Loading AI tools
Medium tank/Main battle tank From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The T-54/T-55 tank series is the most widely used tank in the world and has seen service in over 50 countries. It has also served as the platform for a wide variety of specialty armoured vehicles.[1][2]
| T-54 | |
|---|---|
T-54-3 at the Parola Tank Museum in Parola, Finland | |
| Type | Medium tank/Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1947–present |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Morozov (T-54), OKB-520 (T-54A and later) |
| Designed | 1945 |
| Manufacturer | KhPZ, UVZ (USSR), Bumar-Łabędy (Poland), ZTS Martin (Slovakia) |
| Produced | 1946–81 (USSR) 1956–79 (Poland) 1957–83 (Slovakia) |
| No. built | 96,000–100,000 est. |
Abkhazia: A number of T-55s were in service at the beginning of the 1992 and 1993 War in Abkhazia. These were all lost in the first four months of the fighting, at which point Abkhazian forces had captured 8 T-55s from the Georgians.[3] At peak strength, there were 100 T-55s and T-72s in service.[4] More than 50 T-55s and T-72s were in service in 2004.[5] 87 T-55s and T-72s were in service before the 2008 South Ossetia war.[6] Between 50 and 60 T-55s and T-72s are currently in service.
Afghanistan: 50 T-54s and 50 T-55s were ordered in 1961 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1962 and 1964 (T-54s were previously in Soviet service). 150 T-54s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1978 and 1979 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 200 T-55s and 255 T-62s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1978 and 1991 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).[7] at least 400 T-54s, T-55s, T-62s were in service on 1 April 1992. The country only had one tank battalion that was in a state of decay as of 2018.
Algeria: 40 T-54s were ordered in 1963 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1963 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 25 T-54s and 25 T-55s were ordered in 1965 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1966 (T-54s were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-54s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1966 and 1967 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-55s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1967. 50 T-55s were ordered in 1981 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service).[7] 324 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001[8] and 320 in early 2003[9] and 2004[5] and 270 in 2006.[10]
Angola: 150 T-54s and possibly T-55s were ordered in 1975 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1975 and 1978 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-55s were ordered in 1987 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1987 and 1988 (the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service). 30 T-55s were received between 1993 and 1994 from Russia (20 in 1993 and 10 in 1994).[11] 62 T-55Ms[11] were ordered in 1999 from Belarus and delivered in 1999 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Belarusian service). 31 T-55s were ordered in 1999 from Bulgaria and delivered in 1999 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service). 205 T-55AM2s were ordered in 1999 from Slovakia with 150 being delivered in 1999 and 55 in 2000 (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Slovakian service).[7][12] 90 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2000.[13] Around 560 T-54s, T-55s, T-62s and T-72s were in service in early 2001.[8] 400 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004[14] and around 200 in 2005[5] and 2006.[10]
Armenia: 3 T-54s and 5 T-55s in service as of 2023.[15]
Azerbaijan: Used as an indirect-fire platform[16]
Bosnia-Herzegovina:[17] 10 T-55s were ordered in 1997 from Egypt and delivered in 1997 (the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service).[7] 170 T-34s, T-55s, M60A3s and AMX-30s were in service in early 2001.[18] 192 T-34s, T-54s T-55s, M60A3s, M-84s and AMX-30s were in service in early 2003. Currently, the military of Bosnia Herzegovina operates 180 T-55s.[19] 80 T-55s were in service in 2004,[20] 69 T-55s and 13 T-54s in 2005[5] and 75 T-55s in 2006.[10]
Cambodia: 10 T-54s were ordered in 1983 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1983 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-55s were ordered in 1988 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1989 (aid, the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service, the vehicles could be supplied by Vietnam). 15 T-55s were ordered in 1990 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1990. 40 T-55AM2s were ordered in 1994 from Czech Republic and delivered in 1994 (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service). 50 T-55AM2BPs were ordered in 1994 from Poland and delivered in 1994 (the vehicles were previously in Polish service).[7] 150 T-55s, Type 59s and PT-76s were in service in early 2001[21] and 170 in early 2003.[22] More than 100 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] 103 T-54s are currently in service 2007. Cambodia has purchased 50 T-55A main battle tank from eastern Europe that arrive on 20 September 2010. Cambodia's Armoured cavalry has 220 T-54/T-55 in service in 2011 .[23]
Central African Republic – 4 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from Libya and delivered in 1982 (aid, the vehicles were probably previously in Libyan service).[7] 4 T-55s were in service in early 2001[24] and 3 in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][25]
Chad – 60 T-55s were in service in early 2001, early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][26][27] Currently 60 T-55s are in service.[28]
