T-34 tanks in the XXI century
A few days ago, the Russian Ministry of Defense published an extremely interesting news. From Laos to our country arrived 30 medium tanks T-34-85, withdrawn from service of this Asian state. This means that another country nevertheless abandoned the armored combat vehicles created back in the early forties. Nevertheless, the rearmament of the Lao army has little effect on the general situation in the world: T-34 tanks and various equipment based on them continue to serve in a number of small and poor countries in Asia and Africa.
Way abroad
Serial production of medium tanks T-34 started in 1940 year and continued over the next few years. The latest serial modification of this technology was the T-34-85. These machines were produced in our country before the 1946 year, after which the industry launched the assembly of newer and more advanced designs. In total, the USSR built more than 60 thousand tanks T-34 of all modifications. Much of this technology was lost during the Great Patriotic War, but numerous surviving tanks continued service.
T-34-85 tanks from Laos after arriving in Russia. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
As part of military-technical cooperation, the Soviet Union handed over its armored vehicles to friendly countries. In the case of the T-34 family of tanks, it was about the transfer of finished equipment, decommissioned in combat units. Soviet armored troops received modern equipment, and old samples were written off and sent to third countries, or left for storage. This practice lasted almost until the sixties. During this time, the T-34 tanks managed to go to more than three dozen countries around the world.
It is noteworthy that some foreign countries received not only ready-made armored vehicles, but also a license to manufacture them. At the beginning of the 1950s, the Czechoslovak Republic and the Polish People's Republic established their own production of T-34-85 tanks in an improved post-war configuration. According to various sources, in the 1952-58 years, these two countries built for their own needs at least 4,5-4,6 thousand T-34 tanks. As production proceeded, foreign tank builders refined the original design and improved production technology.
T-34 Polish production. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
In the future, Poland and Czechoslovakia were able to modernize their armored forces, and the “used” T-34 went to storage or for export. Despite its age, the tanks of the Soviet design and foreign production were of interest to customers. So, according to available data, T-34 tanks, recently transferred to Russia, were built in Czechoslovakia and acquired by Laos relatively recently - in the eighties. Confirmation of these data may be some of the design features characteristic of Czechoslovak-made tanks.
Thus, in the post-war period, the mid-range T-34 medium tanks of the last serial modification were able to enter service with nearly four dozen countries and had the most noticeable influence on the development of their armored forces. The T-34-85 service in most foreign armies continued for several decades and was completed by the early nineties. Outdated morally and physically technology was written off and sent to museums or for processing. However, in a number of countries, T-34 remain in service and still contribute to defense capability.
Czechoslovak T-34-85. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
In the ranks and in reserve
According to open sources, until recently, T-34-85 tanks remained in service with 10 foreign countries. At the same time, the number of foreign operators of such equipment is constantly decreasing. From time to time there are new data on the state of certain armies in which the rejection of old models is mentioned. In addition, the list of T-34 owners has declined since the recent Russian-Lao agreement. However, in such circumstances, medium tanks since World War II continue to serve.
At one time, as a matter of military assistance, the Soviet Union transferred significant quantities of material to a number of friendly Asian states. Thus, during the Korean War, T-34 tanks were used by Chinese and North Korean units. China has long abandoned obsolete machines, while in the DPRK, the army retains a certain number of T-34. Unfortunately, there is no detailed information about this. The number and status of North Korean T-34-85 are unknown. At the same time, there is every reason to believe that Pyongyang has the opportunity not to use this technique as the basis of armored forces.
Chinese tank crews and their T-34 in Korea, 1952. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Later, our country and the Allies transferred significant quantities of T-34 tanks and other samples of different classes to North Vietnam. Most of this technology was lost in the battles, but some machines managed to avoid a sad fate. According to the directory The Military Balance for 2018 year, the Vietnamese army has such tanks for 45. However, they are all in storage and have almost no chance of returning to service.
One of the recipients of the Soviet equipment written off was Cuba. She was supplied with decommissioned tanks of old models, as well as some quantities of newer armored vehicles. The exact number of T-34 in Cuba remains unknown, and its definition is associated with some difficulties. According to known data, in the Cuban army still serves several such tanks in the original configuration, and in addition, part of the tanks was redesigned into self-propelled artillery installations. A regular combat compartment with a turret was dismantled from them, instead of which open installations with artillery systems of various types were installed.
