Country of origin |
Germany |
Entered service |
? |
Crew |
4 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
43 t |
Length (gun forward) |
~ 8 m |
Hull length |
~ 6.9
m |
Width |
~ 3.6
m |
Height |
~ 3 m |
Armament |
Main gun |
105 mm rifled |
Machine guns |
? |
Elevation range |
? |
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
Ammunition load |
Main gun |
? |
Machine guns |
? |
Mobility |
Engine |
MTU MB 883 diesel |
Engine power |
600 - 680 hp |
Maximum road speed |
~ 65 km/h |
Range |
~ 500 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
30% |
Vertical step |
1 m |
Trench |
~ 2.5 m |
Fording |
1.5 m |
|
The Marder
light tank was developed by Rheinmetall of Germany specially for
export customers. It was first
revealed in 2012. This new
light tank is based on refurbished and upgraded
Marder infantry fighting vehicle. This
ageing IFV is being replaced in the German Army service with the new
Puma. Rheinmetall proposes overhauled
and upgraded Marders for new customers.
The idea of
mounting a turret on the Marder chassis is not new. In the late 1970s a fire support vehicle, based on Marder IFV has been developed. It had a low-profile turret and was
fitted with a 57 mm gun. It was proposed as a lighter alternative to
Leopard main battle tanks. This vehicle never reached production.
However in 1978 production of
TAM light tank
for Argentinean army commenced. The Argentinean tank is base on
Marder IFV and is armed with a 105 mm gun. Around 200 of these tanks
were produced for Argentina and are still operational.
The new Marder
light tank is fitted with a fully-stabilized 105 mm high-velocity
rifled gun, developed by OTO Melara of Italy. Turret resembles that
of the Italian
Centauro tank
destroyer. The gun is loaded manually. It has an effective range of
3 000 m and is compatible with standard NATO 105 mm ammunition. The
new light tank can be used to engage main battle tanks from the
ambush as well as other armored vehicles.
Vehicle is
fitted with new add-on side armor for improved protection. All-round
protection is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. This new
light tank withstands an 8 kg anti-tank mine blast. It is also
fitted with NBC protection system.
This light
tank is operated by a crew of four, including commander, gunner,
loader and driver.
The Marder
light tank is powered by an MTU MB 883 turbocharged diesel engine,
developing 600 or 680 hp, depending on the version. Engine is mated
to an automatic gearbox. Suspension has also been improved.
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