Congo-Brazzaville – 25 T-54s and T-55s were ordered in 1982 from an unknown supplier and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were probably second-hand).[7] 25 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] Currently 25 T-54s and T-55s are in service.[29]
Congo-Kinshasa – [30] 20 T-55s were ordered in 2005 from Ukraine and delivered in 2006 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Ukrainian service).[7][11] 20 T-55s were in service in 2006.[10]
Cuba – 100 T-55s were received in 1963 from the Soviet Union as aid (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 1,200 T-55s were ordered in 1964 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1964 and 1975. 25 T-55s and T-54-based ARVs were ordered in 1981 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1981 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).[7] Currently Cuba possesses 1,100 T-55s, most of which are in storage or used as Artillery Propeller and SPAAG with SA-3 and SA-2 missiles mounted . 120 T-55s are modernized to T-55M standard and 20 more to T-55AM.[31]
Egypt – 350 T-54s were ordered in 1960 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1961 and 1966 (the vehicles were probably from Czechoslovakian production line). 150 T-55s were ordered in 1963 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1964 and 1966. Egypt lost 820 vehicles in the Six-Day War including 82 T-55s.[3] 800 T-54s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1972 (some of the vehicles were probably from Czechoslovakian and/or Poland production line). 550 T-55s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1969 and 1973. 50 T-54s were ordered in 1972 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1973 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).[7] 895 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003 and 2004.[5][32] 840 T-54s and T-55s were in storage as of 2023.[15] 260 Ramses IIs were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5]
Equatorial Guinea: Currently 3 T-55s are in service.[33]
Eritrea: 120 T-55As were ordered in 2004 from Bulgaria and delivered in 2005 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service).[7][11] 150 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][34]
Ethiopia: 200 T-54s and 200 T-55s were ordered in 1977 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1977 and 1978 (the T-54s were previously in Soviet service while the T-55s were possibly previously in Soviet service). 60 T-54s were ordered in 1978 from East Germany and delivered between 1979 and 1980 (the vehicles were previously in East German service). 700 T-55s were ordered in 1980 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1980 and 1988 (the vehicles were probably from Czechoslovakian production line). 90 T-55s were ordered in 1983 from Libya and delivered in 1984 (the vehicles were previously in Libyan service). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1989 from East Germany and delivered in 1989 (the vehicles were previously in East German service, more were ordered but the order was cancelled). 40 T-55s were ordered in 1998 from Belarus and delivered in 1998 (the vehicles were previously in Belarusian service). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1998 from Bulgaria and delivered in 1999 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service, some may have been ex-Ukrainian and/or ex-Romanian vehicles sold through Bulgaria). 140 T-55s were ordered in 1999 from Bulgaria and delivered between 1999 and 2002 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service, some may have been ex-Ukrainian and/or ex-Romanian vehicles sold through Bulgaria, the delivery of last 40 vehicles was suspended between 2000 and 2001 due to UN embargo).[7] Around 160 T-55s and T-62s were in service in early 2001[35] and more than 270 in early 2003.[34] More than 250 T-54s, T-55s and T-62s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
Georgia: 120 T-55AM2s and T-54s were ordered in 1998 from Czech Republic with 10 T-55AM2s being delivered in 2000 and the rest in 2001 (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service).[7][12] 108 T-55Ms were in service at the beginning of the 1992–1993 War in Abkhazia.[3] Around 40 T-55s were in service in 1992 and 1995, 48 in 2000, 59 in 2002, 55 in 2004,[5] 2005 and 2006[10] and 56 in 2008. All currently in storage or museums.[36]
Guinea: 8 T-54s were ordered in 1974 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1974 (the vehicles were probably second-hand).[7] 8 T-54s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] Currently 8 T-54s are in service.[37]
Hezbollah – Unknown number of Tiran 4 or 5 tanks and Ti-67 APCs captured from the South Lebanon Army in 2000,[38] used in conjunction with ex-Syrian Army T-55s (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian service) in the ongoing Syrian Civil War.[39]
Iran: 60 T-54s and 65 T-55s were ordered in 1981 from Libya and delivered in 1981 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Libyan service). 120 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from Syria and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were previously in Syrian service).[7] Iran also bought a number of Tirans from Israel during the Iran–Iraq War.[40] Some vehicles were captured from Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War. 100 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 1990, 110 in 1995, 500 in 2000 and around 250 in 2002. 540 T-54s, T-55s and Type 59s were in service in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.[5][10][41] 200 T-54s, T-55s and Type 59s have been upgraded to Safir-74 (also known as T-72Z although it should not be confused with Iraqi modernization of the same name) standard (20 could possibly be Sudanese vehicles modernized for Sudan).[7]
