The Tosan (also written Towsan, meaning "wild horse" or "fury") is an Iranian light tank, for unconventional warfare. Iran calls it a "Quick Reaction" tank because the tank is said to be capable of rapid response and is built for strategic missions. It appears to be based on the British FV101 Scorpion (where Iran has 80 in service); the tank is fitted with a 90 mm gun, Toophan missile launchers, and improved firing and targeting systems. The tank can drive long distances on its tracks and does not need to be carried on trucks.[2]

Tosan
A Sayyad AFV left next to a Tosan tank (right)
Type	Light tank
Place of origin	Iran
Service history
In service	1997–
Used by	Iranian Army IRGCGF
Production history
Produced	1997
No. built	120 [1]
Specifications
Mass	~ 8 tonnes
Length	4.9 m
Width	2.2 m
Height	2.1 m
Crew	3
Armour	12.7 mm
Main armament	90 mm gun
Secondary armament	Toophan
Engine	Diesel
Suspension	Torsion bar

History

Production started in 1997,[2] but the tank was only produced in small numbers.[1] Mass production started in 2008. Colonel Nasser Arab-Beigi, head of the self-sufficiency unit of the IRGC ground forces, announced the mass-production of this 'Quick Reaction' tank on June 30, 2008, as part of the country's campaign for defense self-sufficiency.^{[citation needed]}

Operators

 Iran

See also

• Military of Iran
• Iranian military industry
• Current Equipment of the Iranian Army
• Tanks of Iran
• Tondar (missile)

References