M60 Patton

Lore & Background

The M60 is a second-generation main battle tank standardized in March 1959. Though developed from the M48 Patton, it was never officially named a Patton tank, instead being considered a product-improved descendant of that design. The original M60 and the M48A2 share evident design similarities. The tank’s interior layout, based on the M48, allowed ample room for updates, extending its service life for over four decades. The M60 series became the primary American main battle tank during the Cold War, with production totaling 15,000 units; hull production ended in 1983, though 5,400 older models were converted to the M60A3 variant through 1990. The tank reached operational capability with US Army European units in December 1960. Its first combat use was by Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War under the Magach 6 designation, where it performed well against comparable tanks like the T-62. Israel also used upgraded M60s with explosive reactive armor during the 1982 Lebanon War. The US deployed M60s in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983 and its largest deployment was in the 1991 Gulf War, where US Marine M60A1s effectively defeated Iraqi armored forces, including T-72 tanks. The US retired the M60 from front-line combat after Desert Storm, with the last tanks leaving National Guard service in 1997. The tank’s hull served as the basis for many prototype, utility, and support vehicles. Egypt is the largest operator with 1,716 upgraded M60A3s, followed by Turkey with 866 upgraded units and Saudi Arabia with over 650.

Reader's Guide

Despite being superseded by the M1 Abrams, M60-series vehicles continue in front-line service with many countries, often highly upgraded. The tank's hull also served as the basis for many support vehicles. The M60 was standardized in March 1959 as a second-generation main battle tank, developed from the M48 Patton design but never officially named a Patton. It became the primary American main battle tank during the Cold War, with production reaching 15,000 units. Hull production ended in 1983, though older models were converted to the M60A3 variant through 1990. The tank first saw combat with Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War under the Magach 6 designation, performing well against T-62 tanks. Israel later used upgraded M60s with explosive reactive armor in the 1982 Lebanon War to counter guided missiles. The United States deployed M60s during the 1983 invasion of Grenada and its largest use came in the 1991 Gulf War, where Marine Corps M60A1s defeated Iraqi T-72s. The US retired the M60 from front-line combat after Desert Storm, with National Guard service ending in 1997. The tank’s interior layout, based on the M48, allowed extensive upgrades over four decades. Egypt operates the largest fleet with 1,716 upgraded M60A3s, followed by Turkey with 866 and Saudi Arabia with over 650.

Did You Know?

• The M60 was never officially named a 'Patton' tank, though it was developed from the M48 Patton.

From Korean War Urgency to a New Standard

The M60 emerged from a period of intense pressure following the Korean War, when American tank forces felt they were falling behind the Soviet Union in both capability and numbers. British attaché Lt Col Noel Cowley assessed its armor and concluded the Centurion's 20-pounder could not reliably defeat it.

A Proven Combatant Across Four Decades

Tanks delivered to Iran also saw action in the Iran-Iraq War. Despite this, the platform has not disappeared from the battlefield; numerous nations continue to operate heavily modified M60s with upgraded firepower, mobility, and protection packages tailored to modern threats.

Engineering for Longevity

One of the M60's defining strengths was its capacity for sustained modernization. The interior layout, inherited from the M48 design, provided generous space that allowed engineers to integrate new systems without a complete redesign, stretching the vehicle's operational life well beyond four decades. The tank's robust hull also served as the foundation for a broad family of derivative vehicles, including armored recovery vehicles, bridge layers, and combat engineering platforms. Though superseded domestically by the M1 Abrams, the M60's modular design philosophy ensured it remained a viable and adaptable platform long after its American front-line career ended.

A Global Footprint and an Unofficial Name

Despite its deep roots in the American Patton lineage, the M60 was never officially christened as a Patton tank; it has been described as a "product-improved descendant" of that design, with clear visual and structural parallels to the M48A2. The tank was widely adopted by US Cold War allies, particularly NATO members, and its global footprint remains substantial. The M60's operational debut came in December 1960, when it was first fielded to US Army units in Europe. Even after the United States withdrew it from active front-line service, the M60 continues to anchor the armored forces of several nations, each applying its own modernization packages to keep the platform competitive on the contemporary battlefield.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Many people mistakenly refer to the M60 as an officially named "Patton" tank, but it was never officially christened as such. While it was developed from the M48 Patton, it is more accurately described as a "product-improved descendant" of the Patton design.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

The M60 represents a crucial transitional era in armored warfare, bridging the gap between the post-World War II Patton lineage and the modernized design philosophies of the Cold War. Its decade-long operational service beginning in 1960 demonstrates how incremental improvements—like switching to a diesel engine and a more powerful main gun—can extend the relevance of a proven platform long after its original design concept might seem outdated.

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