Tank T-34 in the GDR, 1953. Photo Bundesarchiv / bild.bundesarchiv.de
Quite large groups of T-34-85 tanks persist in some African states. Thus, The Military Balance 2018 reports that 30 of similar armored vehicles are still in use in the army of the Republic of Guinea. They form the basis of armored troops: in addition to three dozen T-34, Guinea has a total of 15 amphibious tanks PT-76 and 8 T-54. The neighboring Republic of Guinea-Bissau has a smaller army and a few tank troops. She continues to operate X-NUMX T-10-34 tanks. Unlike the neighboring country, these machines are inferior in number to the newer PT-85 - the latter number 76 units.
Another T-34-85 recipient in Africa was the Republic of Congo. In the past, this country was armed with several dozen such vehicles, with the help of which it was possible to build relatively efficient tank troops. Later, newer armored vehicles were obtained, and the T-34-85 were out of service. However, an unknown amount of such equipment is still present in the army on the sidelines and in storage.
A Soviet-made tank owned by the People’s Liberation Army of China. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
According to known data, a number of T-34 tanks can still remain in the armed forces of Namibia. However, their exact number and condition are unknown. Apparently, these machines are already unsuitable for use. The situation is similar with the armored forces of Mali. Until recently, the sources mentioned the presence of 20-21 tank T-34-85, but now they are decommissioned.
An unknown amount of T-34 is available in the army of the Republic of Chad. Previously, these tanks were in full operation, but so far all have been transferred to storage. Information from some sources suggests that in recent years the existing T-34-85 have been disposed of due to the development of the resource and as superfluous.
Armored vehicles of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, 1961 g. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Until recently, the Republic of Yemen could be considered one of the most active operators of T-34 tanks. Before the start of the civil war, there was about 30 medium tanks of the Second World War period in its armed forces. After 2014, evidence of the use of T-34-85 tanks in battles repeatedly appeared. Some of this equipment was destroyed by the enemy, while other machines have finally exhausted their resources and can no longer be used. An assessment of the current state of the tank forces of the opposing sides and the determination of the number of remaining T-34 is not yet possible.
Finally, recently the People’s Army of Laos refused the T-34-85 tanks. She had three dozen of these machines, of which 10 were in active operation, while the others were in reserve. In accordance with the Russian-Lao agreement, a number of modern T-72B1 tanks went to an Asian country from Russia, and the decommissioned T-34 went back. As a result of this transaction, Laos left the list of operators of old tanks of the Soviet design.
Causes of longevity
Since the mid-forties, the Soviet Union regularly transferred decommissioned medium tanks T-34 to friendly foreign countries. From a certain time, two foreign countries licensed to manufacture Soviet tanks entered the international market for weapons and equipment. The USSR, Czechoslovakia and Poland, working both together and independently, sent many thousands of armored vehicles abroad and re-equipped nearly four dozen armies.
North Vietnamese tanks T-34. Photo Scalemodels.ru
Over the past decades, technology has become obsolete morally and physically, even by the standards of poor and small countries. As a result, the overwhelming majority of countries-operators were forced to write it off or send it to storage - almost always with replacement by newer samples. Nevertheless, about one and a half to two hundred T-34-85 tanks still remain in the top ten foreign countries, and in some of them still continue to serve.
Despite the unique history service during the Great Patriotic War and combat work during subsequent conflicts, the medium tank T-34-85 even with reservations can not be called modern and relevant actual requirements. Nevertheless, a significant number of such machines successfully continued service for many decades, and so far they are not abandoned. This development has several main reasons.
First of all, it is necessary to note the simplicity of the design and operation, high maintainability and other positive features of a technical nature. Even countries without a developed defense industry can cope with the operation and repair of T-34 tanks. In addition, as the experience of several foreign countries shows, the T-34-85 is a good platform for building new equipment for various purposes. At one time, Cuban-made self-propelled guns, assembled on the T-34 available chassis, became widely known. Possessing sufficiently high combat qualities, this technique was not particularly complex production.
Medium tank used during the war in Rhodesia. Photo Foto-history.livejournal.com
The second factor contributing to the continuation of the service of old tanks is associated with the capabilities and desires of the operators. Many countries in Asia and Africa would like to replace the outdated T-34 with something more new and efficient, but a weak economy does not allow them to even begin negotiations on procurement. A curious exception is Laos, who managed to negotiate with Russia on the purchase of new armored vehicles. From a certain point of view, it would seem that the Lao army, with a solid surcharge, exchanged the old T-34-85 for new T-72B1. At the same time, she literally jumped over several generations of armored vehicles.
