Tosan | |
---|---|
Type | Light tank |
Place of origin | Iran |
Service history | |
In service | 1997–present |
Used by | See Operators |
Production history | |
Designer | Alvis |
Produced | 1997 |
No. built | Few made. Actual numbers unknown [1] |
Specifications | |
Mass | ~ 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 or 30 mm 2A42 autocannon |
Secondary armament | Toophan |
Engine | Diesel |
Suspension | Torsion bar |
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 ]
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]
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 ]
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