Russian tank troops. The Institute for the Study of War calculated how many tanks there are in Russia Characteristics of the armored weapons of the Russian army

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Tank forces

Tank forces- type of troops and main striking force ground forces. They are mainly used in conjunction with motorized rifle troops in the main directions and perform the following main tasks:

. on the defensive - for direct support of motorized rifle troops in repelling an enemy offensive and inflicting counterattacks and counterattacks;

. on the offensive - inflicting powerful cutting blows to a great depth, developing success, defeating the enemy in oncoming battles and battles.

basis tank troops make up tank brigades and tank battalions of motorized rifle brigades, which are highly resistant to damaging factors nuclear weapons, firepower, high mobility and maneuverability. They are capable of making fullest use of the results of fire (nuclear) engagement of the enemy and in short time achieve the ultimate goals of the battle and operation.

The combat capabilities of tank formations and subunits allow them to conduct active fighting day and night, at a considerable distance from other troops, to smash the enemy in head-on battles and battles, to overcome vast zones of radioactive contamination on the move, to force water barriers, as well as quickly create a solid defense and successfully resist the offensive of superior enemy forces.

Further development and enhancement of the combat capabilities of tank troops is carried out mainly by equipping them with more advanced types of tanks, which optimally combine such important combat properties as high firepower, maneuverability and reliable protection. In improving organizational forms, the main efforts are concentrated on giving them a combined-arms character, which to the greatest extent corresponds to the content of modern operations (combat actions).

Maneuverable, powerful and efficient tanks are the reliable foundation of the Armed Forces of any country. The constant arms race, secretly waged between the advanced countries of the world, obliges designers to create improved models of combat vehicles. The best tanks modern times are machines, each of which has unique functions and capabilities.

Challenger 2, UK

The Challenger 2, unlike other modern combat vehicles, is equipped with a 120 mm rifled gun. Internal cutting allows you to effectively hit objects at a distance of more than 5 kilometers. Challenger 2 is the record holder for the range of tank battles.

This tank is the most protected in the world. Special armor, which is based on the secret Dorchester armor, consisting of an alloy of steel, Kevlar, and ceramics. Such a connection reduces the power of impacts from incoming projectiles. It is capable of effectively countering direct-guided weapons. However, reliable armor made it significantly heavier. challenger. In combination with a relatively small engine, this made the tank slow and clumsy.

built-in Information system combat and computer fire control help in difficult conditions.

These tanks performed well in the Iraq War (2003). In the Battle of Basra, the armored brigade participated in the advance on the city. Later, combat vehicles entered into battle with Iraqi tanks. It was the biggest tank battle since the Second World War - the British were able to destroy 15 enemy vehicles without losing a single one of their tanks.

During the entire existence of the Challenger 2, its armor was hit only once - as a result of an erroneous hit on it by exactly the same tank.

T-90 ("Vladimir"), Russia

The main battle tank of Russia. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was the best-selling one, having best performance in terms of price and quality ratio.

A unique feature of the Russian combat vehicle is the Kalina fire control system, in many respects superior to analogues. It allows the first shot to hit enemy targets that are in motion even under adverse weather conditions.

A 22-round machine is capable of firing up to 9 shots per minute. At the same time, it can fire anti-tank guided missiles.

The special design allows the T-90 to overcome water obstacles up to 5 meters deep. According to the results of many tests, including such indicators as shooting accuracy, maneuverability, wear resistance, this tank occupies a leading position, leaving behind the famous tanks of other powers.

There are suggestions that in 1995 several T-90 combat units took part in Chechen war, however, this has not been documented. Russian tanks participated in the hostilities in Ukraine, speaking on the side of the militias, were used in the liquidation of the Ilovaisk boiler, in the assault on the security forces near Luhansk. T-90s in the Syrian army took part in recent military operations in Syria.

Type 10 Japan

Japan's latest fighting vehicle. Its uniqueness lies in equipping with innovative mechanisms of electronic and computer combat systems - automatic system charging and panoramic view.

