Ramses II tank

Ramses II
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originEgypt
Service history
In service2005–present
Used byEgypt
WarsEgyptian Crisis
Production history
DesignerChrysler Defense
Designed1990s
Produced2004–2005
No. built+425
Specifications
Mass48 tons
LengthHull length: 7.05 m, With gun 9.60 m
Width3.42 m
Height2.40 m
Crew4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

ArmorActive/Passive
Main
armament
105 mm M68 rifled cannon
Secondary
armament
1 × 7.62 mm SGMT medium coaxial machine gun,
1 × .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun
EngineTCM AVDS-1790-5A turbocharged diesel developing 908 hp
Power/weight18 hp/tonne
TransmissionRenk RK-304 with 4 fwd and 4 rev
SuspensionGeneral Dynamics Land Systems Model 2880 in-arm hydropneumatic
Fuel capacity1,312 liters
Operational
range
530 km
Maximum speed Road: 69 km/h,
Off-road: 42 km/h

The Ramses II tank is a heavily modernized T-55 main battle tank designed for and used by the Egyptian Armed Forces. A single T-54 was sent to the United States for upgrading. A primary prototype was sent to Egypt where extensive trials were completed in late 1987.[1] The tank finally entered production in 2004–2005. A total of 425 units have been produced. The tank was originally called the T-54E ("E" stands for "Egyptian").

At early stages, the upgrade was concerned with the firepower and mobility of the tank solely, while latter stages included the improvement of the level of protection as well. The tank's hull was modified to accommodate the new engine which had a great commonality with the one used by the M60A3 (the most numerous main battle tank in active Egyptian service), as a result an additional road wheel was added. The tank is armed with the same main gun used by Egyptian M60A3's, in addition to a sophisticated fire control system.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference millitaryfactory was invoked but never defined (see the help page).