Where to Find Tanks, Jets, and the Submarine in GTA 5
GTA 5's military hardware lives at one heavily guarded base, and the submarine is tied to a property. Here is exactly where to find the Rhino tank, the P-996 Lazer jet, and the Submersible in story mode, and how to grab them.
GTA 5's heavy hardware (the tank, the fighter jet, and the submarine) is some of the most-searched-for content in the game, and all of it is obtainable in story mode if you know where to look. Here is exactly where each one is and how to take it.
Fort Zancudo: the military base
Most of the firepower is at Fort Zancudo, the military base on the west side of the map, below North Chumash and next to Mount Josiah. Be warned: simply entering the base triggers an instant high wanted level, and the army responds hard. To get in, launch over the fence using the surrounding hills, ride a fast motorcycle through the gate when guards are not looking, or drop in from a helicopter or plane.
The P-996 Lazer (fighter jet)
The P-996 Lazer fighter jet sits in the hangars at Fort Zancudo, and you will often see them taking off and landing. The western entrance is closest to the jet hangars, so approach from there. Once you are in a Lazer you have the most powerful air vehicle in story mode, with cannons and missiles, though you will have to shake the wanted level you picked up getting it.
The Rhino tank
The Rhino is GTA 5's tank: nearly bulletproof with a rotating cannon. There is no parked Rhino to simply steal; instead, the moment you enter Fort Zancudo and trigger the wanted level, the army deploys Rhinos against you, and you hijack one of those. Pull a soldier out, climb in, and the tank is yours, assuming you can survive long enough to drive it off the base.
The Submersible (submarine)
The submarine works differently because it is tied to a property, not the base. Buy the Sonar Collections Dock ($250,000) on the west coast of Blaine County and a Submersible spawns at the dock permanently. It is also how you collect the 30 Nuclear Waste barrels underwater. Alternatively, if you complete The Merryweather Heist using the Offshore approach, a Submersible spawns near Sandy Shores Airfield, though that one is awkward to retrieve because it sits inland and needs a Cargobob to move.
Quick reference
- Fighter jet (Lazer): Fort Zancudo hangars, western entrance.
- Tank (Rhino): spawns at Fort Zancudo once you have a wanted level; hijack one.
- Submarine (Submersible): buy the Sonar Collections Dock ($250k), or the Merryweather Heist (Offshore) variant.
A final tip: an aircraft makes Fort Zancudo far easier, since you can drop straight in, grab a Lazer or a tank, and fly or drive out before the military overwhelms you. Save before you try; the base does not forgive mistakes.
