Difference between revisions of "M1A1 AIM"

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m (Grammar. Changed "Goof" to "Good")
(Additional information on M1A1 AIM and brief history of their service in RAAC)
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<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a squadron rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Danger Zone"]].
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a squadron rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Danger Zone"]].
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 +
The exported version of M1A1 for RAAC with the AIM (Abrams Integrated Management) package in view to maintain its overall combat capability; thanks to the reworked armor and upgraded FCS, players of main tech tree Abrams will find M1A1 AIM has better awareness to its other variants, with very familiar mobility and relatively better protection.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
The M1A1 AIM has good turret armour and therefore a good survivability, with the blowout ammo rack in the rear turret bustle and spread crew layout.  
+
At first glance, M1A1 AIM looks identical to post-M1A1 Abrams variants with its iconic 120 mm M256 cannon; but if there's anything that can make it different from M1A1 and HC variant in US service, it is the AIM package. This gives AIM better protection to M1A1 in terms of its turret and LFP where revised DU armor were installed to fit the 21st century battlefield. Thanks to its relatively large size overall, players might sometimes find that the penetrated shot might do lesser damage as the shrapnel damage is migrated by the large internal space, smaller caliber shells are the same case as well; but do not take this protection as granted since there are still the infamous "neck" by the turret where penetrated shots have possibility of taking down the crews in the turret; do also keep an eye on the LFP as well since the overall thickness is still insufficient to stop darts at its tier. Like other Abrams, it has a blowout panel by the rear of the turret for protecting the crew from a detonation; do make sure that clear the hull ammunitions by the rear right side as this means an instant-kill for the crew.  
  
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
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<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
{{main|M256 (120 mm)}}
 
{{main|M256 (120 mm)}}
The M1A1 AIM is armed with the 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, having access to the M830 HEAT round stock and the KE-W APFSDS round as a researchable modification. It also has access to the M830A1 "MPAT" round, giving the AIM the ability to engage helicopters.
+
The M1A1 AIM is armed with the 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, players of M1A1 HC will soon find themselves at home as they shares identical shells.
 +
 
 +
The stock round is M830 HEATFS, although it might not be effective in late cold-war where tanks are usually equipped with ERA blocks or composite armor; be sure to take down the enemies by the sides or pick light targets as they will either be knocked out by the explosive contents or been melted by the jet stream.
 +
 
 +
The researchable M830A1 MPAT shell, while it might a bad news that it has lesser explosive content and penetration; it is also known as a HEAT-MP equipped with proximity fuze for the warhead, effective against aforementioned targets as well as aircrafts- a hit from it certainly blows up most aircrafts in one shot, if not fatally damaged.
 +
 
 +
Since there are limits from Non-Proliferation Treaty of nuclear-related weapons, including DU rounds, RAAC received the tungsten alloy version of M829A1, the KE-W. Although the lesser penetration to M829A1 at 583 mm, but the "Silver Bullet" will still make short work of most armored targets with one shot.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! Full<br>ammo
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!Full
! 1st<br>rack empty
+
ammo
! 2nd<br>rack empty
+
!1st
! 3rd<br>rack empty
+
rack empty
! 4th<br>rack empty
+
!2nd
! 5th<br>rack empty
+
rack empty
! 6th<br>rack empty
+
!3rd
! Visual<br>discrepancy
+
rack empty
 +
!Visual
 +
discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
| '''40''' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __
+
|'''40'''||35 ''(+5)''||18 ''(+22)''||''(+39)''||No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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Identical to M1A1 and A1 HC, be sure to clear out all ammunitions in the hull (5 of them); although Abrams have a blowout panel to save the crew from turret side shots, a solid hit on those 5 unprotected shells will let players meet their miserable end quickly.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
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== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
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The Royal Australian Armored Corps (RAAC) has been a long time user of European tanks including British's Centurion and German's Leopard AS1; by the 21st Century, Royal Australian Army opted to purchase M1A1 from from the United States as the replacement of Leopards in July 2007.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20110605234111/http://www.anao.gov.au/Publications/Audit-Reports/2007-2008/Acquisition-of-the-ABRAMS-Main-Battle-Tank</ref> These 59 M1A1 AIM has its DU armor removed to comply with Non-Proliferation Treaty and been deployed in RAAC as their new generation MBT; these tanks were planned for upgrades in late 2010s and later plans including building 75 M1A2 Sep v.3 domestically with non-DU armor package specifically for Australia by 2024 and replace these 59 M1A1 AIMs.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==

