Sabrah light tank

The Sabrah light tank is series of armored fighting vehicles developed by Elbit Systems to cater to the Philippine Army's light tank/tank destroyer requirement. The tracked light tank configuration is based on ASCOD 2 platform, supplied by Spanish manufacturer GDELS - Santa Bárbara Sistemas. The wheeled light tank configuration is based on the 8×8 Pandur II platform supplied by the Czech manufacturer Excalibur Army. Elbit Systems received a three-year contract worth $172m to supply the Sabrah light tanks to the Philippine Army in January 2021.

History

Philippines

On 5 March 2024, the Philippine Army's Armor Division formally received and inducted into service nine (9) tracked light tank units at ceremony in its headquarters in Camp O’Donnell, Tarlac. Also inducted during that day were an ASCOD 2 command vehicle, five (5) VBTP-MR Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carriers, and a tractor head truck.

Design

Weighing 30t, the Sabrah light tank series has a modular design. It is equipped with a common 105mm manned turret for both tracked and wheeled configurations. The vehicle’s fully-electric turret drive provides stabilization in both elevation and traverse. The dual-axis high-performance turret provides hunter-killer capability. The tank provides an optimal combination of firepower and maneuverability. It can be configured to provide enhanced lethality.

The Sabrah is fitted with armour protection systems to provide ballistic protection up to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 4. The vehicle can be integrated with active protection systems. It includes the company’s TORCH-X battle management system. The combat-proven armoured vehicle is also installed with electro-optical (EO) sights, fire control systems, and life support systems.

Armament

The Sabrah light tank is armed with a combination of an Elbit Systems Land 105mm gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. In addition, the armament includes eight 76mm smoke grenade launchers and two optional anti-tank guided missiles.

The 105mm/52 caliber coiled barrel, low recoil gun features a thermal shroud for increased probability of hitting the target. The gun is equipped with an integrated muzzle brake system. It fires at a rate of six rounds per minute with an effective range of 3,600m. The gun uses NATO standard ammunition including armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), high-explosive squash head (HESH), and high-explosive plastic tracer (HEP-T) rounds. The high-explosive multi-purpose tracer (HE-MP-T) M110 round can also be fired from the 105mm gun. It can provide a lethal strike capability with high hit probability and low collateral damage. The ammunition is loaded using an autoloader with a manual backup loading. The tank has 12 ready-to-use ammunition rounds located in the autoloader drum and an additional 24 stored in the hull.

The machine gun uses 500 ready-to-fire rounds of 7.62mm and 1,500 rounds stowed in the hull.

Observation and fire control

The light tank can be equipped with a panoramic sight system with day and night-vision EO sensors for effective fighting support during day and night in all weather conditions. The panoramic sight is used to observe and aim targets effectively. A high-definition color camera with zoom is used for daylight operations, while a thermal sight with 3 μ to 6 μ detector is used for night vision operations.

The Sabrah can launch fire on fixed and mobile targets due to the dual-axis line of sight stabilization. A sophisticated fire control system aboard the tank controls the fire and assists in targeting and engagement of the target.

Communications and sensors

The system features navigation and communication systems, including E-LynX software-defined radio. An auto-tracker system increases the hit probability of the system on the move, while a laser range finder aboard the tank can measure distances of 7,000m.

Meteorological sensors can be incorporated optionally to measure variables such as wind, pressure and temperature for improved ballistics. Other optional systems include a laser warning system, and see-through head-mounted display technology.

Variants

ASCOD 2 Sabrah

The Philippine Army categorizes this configuration as a "tracked" light tank. The base platform is the ASCOD 2, which has a seven-wheel station chassis. It provides Level 4 ballistic protection in accordance with NATO STANAG 4569 standards.

It provides advanced mobility and mine protection capabilities due to ongoing technology upgrades, which are possible thanks to the open system architecture of the platform. The vehicle is powered by an eight-cylinder diesel engine coupled to a hydro-mechanical transmission system.

Pandur II Sabrah

The Philippine Army categorizes this configuration as a "wheeled" light tank. The base platform is the Pandur II, which features a robust chassis with higher ground clearance and enhanced protection. The heavy-duty chassis enables high off-road performance. The 8×8 vehicle is designed to carry up to 14 crew. The platform is equipped with an automatic drivetrain management system, which adjusts the power supplied to each axle and wheel based on the terrain surface and driving conditions.

The power pack includes a Cummins Diesel ISLe T450 HPCR engine with automatic transmission, and cooling system. Other components of the power pack include electric generator, air intake and exhaust systems, air-condition compressor, hydraulic pump, and drive shaft.

Operators

 Philippines

Nine (9) units in tracked light tank ASCOD 2 configuration were formally received and inducted into service as of 5 March 2024. Elbit Systems will supply a total of:

• 18 tracked light tanks based on the ASCOD 2 platform
• 10 wheeled light tanks based on the Pandur II platform

See also

Contemporary competitors

Tracked vehicles

• 2S25 Sprut-SD
• Kaplan MT / Harimau
• M10 Booker
• Type 15 tank, or VT-5 (export model)
• Zorawar LT
• ZTD-05

Wheeled vehicles

• B1 Centauro
• Centauro 2
• Pindad Badak
• Type 16
• ZTL-11

Tanks with similar firepower

Tracked vehicles

• Infanterikanonvagn 91
• SK-105A2 Kürassier
• Stingray Light tank
• TAM

Wheeled vehicles

• AMX-10 RC
• BIB SIBMAS
• M1128 Stryker MGS
• Piranha II (CCTS-90 tank hunter turret)
• Piranha IIIC DF90

Prototypes

Tracked vehicles

• CV90105
• FV101 Scorpion
• Doosan K21 XC-8
• M8 Armored Gun System
• Marder Medium Tank
• Otokar Tulpar light tank
• Rooikat 105
• Vextra POLE
• WPB Anders

References

1. ASCOD
2. Kaplan MT / Harimau
3. Type 15 tank
4. Pandur II
5. List of equipment of the Philippine Army
6. FV101 Scorpion
7. M10 Booker
8. Light tank
9. Tank destroyer
10. General Dynamics European Land Systems
11. Romeo Brawner Jr.
12. Zorawar LT
13. AFP Modernization Act
14. Armor "Pambato" Division
15. 2S25 Sprut-SD
16. Armed Forces of the Philippines
17. VBTP-MR Guarani
18. Sabra (tank)
19. List of main battle tanks by country
20. Gilbert Gapay