M60 Patton Tank – Cold War Main Battle Tank

The M60 Patton has gotten complicated with all the variant designations and Cold War nostalgia flying around. As someone who considers the M60 one of the most underappreciated tanks in American armored history, I learned everything there is to know about this Cold War workhorse. Today, I will share it all with you.

Cold War Backbone

The M60 entered service in 1960 and became the U.S. Army’s primary main battle tank for over two decades. It carried a 105mm rifled gun, weighed about 52 tons, and used a Continental diesel engine. Not as flashy as the Abrams that replaced it, but the M60 held the line against Soviet armor during the tensest years of the Cold War.

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Over 15,000 M60s were built across all variants. The M60A1 improved the turret design. The M60A3 added thermal sights and a laser rangefinder that dramatically improved hit probability. The ill-fated M60A2 “Starship” tried to mount a missile launcher in the turret and earned a reputation for being overcomplicated.

Combat Service

The M60 saw real combat in Israeli hands during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where it faced Soviet-built tanks head-on. The Marines took M60A1s to Desert Storm in 1991 alongside the Army’s Abrams tanks. The M60 performed well despite being a generation older than the M1. That’s the mark of a solid design.

Current Status

That’s what makes the M60 endearing to us tank enthusiasts — it refuses to die. While the U.S. retired its M60s years ago, countries like Turkey, Egypt, and several others still operate upgraded versions. Some have received modern fire control, reactive armor, and new engines that keep them competitive. The M60 might be a Cold War design, but in the right hands with the right upgrades, it’s still a dangerous opponent.