24/7 Wall St. Insights
- 24/7 Wall St. took a deep dive into the evolution of Russian tanks over the years with a focus on speed.
- To identify the fastest Russian tanks ever built, we reviewed a catalog of tanks from Military Factory.
- The fastest Russian tank can reach 50 mph.
- Also: Discover “The Next NVIDIA”
Russia has suffered heavy losses in military equipment since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to Reuters, over 3,000 Russian tanks have been destroyed during the war in Ukraine. However, Russia has no shortage of older models in storage, which the country is retrofitting for use in battle. Additionally, some of the tanks Russia is adding to its arsenal are newly built, although the majority are upgraded older tanks.
Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at how Russian tanks have evolved over the years with a focus on their speed. To identify the fastest Russian tanks ever built, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of tanks from Military Factory. We included the caliber of the main gain and then secondary guns. We included supplemental information from Military Factory regarding the type of tank, year, manufacturer, top speed, and number manufactured. We excluded prototypes.
After WWII, Russian tanks made significant advances in technology when the focus shifted to designing tanks that could maintain the same strength, firepower, and protection while achieving faster speeds. During the Cold War, several new fast and agile Russian tanks were developed. This era would mark significant advances in combat tank technology, motivated by the desire to keep up with NATO forces.
One of the most recent Russian tanks to enter service, the T-14 Armata, represents the pinnacle of Russian engineering of not just firepower but speed as well. With the ability to move swiftly, the Armata tanks can support infantry more effectively, outflank opponents, and adapt to changing combat situations. Most notably, it can hit speeds up to 50 mph, which is quite fast for a tank. The Armata’s speed makes it more versatile and lethal, giving this combat battle tank a significant edge in modern warfare. From the infamous T-34 in World War II to the advanced T-14 Armata, Russian tanks have a history of speed and firepower.
This post was updated on September 1, 2025 to exclude any non-tank vehicles, as well as clarify the fastest tank in Russian service, specific main guns, and exact speeds.
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.
Here is a look at the fastest Russian tanks ever built:
21. T-26
- Type: Light tank
- Year introduced: 1931
- Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 174 / Stalingrad Tractor Factory
- Top speed: 17 mph
- Weight: 10.4 tons
- Armament: 45mm main gun, 7.62mm machine gun, 12.7mm machine gun
20. KV-1 (Klimenti Voroshilov)
- Type: Heavy tank
- Year introduced: 1939
- Manufacturer(s): Kirov Factory
- Top speed: 22 mph
- Weight: 49.6 tons
- Armament: 76.2mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns
19. IS-2 / JS-2 (Josef Stalin)
- Type: Heavy tank
- Year introduced: 1943
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 23 mph
- Weight: 56.2 tons
- Armament: 122mm D25-T main gun, 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine guns
18. IS-3 / JS-3 (Josef Stalin)
- Type: Heavy tank
- Year introduced: 1945
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 25 mph
- Weight: 50.5 tons
- Armament: 122mm D-25T main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine guns
17. T-38
- Type: Light tank
- Year introduced: 1937
- Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 37
- Top speed: 25 mph
- Weight: 4 tons
- Armament: 7.62mm machine gun
16. IS-10 / T-10 (Josef Stalin)
- Type: Heavy tank
- Year introduced: 1953
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 26 mph
- Weight: 57.3 tons
- Armament: 122mm M-62-T2 (2A17) main gun, 14.5mm KPV machine guns, 12.7mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun
15. T-27
- Type: Light tank
- Year introduced: 1931
- Manufacturer(s): Bolshevik Works / GAZ
- Top speed: 26 mph
- Weight: 3 tons
- Armament: 7.62mm machine gun
14. PT-76
- Type: Amphibious light tank
- Year introduced: 1952
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 27 mph
- Weight: 16.1 tons
- Armament: 76.2mm main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm (varies) anti-aircraft machine gun
13. T-60
- Type: Light tank
- Year introduced: 1941
- Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 37 / Factory No. 38 / GAZ
- Top speed: 27 mph
- Weight: 6.4 tons
- Armament: 20mm TNSh L/82.4 main gun, 7.62mm machine gun
12. T-62
- Type: Medium tank
- Year introduced: 1961
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 28 mph
- Weight: 45.7 tons
- Armament: 115mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm DShKM anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
11. T-70
- Type: Light tank
- Year introduced: 1942
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 28 mph
- Weight: 14 tons
- Armament: 45mm 20K main gun, 7.62mm machine gun
10. T-54
- Type: Medium tank
- Year introduced: 1949
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 30 mph
- Weight: 39.7 tons
- Armament: 100mm D-10TG main gun, 7.62mm SG MT coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm bow-mounted machine gun
9. T-55
- Type: Medium tank
- Year introduced: 1958
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 31 mph
- Weight: 44.6 tons
- Armament: 100mm D-10 rifled main gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
8. T-44
- Type: Medium tank
- Year introduced: 1944
- Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 75
- Top speed: 32 mph
- Weight: 35.2 tons
- Armament: 85mm ZiS-S-53, 7.62mm machine guns
7. T-34/85
- Type: Medium tank
- Year introduced: 1940
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 32 mph
- Weight: 30.9 tons
- Armament: 85mm D-5T / ZiS-S-53 main gun, 7.62mm DT MG coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm DT machine gun
6. BT-7 (Bystrochodnij Tankov)
- Type: Light tank
- Year introduced: 1934
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 32 mph
- Weight: 15 tons
- Armament: 45mm main gun, 7.62mm machine gun
5. T-72 (Ural)
- Type: Main battle tank
- Year introduced: 1972
- Manufacturer(s): State Factories
- Top speed: 37 mph
- Weight: 50.7 tons
- Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
4. T-90
- Type: Main battle tank
- Year introduced: 1995
- Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
- Top speed: 37-40 mph
- Weight: 51.3 tons
- Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade discharges
3. T-64
- Type: Main battle tank
- Year introduced: 1966
- Manufacturer(s): Malyshev Factory
- Top speed: 37-40 mph
- Weight: 43 tons
- Armament: 125mm D-81 smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun
2. T-80 (MBT)
- Type: Main battle tank
- Year introduced: 1976
- Manufacturer(s): Omsk Transmash / Malyshev / LKZ
- Top speed: 43-45 mph
- Weight: 50.7 tons
- Armament: 125mm main gun, 12.7mm air defense machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
1. T-14 (Armata)
- Type: Main battle tank
- Year introduced: 2016
- Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
- Top speed: 48-50 mph
- Weight: 48 tons
- Armament: 125mm 2A82 smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
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