The M60 tank is an iconic symbol of the Cold War. It has since become one of the most successful tanks in history, with over 15,000 produced between 1960 and 1987; they served in armies across 22 countries. This main battle tank (MBT) was developed in response to the Soviet Union’s T-54 and T-55 tanks, which were superior to the American tanks of the time in terms of firepower.

The M60’s designers knew they needed to develop a superior tank, so they incorporated a well-sloped hull to provide better protection against enemy fire. This gave the M60 an edge on the battlefield, offering superior protection to the previous generation of American tanks.

The M60 was equipped with a formidable 105mm cannon that fired seven rounds per minute. With this firepower, the M60 could take on most other tanks in the world, giving it an edge in battle that few other tanks possessed.

The M60 entered service in 1960 and immediately proved to be a success. It saw action in various conflicts around the globe, including Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Many soldiers have praised the M60 for its reliability and effectiveness in combat.

The M60 has significantly impacted warfare throughout its lifetime due to its superior firepower and protection against enemy fire compared to other tanks at the time. During the Vietnam War, it proved invaluable against North Vietnamese forces equipped with Soviet T-54/55s, which had previously been considered superior to American tanks due to their higher rate of fire and better armor protection. However, it is important to note that the M60 saw limited service in Vietnam. It was not the primary tank used in that conflict; the lighter, air-transportable M48 was. 

However, M60’s successes during that conflict led many other nations, such as Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, to purchase them for their militaries, where they saw action in various regional conflicts throughout their lifetime, such as Operation Desert Storm in Iraq during 1991 where they proved themselves invaluable once again against Iraqi forces who were equipped with Soviet T-72s which had somewhat replaced their T-54/55s by then due to advances in technology over time. It should be noted that the T-72s posed more of a threat to Western armor than their predecessors.  

Due to its success during various conflicts around the world throughout its lifetime, many nations came to view owning an M60 tank as a sign of national pride or political power, depending on how they use them or what type of message they are trying to convey through their ownership or deployment of them during times of conflict or tension between nations or regions.