Revision as of 18:18, 24 July 2022

Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
This page is about the American main battle tank M1A1 AIM. For other vehicles of the family, see M1 Abrams (Family). For other uses, see M1 (Disambiguation).
M1A1 AIM
us_m1a1_aim_abrams.png
GarageImage M1A1 AIM.jpg
M1A1 AIM
AB RB SB
11.3 11.3 11.3
Research:550 000 Specs-Card-Activity.png
Purchase:1 000 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Tank, Combat, Full Tracked, 120-mm Gun M1A1, AIM is a squadron rank VII American medium tank with a battle rating of 11.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Danger Zone".

The exported version of M1A1 for RAAC with the AIM (Abrams Integrated Management) package in view to maintain its overall combat capability; thanks to the reworked armor and upgraded FCS, players of main tech tree Abrams will find M1A1 AIM has better awareness to its other variants, with very familiar mobility and relatively better protection.

General info

Survivability and armour

Composite armour
Balanced protection against all types of ammunition
Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
ESS
Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull133 / 60 / 32
Turret139 / 120 / 13
Crew4 people
Visibility82 %

At first glance, M1A1 AIM looks identical to post-M1A1 Abrams variants with its iconic 120 mm M256 cannon; but if there's anything that can make it different from M1A1 and HC variant in US service, it is the AIM package. This gives AIM better protection to M1A1 in terms of its turret and LFP where revised DU armor were installed to fit the 21st century battlefield. Thanks to its relatively large size overall, players might sometimes find that the penetrated shot might do lesser damage as the shrapnel damage is migrated by the large internal space, smaller caliber shells are the same case as well; but do not take this protection as granted since there are still the infamous "neck" by the turret where penetrated shots have possibility of taking down the crews in the turret; do also keep an eye on the LFP as well since the overall thickness is still insufficient to stop darts at its tier. Like other Abrams, it has a blowout panel by the rear of the turret for protecting the crew from a detonation; do make sure that clear the hull ammunitions by the rear right side as this means an instant-kill for the crew.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull ___ mm ___ mm Top
___ mm Bottom
___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Turret ___ - ___ mm Turret front
___ mm Gun mantlet
___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Cupola ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB76 / 43 km/h
RB and SB69 / 39 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
4 back
Weight62.0 t
Engine power
AB2 898 hp
RB and SB1 519 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB46.7 hp/t
RB and SB24.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 76 43 62 2,058 2,898 33.19 46.74
Realistic 69 39 1,343 1,519 21.66 24.5

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB4 343 → 6 857 Sl icon.png
RB4 245 → 6 702 Sl icon.png
SB5 369 → 8 477 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications277 400 Rp icon.png
458 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost3 000 Ge icon.png
Crew training270 000 Sl icon.png
Experts950 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 200 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 210 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
150 / 190 / 210 % Sl icon.png
244 / 244 / 244 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
4 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
3 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
ESS
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_DM_HEAT_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
15 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
23 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
13 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
20 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
19 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
29 000 Sl icon.png
450 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png
Mods thermal sight.png
NVD
Research:
16 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 000 Sl icon.png
380 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.
Thermal imager
Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition40 rounds
First-order17 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: M256 (120 mm)

The M1A1 AIM is armed with the 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, players of M1A1 HC will soon find themselves at home as they shares identical shells.

The stock round is M830 HEATFS, although it might not be effective in late cold-war where tanks are usually equipped with ERA blocks or composite armor; be sure to take down the enemies by the sides or pick light targets as they will either be knocked out by the explosive contents or been melted by the jet stream.

The researchable M830A1 MPAT shell, while it might a bad news that it has lesser explosive content and penetration; it is also known as a HEAT-MP equipped with proximity fuze for the warhead, effective against aforementioned targets as well as aircrafts- a hit from it certainly blows up most aircrafts in one shot, if not fatally damaged.

Since there are limits from Non-Proliferation Treaty of nuclear-related weapons, including DU rounds, RAAC received the tungsten alloy version of M829A1, the KE-W. Although the lesser penetration to M829A1 at 583 mm, but the "Silver Bullet" will still make short work of most armored targets with one shot.