Other countries, for one reason or another, cannot conclude the same contract, and therefore are forced to continue to operate the equipment of the middle of the last century. As the resource is developed, it has to be written off, including without a real chance of timely replacement with modern samples.
Overwhelmed T-34-85 in Yemen. Photo Foto-history.livejournal.com
With the financial capabilities of developing countries is another factor affecting the length of service of armored vehicles. If the country-operator of T-34 tanks cannot replace them with new cars, it is quite possible that its neighbors and geopolitical competitors are also forced to use outdated armored vehicles. As a result, the need for the speedy modernization of the army and the purchase of expensive imported products is lost. Such a confrontation of outdated technology can last for years and decades - up to the appearance of the desired capabilities and real threats.
Decades in the ranks
Medium tanks T-34-85 went into the series in the first half of the forties of the last century and soon had a significant impact on the course of the Second World War. However, the further development of armored vehicles transferred them to the category of obsolete and unsuitable for participation in a full-scale modern war. No longer needed medium tanks were sold to foreign countries, and this time they waited longer service.
Yemeni tanks are still able to fight. Shot from the frontline chronicles
The long-term operation of T-34 tanks in foreign countries was promoted by a number of specific factors, some of which can be considered negative - armies have to face real problems and difficulties. Nevertheless, despite the special nature, these factors led to known results. T-34 tanks continue to serve, although the number of active vehicles is constantly decreasing. Technique without the possibility of recovery has to be sent to storage or for disassembly.
In this regard, three dozen T-34, previously owned by the army of Laos, look really lucky. They were promptly serviced and repaired, thanks to which they remain on the move and are able to continue working. It is reported that the Russian military department will use them in military-historical events, when shooting movies, etc. This means that the legendary tanks will be preserved and will continue their service - but in a new capacity.
Based on:
http://mil.ru/
https://tass.ru/
https://rg.ru/
https://warspot.ru/
https://globalsecurity.org/
https://armyrecognition.com/
Solyankin A. G., Pavlov M. V., Pavlov I. V., Zheltov I. G. Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. - M .: Exprint, 2005. - T. 2. 1941 – 1945.
IISS The Military Balance 2017
IISS The Military Balance 2018
Way abroad
Serial production of medium tanks T-34 started in 1940 year and continued over the next few years. The latest serial modification of this technology was the T-34-85. These machines were produced in our country before the 1946 year, after which the industry launched the assembly of newer and more advanced designs. In total, the USSR built more than 60 thousand tanks T-34 of all modifications. Much of this technology was lost during the Great Patriotic War, but numerous surviving tanks continued service.
T-34-85 tanks from Laos after arriving in Russia. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
As part of military-technical cooperation, the Soviet Union handed over its armored vehicles to friendly countries. In the case of the T-34 family of tanks, it was about the transfer of finished equipment, decommissioned in combat units. Soviet armored troops received modern equipment, and old samples were written off and sent to third countries, or left for storage. This practice lasted almost until the sixties. During this time, the T-34 tanks managed to go to more than three dozen countries around the world.
It is noteworthy that some foreign countries received not only ready-made armored vehicles, but also a license to manufacture them. At the beginning of the 1950s, the Czechoslovak Republic and the Polish People's Republic established their own production of T-34-85 tanks in an improved post-war configuration. According to various sources, in the 1952-58 years, these two countries built for their own needs at least 4,5-4,6 thousand T-34 tanks. As production proceeded, foreign tank builders refined the original design and improved production technology.
T-34 Polish production. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
In the future, Poland and Czechoslovakia were able to modernize their armored forces, and the “used” T-34 went to storage or for export. Despite its age, the tanks of the Soviet design and foreign production were of interest to customers. So, according to available data, T-34 tanks, recently transferred to Russia, were built in Czechoslovakia and acquired by Laos relatively recently - in the eighties. Confirmation of these data may be some of the design features characteristic of Czechoslovak-made tanks.
Thus, in the post-war period, the mid-range T-34 medium tanks of the last serial modification were able to enter service with nearly four dozen countries and had the most noticeable influence on the development of their armored forces. The T-34-85 service in most foreign armies continued for several decades and was completed by the early nineties. Outdated morally and physically technology was written off and sent to museums or for processing. However, in a number of countries, T-34 remain in service and still contribute to defense capability.
