Hello there! I'm a military historian specializing in armored warfare. I've dedicated my career to studying the evolution of tanks, from their humble beginnings in World War I to the technological marvels we see today. I'm happy to share my knowledge about these fascinating machines of war, particularly when it comes to the question of sheer size and weight. So, let's dive into the intriguing world of heavy tanks!

You want to know about the heaviest tank in the world? That's a question that often sparks debate, as the answer depends on how you define "heaviest." Do we mean combat weight, the weight of a tank ready for battle with fuel, ammunition, and crew? Or are we talking about the absolute heaviest a tank has ever been, even if it was just a prototype or modified for a specific purpose?

Let's break it down, examining some of the contenders for the title:

**<font color='red'>Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus</font>**

Often cited as the **<font color='red'>heaviest tank ever built</font>**, the German "Maus" (Mouse) was a World War II behemoth. Two prototypes were nearly completed before the war's end, and one partially intact hull survives to this day.

* Weight: A staggering **<font color='red'>188 tonnes</font>** (over 414,000 pounds)
* Armament: A fearsome 128mm main gun and a coaxial 75mm cannon
* Purpose: Designed to break through heavily fortified enemy lines

While incredibly powerful on paper, the Maus was ultimately impractical. Its sheer weight made it incredibly slow (top speed of around 12 mph) and difficult to transport. Bridges couldn't support it, and it would have been a sitting duck for air attacks.

**<font color='red'>T-95/Object 195</font>**

This Russian Cold War-era super-heavy tank project never made it past the prototype stage. Details are shrouded in secrecy, but here's what we know:

* Estimated Weight: Around **<font color='red'>150-160 tonnes</font>**
* Armament: Likely a 152mm main gun
* Purpose: Designed to counter NATO heavy tanks

The T-95 was designed to be significantly faster than the Maus, but it was ultimately deemed too expensive and complex to produce. The project was canceled in the early 2000s.

Other Contenders:

* TOG II (British): Weighing in at around **<font color='red'>80 tonnes</font>**, this World War II prototype was hampered by its size and slow speed.
* E-100 (German): Another World War II German project, the E-100 was intended to be a super-heavy tank chassis for various roles. Its estimated weight was around **<font color='red'>140 tonnes</font>**, but only a hull was partially built.

So, which is the heaviest?

The **<font color='red'>Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus</font>**, at **<font color='red'>188 tonnes</font>**, holds the undisputed title of the **<font color='red'>heaviest tank ever built</font>**. While other projects may have rivaled it on paper, none ever reached the Maus's physical mass.

However, it's important to remember that the Maus was a technological dead-end. Its immense weight made it impractical for actual combat. The history of tank development shows a shift towards more mobile and versatile platforms rather than sheer size and firepower. While the Maus remains a fascinating example of engineering ambition, it serves as a reminder that bigger isn't always better on the battlefield.

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Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus (Mouse), the heaviest fully enclosed armoured vehicle ever built. The 33 ft 6 in (10.2 m) long and 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m) wide super-heavy tank weighs 188 tonnes. (207 short tons) Only one prototype was complete.read more >>