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Soleiman-402 M60A1 upgrade

Iranian media reported that the Soleiman-402 main battle tank includes comprehensive upgrades to the US-made M60 model to ensure that it meets the modern requirements of the country's armed forces. Iranian media reported that the Iranian military officially announced on 01 Septembe 2024 the deployment of its newly upgraded Soleiman-402 tanks, originally American-made M60 models. These tanks, inherited from the previous regime during the pro-Western Dictator Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi era, have undergone significant modernization and are now re-entering service under the new designation, Soleiman-402.

The ceremony of joining the upgraded M60 tank (Suleiman 1402) to the combat units of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army was held 01 September 2024 in the presence of Major General Mousavi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and Amir Heidari, the Commander of the Army Ground Forces, at the Production, Optimization and Modernization Center of Shahid Zarharan Nezaja. According to Heydari, this tank is equal to the current tanks in terms of armor protection and armor capabilities. The M60 Patton tank, which is the main tank of the battlefield, was first produced and entered the US Army in 1960. This new class of tanks was called main battle tank (MBT).

Army’s Ground Force Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari stated: “The M60 tank is on par with the world’s state-of-the-art tanks in the areas of armored protection and armored capability,” noting that the vehicles had been “optimized in line with cutting-edge technology.” The commander said the optimization process had enhanced the vehicle’s entire 13-strong features, including reactive armor, daytime and nighttime maneuverability, optical sights that provide its operators with all-encompassing field vision, formidable cannons, and engines that had rendered the tanks into highly-maneuverable vehicles. He, meanwhile, said the vehicles could enter the mass-production stage in the future if need be. Heydari praised the country’s Martyr Zarharan Production, Optimization, and Renovation Center, where the vehicles had undergone their enhancement process. The facility, he said, had increased the Ground Force’s moblization capacity to the level that it had now become capable of “powerful and speedy” transfer of its various armored units throughout military drills and on other necessary occasions. Amir Brigadier General Gholamhossein Soleimani, the deputy for readiness and support of the Army Ground Forces, who was previously the commander of the modernization and optimization center of Shahid Zarharan Nezaja, says about one of the features of this upgrade: the commander inside the tank turret can target the target day and night using the installed display. hit According to him, of course, before this shooting at night had no meaning and shooting was done during the day without ensuring effective hitting of the targets.

A video shared on the Telegram social network gave a glimpse of Iran's significant steps towards modernizing its military arsenal, notably showing an upgraded version of the US-made M60A1 tank. This development was revealed on March 15, 2024, highlighting a series of improvements aimed at enhancing the tank's combat effectiveness and defensive capabilities. The decision to upgrade this fleet underscored Iran's intent to maintain and improve the relevance and effectiveness of existing military hardware in modern warfare.

This tank represents a significant upgrade to the existing M60 model, featuring enhanced defensive capabilities and modernized weaponry. One of the notable features is the side armor, which matches the robust protection of the new American Abrams X tank. The gun barrel is equipped with a protective shield, ensuring optimal performance and safety during operations. Additionally, a remote weapon station is strategically positioned at the top of the turret, enhancing the tank's firepower and versatility on the battlefield.

According to the published information, the firing power of the M60 tank gun, which is named the Suleiman 402, has increased, and its range has increased from 3 to 7 kilometers. This tank can target targets while moving with a laser lock. The turret itself has undergone substantial upgrades, including additional armor that is sleeker compared to the old M-60 casted turret. Furthermore, a new gunner sight has been integrated into the turret, providing improved accuracy and targeting capabilities. Meanwhile, the commander's sight is located at the remote weapon station, enabling efficient command and control of the tank's operations.

Iran's modernization of the M60A1 tank includes notable improvements such as additional armor plates on the hull and turret, providing superior protection against anti-tank weapons. The vehicle is equipped with passive dynamic protection, which covers the front of the turret and the lower frontal plate. The upper frontal plate is reinforced, apparently, with a type of armor known as SLERA [its operating principle is similar to a regular ERA, but after it is detonated, it remains in place, although it is not ready for re-use].

The upgrade also features a protective shield for the grenade launcher tube to ensure optimal performance and crew safety during operations. A significant improvement is the introduction of a remote turret weapons station, expanding firepower and operational flexibility. Turret upgrades, including sleeker additional armor and an advanced gunner sight, have been implemented to improve accuracy and target acquisition. The type of command, which is now part of the remote weapons station, allows for better command and control, which significantly improves the tactical capabilities of the tank.

Another significant improvement concerns the optoelectronic countermeasures- the "headlights" on both side of the main gun. The tank is equipped with systems similar to the Russian Shtora jammer, used on a number of locally produced T-72S models, which can prevent enemy ATGMs from being aimed at it. However, Iran has a smaller and more modern jamming system, which is installed on the Karrar tank [a further development of the T-72], and includes a laser receiver.

