Various other sub-variants of major marks existed during the operational run of the M60 and these denoted subtle additions and changes to the base respective designs. For example, the M60A1 production run also produced the M60A1 "AOS" and M60A1 "RISE" forms which denoted "Add-On Stabilization" and "Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment" respectively. There was also an M60A1 "RISE Passive" designation which detailed its use of Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks for improved armor protection. The M60 chassis also formed a handful of specialized serviceable army vehicles including a mine clearer, bull dozer, a bridgelayer (AVLB) and a dedicated combat engineering vehicle in the M728.
Designations featuring "E" markings were always experimental forms in the US Army nomenclature and some examples included the M60A1E1, M60A1E2, M60A1E3 and M60A1E4. These differed mainly in their fitting of weaponry for evaluation purposes and rarely made it into serial production. However, the M60A1E2 did go on to become the M60A2 production model. Foreign operators also were free to apply their own designations as needed.
First US deployment of the M60 occurred during the Vietnam War (1955-1975) though these were only specialist vehicles in the AVLB bridgelayer and M728 CEV (Combat Engineering Vehicle) forms. Both vehicles utilized the M60 chassis and hull which broadened the tactical value of the M60 combat system and made logistical and fiscal sense. Other than that, no combat M60 tanks were deployed to the region and used in the war effort.
Like the Soviet T-62, the American M60 went on to see extensive sales overseas to US-friendly nations - it proved a staple of some NATO forces across Europe for some time. It was not until the Israeli Yom Kippur War of 1973 that the tank actually saw combat service and this was in the hands of the Israelis during the 1973 "Yom Kippur War". The Israeli Army made use of both M60 and M60A1 production marks in the conflict in addition to their stable of M48 Pattons already in service. Upgraded forms - introducing Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks- were then used in the upcoming Lebanon War of 1982. ERAs served as additional point protection from incoming enemy projectiles, missiles and rocket grenades and extensively upgraded crew survivability. The Israelis designated their upgraded M48s and M60s as "Magach" with Magach 1, 2, 3 and 5 marks covering different variants of the M48 and Magach 6 and 7 marking the upgraded M60 tanks. By all accounts, the M60 performed admirably well in Israeli hands, even when facing off against the T-62 - the tank it was originally designed to counter all those years prior. Their biggest threat proved to be Soviet-made anti-tank missiles fired by AT teams waiting in ambush. At any rate, the Israeli military still retains a healthy supply of modified M60s along with their newer, more modern Merkava Main Battle Tanks serving as primary.
One-time American ally Iran was also a recipient of US military hardware for some years and took delivery of 150 total M60A1 production models. These were fielded during the bloody Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s - their current service levels remaining unknown.
The M60s next notable action placed her in the Persian Gulf region during the Gulf War of 1991 (Operation Desert Storm). Elements of the United States Marine Corps and Royal Saudi Army both made use of the type alongside its replacement - the M1 Abrams MBT. The actions showcased the M60 versus Iraqi T-62s to which the M60 shown itself to be the better tank - much of this success having more to do with the poor training and experience of Iraqi tanker crews when compared to the Americans. Additionally, the M60 was a much refined beast by 1991, upgraded with the changing battlefield whilst Iraqi T-62s were not. During the battle for Kuwait City, only a single M60 was lost with no casualties absorbed. Even the US Air Force operated one detachment of M60 tanks during the conflict and these as ordnance disposal vehicles.
The largest M60 operators to date remain the Egyptian Army, the Turkish Army and the Israeli Army, each capable of fielding several hundreds to over 1,000 units. Other notable operators include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Thailand and Portugal. Greece operated as many as 669 M60A1/A3s but has since retired these in favor of incoming German Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 MBTs.
The Turkish Army, currently owners of some 925 M60A1 and M60A3 models - has since enacted an extensive modernization program to a newer M60T "Sabra" standard. These feature an electrically-stabilized 120mm smoothbore main gun along with an improved armor protection scheme and fire control system. These may also be known under the Sabra Mk III designator.
For the United States military, the M60 series has been formally retired from operational service, replaced outright by the M1 Abrams series. Some M60s were placed in reserve status or storage for the time being while others have ended up as outdoor showpieces for various military-related facilities.
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