Top Ten Countries Rule over Land System .
Tank Strength by Country
Tank strength continues to be the primary
symbol of power for any modern land army.
For
the purposes of the final GFP ranking, tank strength totals include Main Battle
Tanks (MBTs), tank destroyers (TDs) and light tanks. These systems can be
either wheeled or tracked so long as they carry a large-caliber armament in a
traversing turret with their armament specifically designed to defeat enemy
armor. Examples include the British Challenger 2 (MBT), the Italian 8x8 CIO
Centauro (TD) and the American Cadillac Gage Stingray (Light Tank). Systems on
order heading into 2014 are NOT taken into account.
Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV)
While the tank remains the spearhead of the
modern land army, the armored fighting vehicle follows to help claim territory.
For
the purpose of the GFP ranking, the "armored fighting
vehicle" (AFV) is represented by Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and
Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). Examples include the American Bradley
Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the Soviet/Russian MT-LB series. While generally
tracked in nature, AFVs can also showcase road wheels along multiple axles as
in the American Stryker. Systems on order heading into 2014 are NOT taken into
account.
Self-Propelled Gun (SPG) Strength
The Self-Propelled Gun is a critical mobile artillery
component and regularly found in the inventories of land armies around the
world.
Towed Artillery Strength
Since the days of the catapult and similar weaponry,
field artillery has proven a pivotal part of ground warfare - a tradition that
continues today.
Since the days of
Napoleon, the mobile artillery piece has been utilized to deadly effect.
Artillery became the focal point of many-an-offensive during the days of World
War 1 and World War 2 and, since then, base accuracy, range and construction
materials have been considerably improved to the point that many world powers
can field some type of excellent 155mm field gun design to support infantry and
armored force actions. Systems on order heading into 2014 are NOT taken into
account.
Multiple Launch Rocket System ( MLRS )
The MLRS rocket projector component was used to devastating effect by the armies of World War 2 and remains a prominent battlefield piece today.
MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) is a tracked or wheeled vehicle mounting a rocket launching (projecting) system atop its hull. In this configuration, the MLRS projects unguided rockets against enemy positions in an artillery-minded sense. The MLRS offers a devastating physical and psychological effect on the enemy, capped with high explosive, anti--personnel or chemical warheads as needed. The best known MLRS development is the timeless BM-13 "Katyusha" wheeled system of the Soviet Union used during World War 2, seeing widespread exportation to its allies in the years following. The Western modern equivalent is the American M270 MLRS. Systems on order heading into 2014 are NOT taken into account.