Automatic continuously variable transmission allows you to develop top speed when moving in both directions. The Type 10 has a hydropneumatic suspension that allows you to change the ground clearance and degree of inclination of the hull. This improves patency, increases the range of vertical guidance of the gun. The reduced clearance makes it possible to lower the tank on the bottom, making it less noticeable.

The crew is housed in a special compartment, covered with more durable nanocrystalline steel.

M1 Abrams, USA

One of the few tanks with a weapon protection system mass destruction. In the event of a nuclear or chemical attack the system supplies the crew with clean air and blocks the ingress of poisons and dust into the fighting compartment.

Abrams is equipped with chemical and radiation reconnaissance devices, equipped with an innovative fire control system. The vehicle is reinforced with uranium armor and has state-of-the-art guns. Over the 35-year history of the existence of this tank, no cases of complete destruction of the crew were recorded, which indicates its excellent security.

The M1 Abrams is equipped with advanced thermal sensors and navigational surveillance systems. Gas turbine engine has excellent performance, but is whimsical in maintenance and requires a lot of fuel.

One of the main advantages of this combat vehicle is the ability to remote control weapons.

The first battle experience Abrams received in 1991 during the military operations in Persian Gulf. Thanks to technical excellence american tanks successfully destroyed Iraqi vehicles.

M1 Abrams also participated in the seven-year war in Iraq. In the battles, the Americans suffered significant losses - out of 1200 combat vehicles, 800 received damage of varying severity.

Merkava, Israel

The distinguishing feature of this tank is front location engine compartment, which provides additional protection for the crew. Another feature of the combat vehicle is the rear compartment for transporting the wounded or troops. This adds versatility to the tank and the ability to variate actions in accordance with the combat situation.

Merkava was the first to use the complex active protection, which effectively shoots down missiles and shells approaching the tank.

It is perfectly protected - modular armor can be quickly replaced. Particular attention was paid to camouflage - so that the tank was not noticeable on the battlefield, the designers changed the shade of the exhaust gases. The defense system is able to inform about threats and neutralize missiles.

The new projectile guidance system is especially effective against low-flying helicopters.

Leopard 2, Germany

It has an advanced fire control system that allows you to effectively hit moving targets while being in continuous motion.
Laid on armor protects against mines, land mines, missiles, cluster munitions.

Leopard has a special installation that ensures the functioning of all electronic systems without starting the main engine. The tank is equipped with one of the best modifications of guns and two machine guns, which, thanks to the laser rangefinder system, can hit targets at a distance of up to 5 kilometers.

The advantages of Leopard 2 are given by the information interaction system, improved daytime and thermal imaging sights, dynamic protection, and an attack information system. Excellent performance in combat mode.

Several more models of combat vehicles also have excellent efficiency and maneuverability.

K2 Black Panther, South Korea:

has innovative tracking systems, performs about 10 shots per minute. Protected by composite and reactive armor, has active and passive protection. Guidance systems automatically determine the object of destruction and launch projectiles.

The basis of the armored forces is the MBT created back in the Soviet Union. At the beginning of 1990, about 63900 tanks were in the army and on conservation. Between 2005 and 2010, the number decreased from 23,000 to 18,000 vehicles, most of which are in storage.

The army uses approximately 2,700 tanks, most of which are various modifications of the T-72, such as the T-72B or T-72B3. The latter is a cheap modification of the T-72B and has been repeatedly criticized. Nevertheless, it was produced in the amount of 800 units and, according to some characteristics, is catching up with the T-90.

The T-90 Vladimir was also created on the basis of the T-72B, or rather, it is its very deep modernization. Received best armor, KOEP Shtora-1, a new turret, a powerful engine, a modern fire control system and many other improvements.

Starting in 2001, the T-90 was the most popular tank in the world for 9 years. In total, more than 1800 different modifications were released.

In 2011, a modification of the T-90AM Proryv appeared with a new turret, fire control system and reactive armor Relikt.

