From the widely produced T-26 to the cutting-edge T-14 Armata, Russian tanks have consistently combined ruggedness, firepower, and speed. Speed has always been a crucial factor in shaping the design and use of these tanks. Here at CEOWORLD magazine, we thoroughly examine the history of Russian tanks and showcase some of the fastest models they’ve ever manufactured.
Russian tanks began to take shape between the World Wars when the Soviet Union recognized the critical role of these armored vehicles in battle. The T-34, which debuted in 1940, became a symbol of Soviet engineering. It was fast, well-armored, and formidable, pivotal in the Red Army’s triumph during World War II.
Following the Second World War, the focus shifted to creating tanks that were faster and more mobile without compromising firepower and protection. The Cold War era brought forth several fast and agile tanks as warfare evolved. This period witnessed major strides in tank technology, driven by the necessity to counter NATO forces effectively.
The modern Russian main battle tank, the T-14 Armata, epitomizes Russian engineering excellence. It excels not only in firepower but also in speed. With the ability to move swiftly, the Armata tanks can support infantry more effectively, outflank opponents, and adapt to changing combat situations. Essentially, their speed makes them more versatile and lethal, providing a substantial edge in modern warfare.
Fastest tanks ever built by Russia
| Rank | Tank | Type | Top speed (mph) | Year introduced | Total units manufactured | Armament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T-14 (Armata) | Main battle tank | 50 | 2016 | 45 | 125mm 2A82 smoothbore main gun, 30mm autocannon, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers |
| 2 | T-99 Armata | Multirole tracked armored vehicle | 50 | 2013 | 40 | 125mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm coaxial machine gun, 57mm automatic grenade launcher |
| 3 | BMD-1 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta) | Infantry fighting vehicle | 50 | 1966 | 2000 | 73mm 2A28 smoothbore cannon, 9M14M anti-tank guided missiles |
| 4 | BMD-2 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta) | Amphibious light tank | 50 | 1985 | 2150 | 30mm 2A42 cannon, ATGM missile launcher, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm PKT bow-mounted machine gun |
| 5 | T-64 | Main battle tank | 43 | 1966 | 13000 | 125mm D-81 smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun |
| 6 | T-80 (MBT) | Main battle tank | 43 | 1976 | 5500 | 125mm main gun, 12.7mm air defense machine gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers |
| 7 | 2S25 (Sprut-SD) | Light tank | 43 | 2007 | 70 | 125mm 2A75 main gun, 7.62 coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers |
| 8 | BMD-4 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta) | Light infantry fighting vehicle | 43 | 2005 | 200 | 100mm main gun, 30mm cannon, AT-5 Spandrel anti-tank guided missile launcher, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, 5.45mm general purpose machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers |
| 9 | BMP-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty) | Light tank | 43 | 1987 | 1840 | 100mm 2A70 rifled main gun, 30mm 2A72 coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers |
| 10 | T-72 (Ural) | Main battle tank | 42 | 1972 | 25000 | 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers |
| 11 | T-90 | Main battle tank | 40 | 1995 | 2055 | 125mm smoothbore main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, smoke grenade dischargers |
| 12 | BMP-2 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty) | Infantry fighting vehicle | 40 | 1982 | 35000 | 30mm 2A42 main gun, 7.62 PKTM coaxial machine gun, 9M113 Konkurs mssile launcher, smoke dischargers |
| 13 | BMD-3 (Boyevaya Mashina Desanta) | Amphibious light tank | 40 | 1990 | 123 | 30mm cannon, 7.62 machine gun, AT-4 ATGW launcher, 5.45mm machine gun, 40mm grenade launcher, smoke dischargers |
| 14 | BMP-1 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty) | Infantry fighting vehicle | 40 | 1966 | 26000 | 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm PKT bow-mounted machine gun |
| 15 | T-34 | Medium tank | 32 | 1940 | 84070 | 85mm D-5T / ZiS-S-53 main gun, 7.62mm DT MG coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm DT machine gun |
| 16 | T-44 | Medium tank | 32 | 1944 | 1823 | 85mm D-5T main gun, 7.62mm machine guns |
| 17 | BT-7 (Bystrochodnij Tankov) | Light tank | 32 | 1934 | 4613 | 45mm main gun, 7.62mm machine gun |
| 18 | T-55 | Medium tank | 31 | 1958 | 50000 | 100mm D-10 rifled main gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun |
| 19 | T-54 | Medium tank | 30 | 1949 | 50000 | 100mm D-10TG main gun, 7.62mm SG MT coaxial machine gun, 7.62mm bow-mounted machine gun |
| 20 | T-62 | Medium tank | 28 | 1961 | 22750 | 115mm smoothbore main gun, 12.7mm DShKM anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun |
| 21 | T-70 | Light tank | 28 | 1942 | 8226 | 45mm 20K main gun, 7.62mm machine gun |
| 22 | PT-76 | Amphibious light tank | 27 | 1952 | 12000 | 76.2mm main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun |
| 23 | T-60 | Light tank | 27 | 1941 | 6292 | 20mm TNSh L/82.4 main gun, 7.62mm machine gun |
| 24 | IS-10 / T-10 (Josef Stalin) | Heavy tank | 26 | 1953 | 8000 | 122mm D-74 main gun, 14.5mm KPV machine guns, 12.7mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun |
| 25 | T-27 | Light tank | 26 | 1931 | 3000 | 7.62mm machine gun |
| 26 | IS-3 / JS-3 (Josef Stalin) | Heavy tank | 25 | 1945 | 2311 | 122mm D-25T main gun, 12.7mm anti-aircraft heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine guns |
| 27 | T-38 | Light tank | 25 | 1937 | 1300 | 7.62mm machine gun |
| 28 | IS-2 / JS-2 (Josef Stalin) | Heavy tank | 23 | 1943 | 2250 | 122mm D25-T main gun, 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun, 7.62mm machine guns |
| 29 | KV-1 (Klimenti Voroshilov) | Heavy tank | 22 | 1939 | 5219 | 76.2mm main gun, 7.62mm machine guns |
| 30 | T-26 | Light tank | 17 | 1931 | 12000 | 45mm main gun, 7.62mm machine gun, 12.7mm machine gun |
Have you read?
World’s Best Countries For Retirement.
World’s Best Countries For Women.
World’s Best Countries To Visit In Your Lifetime.
US States With the Largest Gender Pay Gaps.
CEOs who have secured the most funding during their tenure in companies in each US state.
Add CEOWORLD magazine to your Google News feed.
Follow CEOWORLD magazine headlines on: Google News, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Copyright 2024 The CEOWORLD magazine. All rights reserved. This material (and any extract from it) must not be copied, redistributed or placed on any website, without CEOWORLD magazine' prior written consent. For media queries, please contact: info@ceoworld.biz
