Editing Stridsvagn 103 (section)

== Performance ==

The Stridsvagn 103 never saw combat and so its design remains unproven. However, for its intended role in the 1960s, it had numerous advantages. In 1967, Norway carried out a two-week comparative observation test with the [[Leopard 1]] and found that, with closed hatches, the 103 spotted more targets and fired faster than the Leopard while the situation was reversed when operating with hatches open. In April to September 1968, two 103s were tested at the British [[Bovington Camp|armour school in Bovington]], which reported that "the turretless concept of the "S"-tank holds considerable advantage over turreted tanks". In 1973, the [[British Army of the Rhine|BAOR]] tested the 103. British crewmen received six weeks training and the vehicles were serviced by Swedish engineers. Over nine days of manoeuvres alongside the [[Chieftain tank]], availability never fell under 90% and the final report stated, "It has not been possible to prove any disadvantage in the "S" inability to fire on the move."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home4.swipnet.se/~w-42039/comparisons_with_turreted_tanks.htm |title=Comparisons with turreted tanks |publisher=Home4.swipnet.se |date=12 April 1998 |access-date=27 September 2015 |archive-date=28 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928014209/http://home4.swipnet.se/~w-42039/comparisons_with_turreted_tanks.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1975, two 103s were tested at the American armour center at [[Fort Knox]]. The trial demonstrated that the 103 fired more accurately than the [[M60 tank|M60A1E3]], but on an average of 0.5 seconds slower.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} In the late 90s, a wargame was held in Kvarn pitting 7 Strv 103s in a defensive position against an equal amount of Strv 121s (Leopard 2). All seven Strv 121s were knocked out while only one 103 was lost.<ref name="Lindström" />

In comparison with the Centurion, the shorter track of the Strv 103 meant it performed worse on soft ground (mud and snow), and its trench taking and vertical obstacle capabilities were also significantly lower: where the Centurion climbed a 100&nbsp;cm wall, the 103 was barely able to climb an 80&nbsp;cm wall. On hard terrain, the 103 on the other hand was far more manoeuvrable.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoe25OsTIng via YouTube{{Full citation needed|date=December 2019}}</ref>