with a thick armor that can withstand heavy enemy fire, explosive rounds, and even chemical reactions.
The M1 Abrams is the main battle tank used by the United States, and it is also operated by several countries in Asia. In July 2021, Kuwait announced it had received the delivery of its first M1A2K tank from the US, which would enhance the operational capabilities of the Kuwaiti land forces. Taiwan is also set to receive the first batch of its 108 M1A2Ts ordered in 2019 for $2.2 billion. 38 of these will be delivered by General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) this year, with 42 to be delivered in 2025, while the remaining 28 will arrive in Taipei in 2026.
Much work is going into enhancing the protection of tanks. The US military selected Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in 2021 to integrate combat vehicle protection systems to keep tanks safe. Under the 36-month contract, the company will deliver between 5 and 20 production-ready base kits and provide testing kits for Bradley, Abrams, and Stryker fleets.
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)’s modular active protection system, which is mounted on combat vehicles, helps detect and defeat incoming threats like anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. On the other hand, General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD)’s M1 Abrams’ ammunition and fuel already reside in separate compartments to mitigate the risk of the tank’s ammunition imploding in the eventuality of the tank getting damaged. The tank’s urban survivability kit also ensures the tank’s protection.
General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is among the premier manufacturers of combat vehicles in the defense industry, specializing in both wheeled and tracked combat vehicles. Last year, the company posted an overall revenue of $42.3 billion, increasing 7.3% from 2022. Its combat systems unit which manufactures tanks had a 14.8% rise in revenues driven by a sustained demand for its combat vehicles and weapons.
The company was listed as the third-best aerospace and defense stock to buy in July this year by Insider Monkey after it posted a 9.5% YoY higher EPS of $2.88 in the first quarter of 2024. You can see the full list of top stocks to buy in the industry by heading over to the 10 Best Aerospace and Defense Stocks to Buy Now.
General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) continued its good run in Q2 as well during which it recorded a revenue of $12 billion, up 18% from the same period last year. Its earnings for the quarter were recorded at $3.26 per share, which fell short of analysts’ expectations by two cents, but were 20.7% higher YoY. Moreover, the company’s revenue from combat systems also rose 19% from last year, due to a strong performance from its artillery business and an increase in international demand for its tanks and wheeled vehicles.
While we acknowledge the potential of GD as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than GD but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Methodology
The countries with the most battle tanks in Asia are ranked in ascending order of their tank fleet size. Data has been sourced from the Global Firepower Index 2024 and our recent article from earlier in the year which listed countries with the largest fleet of battle tanks in the world.
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Let’s now head over to the list of Asian countries with the most tanks.
15 Countries with the Most Battle Tanks in Asia:
15. Iraq
Tanks: 848
Iraq has a sizable fleet of battle tanks, which include at least 140 M1A1 Abrams tanks which it received from the United States between 2005 and 2011. Other tanks which have prominently featured in Baghdad’s arsenal for decades are T-55, T-62, and T-72 tanks, of Soviet origin. However, many of these are outdated now, and Iraq’s government is actively taking measures to modify and modernize these aging tanks. As part of these efforts, the country in mid-2020 unveiled Khafil-1, a locally-built tank, which is an improved version of the T-55/Type 59 tank.
14. Azerbaijan
Tanks: 920
Azerbaijan is a rising military force in Asia and has one of the largest fleets of battle tanks in the continent. The country’s ground troops are equipped with over 900 tanks, comprising 120 T-72, 100 T-55, and 94 T-90 main battle tanks, among others. The T-90 is the most advanced combat vehicle in Azerbaijan’s arsenal and possesses capabilities to use its main cannon to fire anti-tank guided missiles against enemy targets. Azerbaijan’s military prowess was on display against Armenia in 2020 in an armed conflict that resulted in the country seizing the Nagorno-Karabakh region from Armenian control.
13. Taiwan
Tanks: 1,010
Taiwan has focused on building a strong military right since its inception due to the perceived threat of invasion from China. With a fleet size of over 1,000 tanks, it is among the countries with the most battle tanks in Asia. Most of these comprise the M60A3 and M48H CM11 tanks. The capabilities of Taiwan’s ground forces are set to be enhanced with the procurement of 108 M1A2T tanks from the United States between 2024 and 2026. The first batch of these tanks – 38 in total – are scheduled for delivery this year.
12. Jordan
Tanks: 1,365
With a fleet size of 1,365 tanks, Jordan is among countries with the most battle tanks in Asia. These include over 250 M60 tanks procured from the United States, 80 French-made Leclerc battle tanks, and several more that it acquired from the United Kingdom such as FV4030/4 Challenger 1, FV4201 Chieftain, and the Centurion.
11. Israel
Tanks: 1,370
Israel has a large fleet of battle tanks, comprising 1,370 units, which include several advanced tanks as well as modern, upgraded versions of older ones. Some of the most notable tanks used by the IDF include the 5th Gen Merkava Barak V, Merkava Mk 4 Meil Ruach, Merkava Mk IV, Merkava Mk III, Merkava Mk II, Merkava Mk I, and Magach 7C.