120 mm M256 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 40 -10°/+20° ±180° Two-plane 38.1 52.7 64.0 70.8 75.3 7.80 6.90 6.36 6.00
Realistic 23.8 28.0 34.0 37.6 40.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
M830 HEATFS 480 480 480 480 480 480
M830A1 HEATFS 350 350 350 350 350 350
KE-W APFSDS 583 579 569 556 542 528
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M830 HEATFS 1,140 13.1 0.05 0.1 2,360 65° 72° 77°
KE-W APFSDS 1,585 4 N/A N/A N/A 78° 80° 81°
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Arming distance
(m)
Trigger radius
(m)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M830A1 HEATFS 1,410 11.4 0.05 0.1 400 10 1,390 65° 72° 77°

Ammo racks

Full

ammo

1st

rack empty

2nd

rack empty

3rd

rack empty

Visual

discrepancy

40 35 (+5) 18 (+22) (+39) No

Identical to M1A1 and A1 HC, be sure to clear out all ammunitions in the hull (5 of them); although Abrams have a blowout panel to save the crew from turret side shots, a solid hit on those 5 unprotected shells will let players meet their miserable end quickly.

Machine guns

Ammunition1 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-9° / 65°
Ammunition1 400 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate941 shots/min
Ammunition10 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate941 shots/min
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle (Commander) 1,000 (200) 577 -9°/+65° -160°/+180°
7.62 mm M240
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle (Loader) 1,400 (200) 941 -9°/+65° -77°/+135°
Coaxial 10,000 (200) 941 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The AIM plays just like its regular tech tree counterparts, meaning seasoned Abrams players will already be accustomed to its playstyle. The increased turret protection allows it to make use of hull down tactics just as effectively as the M1A1 HC and M1A2, with the 2nd generation thermal sights allowing for easier target identification and acquisition at range. It can also brawl relatively well because of its quick reactionary ability. The KE-W APFSDS round is perfectly capable of tackling its contemporaries.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Has access to 2nd generation thermal sights allowing for easier targeting especially at long range
    • Also has access to 2nd generation thermals for the commander's machine gun
  • Effective turret armour
  • Good gun handling and reload speeds
  • M830A1 allows the engagement of helicopters
  • Highly effective KE-W APFSDS

Cons:

  • Poor stock grind with no tier 1 APFSDS round
  • Poor hull armour, easily penetrated by its contemporaries
  • Raised engine deck limits firing angles when the main gun is pointed rearwards

History

The Royal Australian Armored Corps (RAAC) has been a long time user of European tanks including British's Centurion and German's Leopard AS1; by the 21st Century, Royal Australian Army opted to purchase M1A1 from from the United States as the replacement of Leopards in July 2007.[1] These 59 M1A1 AIM has its DU armor removed to comply with Non-Proliferation Treaty and been deployed in RAAC as their new generation MBT; these tanks were planned for upgrades in late 2010s and later plans including building 75 M1A2 Sep v.3 domestically with non-DU armor package specifically for Australia by 2024 and replace these 59 M1A1 AIMs.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


USA medium tanks
M2  M2
M3  M3 Lee · ▃Grant I
M4  M4 · Calliope · M4A1 · M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (105) · M4A3 (76) W · M4/T26
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26 T99 · M26E1
M46/47/48 Patton  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47 · M48A1 · T54E1 · T54E2
M60  M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A2 · M60A3 TTS · M728 CEV · 120S
MBT-70  MBT-70 · XM803
M1 Abrams  XM1 (Chrysler) · XM1 (GM)
  M1 Abrams · M1 KVT · IPM1
  M1A1 · M1A1 HC · M1A1 Click-Bait
  M1A2 Abrams · M1A2 SEP · M1A2 SEP V2
Other  T95E1
Australia  M1A1 AIM
Canada  M4A5
Israel  ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · ▃Merkava Mk.1 · ▃Merkava Mk.2B · ▃Merkava Mk.3D
Turkey  M60 AMBT

Squadron ground vehicles
USA  M901 · M1A1 AIM
Germany  Leopard 2 PL
USSR  BMP-2M · T-80UK
Britain  Bhishma TWMP
China  Object 122MT "MC"
Sweden  T 80 U
Israel  Magach 6B Gal