What is the top speed of a tank?
On paved roads, modern main battle tanks typically reach about 60–70 km/h; some variants can approach 72 km/h, while off-road speeds are substantially lower. The exact top speed depends on the model, configuration, and testing conditions.
How speed is measured and what affects it
Top speed is determined under specific test conditions on appropriate surfaces and with the vehicle in standard combat configuration. Factors include engine power, weight, drivetrain, suspension, track design, cooling, and road or terrain. Many tanks are tuned for mobility and survivability rather than highway speed, and in combat, operators rarely operate at maximum velocity for safety and stability reasons.
Representative on-road speeds by model
Below are approximate on-road top speeds for several widely deployed main battle tanks. Figures vary by variant and testing conditions.
- Leopard 2 family (2A4/2A6/2A7): about 72 km/h on paved roads
- Abrams family (M1A1/M1A2): about 68–72 km/h on roads
- Challenger 2: about 59–60 km/h on roads
- T-90MS and T-90 series: around 60–65 km/h on roads
- Merkava Mk4: around 60–64 km/h on roads
Note: These are approximate, best-case figures reported for widely used variants, and real-world speeds will vary with terrain and maintenance.
Off-road realities
Off-road performance drops significantly; mud, snow, sand, and rough terrain typically reduce top speeds, and tactical movement often favors momentum and maneuverability over straight-line velocity.
Why speed matters in modern armored warfare
Top speed is one piece of a broader mobility equation. Acceleration, turning radius, cross-country capability, and reliability shape how quickly a tank can reposition, exploit breakthroughs, or disengage from danger.
Summary
Today's main battle tanks generally reach about 60–70 km/h on paved roads, with off-road speeds notably lower. While speeds vary by model and conditions, the figure provides a useful sense of the pace at which modern armor can move on suitable surfaces.
How fast can a tank move?
Modern tanks can move at speeds around 40-45 mph (65−7265 minus 7265−72 km/h) on roads, with some models like the M1 Abrams reaching up to 42-45 mph (67-72 km/h) officially, while off-road speeds are typically around 25 mph (404040 km/h). Historical tanks were significantly slower due to their heavier designs and less advanced technology. Factors like the tank's design, engine, and the terrain it's on all affect its maximum speed.
Modern tanks
- M1 Abrams: Officially limited to about 42-45 mph (67−7267 minus 7267−72 km/h) on roads, but can go up to 25 mph (404040 km/h) off-road.
- T-14 Armata: Estimated top speed is around 47-50 mph (75−8075 minus 8075−80 km/h).
Historical tanks
- World War I: Early tanks like the British Mark I moved very slowly, with speeds of only 4-8 km/h (2.5−52.5 minus 52.5−5 mph).
- World War II: The US Hellcat tank destroyer had a road speed of 55 mph (888888 km/h), but its off-road speed was limited to 26 mph (424242 km/h).
Factors affecting speed
- Terrain: Tanks are much slower off-road due to the rough terrain and obstacles.
- Weight: Heavier tanks are generally slower than lighter ones.
- Engine and Gear Ratio: The tank's engine power and the gear ratio of the transmission are the primary determinants of its speed.
- Suspension and Tracks: The suspension and tracks can only handle so much stress before they are at risk of damage, especially at high speeds.
How fast does a tank go in mph?
Tank speeds vary widely, from older tanks like the WWII Hellcat at 55 mph on roads down to around 12 mph for the Panzer VIII Maus. Modern main battle tanks like the M1 Abrams can reach speeds of 42-45 mph on road, while some older and specialized vehicles have achieved higher speeds, with one Christie M1931 tank reaching 104 mph in 1931.
Examples of tank speeds
- M1 Abrams: A modern main battle tank with a maximum governed speed of 42-45 mph, but can reach 30 mph cross-country.
- M41 Walker Bulldog: A light tank from the Cold War that could reach 45 mph on-road.
- WWII Hellcat: A tank destroyer that was the fastest tracked vehicle of its time, with a road speed of 55 mph.
- Medium Mark A Whippet: An early tank that had a top speed of 8.3 mph.
- Panzer VIII Maus: A super-heavy tank that had a maximum speed of 12 mph.
- Christie M1931: An early experimental tank that holds the record for the fastest tank at 104 mph.
What is the fastest US tank?
The fastest current US tank is the M1 Abrams, which can reach a top speed of 454545 mph (727272 km/h) on roads. This is the governed top speed, and it can accelerate from 000 to 202020 mph in just six seconds. It is capable of impressive off-road mobility as well, maintaining an average speed of around 252525 mph on rough terrain.
- Top Speed: 454545 mph (727272 km/h)
- Acceleration: 000 to 202020 mph in 666 seconds
- Engine: Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine producing 1,5001 comma 5001,500 horsepower
- Off-road Speed: Approximately 252525 mph (404040 km/h)
How fast can a T-72 go?
The top speed of a T-72 tank is 60 km/h (37 mph) on roads, with a maximum off-road speed ranging from 35 to 45 km/h (22 to 28 mph) depending on the variant and terrain. Some sources note a higher road speed for certain models, up to 75 km/h for the T-72A, but 60 km/h is the most commonly cited figure for the main road speed across various versions.
- On-road: 60 km/h (37 mph)
- Off-road: 35 to 45 km/h (22 to 28 mph)
- Reverse speed: 4 km/h (2.5 mph)