In the optimization of the internal protection of the tank, the installation of an intelligent fire alarm and extinguishing system, front, rear and side-view cameras, telecommunication system and the system for dealing with modern wars have been installed in the upgraded version of the M60 tank. Systems such as the starter, power supply, driver's dashboard, pipe cover and tank heating system also received a new update compared to the previous models.

While these enhancements are impressive, details about the engine upgrade remain undisclosed, leaving analysts curious about potential performance improvements in this vital aspect of the tank. It is not known whether the engine is upgraded or not.

The upgrade for for M60 tanks in fact the Iranian equivalent of the Israeli Sabra. this tank had actually reach a Two Plus+ generation. Iranian source claimed the upgrade to this tank is likely to enter production by 2025. In the past Iran had provided upgrades, of which three upgrades had been received. Two upgrades these upgrades include both protection and propulsion upgrades but the plan upgrade for the M60 which is supposed to take place can be summarized in three main parts upgrade in terms of propulsion, upgrades of the tank's gun system, and replacement of the tank turret. Other upgrades may include improving crew comfort for gunner driver and Commander, and tank main armament ammo storage space upgrade.

Alongside these upgrade packages it wouldn't hurt if Iran also implemented a second plan for upgrading the Fire Control section. The system known as EFCS 355 is made in Slovenia and has been imported into Iran since 1970s. This has has been used in upgrading Type 59, T-55/54 tank to Type 72 Zara 3 tank. Iran has domestically produced the system under the name of CAD 72 since around 2004. The CAD 72 Fire Control System it is a single Channel Fire Control System equipped with a surveillance and targeting system for the Gunner with a day side Channel with 10x time magnification and a field of view of 6°. The night side channel is equipped with a second generation image intensifier system with 7.5 times magnification and a field of view of 7°. It has a lase range finder with a range of 10,000 M and an accuracy of seven more and less meters with a capability of simultaneously raging two Targets. The CAD 72 fire control system has various sensors that transfer specific information for processing to the ballistic computer. These sensors include gun angle sensor meteorology call sensor wind speed pressure and air temperature, a turrent rotation and elevation sensor and exhaust temperature sensor. It is worth emphasizing that this system does not have a thermal imaging Channel and only uses image intensification technology for night vision. The catalog of fire control system has been published by the ministry of defense with support of the Armed Forces overall.

The Iranian Armed Forces operated a fleet of older M60A1 tanks, with a total of 150 units in service. These tanks, originally purchased and put into service decades ago, were a critical component of Iran's armored capabilities. Although the tank is relatively old, with a simple upgrade and reasonable cost it can become a powerful efficient asset. This upgrade demonstrates Tehran’s intention to make the most of its available hardware, adapting it to modern threats.

RedEffectChannel noted: "At glance it might seem like a decent tank but since Iran wants to modernize their entire m61 fleet of 150 tanks they can't have this be an expensive upgrade and it really shows."

1. The shield around the main gun of the tank this is really reminiscent of the shield seen on the Karar tank on several occasions. But it seems they have decided against it since the last time the Karar tank was displayed the gun shield was not present. And for a good reason it doesn't really do much of anything. It's a thin piece of metal best it would stop is some light frag but light fragmentation wouldn't be able to damage the gun anyway. It might be there only for some visual reasons to make the tank appear more menacing.
2. Another thing that really sticks out on the tank are the dazzlers like on the Russian T-98 tank. This is honestly the worst thing they could have put on this tank. They no longer work. Tthey only worked decades ago against old SACLOS guided ATGMs but anything made after the Cold War can easily slip past them. That is why Russians decided to remove them from the T-90 with the T-90M modernization and why most countries getting the T-90s order them without the dazzlers. The worst thing about them is that because they are mounted on the turret's front they prevent any additional protection from being installed and are thus doing quite the opposite from what they're supposed to do. They actually reduce the overall protection of the vehicle. There is explosive reactive armor mounted on the turret front except where the dazzlers are taking up a lot of space.
3. The turret the hull also appears to have some form of a protection, but it is not completely clear if this is composite armor or explosive active armor but to it seems like it is actually explosive reactive armor because under the external plate with the anti-slip coating there appear to be several panels of some type of ERA done in a similar fashion as on the T-72 and the T-90 tanks. Since the M60 has regular steel armor, putting ERA on top isn't going to to do a massive difference. It will be an improvement but won't stop many threats.
4. The side of the turret also appears to have some extra protection although it does appear that this is just regular spaced steel armor since in a couple of pictures and some shots it does seem to be relatively thin. This is not that surprising considering they have done the same on the sides. So the overall physical protection of this tank is not really that good.