Light tank
Tosan |
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A supposed Tosan light tank during an Army Day parade in 2013. |
Type | Light tank |
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Place of origin | Iran |
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In service | 1997–present |
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Used by | See Operators |
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Designer | Alvis |
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Produced | 1997 |
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No. built | Few made. Actual numbers unknown[1] |
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Mass | ~ 8 tonnes |
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Length | 4.9 m |
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Width | 2.2 m |
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Height | 2.1 m |
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Crew | 3 |
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Armour | 12.7 mm |
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Main armament | 90 mm gun or 30 mm 2A42 autocannon |
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Secondary armament | Toophan |
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Engine | Diesel |
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Suspension | Torsion bar |
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The Tosan (sometimes known as Towsan,[1] meaning "wild horse" or "fury"[2]) is an Iranian light tank. Iran calls it a "Quick Reaction" tank because the tank is said to be capable of rapid response and is built for strategic missions.[citation needed]
History
Production started in 1997,[2] but the tank was only produced in small numbers.[1] Colonel Nasser Arab-Beigi, head of the self-sufficiency unit of the IRGC ground forces, announced the mass-production of the Tosan on June 30, 2008, as part of the country's campaign for defense self-sufficiency.[citation needed]
In July 2020, Tosans were deployed to the northwestern borders of Jolfa and Khodaafarin due to escalating tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.[3]
Design
The Tosan's design is based on the British FV101 Scorpion;[4] the tank is fitted with a 90 mm gun, Toophan missile launchers (some were mounted),[5] and improved firing and targeting systems.[citation needed] The tank can drive long distances on its tracks and does not need to be carried on trucks.[2]
Iranian sources reported that the Tosan's front armor is armored against bullets up to 12.7 caliber.[citation needed] It is equipped with a diesel engine.[citation needed]
Variants
Operators
References
External links
Media related to Tosan light tank at Wikimedia Commons