These Tanks Changed the Soviet Approach to Warfare

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• The Soviet Union first began developing tanks in the period between World War I and World War II, leading to an impressive selection of tanks today.
• The T-14 Armada, a tank introduced in Russian warfare in 2016, comes with an impressive collection of weaponry, including 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
• Russia has used tanks in various situations to project global power and improve combat against enemies.
• Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine claims that Russia has lost 8,563 tanks. While this number may be hard to confirm, what we do know is that Russia recently lost 12 main battle tanks and 52 artillery systems in a recent Ukrainian strike. Main battle tanks are armored vehicles designed for front-line combat. These vehicles blend offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate in different battlefield scenarios, making them a crucial part of warfare. Without these tanks, Russia loses a significant amount of offensive power, diminishing the country’s warfare efficacy in the ongoing conflict. (If Ukraine keeps pushing farther into Russia, these countries would help Putin.)

Tanks have played an important role in Soviet warfare for decades. The Soviet Union began developing tanks before World War II, and the country’s tank-related breakthroughs led to the game-changing T-34. This tank 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.

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. (These are the 30 most mass-produced tanks since WWII ended.)

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.

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 also included supplemental information from Military Factory regarding the type of tank, armament, manufacturer, top speed, and number manufactured. To keep this list as clear as possible, we chose to exclude prototypes, projects and tanks with limited production runs.

Here is a look at every Russian tank ever made:

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. Understanding how Russian tanks have changed over time highlights the country’s military prioritization and global geopolitical changes.

T-27

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1931
• Manufacturer(s): Bolshevik Works / GAZ
• Armament: 7.62mm machine gun
• Top speed: 26 mph
• Weight: 3 tons

T-26

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1931
• Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 174 / Stalingrad Tractor Factory
• Armament: 45mm main gun, 7.62mm machine gun, 12.7mm machine gun
• Top speed: 17 mph
• Weight: 10.4 tons

BT-7 (Bystrochodnij Tankov)

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1934
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 45mm main gun, 7.62mm machine gun
• Top speed: 32 mph
• Weight: 15 tons

T-38

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1937
• Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 37
• Armament: 7.62mm machine gun
• Top speed: 25 mph
• Weight: 4 tons

KV-1 (Klimenti Voroshilov)

• Type: Heavy tank
• Year introduced: 1939
• Manufacturer(s): Kirov Factory
• Armament: 76.2mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns
• Top speed: 22 mph
• Weight: 49.6 tons

T-34

• Type: Medium tank
• Year introduced: 1940
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 85mm D-5T / ZiS-S-53 main gun, 7.62mm DT MG coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm DT machine gun
• Top speed: 32 mph
• Weight: 30.9 tons

T-60

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1941
• Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 37 / Factory No. 38 / GAZ
• Armament: 20mm TNSh L/82.4 main gun, 7.62mm machine gun
• Top speed: 27 mph
• Weight: 6.4 tons

T-70

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1942
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 45mm 20K main gun, 7.62mm machine gun
• Top speed: 28 mph
• Weight: 14 tons

IS-2 / JS-2 (Josef Stalin)

• Type: Heavy tank
• Year introduced: 1943
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 122mm D25-T main gun, 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine guns
• Top speed: 23 mph
• Weight: 56.2 tons

T-44

• Type: Medium tank
• Year introduced: 1944
• Manufacturer(s): Factory No. 75
• Armament: 85mm D-5T main gun, 7.62mm machine guns
• Top speed: 32 mph
• Weight: 35.2 tons

IS-3 / JS-3 (Josef Stalin)

• Type: Heavy tank
• Year introduced: 1945
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 122mm D-25T main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine guns
• Top speed: 25 mph
• Weight: 50.5 tons

T-54

• Type: Medium tank
• Year introduced: 1949
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 100mm D-10TG main gun, 7.62mm SG MT coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm bow-mounted machine gun
• Top speed: 30 mph
• Weight: 39.7 tons

