Other strategists asserted that the MBT was entirely obsolete because of the efficacy and speed with which coalition forces neutralized Iraqi armor. Though the Gulf War reaffirmed the role of main battle tanks, MBTs were outperformed by the attack helicopter. During the Vietnam War, helicopters and missiles competed with MBTs for research money.

The United States's experience in the Vietnam War contributed to the idea among army leadership that the role of the main battle tank could be replaced with attack helicopters. Missile systems were added to extend range of the gun and to enhance the first-round hit probability. This permitted the turret to be reduced in size making the target smaller and less visible. Mechanical autoloaders were introduced to replace the human loader. The Soviet Union made advancements to the gun system. Any weapon advancement making the MBT obsolete could have severely devastated the Soviet Union's fighting capability. The Soviet Union war doctrine depended heavily on the main battle tank. īy the late 70s, MBTs were manufactured by France, West Germany, Britain, India, Japan, the Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.

The adoption of ceramic armor as well as greater armor coverage necessitated by non-frontal attacks from combat helicopters also resulted in an effective counter to nuclear explosion radiation.

Greek main battle tank