Iraq: 250 T-54s were ordered in 1958 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1959 and 1965. 50 T-54s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1968.[7] Between 80 and 120 T-54s were lost during the Yom Kippur War.[3] 300 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1974 and 1975. 50 T-54s and T-55s were ordered in 1980 from East Germany and delivered in 1981 (the vehicles were previously in East German service). 400 T-55s and T-54s were ordered in 1980 from Poland and delivered between 1981 and 1982 (the vehicles were probably previously in Polish service). 250 T-55s were ordered in 1981 from Egypt and delivered between 1981 and 1983 (the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). 150 TR-580s were ordered in 1981 from Romania and delivered between 1981 and 1984 (the vehicles were delivered via Egypt). 400 T-55s were ordered in 1981 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1982 and 1985 (the vehicles were from the Czechoslovakian production line).[7] Around 200 T-54s and T-55s were upgraded to T-72Z standard (not to be confused with Iranian T-54/55/Type 59 modernization Safir-74 also known as T-72Z).[42] 1,500 T-54s, T-55s and TR-580s were in service with the Iraqi Regular Army in 1990 and 500 in 1995, 2000 and 2002.[43] 406 T-54 and T-55 were in service with Iraqi Regular Army in 2003. All destroyed or scrapped except for 4 T-55s which are now in service with the New Iraqi Army.[43] 76 T-55s are in service with New Iraqi Army since 2004.[44] 4 VT-55As were ordered in 2005 from Hungary and delivered in 2005 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Hungarian service).[7] Iraq also received 2 JVBT-55As in 2005 from Hungary.[11]
Ivory Coast: 10 T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][22]
Laos: 15 T-54s and 15 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1975 (aid, the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service).[7] 15 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006. T-54s and T-55s were paraded as recently as January 2019.[5][10][48]
Lebanon: 180 T-54s and T-55s were ordered in 1991 from Syria and delivered between 1992 and 1993 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian service).[7][49][50][51][52][53] 185 T-54s and 47 T-55s were in service as of 2023.[15]
Libya: 100 T-54s and 100 T-55s were ordered in 1970 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1970 and 1971 (the T-54s were probably previously in Soviet service). 150 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1974. 500 T-54s were ordered in 1975 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1976 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 200 T-54s were ordered in 1976 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1976 and 1977 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 2,000 T-55s were ordered in 1976 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1977 and 1978.[7] Around 2,200 T-55s were in service in 1986.[54] 1,600 T-54s and T-55s were in service and in storage in early 2001, 500 in service in early 2003,[55][56] 500 in service and around 1,040 in storage in 2004[5] and 2006.[10] 210 T-54s and T-55s are currently in service.[57]
Mali – 21 T-34s, T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001,[58] 33 in early 2003.[59] 12 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004,[5] 2006[10] and 2013 but with old or broken radios.[60]
Mauritania – 35 T-55s were ordered in 1990 from Soviet Union and delivered in 1991 (the vehicles were second-hand). 16 T-55s were ordered in 2001 from Poland and delivered in 2002 (the vehicles were previously in Polish service).[7] 35 T-55s were in service in early 2001, early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][58][59] As of 2023, 35 T-55s and T-45s were in service.[15]
Mongolia: 250 T-54s were ordered in 1960 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1961 and 1964. 250 T-55s were ordered in 1963 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1964 and 1967.[7] 650 T-54s, T-55s and T-62s were in service in early 2001 and 370 in early 2003.[58][59] Currently 370 T-54s and T-55s are in service.[15]
Mozambique: 60 T-54s were ordered in 1981 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1983 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 60 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1983 and 1985 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).[7] Around 60 T-54s were in service in 2005 and more than 60 in 2006.[5][10]
Myanmar: unknown number of T-55s Delivered from India and used for training
Namibia: Up to 20 T-34s and T-55s were in service in early 2001 and a few in early 2003.[61][62] Some T-34s, T-54s and T-55s in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
Nicaragua: 20 T-55s were ordered in 1981 from an unknown supplier and delivered in 1981 (the vehicles were possibly previously in Libyan service). 66 T-55s were ordered in 1984 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1984 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 20 T-54s were ordered in 1984 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1985 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1986 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1987 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).[7] 127 T-55s were in service and in storage in early 2001 and early 2003 and 62 in service and 65 in storage in 2004 and 2006.[5][10][61][62] Currently 31 T-55s are in service.
Nigeria: Between 50 and 100 T-55s were ordered in 1979 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1981 (the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service).[7] Around 200 T-55s and Vickers Mk. IIIs were in service in early 2001 and around 250 in early 2003.[61][62] 100 T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] Currently 50 T-55s are in service and are 50% serviceable.[63]
North Korea – 400 T-54s and 250 T-55s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1970. 300 T-54s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1969 and 1974 (the vehicles were probably produced or assembled in North Korea). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1970 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1972 and 1973. 500 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1975 and 1979 (The supplier may have been PRC in which case the vehicles wouldn't be T-55s but Type 59s).[7] 19 T-55s were ordered from Russia and delivered in 1992 (the vehicles were delivered through Belarus).[11][12] There were 1,600 T-54s in service in 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000.[64] There were 3,500 T-34s, T-54s, T-55s, T-62s and Type 59s in early 2001 through 2004,[21][22][5] and more than 3,500 in 2006.[10]
Pakistan – 100 T-54s were ordered in 1968 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1969 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-55s were ordered in 1968 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1968.[7] As of 2010, 54 T-54/55 tanks in Reserve.[65] 282 tanks T-55H ordered from Serbia and first batch of 100 tanks where delivered to Pakistan in April 2020 (the vehicles were previously in Serbian service).[66][67]
Peru – 24 T-54s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1973. 250 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1974 and 1975.[7] At peak there were 375 T-54s and T-55s in service. 300 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001[68] and 275 (around 200 were serviceable in 2005[5] and 2006[10]) in service in early 2003,[69] 2004[5] and 2006.[10] 300 T-54s and T-55s as well as an unknown amount of T-54/55-based ARVes are currently in service.[70]
Polisario Front – around 70 T-55As[71]
Romania – 120 TR-580s were in service with the Romanian Naval Infantry in early 2001[72] and early 2003.[73] 850 T-55s were ordered in 1969 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1970 and 1977. 400 TR-580s ordered in 1975 and produced between 1977 and 1981. 150 TR-580s were produced for Iraq.[7] Romania also acquired a number of T-54s which are now in reserve.[74] 398 TR-580s were in service with the Romanian Army in 1993, around 88 TR-580s in early 1999, 717 T-55s and 227 TR-580s in early 2003[73] and 2004,[5] and 268 T-55s and 43 TR-580s in 2006.[10] According to the UN register of conventional arms, Romanian Armed Forces operated 710 T-55s and 227 TR-580s in 2006, 750 T-55s and 226 TR-580s in 2007,[12] and 394 T-55s and 227 TR-580s in 2017.[75]
Russia – At least 3,000 inherited from the Soviet Union. 412 T-54s and T-55s were in active service in 1995 and 20 in 2000. 1,200 T-54s and T-55s were in storage in 2000, 2005 and 2008.[5][10][76] As of 2013 there are 100 T-55s in reserve and less than 500 in storage, however those in storage may have been scrapped already.[77] In March 2023, at least 14 T-54s were seen being moved by train, allegedly for service in Ukraine.[78] In the months following, several T-54s and 55s have been seen in use with the Russian Military, often working as fire support vehicles with one being lost in November.[79][80] Since early 2024, several T-54/55s have begun seeing direct combat within Ukraine, likely hinting towards vehicle shortages.
Rwanda – 12 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001,[72] 30 in early 2003,[73] 24 in 2005[5] and 2006.[10] At least 10 Ti-67s in service.[81]
Serbia – 12 JVBT armoured recovery vehicles in active service in the Serbian Army.
Slovenia – As of 2014[update] 30 M-55S-1s were in service and in the process of being withdrawn. 46 T-55s (14 were in storage) and 12 M-55Ss and M-55S-1s were in service in 1998.[82] Overall 30 T-55s were modernized to the M-55S/M-55S-1 standard.[42] In late 2022, Slovenia donated 28 M-55S tanks to Ukraine.
Sri Lanka – 25 T-55As were ordered from Czechoslovakia and delivered in 1991 along with several T 55 ARVs which saw acting in its Civil War. In 2000, 40 T-55AM2s were ordered from the Czech Republic.[83]
Somalia – 100 T-54s were ordered in 1972 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1973 and 1974. 50 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1975 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 35 T-54s were ordered in 1977 from Egypt and delivered in 1977 (the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). SSC-Khatumo State, under the Federal Government, captured 5~ tanks from Somaliland during fighting in 2023.[84]
Somaliland– 85[85]
South Ossetia – At peak there were 12 T-55s and 75 T-72s in service.[4] 15 T-55s and T-72s were in service before the 2008 South Ossetia war.[6][86][87] All T-55 in reserve since 2011.
South Sudan – Some captured T-54s and T-55s.[5]
Sudan – 50 T-54s and 50 T-55s were ordered in 1969 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1969 and 1970. 9 T-55s were ordered in 1996 from Belarus and delivered in 1996 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Belarusian service). 20 T-55AM2BPs were ordered in 1998 from Poland and delivered in 1999 (these were the first batch of 50 originally sold to Yemen where it was illegally diverted to Sudan after which the delivery of the remaining 30 was put on hold, the vehicles were previously in Polish service). 60 T-55Ms[11] were ordered in 1999 from Belarus with 40 being delivered in 1999[11] and 20 in 2001[11] (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Belarusian service). 20 T-72Zs ordered in 2005 from Iran and delivered in 2006 (these could possibly be Sudanese T-54s, T-55s or Type 59s modernized to the T-72Z standard).[7] 170 T-55s and Type 59s were in service in early 2001,[88] 200 in early 2003.[89] 200 T-54s and T-55s in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
Syria – 150 T-54s were ordered in 1956 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1957 and 1958. 300 T-54s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1972 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 75 T-55s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1968. 300 T-55s were ordered in 1968 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1969 and 1972. 400 T-54s and 400 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1973 and 1978 (T-54s and probably T-55s were previously in Soviet service). 600 T-55s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1979 and 1981.[7] Syrian Armed Forces operate an unknown number of T-55As, T-55AMs, and T-55AMVs as of 2023.[15]
Tanzania – 32 T-54s were ordered in 1979 from East Germany and delivered between 1979 and 1980 (the vehicles were probably previously in East German service).[7] 65 T-54s and Type 59s were in service in early 2001[90] and 45 in early 2003.[89] 30 T-54s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
Togo – 2 T-54s and 2 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from Egypt and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were second-hand).[7] 1 T-54 and 1 T-55 were in service in early 2001, early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][89][90]
Uganda – 16 T-54s were ordered in 1974 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1975 (the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service). 60 T-55s were ordered in 1994 from Ukraine and delivered in 1995 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Ukrainian service). 62 T-55s were ordered in 1998 from Ukraine and delivered in 1998 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Ukrainian service). 28 T-55s were ordered in 1998 from Bulgaria and delivered in 1998 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service, part of a $35 m deal for 90 vehicles including some bought by Bulgaria from Ukraine and possibly Romania for export to Uganda). 10 T-55Ms[11] were ordered in 2000 from Belarus and delivered in 2000 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Belarusian service).[7] 140 T-54s and T-55s and PT-76s were in service in early 2001.[91] 180 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003,[92] 152 in 2005 and 2006.[5][10]
Ukraine – At least 700 T-54s and T-55s were originally inherited from the Soviet Union.[93] 680 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 1995 and 149 in 2000.[94] In 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010 there were 112 T-55s in service.[5][10][94] There is also an unknown number of IMRs and MTP-3s in service.[93] In October 2022 28 M55-S donated from Slovenia.[95]
Uruguay – 15 Tiran-4Shes and Tiran-5Shes were ordered from Israel in 1997 and delivered the same year (the vehicles were previously in Israeli service).[7] 15 Tiran-4Shes and Tiran-5Shs were in service in early 2001, early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][91][92]
Uzbekistan – 80
Vietnam – 1,939 T-34s, T-54s, T-55s, T-62s, PT-76s and Type 59s were in service in early 2001.[96] 850 T-54s and T-55s and 350 Type-59 were in service as of 2023.[15]
Yemen – 6 T-55s were received from Bulgaria in 1994.[11] 97 T-55s and 35 T-55AM2s were ordered in 1999 from Czech Republic with T-55s delivered in 2000 and T-55AM2s in 2002 (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service and were possibly modernized prior to being delivered).[7][11][12] 990 T-34s, T-54s, T-55s, T-62s and M60s were in service in early 2001.[97] 450 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][98] There is an unknown number of T-55s and T-54s in service as of 2023.[15]
Zambia: 5 T-54s were ordered in 1975 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1976. 20 T-55s were ordered in 1980 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1981 (part of a $72–100M deal).[7] 60 T-55s, PT-76s and Type 59s were in service in early 2001 and early 2003.[99][100] 10 T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
Zimbabwe: 20 T-54 tanks received from USSR in September 1984.[101]
Albania – In Albania, there was a plan to export 75 T-54As to replace the T-34/85s in service, but the idea was abandoned because relations between the Soviet Union and Albania had worsened due to criticism of Stalin, and all exports were sent to the Iraqi Army. It was diverted to export. Later, the T-34/85 in Albania was replaced by the Type 59 tank .
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula – operated small numbers of T-55s captured from Yemeni stocks.[102]
Amal Movement – 50 T-55As were ordered in 1985–86 from Syria and delivered in 1985–86 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian service).[7][103] All served with the Amal Movement's regular forces until the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990-91 and passed on to the Lebanese Armed Forces or the Syrian Army.
Bangladesh – 30 T-54s were ordered in 1975 from Egypt and delivered in 1975 (as aid, the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service).[7] 100 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
Belarus[104]
Bulgaria – 900 T-54s were ordered in 1953 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1954 and 1959. 900 T-55s were ordered in 1961 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1962 and 1970.[7] 1,475 T-54s, T-55s and T-72s were in service in early 2001.[18] 1,042 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][19] Currently, up to 430 are in reserve status. Some are used for basic tank driver training.
Croatia – The majority of the Croatian T-55s were captured from the Yugoslav army forces.[105] Around 209 T-55s were in service in 1998 and 222 in 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][106]
Chile – At least four captured Egyptian T-54s and T-55s were ordered in 1978 from Israel and delivered in 1979, in order to train Chilean crews to operate captured Peruvian T-55s.[107]
Czech Republic – At least 296 T-54s and T-55s, 2 MT-55s, 25 VT-55s were inherited from Czechoslovakia.[7][12] 792 T-55s and T-72s were in service in early 2001.[26] According to the UN register of conventional arms, Czech Armed Forces operated 948 T-55s and T-72s in 1997, 938 in 1998, 792 in 1999 and 652 as of 1 January 2001.[12] Last vehicles were withdrawn from service in early years of the 2000s (decade). Czechoslovakia – 1,800 T-54s were ordered in 1957 and produced under license between 1958 and 1963. 1,700 T-55s were ordered in 1963 and produced under license between 1964 and 1973.[7] Overall 2,700 T-54s were produced under license between 1957 and 1966 and 8,300 T-55s and T-55As between 1964 and 1983 (T-55A was probably produced since 1968) (most for export). Passed on to successor states.
Ecuador – 3 T-55s were in service in early 2001,[35] 30 in early 2003,[34] more than 30 in 2004 (possibly non in operational service as of 2005)[5] and more than 30 in storage in 2006.[10]
Finland – 43 T-54s in total were bought from the Soviet Union, 12 delivered in 1959 and 31 more in 1961.[108][109] 74 T-55As were bought from the Soviet Union, 31 delivered in 1965, another 31 in 1967 and finally 12 in 1972; this included 10 T-55K command variants.[108][109] The existing 74 T-55A were modernised to a Finnish T-55M standard in the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. An additional 10 T-55AMs were bought from Poland, the chassis of which were used for the Marksman SPAAG turrets to create the ITPSV 90 (the turrets were delivered in two batches, the first one was ordered in 1988 and delivered between 1990 and 1991 and the second one was ordered in 1992 and delivered in 1993).[7][109] 230 T-55s and T-72s were in service in early 2001.[110] 74 T-55s were in service in early 2003.[9] 33 T-54s and 74 T-55Ms were in storage in 2004[111] and 74 T-55Ms in 2005.[5] 56 T-55 turrets were purchased from the Soviet Union in the late 1960s and emplaced in coastal fortifications as 100 56 TK light coastal guns. The last of these were deactivated in 2012. Finland operated 9 T-55M tanks with KMT-5 mine rollers as mine clearance tanks up to the end of 2022 when they were retired after many decades of service.[112][113]
Germany – taken from GDR's army, all scrapped, sold to other countries or given to museums.
East Germany – 202 T-54s were ordered in 1956 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1956 and 1957. 488 T-54As and T-54AMs were ordered from Poland and delivered between 1959 and 1964. 1766 T-55s and T-55As were ordered in 1964 from Czechoslovakia and delivered between 1964 and 1980. 333 T-55s and T-55A(P)s were ordered from Poland and delivered between 1965 and 1973. 362 VT-55s were ordered in 1964 from Czechoslovakia and delivered between 1965 and 1969.[7] Passed on to the unified German state.
Hungary
India – 300 T-54s were ordered in 1964 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1965 and 1967. 225 T-55s were ordered in 1968 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1968 and 1971. 650 T-55s were ordered in 1971 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1971 and 1974.[7] 274 T-54s, 44 T-55s and 7 T-55AKs were ordered in 1970 from Czechoslovakia and delivered between 1970 and 1971 (some of the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian service). 300 T-55s were ordered in 1971 from Poland and delivered in 1971 (some of the vehicles were previously in Polish service). 800 T-55s and modernized T-55s were in service in 1990, around 750 in 1995, around 700 in 2000, early 2001[97] and early 2003,[98] 450 in 2002, 2005 and 2008. The number of T-55s and modernized T-55s in service is to stay at 450 in 2010 and to be reduced to 220 by 2015.[114] There were around 550 T-55s in active service and around 200 in storage in 1999.[115] In 2004, the Indian Army had a total of 700 T-55s, 450 of which were in operational service.[5] In 2006, the Indian Army Had 715 T-55s, modernized with night-fighting equipment and new fire control systems, around 67 of them were in reserve.[10] In May 2011, the last T-55s were retired from active service and moved to reserve storage.[116]
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – operated small numbers captured from Syrian and possibly Iraqi stocks.[117]
Israel – The Israeli army captured during the Six-Day War, repaired, modernized and put into service around 200 T-54s, T-55s and PT-76s. T-54s and T-55s were modernized to Tiran 4 or 5 standard prior to the Yom Kippur War.[3] During that conflict, Israel captured additional T-54s and T-55s. Tirans were withdrawn from active service at the end of the 1980s. Some were sold and some were converted into Achzarit APCs.[40][118] However, some Tirans are still in possession of the Israeli Army, possibly in reserve or in storage. The Israeli Army had 1,500 T-54s and T-55s in 1990, 300 in 1995, 200 in early 2001[97] and early 2003[98] and 114 in 2004,[5] 126 T-54s, T-55s and Tiran 6s in 2006[10] and 2008 and 488 Tirans in 1990, 300 in 1995, 200 in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and 261 in 2006 and 2008. The Achzarits are in service with the Israeli Army since at least 1995. There were 270 Achzarits in service in 2004, 276 in 2006 and 2008.[5][10][119]
Lebanese Forces: 40 Ti-67 Tirans (Israeli-modified T-54/55s) were supplied by Israel after 1980,[120] another 20 T-54/55s were captured from the Syrian Army in summer 1982[121] and 64 more were supplied by Iraq between 1986 and 1989 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Iraqi service).[122][123] A few VT-55KS Armoured Recovery Vehicles were also captured from the Syrian Army.[124] All served with the Lebanese Forces until the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1991–94.[7] Passed on to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Syrian Army or returned to Israel.
Latvia – 5 T-55AMs Mérida were donated by Poland in 1999. 3 T-55AMs were in service in early 2001, early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][55][56] The last T-55AM2s are in service.[56] (Three remaining tanks were reported to have come from the Czech Republic in 2000.)[125]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - One T-55A captured from the Sri Lanka Army used from 1993 to 2008, until it was recaptured.
Montenegro – 61 T-55s Scrapped.[126]
Morocco – 40 T-54Bs were ordered in 1960 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1962. 80 T-54s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1968 (the vehicles were probably from Czechoslovakian production line) mostly lost in wars (Western Sahara war) or scrapped due to lack of spare parts.[7]
North Macedonia – Between 58 and 114 T-55s were ordered in 1999 from Bulgaria and delivered in 1999 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service, up to 56 of the vehicles were bought for spares). 36 T-55AM-2s were ordered in 1999 and delivered in 1999 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service).[7][11] 94 T-55s were in service in early 2001,[58] 125 T-55s and T-72s in early 2003,[59] 30 T-55As in 2004[5] and 2006.[10]
National liberation army – In the insurgency in Macedonia, the NLA captured one T-55 when the Macedonian army abandoned the tank during the Battle of Raduša. After the insurgency, the NLA handed over the T-55 to NATO and was destroyed with plastic explosive charges.[127][128]
North Vietnam – 400 T-54s were ordered in 1969 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1970 and 1972 (aid). 600 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1973 and 1975 (aid).[7] Passed on to the successor state.
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) – 20 T-54/55s operated by the Palestinian guerrilla factions during the 1982 Lebanon War. All but 4 were either captured or destroyed by the Israelis.[129]
Poland – 3,000 T-54, T-54A, T-54AD and T-54AM produced between 1956 and 1964. 7,000 T-55, T-55L, T-55AD-1 and T-55AD-2 produced between 1964 and 1979. Some T-54A upgraded to T-55 standard. 200 T-54 tanks have been upgraded to T-55LD in 1975, 10 of which were later sold to Libya. In 1980 Ludowe Wojsko Polskie (LWP) operated 1,207 T-55L, T-55LD, T-55AD-1 and T-55AD-2, 146 T-55, 986 T-55U and 340 T-54, T-54A, T-54AD and T-54AM. Eventually almost all T-54 and T-55 tanks have been upgraded to T-55AM "Merida" standard (there are some not upgraded ones in the museums). Last 839 were withdrawn from service in 2002. All Polish T-54 and T-55 that were withdrawn from service were either used as shooting targets at proving grounds, sold to other countries or given to museums.
Republika Srpska – 72 T-55s were in service and in storage in 2005.[5] Passed on to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Rhodesia – 8 T-55LD tanks given by the Republic of South Africa after being seized on a ship en route for Uganda, together with SADF advisers for the purpose of training the Rhodesian crews. The tanks were assigned to purpose-created E Squadron of the Rhodesian Armoured Corps. It is unknown whether these tanks were passed on to the successor state or destroyed during the Rhodesian Bush War.[42]
Slovakia – At least 206 were inherited from Czechoslovakia.[135] 1 T-55AM2B received from Czech Republic in 2000. 1 T-55AM2 received from Czech Republic in 2001.[12] 2 T-55AM2s received from Czech Republic in 2005.[11][12] 275 T-55s and T-72s were in service in 1999.[12] 3 T-55s were in service in early 2001.[88]
Soviet Union – 35,000 T-54-1 (T-54 Model 1946), T-54-2 (T-54 Model 1949), T-54 (T-54-3 or T-54 Model 1951), T-54A, T-54B, T-54AK1, T-54AK2, T-54BK1 and T-54BK2. produced between 1946 and 1958. 27,500 T-55, T-55A, T-55K1, T-55K2, T-55K3, T-55AK1, T-55AK2 and T-55AK3 produced between 1955 and 1981. Passed on to successor states.
