- Yes
- No
Background
Sabra is an extensive modernisation package for M60A1/A3 main battle tanks developed and offered by Israeli firm IMI between 2002-2005. Project initially started as further development of Magach 7C. Sabra modernisation increases tanks overall capabilities, this includes firepower, with IMI MG253 120mm L/44 and KNIGHT III fire control system, mobility, with Continental AVDS-1790-5A 908 horsepower diesel engine for Mk.I, MTU MT 881 KA-5011000 horsepower Diesel Engine for Mk.II&III, and protection, applique Steel-Laminate armor for Mk.I, Explosive & Non-Explosive Reactive Armor fro Mk.II. Sabra modernisation comes in three variants, Mk.I, Mk.II and Mk.III. Mk.II is the only one to find success in export market, it is in-service Turkish Armed Forces as M60T.
M60T
M60T Main Battle Tank is extensively modernised M60A1, currently in active service Turkish Armed Forces. Modernisation package developed by Israeli firm IMI and upgrade undertaken by 2nd Main Maintenance Center Command in Turkey between 2007-2009 with IMI supplied kits. Total of 170 M60A1 were upgraded to Sabra Mark II standards and accepted in service as M60T. M60T made its combat debut Fırat Kalkanı Harekâtı (Operation Euphrates Shield) in 2016. Although M60T has shown great success, its shortcomings became evident. In order to increase overall effectiveness and fix those shortcomings, a new modernisation program was launched during 2017 by Presidency of Defence Industries with the experiences gained from Operation Euphrates Shield. Fırat Modernisation Program completed in 2020 with a total of 169 M60T upgraded under designation of M60TM.
General Specifications
Firepower
M60T boasts MG253 120mm L/44 smoothbore gun as its main armament which offers superior firepower over original M68 105mm gun. MG253 is capable of firing all NATO standard 120mm ammunitions and Israeli LAHAT anti-tank guided missile, which I doubt Turkish Army operates. Total of 40 rounds stored in the tank for the main armament. Secondary armament consists of co-axial 7.62mm machine gun and 12.7mm machine gun on M19 cupola.
M60T boasts powerful IMI MG253 120mm L/44 smoothbore cannon, replacing original M68 105mm L/51 cannon. MG253 offer superiors lethality over M68, and it is capable of firing all NATO-standard 120mm ammunition. Secondary armament consists of co-axial machine-gun and 12.7mm heavy machine-gun on M19 cupola.
Cutaway View of M60T TurretM60T is fitted with Elbit System’s KNIGHT III fire control system. Knight III features dual-axis stabilization, computerized sighting, and target-tracking. Gunner and commander has access night and thermal imagers. Main armament can also be controlled and fired by commander.
Mobility
M60T is powered by MTU MT 881 KA-501 1000 horsepower diesel engine coupled with Renk 304S transmission system.This new power pack increases power-to-weight ration of this 59 tons of steel beast to pretty decent 16.9 hp/t with a top speed of 55 km/h.
Protection
Turkish M60T Damaged by Kornet ATGM
M60T has greatly enhanced protection over base model M60A1 with additional modular Explosive and Non-Explosive Reactive Armor elements. Protection of frontal arc is increased with ERA blocks on upper frontal plate and NERA blocks on the turret. Sides of the hull provided with skirt armor while sides of the turret received NERA.
M60T’s Upper View, Note Thick NERA Blocks
Modular Armor SchemeSpecifications
- Dimensions and Weight
- Mass: 59 Tons
- Length: 6.9 m
- Width: 3.6 m
- Height: 3.2 m
- Armament
- Main Armament: IMI MG253 120 mm L/55 Smoothbore Cannon
- Secondary Armament:
∙ Co-Axial 7.62mm Machine-Gun
∙ M19 Cupola Mounted 12.7mm Heavy Machine-Gun - Ammunition Capacity
∙ 42 120mm Cannon Rounds
∙ 3,200 12.7mm Heavy Machine-Gun Rounds
∙ 10,000 x 7.62mm Machine-Gun Rounds
- Mobility
- Engine: MTU MT 881 KA-501 Diesel Engine, 1000 Horsepower
- Transmission: RENK 304S Automatic Transmission, 4 Forward, 4 Reverse
- Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Maximum Speed: km/h 55 km/h
- Power to Weight: 16.9 hp/t
- Protection
- Hull Armor
∙ Explosive Reactive Armor - Turret Armor
∙ Non-Explosive Reactive Armor
∙ Explosive Reactive Armor ˀ
∙ Slat Armor - Active Protection System: None
- Smoke Grenades: 8x
- Hull Armor
- Accessories
- Night Sight
∙ Gunner
∙ Commander - Thermal Sight
∙ Gunner
∙ Commander - Laser Range Finder
- Automatic Target Tracking
- Hunter-Killer Capacity (Commander’s Override)
- Night Sight
IMI M60 Upgraded Brochure
Implementation to War Thunder
I believe M60T and its brother M60TM should be reserved for future Turkish TT, both vehicles are capable and has potential to be competitive top tier vehicles. M60T would be nice fit around 10.0-10.7 BR range while M60TM 10.7-11.0 BR range. I know some of you want to see this vehicle as part of American or Israeli TTs, in that case you can check my other suggestion for the Israeli TT as well:
M60T should be reserved for Turkish Ground Forces Tech Tree. It is a capable, highly potent vehicle and could go toe-to-toe with other vehicles in similar rating. It would offer similar play style with early Merkavas. M60T would fit nicely around 10.0-10.7 Battle Rating.
Additional Photos
Spoiler
M60T in Green Camouflage
Two M60T in Desert Camouflage Running at Full Speed 
Videos
Sources
Spoiler
https://www.military-today.com/tanks/sabra.htm
https://militaryedge.org/armaments/m60t-sabra/
Sabra (M60T) main battle tank, 2005
Sabra (M60T) Main Battle Tank (MBT) Combat Vehicle
M60 Tank Modernization Project
https://www.ssb.gov.tr/Website/contentList.aspx?PageID=2606&LangID=1
https://elbitsystems.com/media/Fire-Control-Systems_2_Web.pdf
https://www.deagel.com/Armored Vehicles/M60T Sabra/a003505
https://www.deagel.com/Sensor Systems/CITV/a001643
TV/VVS-2 Zırhlı Araç Gece Görüş Periskobu – Transvaro - In Turkish
Siyah Gri Beyaz: M60T'nin Ateşle İmtihanı ve Başika Saldırısının Düşündürdükleri - In Turkish
https://www.trmilitary.org/viewtopic.php?p=85028&sid=b27c9666a4590a78a7e95f1121830309#p85028 - In Turkish
IMI’s M60 Upgraded Brochure
Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004 (New Vanguard Book 93) - Marsh Gelbart
Зарубежное военное обозрение №7 2010 (Foreign military review No. 7 2010) - Page 64, CITV/Commander’s Override
