Tosan tank

Tosan
Type Light tank
Place of origin  Iran
Service history
In service 1997–
Used by Iranian Army
IRGCGF
Production history
Produced 1997
No. built ~ 20 [1]
Specifications
Weight ~ 8 tonnes
Length 4.9 m
Width 2.2 m
Height 2.1 m
Crew 3
Armour 12.7 mm
Main
armament
 90 mm gun
Secondary
armament
 Toophan
Engine Diesel
Suspension Torsion bar

The Tosan (Also written Towsan, meaning Wild Horse or Fury) is an Iranian light tank, for unconventional warfare. Iran calls it a 'Quick Reaction' tank because the tank is said to be capable of rapid response and is built for strategic missions. It appears to be based on the British FV101 Scorpion (where Iran has 80 in service), the tank is fitted with a 90 mm gun, Toophan missile launchers and an improved firing and targeting systems. The tank can drive long distances on its tracks and does not need to be carried on trucks.[2]

History

Production started in 1997,[2] but the tank was only produced in small numbers.[1] Mass production started in 2008. Colonel Nasser Arab-Beigi, head of the self-sufficiency unit of the IRGC ground forces, announced the mass-production of this 'Quick Reaction' tank on June 30, 2008, as part of the country's campaign for defense self-sufficiency.[3]

Operators

 Iran

References

  1. 1 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20070216120054/http://www.tau.ac.il/jcss/balance/Iran.pdf
  2. 1 2 Globalsecurity "Tosan". 10 July 2008.
  3. ↑ Press TV Iran produces 'Quick Reaction' tanks Archived 2008-07-25 at the Wayback Machine. 30 June 2008
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