Czechoslovak T-34-85. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
In the ranks and in reserve
According to open sources, until recently, T-34-85 tanks remained in service with 10 foreign countries. At the same time, the number of foreign operators of such equipment is constantly decreasing. From time to time there are new data on the state of certain armies in which the rejection of old models is mentioned. In addition, the list of T-34 owners has declined since the recent Russian-Lao agreement. However, in such circumstances, medium tanks since World War II continue to serve.
At one time, as a matter of military assistance, the Soviet Union transferred significant quantities of material to a number of friendly Asian states. Thus, during the Korean War, T-34 tanks were used by Chinese and North Korean units. China has long abandoned obsolete machines, while in the DPRK, the army retains a certain number of T-34. Unfortunately, there is no detailed information about this. The number and status of North Korean T-34-85 are unknown. At the same time, there is every reason to believe that Pyongyang has the opportunity not to use this technique as the basis of armored forces.
Chinese tank crews and their T-34 in Korea, 1952. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Later, our country and the Allies transferred significant quantities of T-34 tanks and other samples of different classes to North Vietnam. Most of this technology was lost in the battles, but some machines managed to avoid a sad fate. According to the directory The Military Balance for 2018 year, the Vietnamese army has such tanks for 45. However, they are all in storage and have almost no chance of returning to service.
One of the recipients of the Soviet equipment written off was Cuba. She was supplied with decommissioned tanks of old models, as well as some quantities of newer armored vehicles. The exact number of T-34 in Cuba remains unknown, and its definition is associated with some difficulties. According to known data, in the Cuban army still serves several such tanks in the original configuration, and in addition, part of the tanks was redesigned into self-propelled artillery installations. A regular combat compartment with a turret was dismantled from them, instead of which open installations with artillery systems of various types were installed.
Tank T-34 in the GDR, 1953. Photo Bundesarchiv / bild.bundesarchiv.de
Quite large groups of T-34-85 tanks persist in some African states. Thus, The Military Balance 2018 reports that 30 of similar armored vehicles are still in use in the army of the Republic of Guinea. They form the basis of armored troops: in addition to three dozen T-34, Guinea has a total of 15 amphibious tanks PT-76 and 8 T-54. The neighboring Republic of Guinea-Bissau has a smaller army and a few tank troops. She continues to operate X-NUMX T-10-34 tanks. Unlike the neighboring country, these machines are inferior in number to the newer PT-85 - the latter number 76 units.
Another T-34-85 recipient in Africa was the Republic of Congo. In the past, this country was armed with several dozen such vehicles, with the help of which it was possible to build relatively efficient tank troops. Later, newer armored vehicles were obtained, and the T-34-85 were out of service. However, an unknown amount of such equipment is still present in the army on the sidelines and in storage.
A Soviet-made tank owned by the People’s Liberation Army of China. Photo of Wikimedia Commons
According to known data, a number of T-34 tanks can still remain in the armed forces of Namibia. However, their exact number and condition are unknown. Apparently, these machines are already unsuitable for use. The situation is similar with the armored forces of Mali. Until recently, the sources mentioned the presence of 20-21 tank T-34-85, but now they are decommissioned.
An unknown amount of T-34 is available in the army of the Republic of Chad. Previously, these tanks were in full operation, but so far all have been transferred to storage. Information from some sources suggests that in recent years the existing T-34-85 have been disposed of due to the development of the resource and as superfluous.
Armored vehicles of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, 1961 g. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Until recently, the Republic of Yemen could be considered one of the most active operators of T-34 tanks. Before the start of the civil war, there was about 30 medium tanks of the Second World War period in its armed forces. After 2014, evidence of the use of T-34-85 tanks in battles repeatedly appeared. Some of this equipment was destroyed by the enemy, while other machines have finally exhausted their resources and can no longer be used. An assessment of the current state of the tank forces of the opposing sides and the determination of the number of remaining T-34 is not yet possible.
Finally, recently the People’s Army of Laos refused the T-34-85 tanks. She had three dozen of these machines, of which 10 were in active operation, while the others were in reserve. In accordance with the Russian-Lao agreement, a number of modern T-72B1 tanks went to an Asian country from Russia, and the decommissioned T-34 went back. As a result of this transaction, Laos left the list of operators of old tanks of the Soviet design.
