How to quickly and budgetly replenish the tank fleet: Pakistan buys T-55

Amid the deployment in India of the release of a new large-scale batch of major combat tanks T-90MS, Pakistan is forced to take asymmetric actions, trying to quickly replenish the ranks of its military equipment.

The high cost of modern tanks does not allow Islamabad to acquire an impressive MBT fleet of advanced technology. Apparently, precisely because of material difficulties, the production of Al-Khalid's own-designed machine is in miserable quantities. About a dozen units are produced throughout the year. Stalled improvement program T-80UD.

Under these conditions, Pakistan made a fairly budgetary decision, acquiring the improved T-55. The machines intended for Islamabad received a complex of dynamic protection. As stated in the press, the T-55 data were purchased from Serbia, although it is believed that they are “originally” from Slovenia.

In Russia, the last T-55 were withdrawn from service at the turn of the 2010's, although various modifications of this medium tank are offered for export. This machine is very popular among countries with a modest military budget. The financial difficulties in Pakistan most likely led to the decision to acquire the T-55.

Comments

[Civil]

As the fighting shows, the main thing is the quality of the crew, and in Asia the t-55 is quite a machine.

[GKS 2111]

- The main thing in the tank is what? Engine? Armor? A gun? No! The main thing in the tank is not to shit.

[Romka47]

I will correct a little "the main thing is not to be in the tank"!

[a.hamster55]

Such a beast is rare in our forests, but ..

[Nikolaevich I]

Do you have alcohol with you? Hmmmm ... ??? Have you tried to read the cookbook? You see ... in cooking there are many recipes where alcohol is one of the important components (ingredients) in cooking!

[a.hamster55]

Thank you for recalling the cookbook. After all, somewhere lies, even with a portrait of I.V. Stalin. But for a pensioner, it is somehow not relevant. Although the government promised to mend ...

[Ros 56]

Well, that's right, there will be nowhere to live with such a government.

[3vs]

One has long been traveling and nothing ...

[seregatara1969]

old people found their niche and began to be in demand

[YOUR]

We have T-55 modernization projects. Active armor, new engine, guided weapons - ATGM. For people like Pakistan, a budget and generally powerful weapon. They do not have large spaces for the great tank battles, and for the actions of small groups, from ambushes, they can show themselves quite well.

[svp67]

Quote: Civil

and in Asia, the t-55 is quite a car.

And in Indo-China?

[Piramidon]

Quote: svp67

Quote: Civil

and in Asia, the t-55 is quite a car.

And in Indo-China?

Indo-China in Africa, or what?

[svp67]

Quote: Piramidon

Indo-China in Africa, or what?

It sometimes seems to me that he’s generally on a different planet

[Ratmir_Ryazan]

The T-55 against the armed forces of India and the Indian T-90 has no chance. Waste of money.

[Serg koma]

Quote: Ratmir_Ryazan

against the armed forces of India and Indian T-90 there is no chance. Waste of money.

19.07.2018
For guard Pakistan ally, China will create 8 new submarines in the framework of Project Hangor, which will allow to oppose India.

TSAMTO - currently in service with the Pakistan Army are 320 T-80UD tanks delivered by Ukraine, as well as more than 300 Type-85-II tanks assembled under a Chinese license and about 400 Type-90-II MBTs ("Al-Khalid").

January 10 2018
Pakistani military began testing the VT-4 platform (MBT-3000 manufactured by the Chinese corporation NORINCO) as part of a tender to purchase a batch of approximately 200 new tanks.

GUADAR, PAKISTAN, 10 November 2019, On November 9, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing announced that Beijing intends to build 19 factories in the port city of Gwadar in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.

OUR "on occasion acquired" T-34-85 But this does not mean at all that the T-34 -85 is purchased for participation in hostilities, and in order to "quickly and budget replenish the tank fleet"
We don’t know for what purposes / interests Pakistan acquired the T-55 (we don’t even know their quantity), therefore the whole article is versions / assumptions / fortune-telling on coffee grounds ...
There is no doubt about one thing - China will not leave its ally with naked opera.
And in conclusion (from fresh), in order to clarify that Pakistan is not such a poor country as it is described in the article -

November 08 2019 Pakistani authorities have decided to return to Russia the Soviet-era debt of $ 93.5 million.

[svp67]

Quote: Serg Koma

There is no doubt about one thing - China will not leave its ally with naked opera.

True, he thought about it. And I have the only answers:
a) Tanks are needed for those who will be called up for mobilization, due to the fact that they do not have time to retrain on new cars, and they know these. Then the war may begin in the next month. But here the question arises, why not the Chinese T-59?
b) These tanks are planned to be used where their heavier brothers cannot show higher combat qualities.

[Hort]

But here the question arises, why not the Chinese T-59?

Probably because the quality of the T-59 is ram

[Ratmir_Ryazan]

Why are you comparing the purchases of T-55 by Pakistan and the acquisition of T-34-85 by Russia from Vietnam ?!

In case of conflict, the T-55s will confront the Indian army, and India has more than 1000 T-90s in service, a contract for almost 500 T-90MS has been signed and there are still about 2000 T-72s and a bunch of ATGMs with tandem warheads.

The T-55 has practically no chances, even against the infantry, but nothing else can be said about the rest.

[nikon7717]

And in general, T-34-85 acquired as a valid props for the holiday of the 75th anniversary of Victory Day in the Second World War.

[Aerodrome]

How to quickly and budgetly replenish the tank fleet: Pakistan buys T-55

skuperdyay ... could and Malaysian (or Indonesian, I do not remember) to intercept the T-34
it would have been cheaper.

[vadson]

let the veteran rest, he honestly deserved his pension

[Aerodrome]

Quote: vadson

let the veteran rest, he honestly deserved his pension

he did not subscribe to IT ...

[andrewkor]

In Laos bought 30 pieces T34-85, for parades and movies.

[PalSanych]

They returned them to us for free ... For the right to purchase new

[Paranoid50]

Quote: PalSanych

returned for free ... For the right to purchase new

And to the heap of ours in Laos, some territories were cleared.

[Strashila]

By the principle of cheap and cheerful, the main thing is a lot, available for development by low-skilled personnel. And then, how they will be used and against what goals.

[Yuri T.]

Well on board, then he will hit any MBT. And in the forehead they themselves are each other, with difficulty and not always. And against a competent ambush of grenade launchers or an air strike, no machine has a chance ... So it’s quite possible to use the old men, provided that allied military branches, especially reconnaissance and air defense, have integrated interaction. The only thing is that OFS is weak, but cheaper ... Of course, this is my private vision of application.

[Same lech]

The main opponent of Pakistan is India and it’s interesting how the Pakistanis are going to use these tanks against the Indians ... in the mountains of Kashmir, you won’t be too dispersed in tanks.

[svp67]

Quote: The same LYOKHA

in the mountains of Kashmir, you won’t be very dispersed in tanks.

It is in the mountains near the T-55 that a chance arises. They are easier and smaller, and mean they can go and act where T-90 of India cannot

[Baursak]

T-55, although lighter, but the specific power is less (16 versus 21), but the specific pressure is less (0,81 versus 0,94). In a sandy desert, the T-55 will have an advantage, but not in the mountains.

[Yuriy_999]

Well, in the second war, they somehow managed to fill each other 400+ tanks

[Serg koma]

Quote: The same LYOKHA

use these tanks against the Indians.

1. How many T-55 tanks did Pakistan purchase?
2. For what purpose?
You can answer these questions?

[Same lech]

You can answer these questions?

Are I the Minister of Defense of Pakistan or something?

[Serg koma]

Quote: The same LYOKHA

Are I the Minister of Defense of Pakistan or something?

Comrade Deputy. Minister of Defense of Pakistan - report (report below)

Quote: The same LYOKHA

.in the mountains of Kashmir on tanks you will not be very dispersed.

27.06.2015Major General Bojan Zrnich, Head of the Defense Technologies Department of the Ministry of Defense of Serbia, "Indeed, preliminary agreements have been reached on the sale of 282 tanks from the arsenal of decommissioned and obsolete military equipment, but I don’t want to talk to which country and army, since agreement has not been signed... This is a very advantageous offer for our country, since the tanks will not be sold in their current state, but will be modernized. This task will be entrusted to our defense industry, we will take over our capacities "-

For export, a modernized version was proposed, which received the designation T-55N. The main armament remained the same - a 100-mm rifled gun, but the tank received a new sight and a complete fire control system. We also updated communications.
The protection was improved by installing "reactive armor" of its own design. It covers the front of the hull, the forehead of the turret, as well as side projections.
A 780-horsepower engine was chosen as the power plant, similar to that already available on the Serbian special engineering armored vehicle VIU-55 Molniya.
Pakistan has long been interested in procuring Serbian weapons. So, it was supposed to purchase 155-mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers "Alexander", which are the development of the famous B-52 "Nora". Also the country's police received armored personnel carriers "Lazar II".

[Same lech]

Dug it all the same ... thanks for the info.
But all the same, I can hardly imagine how tanks can fight in the Himalayan mountains in the conditions of rarefied air and steep slopes ..

[Serg koma]

Quote: The same LYOKHA

thanks for the info

Photo articles tweeted Ninja998998 has quite interesting (with knowledge of English) materials

[Serg koma]

Russian AK-130 ship gun, Fire! pic.twitter.com/oawd6BCX8d

- Caesar (@Ninja998998) October 17, 2018

[vadson]

As far as I remember, the 55 ki has a rifled barrel, therefore it should be more accurate at a long distance

[Romka47]

At a long distance it will be let down by the SLA, rangefinders, which will be steeper for potential opponents a priori, the cumulative action of the rifled is 2-3 times weaker than the smooth-bore of the same caliber, it is impossible to shoot ATGMs through such a barrel. But at close range, by sub-calibers, he will strike any MBT in the sides (especially in the stern), another minus in weak HEs. Well, this is all said above Comrade Yuri T.

[svp67]

Quote: Romka47

the action of the cumulative in the rifled in 2-3 times weaker than the smooth-bore of the same caliber

Why? In general, it is the caliber of the KS that is the main criterion, but the armor-piercing yes, especially the armor-piercing-sub-caliber, due to the fact that in a smooth barrel it is possible to give BPS greater speed ...

Quote: Romka47

it is impossible to shoot through such a barrel with ATGMs.

What century are you in and where do you live? Meet the 100-mm guided missile of the Sheksna complex for the T-55 tank

[Romka47]

https://topwar.ru/151390-o-preimuschestvah-gladkostvolnyh-tankovyh-pushek.html


"What century are you in and where do you live? Meet the 100-mm guided missile of the Sheksna complex for the T-55 tank" - missed my jamb, but about this:

the action of the cumulative in the rifled in 2-3 times weaker than the smooth-bore of the same caliber

Why? Actually, the caliber of the COP is the main criterion

As early as the Second World War, the prospects for cumulative armor-piercing shells became clear. A special warhead hit the target by exploding an explosive, and its effectiveness did not depend on the velocity of the projectile at the moment it hit the target. In the postwar period, the development of such shells continued, but soon the designers were faced with a specific problem. Existing guns did not allow to increase the parameters of armor penetration of the projectile.
When the projectile rotates, centrifugal force inevitably forms. At the time of the detonation of a cumulative munition, it interferes with the proper formation of a high-speed gas jet. Accordingly, too fast rotating projectile loses part of armor penetration and cannot realize its full potential. It clearly beats up the combat qualities of the tank, and besides, it worsens the economic performance of the weapon and its use.
Here, an excerpt from the first one that became VO, but in general I met more than once that with the same caliber, the smooth-bore has an efficiency higher than 300% (for CS)

[svp67]

Quote: Romka47

When the projectile rotates, a centrifugal force is inevitably formed. At the moment of detonation of cumulative ammunition, it interferes with the proper formation of a high-speed gas jet

This issue has long been resolved. And the projectile from the smooth-bore gun in flight also rotates due to the plumage, otherwise high accuracy cannot be achieved

[Lopatov]

Quote: Romka47

At a long distance, it will be let down by the SLA, rangefinders, which will be steeper for potential opponents a priori

Not a fact.
Romanian robust electronics stuffed.

[Romka47]

Not a fact.
Romanian robust electronics stuffed.
No doubt, I read an article about Romanians, but they don’t take them, they take (as I understand from the article) those that are cheaper, like in Serbia

[Alf]

Quote: Romka47

it is impossible to shoot through such a barrel with ATGMs.

The T-55 with the Bastion complex was created back in 1981.

[Romka47]

Do you really think that what is "cheaper" that they take Packs will shoot ATGMs?
How many Years 55ka has been fighting all over the world and there is not a single (if there is, please skinte the link, it’s really interesting) cases of use in battle.
Complex of active protection in about the same years "gash", where our domestic complex fought? Where are they at least in our aircraft?

[svp67]

Quote: vadson

As far as I remember, the 55 ki has a rifled barrel, therefore it should be more accurate at a long distance

But not in comparison with the smoothbore 125-mm. Anyway, the firing range of the BPS at 100-mm lower

[BAI]

Quite a long time ago, a report on comparative tests of the T-55, T-64 and T-72 caught my eye. The T-55 turned out to be the most effective gun.

[Aerodrome]

Quote: Yuri T.

Well on board, then he will hit any MBT. And in the forehead they themselves are each other, with difficulty and not always. And against a competent ambush of grenade launchers or an air strike, no machine has a chance ... So it’s quite possible to use the old men, provided that allied military branches, especially reconnaissance and air defense, have integrated interaction. The only thing is that OFS is weak, but cheaper ... Of course, this is my private vision of application.

marketing ... you can sell any old stuff ... "wrap up more beautifully" and go ... Yes ... I laugh .... and cho?

[Pavel57]

And what about the T-72 in Europe over?

[svp67]

Quote: Pavel57

And what about the T-72 in Europe over?

The price did not suit. One T-72 is equal to somewhere between three or four T-55, at a price

[Doctor]

The price did not suit. One T-72 is equal to somewhere between three or four T-55, at a price

And according to combat characteristics, probably one to two. So the strategy is right.

[Romka47]

They should be considered more expensive at least 2 times at least, although I won’t be too lazy to look for exact numbers. Well, it’s logical that the gun is larger in caliber, + the automatic loader is extended at any price, and there are still a lot of small things.

[donavi49]

Well, the European T-72 - will require more money, while they basically remained there killed + ancient.

These are Slovenian-Serbian T-55s, there may even be some kind of thread focal modernization carried out + DZ +, Pakistan may have left 100mm shells in large quantities, and carriers in the form of type 59 / 69 are already all.

[svp67]

Quote: donavi49

These are Slovenian-Serbian T-55, there maybe even some kind of thread focal modernization was carried out

Yes, together with Ukrainians - DZ and Italians - sights.

[Lopatov]

Quote: donavi49

even some thread focal modernization was carried out + DZ

https://topwar.ru/29849-inostrannye-modernizaciya-tankov-t-54-55.html
In the picture on the cart is clearly the Serbian version, T-55H

[svp67]

To set hordes of "immortal cockroaches" on India, well, this is probably a decision. Especially considering that there is mountainous relief in disputed territories, the T-55 can still show itself. Although in direct confrontation with the T-90 and especially the T-90MS, and even at night ... there are few chances, very few

[Romka47]

That's right, but there's still a catch in that very "specific" crews will converge on both sides, with their views on life and death, and in general on war. Therefore, if we say that there is a German in this tank and a Russian in this one, and they will fight over there, then something could be predicted (tried), but here ...
I won’t be surprised if commanders come out before the battles (ala ancient heroes before the battle) and arrange a dance battle

[t7310]

Quote: Romka47

I won’t be surprised if commanders come out before the battles (ala ancient heroes before the battle) and arrange a dance battle

[Kurare]

Quote: svp67

Although in direct confrontation with the T-90 and especially with the T-90MS, and even at night ... there are few chances, very few

Yes, what are you talking about, the good old 55 has no chance at all! The cannon will not take the T-90's forehead, the optics are good, but they cannot be compared with modern MBTs. ODZ may save from the RPG "Seven", but also not from everyone.

Somewhere in Africa (and not everywhere), where there are no modern means of destruction, the enemy’s MBT, the 55th may very well be effective. But not against the army of India. Just imagine, the Russian Defense Ministry decided to return the T-55 to the army. Your reaction

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

What are you talking about, the good old 55 has no chance at all!

There is. There is always a chance.

Quote: Kurare

The T-90’s forehead can’t take

Mountains, mountains .. there you can’t come not from the forehead, from the side or from the back in general, but you can also from above, but mountains. Carefully, along riverbeds, along roads where the T-90 doesn’t pass, and the tank is almost two times lighter, so with a bang ... and crushes the rear, communications centers, warehouses. And he will not fight there alone.

[Kurare]

Quote: svp67

There is. There is always a chance.

Yes of course. I don’t know if this is true or not, but Abrams was disabled in the first Iraqi one after falling from the DShK to the area where the APU is located, which caught fire and incapacitated the main power plant. But rely on soldier's luck ...

And how many tankers will die before at least one can hit something? I understand that the T-55 will not even be a second line tank. But, as it was in the song:
"Chance!
He is not a pay, not an advance.
It only drops once
...
He tells you: "He-he-he-he, Gd will give"

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

But, as it was in the song:
"Chance!
He is not a pay, not an advance.
It only drops once

And they need to have time to use it. Occupy heights and hit from above, taking advantage of the weak protection of tanks in the upper projection and small angles of elevation of the weapon.
In short, you need to think ...

[Kurare]

Quote: svp67

And they need to have time to use it.

Again, there is always a chance, but the chances are no longer to survive than to destroy the enemy.

