When Romania buys its next M.B.T. which should be?

I know that right now the Romania army is not going to buy new tanks in any large numbers, but at some point it will. So why not start thinking about which tank design it will be and from nation it will come from.

Thank you.

I believe that the TR-2000 would be the best choice for the Romanian Army. It would be an excellent tank and would be Romanian, what a boost to national pride!

A couple of Panthers would do the job, I think...

Alexandru,

Are saying should buy Panthers of WW2 vintage? The TR-2000 would be a thoughly modern design by Germany and Romania based on the excellent Leopard 2 Improved, which is one the best tanks in the world! Given the relatively slow rate of tank development around world since the eighties, it would be a formidable main battle tank for some time to come; even if it enters service a decade from now.

Thank You

Just some good romanian humor, there, Stephen! In the condition Romania is, Panthers are overly-ambitious!

Alexandru,

Romania will not always be in bad condition, all nations experience problems after transitions. Romania will recover economically, maybe sooner them people expect. Then you will see Romania acquire a new generation of Main Battle Tanks amongst other things.

Thank you

Type 98G

http://www.sinodefence.com/army/tank/type98.asp


But, i dont see it here... So, i choose Leclerc. Good tank!

Iama

Iamandi,
I must say the Type-98G looks like an awesome tank! who know that China could such a great tank. Romania will most likey want to buy tanks from nations within NATO, and China may not wish too export such an advanced Tank, as they themselfs will need every Type-98G. I still the TR-2000 is best choice fro Romania, though the Leclerc is an excellent second choice.

Thank You

This post has been edited by Stephen on October 18, 2004 08:46 am

Stephen you are right in what you say. For Romania (romanian industry, and romanian workers) the best is TR-2000, but i do not know anything new about him. Give me some links, please, if you have.
At home i have a poster with him on "Viata Armatei" magazine.

Iama

Cool. Can you post the picture, I want to see it.

Il try. I dont know wen...
It is a nice image. With combinated exterior & section (*?).


Iama

How about the T-2000 Black Eagle?

If money won't be an issue for Romania in the future (God willing), then either the Challenger 2, M1A2 Abrams, or the Leopard 2 would be a good choice.

I would stay away from the Leclerc. France's military reputation in the 20th and 21th century is laughable at best.

In ww2, was a general, De Gaulle - tanks commander... You know about him?

And Leclerc is a good tank, one of the best. I see some pictures in a VSD french magasine, whith a prototype of Leclerc for 2 man crew. His "indoor" was like in an airplane, and driver man have a "volan" / wheel . Gun have autoloader (like almost all modern MBT), more electronics and electro-optics, like in Star Trek.
Certainly our TR, or others Leopard I, Chieftain, M60, T-62, T-64, T-72,etc. is under the level of Leclerc. T-80/U and T-90 have a chance only in case of ambush and advantage of first firing - with guided rockets.
Last variants of Leopard II - for Sweden, Challenger II, or M1 have advantage of sloped armour - this is a free eye conclusion.

Today il try to find some info about posibble up-grade variant of Leclerc.

Iama

And your saying that you would expect this from an American also has no factual basis...

Just for fun, go into google, and search for "french military victories", and then press the 'I feel lucky!' button. Doesn't provide any truth or data, but it's really funny.

As to the original question, while France did have a major part in the fighting, the military leadership performed poorly, which reflected on the performance of the troops. The British soldiers themselves were skeptical of their French counterparts and saved them on a few occasions.

But let's admit WWI was the bright point of French military prowess in the 20th century. Is that a record to be proud of? Since 1870 to the present, how good has its military record been?

Now, to make things clear, this has nothing with 9/11 and the French-US tensions. I couldn't care less about those. I've held this opinion for a while.

Let's talk about Henri III, Henri IV, the religious wars, the Flanders campaign from 1580 onward, Louis XIII, the XIV, even the French Revolutionary army who kicked Europe's ass though the country was still in the chaos of the revolution, etc....
Yes, my hat is off to the French troops (and its foreign mercenaries) of those times. Some great generals, too, although the positions were bought through appointment...

France has a great historical past filled with courage and amazing individuals. Which is why its recent military performance of the last 100 years is even more disappointing. It just doesn't hold up to the "golden days" of France.

Mabadesc,

I agree that French fighting sprite has been quite suspect,ever sense their defeat at Waterloo in 1815. When the British Red Coats slaughtered Napoleon's elite Imperial Guard. What excuse do the Italians have for fighting so very poorly in World War Two, the only possable exception being there Air Force.

Back on topic the Leclerc is a pretty good Tank, but I would still perfer the TR-2000, everyone knows Germany designs and builds the best tanks in the World! And would of course be a callaberation between Romania and Germany.

Thank you.