O combat use T-90s are unknown except for the war in Syria, where in 2016 one of them was hit by a TOW-2A ATGM, but did not receive serious damage.

It is worth recalling the gas turbine T-80, which did not gain popularity among our troops, but is very interesting car. In the army for 2016 there are about 450 of these tanks and another 3000 in storage.

New Russian tanks

2015 has become a festive year for those who follow the development of domestic armored vehicles. At the Victory Parade, they demonstrated the Armata platform, which has long excited the minds of tank lovers. On its basis, the T-14 Armata MBT was created with uninhabited tower, BMP T-15 and several other types of equipment.

Lighter platforms will also appear: the medium tracked Kurganets-25 and the wheeled Boomerang. Distinctive features new technology is increased crew protection and unification.

When creating Almaty, the experience of developing the T-95 was used. For example, the layout of the hull, developments on the automatic loader and armor.

In 2016, new equipment should be tested, put into service and mass production. It is difficult to say how quickly it will replace aging vehicles in the army, but our country plans to produce 2300 Armats by 2020.

Comparison

Western tanks have much more weight and high silhouette than Russian ones.

Domestic vehicles have a greater range of fire due to the use of guided missiles and a higher rate of fire, which does not slow down over time, thanks to automatic loaders. However, the latter are often called the Achilles' heel, because when detonated they instantly destroy the tank along with the crew.

The T-14 Armata became a work on the mistakes, having received a crew separated from ammunition, the highest security due to passive and dynamic armor, as well as an active protection complex. At the same time, its dimensions began to impress even against the background of foreign MBTs.

It can be said that in last years the vector of development of our armored vehicles turned sharply. Much attention has been paid to the protection of vehicles and their crew, ergonomics have improved significantly, and digital systems have become familiar.

The basis of the tank forces of Russia is made up of vehicles that have proven themselves perfectly in all the notable conflicts of the last four decades.
Since the Second World War, tanks have been and remain one of the main active forces in conflicts with direct contact of opponents - so to speak, the main heavy on the battlefield. Naturally, therefore, the number of tank troops also remains one of the most important indicators of the combat capabilities of the army of a particular state.

Among the world powers, three have the largest tank forces: the Russian Federation, the United States and China, and in this trio our country leads by a colossal margin. To date, in the active troops and in storage in the arsenals of the Russian army, there are, according to various sources, about 21,000–22,000 tanks. The American tank forces are armed with half the number of vehicles - 9125 units, of which the vast majority (about 8700) are the M1 Abrams, which were put into service almost a quarter of a century ago. A comparable number of tanks, according to various sources - from 8500 to 9000 pieces, has the People's Liberation Army of China, where the Type 96 tank prevails, which was put into service in 1997 and, in terms of its combat capabilities, is closest to the domestic T-72 of the latest modifications .

The fact that it is the Russian army that has the largest number of tanks in the world is not surprising. After all, our country has the longest land border in the world, and besides, all the wars of the last two centuries, including two world ones, Russia was forced to wage mainly on own territory. Under such conditions, the concept of the use of armed forces must inevitably rely heavily on tank forces - just as the American concept of war on foreign territory overseas relies on aircraft carriers and mobile troops such as the Marine Corps.

In service and in reserve

Formally, as the official website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation says, three models of tanks are in service with the Russian tank forces: T-72, T-80 and T-90. These do not include the yet officially adopted newest tank T-14 "Armata", most recently demonstrated to the general public at the Victory Parade in Moscow. The Ministry of Defense does not provide official data on the number of tanks of each model, but, according to independent sources, total number machines of all three models reaches 13,000–14,000 pieces.

In addition, the official military website does not mention the tanks stored in reserve - outdated, but not lost their combat capabilities T-55, T-62 and T-64. And there are not so few of them - almost 8000. Most of all, the T-55 tanks are reserved: after all, this is the most massive Soviet post-war tank of the first generation. Adopted in 1958, this armored vehicle was produced only in the USSR and only in basic modifications in an amount of over 20,000 pieces! Most of them, of course, have already been disposed of, but approximately 2800 T-55s are stored in arsenals for conservation.

A little less - about 2300 pieces - T-64 tanks are mothballed. This machine turned out to be very successful, despite its low modernization potential, and in the West its appearance was generally compared with the entry into the battlefield of the famous T-34. But the predecessor and contemporary of the T-64 - the T-62 tank - was preserved in the arsenals in much smaller quantities: approximately 1600 pieces. More recently, there were almost 2,500 of them, but 900 vehicles were disposed of, despite the fact that the T-62 was finally removed from service only in 2011.

The main tank T-72 "Ural"

Number of tanks in service: about 2000 units

The total number of produced tanks of all modifications: about 30,000 units (approximately 7,500 units are in storage)

Crew: 3 people

Speed ​​on rough terrain: 35–45 km/h

For three decades, the tank has been repeatedly upgraded: the total number of modifications, including export versions, reaches two dozen. But the main modifications were the T-72A and T-72B, as well as the more modern T-72BA and T-72B3. The first modification - T-72A - was carried out in 1979: new guidance and observation devices were installed on the machine, the gun was replaced with a newer one and the hinged protection was strengthened, and the engine was changed to a more powerful one. Six years later, a modification of the T-72B appeared - with a new complex of guided weapons "Svir", a new complex of dynamic protection "Contact" and a new engine, as well as a gun - launcher instead of a regular gun.

The third modification is a deep modernization of the T-72B with increased protection, including built-in dynamic protection, and more modern elements of the fire control system and the tank itself. BUT latest modification- T-72B3 - has been delivered to the troops for the last three years and is distinguished by the latest fire control system, which significantly increased the capabilities of airborne weapons, the most powerful engine in the entire line and an improved chassis.

Main tank T-80

Number of tanks in service: about 4000

The total number of produced tanks of all modifications: more than 10,000 units (of which over 6,500 are the T-80U modification)

Weight: 42-46t

Armament: 125 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine gun, 7.62 mm machine gun

Crew: 3 people

Speed ​​on rough terrain: 50–60 km/h

Tank T-80. Photo: Alexey Malgavko/RIA Novosti

Due to the novelty, she received a significant modernization potential, which allowed the T-80 to remain in service with the Russian army to this day. Moreover, the main modification, which was put into service 9 years later, in 1985 under the T-80U marking, many experts tend to consider a separate model. After all, this tank was equipped with much more modern system fire control with redundancy from the commander and an updated engine, and the protection characteristics, including dynamic ones, have improved significantly. It is not surprising that it is the modernized model that is more often than other vehicles of this “family” found today in our tank forces.

The main tank T-90 "Vladimir"

Number of tanks in service: about 900 pieces

The total number of produced tanks of all modifications: more than 1800 units

Armament: 125 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine gun, 7.62 mm machine gun

Crew: 3 people

Speed ​​on rough terrain: 40–50 km/h (depending on modification)

Tank T-90. Photo: Alexander Vilf / RIA Novosti

What distinguishes the "nineties" from the "progenitor"? Primarily, new complex fire control, designed to replace the well-proven, but already outdated, installed on the T-72 and T-80. But the most serious changes to the tank equipment were made in 2006, and this modification is in service under the T-90A index. It has a new night sight, which is a thermal imager, reinforced hull and turret armor, a new thousand-strong diesel engine and a new gun stabilizer.

In 1999, after the death of the chief designer of the T-90, Vladimir Potkin, his most famous brainchild was given the name of the creator: "Vladimir". Four years ago, the T-90 tanks ceased to enter service with our army: they should be replaced by the latest T-14 "Armata" - the world's first tank fourth generation. But for now, the military plans to purchase only 2,300 of these tanks by 2020. So, even if not the newest, but still formidable and capable of many things, the T-72, T-80 and T-90 will clearly serve their country for more than one year, or even more than a dozen years. Just as their predecessors served - the legendary T-55, T-62 and T-64, the heirs of the "thirty-four" famous throughout the world.

