![]() ![]() Conflicting numbers, even from a single source, abound. Whereas some nations pride themselves on transparency, other shadowy states would rather not give details of their military might. Naturally, accurate figures for main battle tank numbers are difficult to procure. Having nearly 70 tons of weaponry bearing down on you at over 40mph is likely enough to make anyone think twice about standing up to these very strong and very modern variants of a time honoured concept. ![]() ![]() Such is their importance to a nation's military that every country included on this list can count its MBT force numbers in their thousands. These lumbering behemoths combine life-saving armor with fearsome fire power to overwhelm opposition forces, support infantry advances and assist in holding and securing ground. Heavy casualties are likely to increase international pressure on Israel to halt its biggest operation in the Gaza Strip in four decades, fighting that holds significant political risks for Israeli leaders ahead of a February 10 national election.When it comes to ground forces, there are few military vehicles more intimidating than a large, well-organized Main Battle Tank (MBT) force. Wearing night-vision goggles on their helmets and camouflage paint on their faces, Israeli ground troops entered the Gaza Strip along with columns of tanks that pushed into the coastal territory from four points. Israel said it called up tens of thousands of reservists and the military’s chief spokesman estimated the operation in the Hamas-run enclave could take “many long days.” Israeli tanks killed seven Gazans at the onset of the night-time invasion, bringing the Palestinian death toll since December 27 to more than 450, medical officials said. Israeli troops clashed with Hamas fighters as they advanced into Gaza on Saturday in the first ground action of an eight-day offensive on the Palestinian enclave, a witness and the Israeli army said. Israeli soldiers advance near the border with northern Gaza during a ground operation by the Israeli army late January 3, 2009. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |