T-62

T-62. The T-62 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered service in 1961 as the successor to the prolific T-55. It was the first production tank in the world to be armed with a smoothbore main gun, the powerful 115 mm U-5TS, designed to defeat contemporary NATO armor. While it shared many components with its predecessor, its introduction marked a significant step in Cold War tank development, seeing extensive export and combat use across multiple continents.

Development and design

The T-62's development was driven by the need to counter new Western tanks like the British Centurion and the American M48 Patton. The design bureau at Uralvagonzavod, led by Leonid Kartsev, essentially scaled up the T-55 hull to accommodate a larger turret and the new 115 mm U-5TS smoothbore gun. This weapon fired APFSDS ammunition, offering superior armor penetration compared to the rifled guns of the era. The tank retained the V-55 diesel engine and torsion bar suspension of its predecessor, prioritizing manufacturing commonality. A notable, and criticized, feature was the inclusion of an automated shell ejection system for the spent main gun casings, which could malfunction. Its armor protection, utilizing cast and rolled homogeneous steel, was improved but remained vulnerable to newer anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Service history

The T-62 entered service with the Soviet Army in 1961 and first saw major combat during the Sino-Soviet border conflict of 1969, notably at Damansky Island. It became a principal tank of Soviet forces during the Soviet–Afghan War, though it proved vulnerable in mountainous terrain. The tank was widely exported to Soviet allies and clients, seeing extensive action in the Middle East. It was used prominently by Egypt and Syria during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where it performed well against Israeli M60 and Centurion tanks but suffered heavy losses to infantry anti-tank teams. Other significant combat use includes the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf War, and various regional conflicts in Africa and Asia. In the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia has reactivated stored T-62s, employing them in secondary roles, highlighting its enduring, if diminished, presence on the modern battlefield.

Variants

Several variants and upgrades of the T-62 were produced. The initial model was the T-62 (Ob'yekt 166). The T-62A (Ob'yekt 165) was a parallel design with a 100 mm rifled gun that did not enter major production. The T-62M, introduced in the 1980s, was a major modernization featuring additional glacis armor, a Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor kit, a Volna fire-control system, and the ability to fire the 9K116-2 Sheksna anti-tank guided missile from its gun. The T-62MV incorporated later Kontakt-5 ERA. Other variants included command tanks (T-62K), flamethrower tanks (TO-62), and armored recovery vehicles (BTS-4). Countries like North Korea and Czechoslovakia also developed their own local upgrade packages and derivatives.

Operators

The T-62 was exported globally to numerous states aligned with or supplied by the Soviet Union. Former operators that have largely retired the type include East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Iraq. Current operators, many using modernized or reserve stocks, include Russia, Ukraine (captured stocks), North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Angola, and Ethiopia. Its widespread distribution made it a ubiquitous symbol of Soviet military aid during the latter half of the Cold War.

Specifications

The T-62 had a combat weight of approximately 37 tonnes. Its main armament was the 115 mm U-5TS smoothbore gun, with 40 rounds of ammunition, including APFSDS, HEAT, and HEF projectiles. Secondary armament consisted of a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and, on later models, a 12.7 mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun on the commander's cupola. Powered by a 580 hp V-55 V-12 water-cooled diesel engine, it achieved a road speed of 50 km/h and an operational range of 450 km. The hull and turret were protected by up to 242 mm of cast steel armor at its thickest point. The crew of four consisted of a commander, gunner, loader, and driver.

Category:Main battle tanks of the Soviet Union Category:Cold War tanks Category:Main battle tanks introduced in the 1960s