The M60 tank is one of the great myths of armored warfare, a weapon that predated the Cold War era. Caught between postwar Pattons and advanced M1 Abrams, the M60 was the workhorse of hundreds of millions of war machines in countries across the globe. In numbers over 15,000, served for more than four decades, its tale is one of gradual refinement, longevity, and worldwide presence.
The M60 series was preceded by the M48 Patton, and the M48 preceded it due to Korean War experience as well as early Cold War experience. The initial release of an M60 in 1960 was a response in direct response to growing Soviet armor threats that boasted heavier firepower, better-protected crews, and major advances in battlefield performance for both the United States and its allies.
The focal point of the firepower of the M60 was its 105mm M68 rifled cannon, an American version of the British L7. It was accurate and dependable, and it soon became ubiquitous in all the NATO armies. The M60 borrowed giant slabs of its hull and engine from the M48, but had a more boxy turret and thicker armor, and it carried an aura on the battlefield. It was continually refined further with a series of upgrades to remain competitive.
The turret of the M60A1 was extended, and the M60A2 attempted a larger 152mm gun-launcher package, but this vehicle also suffered from functional ills. True advancement in the M60 series came along with the M60A3 in the late 1970s, which addressed night-fighting combat modernization and fire control, and not gun or armor modification.
Also equipped with the M60A3 was a thermal sight, ballistic computer, and laser rangefinder to allow crews to fire on even black nights or during inclement weather—a tactical given. An NBC protection system, smoke grenade launchers, and an automatic fire suppression system to safeguard the crew were among other benefits.
Though never used in combat during the Vietnam War, the M60 has been used in combat in subsequent wars. Israeli forces effectively used it to destroy T-62 tanks equipped by the Soviets in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. It held up in the 1983 Lebanon War when reactive armor gave the gun a substantial deflection against anti-tank missiles.
The 1991 Gulf War saw the M60’s last large-scale deployment. Upgraded M60A1s equipped with reactive armor and enhanced night vision had been used by US Marines to overrun Iraqi defenses and push into Kuwait City. New M1 Abrams tanks had been fielded, but the M60 was a force to be dealt with and a valuable asset during the war.
The M60 is a beloved vehicle by the US’s allies around the globe. Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Israel all started developing their own variant of the M60, which was adapted to the needs of an individual nation.
Iran purchased dozens of M60A1s in the 1960s and had them extensively modernized, such as enhanced fire control, stabilizers, night-fighting gear, laser warning receivers, and reactive armor, making the tanks highly prized years after they had initially been built.
The effect of the M60 extended well past its lifespan in combat. It was discovered through the development of the M1 Abrams, most notably in target systems and electronics integration, specifically. These technologies, combined with the Abrams’ thermal sight and composite armor, set a new standard for armored warfare.
Even today, various nations utilize or refurbish their M60s, a testament to the fact that, refurbished and upgraded, this Cold War tank is still an excellent fighting tank. The M60 is an excellent all-around tank—dirty, armored, and boxy—a legacy that continues to be felt on battlefields on Earth today.