PT-76

• Type: Amphibious light tank
• Year introduced: 1952
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 76.2mm main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
• Top speed: 27 mph
• Weight: 16.1 tons

IS-10 / T-10 (Josef Stalin)

• Type: Heavy tank
• Year introduced: 1953
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 122mm D-74 main gun, 14.5mm KPV machine guns, 12.7mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun
• Top speed: 26 mph
• Weight: 57.3 tons

T-55

• Type: Medium tank
• Year introduced: 1958
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 100mm D-10 rifled main gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun
• Top speed: 31 mph
• Weight: 44.6 tons

T-62

• Type: Medium tank
• Year introduced: 1961
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 115mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm DShKM anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
• Top speed: 28 mph
• Weight: 45.7 tons

BMD-1 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)

• Type: Infantry fighting vehicle
• Year introduced: 1966
• Manufacturer(s): Volgograd Tractor Plant
• Armament: 73mm 2A28 smoothbore cannon, 9M14M anti-tank guided missiles
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Weight: 8.3 tons

BMP-1 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty)

• Type: Infantry fighting vehicle
• Year introduced: 1966
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm PKT bow-mounted machine gun
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Weight: 13.8 tons

T-64

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1966
• Manufacturer(s): Malyshev Factory
• Armament: 125mm D-81 smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun
• Top speed: 43 mph
• Weight: 43 tons

T-72 (Ural)

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1972
• Manufacturer(s): State Factories
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Top speed: 42 mph
• Weight: 50.7 tons

T-80 (MBT)

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1976
• Manufacturer(s): Omsk Transmash / Malyshev / LKZ
• Armament: 125mm main gun, 12.7mm air defense machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Top speed: 43 mph
• Weight: 50.7 tons

BMP-2 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty)

• Type: Infantry fighting vehicle
• Year introduced: 1982
• Manufacturer(s): Kurgan Machine Construction Plant
• Armament: 30mm 2A42 main gun, 7.62 PKTM coaxial machine gun, 9M113 Konkurs mssile launcher, smoke dischargers
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Weight: 16.1 tons

BMD-2 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)

• Type: Amphibious light tank
• Year introduced: 1985
• Manufacturer(s): Volgograd Tractor Plant
• Armament: 30mm 2A42 cannon, ATGM missile launcher, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm PKT bow-mounted machine gun
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Weight: 12.7 tons

BMP-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty)

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 1987
• Manufacturer(s): Kurgan Machine Construction Plant
• Armament: 100mm 2A70 rifled main gun, 30mm 2A72 coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Top speed: 43 mph
• Weight: 20.6 tons

BMD-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)

• Type: Amphibious light tank
• Year introduced: 1990
• Manufacturer(s): Volgograd Tractor Plant
• Armament: 30mm cannon, 7.62 machine gun, AT-4 ATGW launcher, 5.45mm machine gun, 40mm grenade launcher, smoke dischargers
• Top speed: 44 mph
• Weight: 14.6 tons

T-90

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 1995
• Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade discharges
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Weight: 51.3 tons

BMD-4 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta)

• Type: Light infantry fighting vehicle
• Year introduced: 2005
• Manufacturer(s): Volgograd Tractor Plant
• Armament: 100mm main gun, 30mm cannon, AT-5 Spandrel anti-tank guided missile launcher, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, 5.45mm general purpose machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Top speed: 43 mph
• Weight: 15 tons

2S25 (Sprut-SD)

• Type: Light tank
• Year introduced: 2007
• Manufacturer(s): Volgograd Tractor Plant
• Armament: 125mm 2A75 main gun, 7.62 coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers
• Top speed: 43 mph
• Weight: 19.8 tons

T-99 Armata

• Type: Multirole tracked armored vehicle
• Year introduced: 2013
• Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
• Armament: 125mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm coaxial machine gun, 57mm automatic grenade launcher
• Top speed: 50 mph
• Weight: 55.1 tons

T-14 (Armata)

• Type: Main battle tank
• Year introduced: 2016
• Manufacturer(s): Uralvagonzavod
• 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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