In the years between World War I and World War II, the Soviet Union began its development of armored fighting vehicles, also known as tanks. Although the first few iterations by the Soviets were not successful, these would lay the groundwork for a storied tank program that has lasted more than a century.
One of the first major breakthroughs in Soviet tanks was the T-34 which would be a game-changer. It gained notoriety in World War II, particularly at the Battle of Kursk in 1943, where large numbers of T-34s helped defeat the German forces. (These are the most important events of World War II: a timeline.)
Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the history of Russian tanks. To identify every Russian-made tank, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of tanks from Military Factory. We listed the tanks in chronological order. We included supplemental information from Military Factory regarding the type of tank, armament, manufacturer, top speed, and number manufactured. We excluded prototypes, projects and tanks with limited production runs.
After World War II, the Soviet Union continued developing the generation of tanks with new models like the T-54 and T-55 which would become some of the most widely produced tanks ever. These were followed by even more advanced models which would continue to build on the successes of the past.
In recent years, the Russian Federation has pushed out new models like the T-14 Armata which has seen service in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. They are designed to be even more effective on the battlefield, incorporating advanced armor, powerful guns, and cutting-edge electronics. (Which countries support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.)
Here is a look at every Russian tank ever:
Why Are We Covering This?
Russia’s historical and current tank developments reflect its status as a major military power. Russian tanks have not only been pivotal in wars but also a tool of diplomatic influence, shaping Russia’s standing on the world stage through both their physical might and strategic deployment.
Armament: 125mm 2A82 smoothbore main gun, 30mm autocannon, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
Top speed: 50 mph
Weight: 48 tons
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