For ages, combat tanks have been essential parts of military arsenal giving unmatched firepower, mobility, and protection on the battlefield in Africa.
Tanks were first thought up to deal with the challenges of trench warfare, where they broke enemy lines and provided cover for infantry advances.
Over the decades, technological advancements have transformed combat tanks into highly sophisticated machines, equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, advanced targeting systems, and composite armor for enhanced protection against modern threats.
Just like everywhere else, many African countries have their fleets of combat tanks, showing off their military strength and readiness. Places like Egypt, Eritrea, and Algeria have sizable inventories of tanks, which boosts their defence strategies and deters any potential enemies.
These armoured assets help safeguard their territorial integrity, combating insurgencies, and maintaining stability in regions prone to conflict.
A recent report by Global Fire Power (GFP) reveals the combat tank fleets of various African countries. The report considers track-over-wheel designs from all branches of service, including the Army and Marines. Examples of vehicles include the German ‘Leopard 2’ and Russian T-90 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), as well as light-class systems like the ‘Stingray’ Light Tank of Thailand.
Products currently under development or on order heading into the upcoming year are not taken into account.
Below are 10 African countries with the highest combat tank fleet strength:
| 1 | Egypt | 5,340 |
| 2 | Eritrea | 1,756 |
| 3 | Algeria | 1,632 |
| 4 | Morocco | 1,564 |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 680 |
| 6 | Nigeria | 343 |
| 7 | Angola | 310 |
| 8 | Libya | 300 |
| 9 | Sudan | 233 |
| 10 | Democratic Republic of Congo | 210 |
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