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T-55 Question

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  • Member since
    September 2012
T-55 Question
Posted by JCB8116 on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 4:07 PM

Im currently building some Tamiya T-55's and i was windering if the soviet built version with AA machine gun, not the czech or polish built ones were exported. Im using the excellent Empire City decals T-55 sheet and none of the T-55's on it say where the vehicle was built. I tried web searches, searched the few references i have with no luck. Im mainly interested in finding out what version the North Vietnamese, Nicaraguans and cambodians used, and where they were built.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 4:14 PM

Most pics I have seen of NVA tanks show them using T-54s.  I can't say one way or the other about Cambodian or Nicaraguan tanks.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:14 PM

List of operators

  •  Abkhazia - A number of T-55s in service at the beginning of the 1992-1993 War in Abkhazia, all of which were lost in the first four months of the fighting at which point Abhazian forces had 8 T-55s captured from the Georgians.[3] At peak 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). 200 T-54s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1978 and 1979 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 705 T-55s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1978 and 1991 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).[7] 1,000 T-54s, T-55s, T-62s and PT-76s were in service on 1 April 1992.[8] Currently 600 T-55s are in service and are to be replaced with M60 Pattons.
  •  Albania - 75 T-54s and 300 T-55s operated by Albania at one time along with 750 Chinese Type 59's, today some 100 T-55s are still in service along with Type 59's.
  •  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 Belorussian 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 T-55s in service with the armed forces in 2001 and 8 in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.[15]
  •  Azerbaijan - 150 T-55s were ordered in 1993 from Ukraine with 100 being in 1993 and 50 in 1994 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Ukrainian service).[7][11] 116 T-55s in service with the armed forces in 1994, 130 in 1995, 124 in 1996, 123 in 1997 and 1998, 126 in 1999, 100 in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and 98 in 2006.[5][15]
  •  Bangladesh - 15 T-54s were ordered in 1973 from Egypt and delivered in 1975 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). 15 T-55s were ordered in 1975 from Egypt and delivered in 1975 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Egypt service).[7] 240 T-54s, T-55s, Type 59s and Type 62s were in service in early 2001[16] and 180 in early 2003.[17] 100 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] 122 modernized T-54s and T-55s with laser rangefinders and improved armor protection are currently in service.
  •  Belarus - 381 T-55s were in service in 1995, 49 in 2000 and 29 in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010.[5][10][18]
  •  Bosnia and Herzegovina - [19] 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.[16] 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-55's.[17] 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]
  •  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.[16] 1,042 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][17] Currently up to 430 are in reserve status. Some are used for basic tank driver training.
  •  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 September 20, 2010. Cambodia's Armoured cavalry has 220 T-54/T-55 in service in 2011 .[23]
  •  Cape Verde - Several T-55s[citation needed].
  •  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]
  •  Democratic Republic of the Congo - [29] 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]
  •  Republic of the Congo - 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.
  •  Ivory Coast - 10 T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][22]
  •  Croatia - The majority of the Croatian T-55s were captured from the Yugoslav army forces.[3] Around 209 T-55s were in service in 1998 and 222 in 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][30] Currently 140 T-55s are in service. some vehicles were withdrawn from service,rest are in reserve.
  •  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]
  •  Ecuador - 3 T-55s were in service in early 2001,[32] 30 in early 2003,[33] more than 30 in 2004 (possibly non in operational service as of 2005)[5] and more than 30 in storage in 2006.[10]
  •  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][34] 840 T-54s and T-55s were in storage in 2006.[10] 260 Ramses IIs were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5]
  •  Equatorial Guinea - 3[citation needed]
  •  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][33]
  •  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 canceled). 40 T-55s were ordered in 1998 from Belarus and delivered in 1998 (the vehicles were previously in Belorussian 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[32] and more than 270 in early 2003.[33] 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 Abhazia.[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 23 T-55s and 3 T-54s in 2008 and 2010.[35]