Sweden – 34 T-55 BLG-60M2 Bridge Layers were ordered in 1994 from Germany, originally inherited from East Germany. The Swedish designation was Brobv 971 (Brobandvagn 971 or Tracked bridge vehicle 971). The bridge layers were in service from 1997 until 2011 when they were replaced by a model based on the Leopard 2.[138]
Tigray Defense Forces[139] − Surrendered to the Ethiopian forces in the aftermath of the Tigray War[140]
Yugoslavia – 160 T-54s and 1600 T-55s in service in 1991. Passed on to successor states.
South Africa: 10 Polish-built T-55LD tanks (part of a batch of 200 T-54s rebuilt in 1975) seized from a French ship, the Astor, which had been transporting a heavy weapons consignment from Libya for Idi Amin in Uganda. Amin's regime collapsed on the day that the ship docked in Mombasa, and it was redirected to Angola. The ship called in to Durban where the cargo was seized. Two T-55LD tanks have been kept by the South Africans for evaluation while eight were given to Rhodesia, together with SADF advisers for the purpose of training Rhodesian crews. The rumour was spread that the tanks had been captured in Mozambique in order to obscure South Africa's part in the deal.[42]
Turkey: Single T-55A received from Germany in 1991 intended for familiarisation purposes and OPFOR (Opposing Forces) training, is currently on display in the Etimesgut Tank Museum in Ankara.[141]
Early on during the production T-55s were fitted with the TSh-2B-32P sight. Starting in 1970 T-55s were being armed at Uralwagonzavod with either a 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 or KPVT loader's anti-aircraft heavy machine guns. These tanks were known as Model 1970, or sometimes T-55AM. KTD-1 or KTD-2 laser rangefinders and R-123 or R-123M radio sets were fitted to older tanks starting in 1974 (Model 1974).[144][148] At the same time efforts were made to modernize and prolong the life of the drive train.[144]
.jpg)
| T-54-1 (Ob'yekt 137) | T-54-2 (Ob'yekt 137R) | T-54-3 (Ob'yekt 137Sh) | T-54A (Ob'yekt 137G) | T-54B (Ob'yekt 137G2) | T-55 (Ob'yekt 155) | T-55A (Ob'yekt 155A) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (tonnes) |
? | ? | 39.7[145] | ? | ? | 39.7[145] | ? |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) | ||||||
| Main gun | 100 mm LB-1 rifled tank gun | 100 mm D-10T rifled tank gun | 100 mm D-10TG rifled tank gun | 100 mm D-10T2S rifled tank gun | 100 mm D-10T2G or D-10T2 rifled tank gun | ||
| Machine gun(s) | 7.62 mm SGMT coaxial 7.62 mm SGMT bow mounted 2 × 7.62 mm SG-43 fender mounted 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft |
7.62 mm SGMT medium coaxial 7.62 mm SGMT medium bow mounted 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft |
7.62 mm PKT tank coaxial 7.62 mm SGMT bow mounted 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 anti-aircraft (added during routine maintenance since 1972) |
7.62 mm PKT tank coaxial 12.7 mm DShK 1938/46 anti-aircraft (added to the newly produced tanks since 1970, added to the old T-55A tanks during routine maintenance since 1972) | |||
| Engine | V-54 12-cylinder 38.88 liter water-cooled diesel 523 hp (390 kW) | V-55 12-cylinder 4-stroke one-chamber 38.88 liter water-cooled diesel 581 hp (433 kW) | |||||
| Speed | ? | ? | 48 km/h (30 mph) on road[145] | ? | ? | 6.85 km/h in 1st gear[149] 14.66 km/h in 2nd gear[149] 20.21 km/h in 3rd gear[149] 28.99 km/h in 4th gear[149] 55 km/h (34 mph) in 5th gear[145] 6.85 km/h in reverse gear[149] on road | ? |
| Operational range | ? | ? | 401 km (249 mi) 600 km (370 mi) with extra tanks | ? | ? | 501 km (311 mi) 600 km (370 mi) with extra tanks | ? |
| Fuel capacity | 215 US gal (810 L) | 254 US gal (960 L)[145] | |||||
.jpg)
SU-122-54 (Ob'yekt 600) (Samokhodnaya Ustanovka) – Self-propelled 122 mm gun, based on the T-54A and sometimes known as IT-122. Between 1955 and 1957, 77 vehicles were built with minor differences between production lots (different commander's cupola etc.). The SU-122-54 had a modified chassis, with small spaces between the first, second and fourth pair of wheels and a large gap between the third, similar to the T-62's; and a superstructure, built into the hull, housing the 122 mm D-49 L/48.4 gun for which the vehicle carries 35 rounds. The secondary armament consisted of two KPVT heavy machine guns, one mounted as an anti-aircraft machine gun near the commander's hatch and the other mounted coaxially with the main gun. The vehicle carried 600 rounds for the machine guns. The main gun has a fume extractor positioned right behind the muzzle brake, some vehicles did not have the fume extractor. Other variations included a different commander's cupola.[42]
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
