The MBT-70 Failure: Why the U.S. Military and Germany Split on the “Super Tank”

The MBT-70 Failure: Why the U.S. Military and Germany Split on the “Super Tank”

Summary and Key Points: National security analyst Steve Balestrieri evaluates the MBT-70 (KPz-70), a 1960s joint venture between the United States and West Germany designed to replace the M60 Patton and Leopard 1. The project collapsed due to fundamental disagreements: the U.S. insisted on a 152mm XM150 gun/launcher for Shillelagh missiles, while Germany prioritized the 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore. MBT-70. Image Credit: Creative Commons. MBT-70…