The M60 Tank: Still in Service Across the Globe Despite Decommissioning
Dive into the story of the M60 tank and its ongoing presence in military affairs worldwide. From being decommissioned and transformed into artificial reefs to remaining in service in various forms, the M60 continues to play a significant role in global defense.
Introduction and Historical Context
The M60 tank, an iconic vehicle known for its robust design and durability, has been a staple in the modern military landscape. Despite being decommissioned in many countries, the M60 still holds a special place in the annals of military history. The question often arises: where are all the M60 tanks now, especially those that were removed from service?
Decommissioned and Repurposed: The M60 at Fort Benning, GA
The last M60s from the 197th Infantry Brigade Separate at Fort Benning, GA, have been replaced with more advanced M1A2 Abrams tanks. After the 197th became the 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) following DESERT STORM, these tanks stayed in a collection point for over a year before being sent to the ocean, where they were used to form artificial reefs in the Caribbean Sea.
Interestingly, several hundred tanks from the New Jersey National Guard were also decommissioned and sunk similarly, contributing to marine ecosystems far off the Jersey Shore. This method of disposal not only served the purpose of decommissioning but also provided a habitat for marine life, thus benefiting the environment in a unique way.
Where are They Now?
Most of the decommissioned M60 tanks did end up in museums or in front of veterans’ organization halls. However, the story doesn't end there. With over 15,000 tanks built and more than 30 countries originally armed with M60s, many M60s are still in active service today.
Active Service and Modernization
Despite being decommissioned in various countries, over 22 nations still maintain M60s as main battle tanks (MBTs). These countries often keep them in reserve or repurpose their chassis for other uses such as armored recovery vehicles (ARVs) and bridgelayers. Some nations also keep extra M60s as spare parts to maintain their active MBTs.
Further modernization has led to the upgrading of many active M60s to at least A3 standards, or even fully modernized versions with 125mm guns, new electronics, optics, enhanced armor, and explosive reactive armor (ERA) packages. Even hybrid versions like Taiwan's CM-11 Brave Tiger have emerged, which use the M60 chassis, the M48 turret, and the firing system of an M1 Abrams, with a 105mm cannon.
Final Destinations: In Storage or Exported
In Storage: A significant number of M60s are still in storage, serving as a reserve in case they are needed. These tanks are often kept in pristine condition, ready to be redeployed if necessary.
Exported: Many M60 tanks have been exported to various countries around the world, continuing to serve as military assets. Their durability and reliability have made them a favorite among many nations.
Conclusion
While it's true that many M60 tanks have been decommissioned and repurposed, they continue to play a significant role in global defense. From being sunk in the ocean to form artificial reefs to serving as active tanks in modernized and hybrid forms, the M60 has left an indelible mark on the military landscape. So, remember, the M60 may not all be in museums, but they are still out there, contributing to defense and security worldwide.