10. Saudi Arabia
Tanks: 1,485
Saudi Arabia has been the fifth largest spender on defense expenditure since the last two years, having spent over $75 billion each year. The country has leveraged its economic strength to raise a strong military, and now boasts a fleet of 1,485 tanks, including around 450 M1A2, 370 M60, and 140 AMX-30. According to a report in Army Recognition, Saudi Arabia has the third largest fleet of M1A2 main battle tanks in the world.
9. Iran
Tanks: 1,996
Despite being sanctioned for decades now, Iran continues to remain a force and boasts one of the most powerful militaries in the world. Besides manpower, a key strength of the country’s ground forces is its large fleet of battle tanks, which is estimated to be close to the 2,000 mark. The most notable tank operated by the Iranian armed forces is Karrar, which is the Iranian version of the Soviet T-72. The domestically built tank comes equipped with electro-optical fire control systems, night vision systems, LED headlights, and ballistic computers which allow it to strike both mobile and stationary targets during day and night.
8. Vietnam
Tanks: 2,029
Vietnam is among the countries with the most battle tanks in Asia, with a fleet of over 2,000 tanks, including 150 Type-63 and 300 PT-76 tanks. Most of the other tanks operated by Vietnam are of the Cold War era and are outdated. The country in 2017 announced the purchase of 64 T-90s from Moscow in a bid to modernize its fleet and enhance the capabilities of the Vietnamese military.
7. Turkiye
Tanks: 2,231
Turkiye boasts the largest standing military in NATO. It is also among the countries with the most battle tanks in Asia, with a fleet size of 2,231 tanks. This includes around 300 Leopard tanks which Ankara procured from Germany in the early 2000s. Other prominent tanks in Turkiye’s arsenal are the M60 and M48. Another notable tank in use by the Turkish military is the locally-produced Altay battle tank, which comes with improved armor, a vehicle-control system, and a new protection system.
6. South Korea
Tanks: 2,501
Given its tense relations with North Korea, Seoul has raised a strong military force that is equipped with some of the most sophisticated and advanced battle tanks in the world. Some of them are locally-produced, including the K2 Black Panther which is often compared to the Abrams due to its superior protection. Several countries over the last few years have expressed interest in acquiring the tank from South Korea, including Poland which placed an order for 1,000 K2 Black Panthers in 2022. Each tank costs around $13 million.
5. Syria
Tanks: 2,720
Syria had close to 5,000 battle tanks in 2008 before the Civil War that ravaged the country. During the conflict, the Syrian armed forces suffered heavy losses, which included an estimated 2,000 tanks getting destroyed. Most of Syria’s combat vehicles are of Soviet and Chinese origin. The 2,720 tanks currently in Damascus’ arsenal mainly comprise the Type-55, Type-62, and Type-72 versions.
4. Pakistan
Tanks: 3,742
Pakistan’s fleet of battle tanks is divided into 50 armored regiments. About 1,100 of these are the second-generation Al-Zarrar main battle tanks based on China’s T-59 MBT. The country also operates 350 Al-Khalid tanks, which it co-built with China. There are reports of Islamabad and Beijing currently working on manufacturing an upgraded version of the tank called the Al-Khalid III. Another major tank in Pakistan’s arsenal is the Type-69 II; it has 400 of these, which are based on Chinese designs but were license-built in Pakistan. According to a report by SIPRI, Pakistan also entered into a contract with China in 2022 to purchase 679 VT4 battle tanks. The monetary value of the deal is not known.
3. India
Tanks: 4,614
India has the second-largest standing army in the world after China, and it is no surprise that it is among the countries with the most battle tanks in Asia. Some notable tanks used by the Indian Army include ARJUN MBT, Vijayanta, T-72 Ajeya, T-90 BHISHMA, and K-9 Vajra. Most of the country’s tanks are of Russian origin, and the tally is set to grow further after New Delhi and Moscow signed a $2.8 billion in 2019 for India’s procurement of 464 T-90MS from Russia. India also purchased 310 T-90 main battle tanks from Russia in 2001.
2. China
Tanks: 5,000
China has the second-largest fleet of battle tanks in Asia, comprising a mix of modern and older combat vehicles. The Black Panther, manufactured by Norinco, is a third-generation Type-15 tank and is among the latest tanks operated by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It is a successor of the Type-62 tank, which retired in 2013, and has a top speed of 70 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 469 kilometers. Another prominent battle tank in the operation of the PLA is the Type-99. Over the last two decades, around 1,200 Type-99 tanks have been manufactured by Beijing, which made these third-generation tanks a critical component of the country’s ground forces strength.
1. North Korea
Tanks: 5,845
North Korea has the most battle tanks in Asia, with an estimated fleet size of 5,845 tanks. The majority of these tanks are aging and in bad shape, despite efforts by the government in Pyongyang to upgrade the fleet. Most of North Korea’s tanks are of Chinese and Soviet origin, such as the Type-34, Type-54, and Type-59. Having said that, analysts believe that although these tanks are outdated, Kim Jong Un’s regime has enough of them to pose a real threat in the eventuality of a conflict. Moreover, the country has also developed some indigenous tanks domestically; these include Pokpung-ho and Chonma-ho.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Countries with the Most Battle Tanks in Asia was originally published on Insider Monkey.