  •  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.
  •  Guinea-Bissau -[citation needed]
  •  Hungary - 300 T-54s were ordered in 1958 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1959 and 1960. 800 T-55s were ordered in 1963 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1964 and 1965.[7] 359 T-55s were in service and 209 in storage in early 2001,[36] 397 in service and 108 in storage in early 2003[37] and 466 in service and in storage in 2005.[5] 1 VT-55A received from Czech Republic in 2003. 90 were exported to Czech Republic in 2004 for disassembling.[11][12]
  •  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 Iraq-Iran War.[38] Some vehicles were captured from Iraq during the Iraq-Iran 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][39] 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).[40] 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.[41] 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.[41] 76 T-55s are in service with New Iraqi Army since 2004.[42] 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]
  •  Iraqi Kurdistan - 200-300 T-54s,T-55s and Type-59s Captured from former Iraqi army. Not all are operational [43]
  •  Israel - 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 Ti-67 standard prior to the Yom Kippur War.[3] During that conflict Israel captured additional T-54s and T-55s. Ti-67s were withdrawn from active service at the end of the 1980s. Some were sold and some were converted into Achzarit APCs.[38][44] However some T-54s, T-55s and Ti-67s are still in possession of the Israeli Army, possibly in reserve or in storage. Israeli Army had 1,500 T-54s and T-55s in 1990, 300 in 1995, 200 in early 2001[45] and early 2003[46] and 114 in 2004,[5] 126 T-54s, T-55s and Tiran 6s in 2006[10] and 2008 and 488 Ti-67s 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][47]
  •  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 1,600 T-54s in service in 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000.[48] There were 3,500 T-34s, T-54s, T-55s, T-62s and Type 59s in early 2001,[21] around 3,500 in early 2003[22] and 2004[5] and more than 3,500 in 2006.[10]
  •  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.[5][10]
  •  Latvia - 5 T-55AM2s were ordered in 1999 from Czech Republic and delivered in 2001 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service).[7] They are used for training. 3 T-55AM2s were in service in early 2001, early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][49][50] Currently 3 T-55AM2s are in service.
  •  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] 327 T-54s, T-55s and M48 Pattons were in service in early 2001.[49] 200 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003,[50] 2004[5] and 2006.[10] Currently 204 T-55s are in service.
  •  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.[51] 1,600 T-54s and T-55s were in service and in storage in early 2001, 500 in service in early 2003,[49][50] 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.[52]
    • Libya Anti-Gaddafi forces - Unknown number of T-55s captured by rebel fighters and donated by defecting Libyan Army soldiers.
  •  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,[53] 125 T-55s and T-72s in early 2003,[54] 30 T-55As in 2004[5] and 2006.[10]
  •  Malawi - 150 T-55s.[citation needed]
  •  Mali - 21 T-34s, T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001,[53] 33 in early 2003.[54] 12 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004[5] and 2006.[10]
  •  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][53][54] Currently 35 T-55s are in service.
  •  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.[53][54] 370 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] Currently 350 T-54s and T-55s are in service.
  •  Morocco - 40 T-54s 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).[7]
  •  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]
  •  Namibia - Up to 20 T-34s and T-55s were in service in early 2001 and a few in early 2003.[55][56] 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][55][56] 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.[55][56] 100 T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] Currently 50 T-55s are in service and are 50% serviceable.[57]
  •  Oman - 3 T-55s were ordered from Russia and delivered in 1992 (the vehicles were delivered through Belarus).[11][12]
  • Palestinian territories Palestine Liberation Organization - A small number of T-55s used during the Lebanese Civil War.
  •  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] 51 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10] 50 T-54s and T-55s are currently in service.[58]
  •  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[59] and 275 (around 200 were serviceable in 2005[5] and 2006[10]) in service in early 2003,[60] 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.[61]
  •  Romania - 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] At least 632 TR-85s were produced. Romania also acquired a number of T-54s which are now in reserve.[62] 398 TR-580s and 632 TR-85s were in service with the Romanian Army in 1993, around 88 TR-580s in early 1999, 717 T-55s, 314 TR-85M1s and 227 TR-580s in early 2003[63] and 2004,[5] 268 T-55s, 43 TR-580s and 157 TR-85M1s in 2006.[10] According to the UN register of conventional arms Romanian Armed Forces operated 710 T-55s, 227 TR-580s, 312 TR-85s in 2006, 750 T-55s, 226 TR-580s and 269 TR-85s in 2007 and 748 T-55s, 226 TR-580s and 265 TR-85s.[12] 120 TR-580s were in service with the Romanian Naval Infantry in early 2001[64] and early 2003.[63]
  •  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][65] Currently 100 T-55s are in reserve and less than 1,000 are in storage.[66]
  •  Rwanda - 12 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001,[64] 30 in early 2003,[63] 24 in 2005[5] and 2006.[10]
  •  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic - 50[67]
  •  Slovakia - At least 206 were inherited from Czechoslovakia.[68] 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.[69]
  •  Slovenia - 46 T-55s (14 were in storage) and 12 M-55Ss and M-55S-1s were in service in 1998.[70] Overall 30 T-55s were modernized to the M-55S/M-55S-1 standard.[40] 30 M-55S-1s were in service in early 2003,[71] 2004[5] and 2006.[10] Currently 30 M-55S-1s are in service and are in the process of being withdrawn.
  •  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). 30 T-54s were ordered in 1980 from Egypt and delivered in 1981 (the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). 20 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from Egypt and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). 32 T-55s were ordered in 1989 from Libya and delivered in 1990 (the vehicles were previously in Libyan service).[7] T-54s and T-55s were in service with the SNA prior to the Civil War.[72]
  •  Somaliland - 85[citation needed]
  •  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][73][74]
  •  Sri Lanka - 27 T-55s were ordered in 1991 from Czechoslovakia and delivered in 1991 (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovak service). 18 T-55AM2s were ordered in 1995 from Czech Republic with 15 being delivered in 1996[12] and 3 in 1997[12] (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service). 2 MT-55s were ordered in 2000 from Czech Republic and delivered in 2001 (aid against the LTTE rebels, the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service). 36 T-55AM2s were ordered in 2000 from Czech Republic and with 11 being delivered in 2000[12] and 25 in 2001[12] (possibly aid against the LTTE rebels, the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service). 16 VT-55s were ordered in 2000 from Czech Republic and delivered between 2002 and 2003 (aid against the LTTE rebels, delivered via and possibly modernized in Slovakia, the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovakian and later Czech service).[7] 25 T-55s were in service in early 2001[75] and 65 in early 2003.[76] 62 T-55As and T-55AM2s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
  •  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 Belorussian 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 Belorussian 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,[69] 200 in early 2003.[71] 200 T-54s and T-55s in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
  • Flag of South Sudan.svg Sudan People's Liberation Army - Some captured T-54s and T-55s.[5]
  •  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] 2,050 T-54s and T-55s were in service and in storage in 1990, 2,100 in 1995, 2,150 in 2000, 2,000 in 2001, 2003 and around 2,000 in 2005.[77]
  •  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[78] and 45 in early 2003.[79] 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][78][79]
  •  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 Belorussian service).[7] 140 T-54s and T-55s and PT-76s were in service in early 2001.[80] 180 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003,[81] 152 in 2005 and 2006.[5][10]
  •  Ukraine - At least 700 T-54s and T-55s were originally inherited from the Soviet Union.[82] 680 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 1995 and 149 in 2000.[83] 112 T-55s were in service in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010.[5][10][83] There's also an unknown amount of IMRs and MTP-3s in service.[82]
  •  Uruguay - 15 Tiran-4Shes and Tiran-5Shes were rodered from Israel in 1997 and delivered in 1997 (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][80][81]
  •  Uzbekistan - 80[citation needed]
  •  Vietnam - 1,939 T-34s, T-54s, T-55s, T-62s, PT-76s and Type 59s were in service in early 2001.[36] 850 T-54s and T-55s and 350 Type-59 were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][37]
  •  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.[45] 450 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006.[5][10][46]
  •  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 $72–100 m deal).[7] 60 T-55s, PT-76s and Type 59s were in service in early 2001 and early 2003.[75][76] 10 T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006.[5][10]
  •  Zimbabwe - 20 T-54 tanks received from USSR in September 1984.[84]