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

Again, there is always a chance, but the chances are no longer to survive than to destroy the enemy.

That's why they buy a lot of them ... They are going to crush the mass or from many directions

[Kurare]

If this purchase is out of despair, then yes. Better than just "karamultuk". And in light of the fact that India has signed a new contract for the T-90 screwdriver assembly (MS), you may be right.

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

And in light of the fact that India has entered into a new contract for the T-90 screwdriver assembly (MC), you are probably right.

Yes, but they put on cooperation with Ukraine in the production of their tank, it seems they DIDN'T GUESS ... And honestly, I don’t like this "express purchase", it looks like everything is "heating up" very quickly.

[Kurare]

Quote: svp67

Yes, but they, having set up cooperation with Ukraine in the production of their tank, seem to have not guessed ...

"Desheva fish, nasty yushka." At that time, the 80UD was a very advanced tank and I still like it. In any case, the way it was made during the Soviet era.

And so, I completely agree with you. This "headlong" purchase may be for a reason.

[Romka47]

Too exaggerated, in order to plant something in the upper hemisphere, you need to select a suitable position in advance, you just won’t get on top, we don’t have vertical aiming angles, so there will be aviation. Well, anything is possible. And again, we forget, the tank fights with the tank in 1 (by force) out of 10 cases. ATGMs, RPGs, ARTA, air, and on their part, everything is the same, there will be such a mess (and as you correctly noticed it is all in the mountains) that (in my opinion) the tactics will be solved, the Indians will get into the environment, abandon the T-90 , get packs, throw 55ki, something like this

[Alf]

Quote: svp67

and even at night ...

For all the super-advanced night sights, for some reason, the military, for some reason, still strives not to fight at night, at night the friendly fire is the most accurate.

[Lord of the Sith]

Damn that, there are Russian tanks around, and it’s even not clear who to put on, although the Indian ones are much more modern))

[rocket757]

"Giraffe is big", it has spots on ... the sun, does not interfere with thinking

[cniza]

Quote: rocket757

"Giraffe is big", it has spots on ... the sun, does not interfere with thinking

Only the head can overheat, and the decision is right for Pakistan. Greetings!

[rocket757]

Quote: cniza

the right decision for Pakistan

Hi
If you look, the border area there is such that there is nowhere for armada tankers to roam! Strong defense knots can be created with not super new technology ...

[cniza]

I think the specialists understand this very well.

[rocket757]

Understand they have experience. The conflict lasts a long time.

[Amateur]

As stated in the press, the T-55 data was purchased from Serbia, although it is believed that they are “originally” from Slovenia.

So they bought "tank" or "tanks"?
Where does Serbia and / or Slovenia come from with a certain commodity quantity of tanks with undetermined diesels, trucks and unshooted trunks?

[Ezekiel]

Quote: Amateur

Where does Serbia and / or Slovenia come from with a certain commodity quantity of tanks with undetermined diesels, trucks and unshooted trunks?

That's right. The question of origin raises questions. Versions: Serbia and Slovenia are doubtful.
Have a stock in warehouses and are able to make a cap. repair with partial modernization: Israel, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia.
Russia will not supply Pakistan - a hard ban. Israel is likely, as well as the Russian Federation, it focuses on India. But the Czechs, using Serbs, could very well.

[otstoy]

A very smart, even brilliant solution. The tank is now only a well-armored self-propelled guns to support infantry from a distance of 3-5 km. Heaped up bridges for this are unnecessary, and the T-55 is simple, cheap and with excellent down for OFS. That is why a bunch of countries (Vietnam, Algeria, Iraq, Syria, etc.) sharply took up the restoration of their T-55.

[kytx]

author! T55 was removed from service with the Russian Federation in 2011, the last from the Kuril Islands. Replaced by T80. For some reason, the local tankers were very dissatisfied with this replacement.
T55 is still being successfully modernized, for example, in Vietnam and Africa. Unrecognizable. Great car - record holder long-lived.

[Sapsan136]

The T-55 and its versions are in service with, for example, Romania ... There are many soldiers in Pakistan, he is insensitive to losses, however, like India ... Not only the quality, but also the number of tanks that opponents can set up will matter

[Hort]

We still have "mulion" in our warehouses ... I wonder if there are programs that provide for the modernization of the T-55 and T-62 to form reserves?
For example, by replacing the gun with ATGM + protection

[kytx]

For his native cannon there is already a peter

[kytx]

And the defense on it is hung for every taste until the replacement of the tower