Causes of longevity
Since the mid-forties, the Soviet Union regularly transferred decommissioned medium tanks T-34 to friendly foreign countries. From a certain time, two foreign countries licensed to manufacture Soviet tanks entered the international market for weapons and equipment. The USSR, Czechoslovakia and Poland, working both together and independently, sent many thousands of armored vehicles abroad and re-equipped nearly four dozen armies.
North Vietnamese tanks T-34. Photo Scalemodels.ru
Over the past decades, technology has become obsolete morally and physically, even by the standards of poor and small countries. As a result, the overwhelming majority of countries-operators were forced to write it off or send it to storage - almost always with replacement by newer samples. Nevertheless, about one and a half to two hundred T-34-85 tanks still remain in the top ten foreign countries, and in some of them still continue to serve.
Despite the unique history service during the Great Patriotic War and combat work during subsequent conflicts, the medium tank T-34-85 even with reservations can not be called modern and relevant actual requirements. Nevertheless, a significant number of such machines successfully continued service for many decades, and so far they are not abandoned. This development has several main reasons.
First of all, it is necessary to note the simplicity of the design and operation, high maintainability and other positive features of a technical nature. Even countries without a developed defense industry can cope with the operation and repair of T-34 tanks. In addition, as the experience of several foreign countries shows, the T-34-85 is a good platform for building new equipment for various purposes. At one time, Cuban-made self-propelled guns, assembled on the T-34 available chassis, became widely known. Possessing sufficiently high combat qualities, this technique was not particularly complex production.
Medium tank used during the war in Rhodesia. Photo Foto-history.livejournal.com
The second factor contributing to the continuation of the service of old tanks is associated with the capabilities and desires of the operators. Many countries in Asia and Africa would like to replace the outdated T-34 with something more new and efficient, but a weak economy does not allow them to even begin negotiations on procurement. A curious exception is Laos, who managed to negotiate with Russia on the purchase of new armored vehicles. From a certain point of view, it would seem that the Lao army, with a solid surcharge, exchanged the old T-34-85 for new T-72B1. At the same time, she literally jumped over several generations of armored vehicles.
Other countries, for one reason or another, cannot conclude the same contract, and therefore are forced to continue to operate the equipment of the middle of the last century. As the resource is developed, it has to be written off, including without a real chance of timely replacement with modern samples.
Overwhelmed T-34-85 in Yemen. Photo Foto-history.livejournal.com
With the financial capabilities of developing countries is another factor affecting the length of service of armored vehicles. If the country-operator of T-34 tanks cannot replace them with new cars, it is quite possible that its neighbors and geopolitical competitors are also forced to use outdated armored vehicles. As a result, the need for the speedy modernization of the army and the purchase of expensive imported products is lost. Such a confrontation of outdated technology can last for years and decades - up to the appearance of the desired capabilities and real threats.
Decades in the ranks
Medium tanks T-34-85 went into the series in the first half of the forties of the last century and soon had a significant impact on the course of the Second World War. However, the further development of armored vehicles transferred them to the category of obsolete and unsuitable for participation in a full-scale modern war. No longer needed medium tanks were sold to foreign countries, and this time they waited longer service.
Yemeni tanks are still able to fight. Shot from the frontline chronicles
The long-term operation of T-34 tanks in foreign countries was promoted by a number of specific factors, some of which can be considered negative - armies have to face real problems and difficulties. Nevertheless, despite the special nature, these factors led to known results. T-34 tanks continue to serve, although the number of active vehicles is constantly decreasing. Technique without the possibility of recovery has to be sent to storage or for disassembly.
In this regard, three dozen T-34, previously owned by the army of Laos, look really lucky. They were promptly serviced and repaired, thanks to which they remain on the move and are able to continue working. It is reported that the Russian military department will use them in military-historical events, when shooting movies, etc. This means that the legendary tanks will be preserved and will continue their service - but in a new capacity.
Based on:
http://mil.ru/
https://tass.ru/
https://rg.ru/
https://warspot.ru/
https://globalsecurity.org/
https://armyrecognition.com/
Solyankin A. G., Pavlov M. V., Pavlov I. V., Zheltov I. G. Domestic armored vehicles. XX century. - M .: Exprint, 2005. - T. 2. 1941 – 1945.
IISS The Military Balance 2017
IISS The Military Balance 2018
Information