[edit] Former operators

  • Flag of the Amal Movement.svg Amal Movement - 50 T-54s were ordered in 1985-86 from Syria and delivered in 1985-86 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian service).[7]
  •  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.
  •  Finland - 50 T-54s were ordered in 1960 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1960 and 1961. 70 T-55s were ordered in 1965 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1965 and 1967. 10 T-55s were converted into T-55AM-Marksman SPAAGs (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] 230 T-55s and T-72s were in service in early 2001.[85] 74 T-55s were in service in early 2003.[9] 33 T-54s and 74 T-55Ms were in storage in 2004[86] and 74 T-55Ms in 2005.[5]
  •  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 the 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 the Czechoslovakia and delivered between 1965 and 1969.[7] Passed on to the unified German state.
  •  West Germany/ Germany - taken from GDR's army, all scrapped, sold to other countries or given to museums.
  • Lebanese Forces - Between 64 and 250 T-55s were ordered in 1988 from Iraq and delivered between 1988 and 1989 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Iraqi service). 18 T-54s were ordered in 1987 from Israel and delivered in 1987 (the vehicles were previously in Israeli service).[7]
  • South Lebanon Army - 10 Ti-67s were ordered in 1986 from Israel and delivered in 1986 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Israeli service). 24 Tiran-4Shes and Tiran-5Shs were ordered in 1987 from Israel and delivered in 1987 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Israeli service).[7]
  • Druze Progressive Socialist Party militia - 70 T-54As and T-55s were supplied on loan by Syria and the USSR in 1985.
  • Hezbollah - Ti-67s Captured from the South Lebanon Army in 2000.
  •  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[45] and early 2003,[46] 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.[87] There were around 550 T-55s in active service and around 200 in storage in 1999.[88] In 2004 Indian Army possessed a total of 700 T-55s, 450 of which were in operational service.[5] in 2006 Indian Army possessed 715 T-55s, modernized with night-fighting equipment and new fire control systems, out of which around 67 were in reserve.[10] In May 2011, the last of T-55s were retired from active service and moved to reserve storage.[89]
  •  Montenegro - 61 T-55s Scrapped.[90]
  •  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 the 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, together with SADF advisers for the purpose of training the Rhodesian crews. It is unknown whenever these tanks were passed on to the successor state or destroyed during the Rhodesian Bush War.[40]
  •  Serbia - 510 T-55's withdrawn from service.[10]
  •  Serbia and Montenegro - 721 T-55s were in service in early 2003,[71] 694 in 2005.[5] Passed on to the successor states.
  •  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.
  •  United States - The US Army used a number of models of the T-54 in the OPFOR role for training.[91]
  •  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.
  •  North Yemen - 200 T-54s and 100 T-55s were ordered in 1979 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1979 and 1980 (T-54s and probably T-55s were previously in Soviet service).[7]
  •  South Yemen - 20 T-54s were ordered in 1971 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1972 and 1973 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 20 T-55s were ordered in 1972 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1973 and 1974 (the vehicles were possibly previously in Soviet service). 200 T-55s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1979 and 1980 (the vehicles were probably from Polish production line). 300 T-55s were ordered in 1980 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1980 and 1981 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).[7]
  •  Yugoslavia - passed on to successor states.

[edit] Evaluation-only operators

  •  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. 2 T-55LD tanks have been kept by the South Africans for evaluation while 8 were given to Rhodesia, together with SADF advisers for the purpose of training Rhodesian crews. The rumor was spread that the tanks had been captured in Mozambique in order to obscure South Africa's part in the deal.[40]

[edit] Models and variants

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:15 PM

The T-54/55 series eventually became the most-produced tank in history. Estimated production numbers for the series range from 86,000 to 100,000. They were replaced by the T-62, T-64, T-72, T-80, and T-90 in the Soviet and Russian Armies, but remain in use by up to 50 other armies worldwide, some having received sophisticated retrofitting.

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