Chieftain / Shir vs M1 Abrams

The Chieftain / Shir and the M1 Abrams are both Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by Royal Ordnance Factory and General Dynamics Corp. respectively. The Chieftain / Shir weighs 55.0 tons vs 66.8 tons for the M1 Abrams. Top speed is 48 km/h for the Chieftain / Shir vs 72 km/h for the M1 Abrams. Operational range is 500 km for the Chieftain / Shir vs 426 km for the M1 Abrams. The Chieftain / Shir is armed with a 1 L11A5 120mm rifled barrel gun, while the M1 Abrams carries a 120 mm L/44 M256 smoothbore gun (40 rounds). The Chieftain / Shir has been produced in 1,056 units vs 10,300 for the M1 Abrams.

British main battle tank, 1056 units built, designed for high crew survivability.
Profile of Chieftain / Shir
Origin country 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Main Battle Tank
Type Heavy Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer Royal Ordnance Factory
Number produced 1,056 units
Estimated unit price $-- million
American main battle tank, first fielded in 1980, with over 10,300 units manufactured.
Profile of M1 Abrams
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States
Category Main Battle Tank
Type Heavy Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer General Dynamics Corp.
Number produced 10,300 units
Estimated unit price $8.5 million
Combat weight 55.0 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 48 km/h â—‰
Operational range 500 km â—‰
Length 9.99 m â—‰
Width 3.50 m â—‰
Height 2.90 m â—‰
Crew 4
Engine Leyland L60 Diesel Engine with 750 hp
Main armament 1 L11A5 120mm rifled barrel gun
Secondary weapon 1 L8A1 7.62mm coaxial machine gun
Combat weight 66.8 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 72 km/h â—‰
Operational range 426 km â—‰
Length 9.77 m â—‰
Width 3.66 m â—‰
Height 2.44 m â—‰
Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Engine Honeywell AGT1500 multi-fuel turbine engine 1,500 shp (1,120 kW)
Main armament 120 mm L/44 M256 smoothbore gun (40 rounds)
Secondary weapon 1 × 0.50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun with 900 rounds

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Chieftain / Shir or M1 Abrams?
The M1 Abrams is faster with a maximum road speed of 72 km/h compared to the Chieftain / Shir's 48 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the Chieftain / Shir or M1 Abrams?
The Chieftain / Shir has a longer operational range at 500 km compared to the M1 Abrams's 426 km.
Which is heavier, the Chieftain / Shir or M1 Abrams?
The M1 Abrams is heavier at 66.8 tons combat weight compared to the Chieftain / Shir's 55.0 tons.
Which is larger, the Chieftain / Shir or M1 Abrams?
The Chieftain / Shir is longer at 9.99 meters compared to the M1 Abrams's 9.77 meters.
How many crew members do the Chieftain / Shir and M1 Abrams require?
The M1 Abrams requires a larger crew of 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) compared to the Chieftain / Shir's 4 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Chieftain / Shir or M1 Abrams?
The M1 Abrams has been produced in greater numbers with 10,300 units compared to 1,056 units of the Chieftain / Shir.
What are the main armaments of the Chieftain / Shir and M1 Abrams?
The Chieftain / Shir is armed with 1 L11A5 120mm rifled barrel gun while the M1 Abrams carries 120 mm L/44 M256 smoothbore gun (40 rounds) as its main armament.