This topic has surfaced on social networks at the suggestion of liberal "strategists" and is being actively discussed with the placement of "kind and affectionate" comments addressed to those who really care about maintaining combat capability Russian army at the required level, even if there is a catastrophic lack of funds for this.

As a response to this question let me retell to become Mikhail Barabanov, who is an employee of such an organization as the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, which is dated 03/12/2017.

We dance "from the stove"

or

“what we had yesterday and what we have today”

In service with the RF Armed Forces in 2005 there were 23,000 tanks different models. In 2016, 2,700 units remained. Citing these two figures, the "specialists" loudly declare that the huge Russian army, powerful and modern, is a fiction and a "Kremlin myth". At the same time, they refer to the fact that even in service with Turkish or Syrian armies tanks, today, more.

T-72M1M with KAZ "Arena"

Where did the missing tanks go? And, most importantly, what are we going to fight with, if the Russian army has only 2,700 tanks in service:

• T-90A;
• T-72B.

And the remaining 10200 tanks are T-55, T-62, T-72 and T-64, which are in storage.

Where did the numbers 2700 + 10200 come from?

The modern Russian army is focused primarily on participation in limited armed conflicts. First of all, in the territory former USSR. For this, the remaining 10,200 tanks are enough to complete the assigned tasks.

There is no real threat of an unexpected large-scale land invasion of the territory of our state today. Any potential adversaries who are hypothetically capable of such an invasion (the United States and NATO, China) will need a fairly long period of mobilization, subsequent deployment and concentration of significant groups ground forces on the borders of Russia. Our country will get a similar time for this.

AT similar situation"Measured by quantity" is meaningless. The existing systems of modern communications, control and intelligence, the availability of high-precision weapons (ground and air) are, today, the main guarantee of achieving victory in the war, incl. and land.

In such a situation, tanks are needed only the most modern, equipped with thermal imagers and the latest means protection. Otherwise. A probable enemy will simply shoot "blind" tanks in a night battle. This is exactly what the Americans did with the tanks of the Iraqi army in 1991 during the Gulf War.

It is quite natural that Russia is not in a position to have a significant amount modern tanks due to the current economic situation.

T-90A "Vladimir"

Conclusion. It is better to have 2000 - 3000 tanks, but the most modern ones, or those that have undergone radical modernization.

Human resource

1. Western military district:
   1. 4 separate guards tank Kantemirovskaya division (military unit 19612);
   2. 1 Ural-Lvov tank brigade (military unit 63453);
   3. 6 Czestochowa tank brigade (military unit 54096);
   4. 1st Guards Tank Regiment of the 2nd Guards MSD (military unit 58190).
2. Southern Military District:
   1. Tank regiment of the 150th MSD.
3. Eastern Military District:
   1. 5th Guards Tatsinskaya Tank Brigade (military unit 46108). Deployed on the basis of the 2nd Guards Tank Division.
4. Central Military District:
   1. 90th Guards Vitebsk-Novgorodskaya, twice Red Banner tank division- Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk region. It was deployed on 12/01/16 on the basis of the 7th Separate Guards Tank Brigade.

Separate parts:

• 240 training tank regiment (military unit 30632-6);
• 212 district Training Center tank troops of the Siberian Military District (military unit 21250);
• 44 Training Guards Tank Regiment (military unit 30618-8);
• 522nd Guards Training Tank Riga Regiment (military unit 30616-7).

Elementary calculations show that the number of tanks and tankmen who control them is the same for us. That is, in service, at the present time, there is exactly such a number of tanks that we are able to control at a time.

Our neighbours

On the territory of Europe, NATO, according to RIA Novosti, has 10,000 tanks. Most likely, this number includes both those in service and those in reserve.

According to information posted in open sources (including Wikipedia), as of 2016, countries, potential opponents, had:

1. First strike countries:
   1. Poland:
      1. Leopard2A5 - 105;
      2. Leopard2A4 - 142;

• T-72M - 505;

1. RT-91 "Twardy - 233.

1. Romania:
   1. T-55 - 250;
   2. TR-580 - 42;

• TR-85 - 91;

1. TR-85M1 "Bizonul" - 54.

1. Czech:
   1. T-72 and its modifications - 154.
2. Slovakia:
   1. T-72M - 245.
3. Hungary:
   1. T-72 - 155.
4. Germany:
   1. 1100 tanks of various modifications. It is planned that after the reform of 2017 there will be 600.

Leopard2A6M

1. Countries of the "second blow":
   1. Britannia:
      1. "Challenger" - 70;
      2. "Chieftain" of various modifications - over 900;

• Light tanks "Scorpion" - up to 300.

1. France (total 776):
   1. "Leclerc" - 300 in service + 80 in reserve;
   2. Tanks of other models - 396 reserve

Leclerc

1. Denmark - 69
2. Italy (1730):
   1. C1-"Ariete" - 200;
   2. "Leopard1A5" - 120;

• M60A1 - 300 reserve;

1. M47 - 510

1. Bulgaria (524):
   1. T-72 - 362;
   2. T-55 - 165
2. Spain (510):
   1. Leopard2A4 - 108;
   2. Other models - 402
3. Portugal (224):
   1. Leopard 2A6 - 37;
   2. M60 - 101;

• Other models - 86

1. Countries of the "third strike":
   1. Turkey (4504):
      1. M60 - 932;
      2. Leopard1 - 397;

• Leopard 2A4 - 325;

1. М48А5 - 2850

1. USA (9125) of which M1 Abrams make up about 60%.

BHVT and CBRT

One of the most important questions, with a comprehensive consideration of a likely confrontation, is the following: "How quickly will Russia be able to reopen the equipment stored at the BKhVT?" It is on this that the outcome of the armed confrontation will largely depend.

What is the condition of the equipment in storage?

During long-term storage:

• connectors are oxidized in electrical circuits;
• the insulation resistance of the existing electrical wiring drops;
• all filled technical fluids (antifreezes, oils, hydraulic fluids, lubricants) become unusable;
• fuel tanks begin to rust from the inside;
• rust appears on the mirror surfaces of hydraulic cylinders.

Despite the fact that high-quality conservation allows you to save equipment from all of the above, a certain percentage of equipment fails. It is precisely in order to reduce the number of such cases to zero that exercises are regularly held in Russia, for participation in which equipment from the reserve is involved. Before the exercises, it undergoes the necessary maintenance and testing.

During inspections conducted in 2016, the condition of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other armored vehicles was found to be satisfactory.

The period required for the army to bring it into combat readiness is calculated by summing up the time:

• necessary for the mobilization (staffing) of subunits and units;
• replenishment of stocks of ammunition and provisions;
• bringing the materiel into the state required to carry out any combat orders;
• the time that is given to a particular part to complete the formation and assembly.

The mentioned period is significantly influenced by the initial state of the part in Peaceful time, as well as the distance from the place of its deployment to the places where the reserves are received.

But what about tanks?

Modern warfare is remote warfare. And today, few people bet on tanks, since modern anti-tank weapons (starting with RPGs) are capable, with a high degree probability, destroy almost any tank.

But this is not the kind of weapon that allows you to stop the war.

Modern tanks are vulnerable from the air, they can be suppressed by artillery fire, destroyed by opposing it special units, whose task is to destroy the armored vehicles of a potential enemy (ATGM, etc.).

Proceeding from this, the high command of the Russian Armed Forces and the leadership of our country acted quite pragmatically, reasoning: it is futile to fight head-on today. Therefore, the Russian Armed Forces do not need an excessive number of tanks. What we have today is enough.

T-14

But a tank is still armor - fire and maneuver. And we are not going to completely abandon it, which confirms the appearance of the T-14 and the entire line of armored vehicles on the Armata platform.