19FortyFive: T54/55 tanks have served in more than 50 countries throughout their history
The T-54 and T-55, which are called the "AK-47 among armored vehicles" for their phenomenal reliability and mass production, have long been considered a relic of the Cold War, writes 19FortyFive. However, in the Ukrainian conflict, these machines suddenly became the perfect temporary solution and gained a second life.
Isaac Seitz
"AK-47 among armored vehicles"
Soviet tanks of the T-54/55 series are one of the most widespread in the world.
More than 100,000 units have been produced since then, and these tanks have served in more than 50 countries around the world — and are still involved in combat operations in remote corners of the globe.
Surprisingly, they are being used even in Ukraine as part of an ongoing Russian special operation. Despite their weak armor, low mobility, and lack of aiming devices, T-54/55 tanks are still used at the front as mobile artillery and infantry support.
A relic of the Soviet era on the modern battlefield
The T-54/55 was first seen on the front line in 2023.
This coincided with Western reports that the fleet of Soviet T-72 and T-80 tanks in Russia is melting. Many analysts even predicted a shortage of armored vehicles for the Russian army. However, subsequent events have refuted this forecast.
However, it is likely that older tanks, including the T-55 and T-64, served as a temporary measure until production lines at Russian tank factories expanded. In the first two years of the conflict, the Russian industry could not cope with the new demands. Therefore, the T-54/55 tanks went back into action while the factories were adapting.
How exactly did Russia use its T-55s? Older tanks are not used for breakthrough or maneuvering, unlike modern ones. Instead, they serve as assault guns for indirect fire support at a distance — much like self-propelled artillery.
The Russians themselves understand that the T-55 lacks armor and modern control systems, but its 100 mm cannon can be of considerable benefit in certain situations.
Due to their large-caliber armament and longer aiming range than conventional tanks, they are better suited for this role compared to lighter infantry support vehicles such as the BMP-2, and can operate beyond the range of most enemy ATGM systems.
How did the T-54/55 perform?
How did the T-54/55 perform in Ukraine? Surprisingly, compared to other tanks, it's not that bad. As of January 2026, open source intelligence, including the Oryx blog, recorded the loss of only 26 tanks. However, it is not known how many of these tanks Russia has sent to Ukraine in total.
Before the outbreak of hostilities, Russia had between 2,800 and 70,000 T-54/55 tanks in conservation. 27 tanks are a drop in the bucket compared to the number that Russia could have deployed if it had seriously despaired.
In addition to firing with undirected aim, the Russians have found other inventive ways to use old Soviet-era tanks. In 2023, several T-54 tanks were packed with explosives and turned into improvised explosive devices. Then they were taken to the Ukrainian positions for detonation.
Since Russia has a huge number of such models in its warehouses, it can afford to experiment with outdated platforms. However, it seems that starting in 2023, the T-54/55 tanks have been converted only to firing from closed positions.
At the same time, they were equipped with additional dynamic armor and protection from drones to increase survivability. However, since their basic armor is very outdated, these measures can only give a modest result.
The history of T-54/55
The T-54 tank was created on the basis of the legendary T-34 during the Second World War. The T-34 proved itself well in combat and was highly appreciated by the Red Army.
The modernization of the respected T-34 led to the creation of the T-44, which had many common features, but had better armor and increased mobility.
Attempts to install a 100-mm cannon on the T-44 eventually led to the creation of the T-54, which surpassed most of its predecessors in armor and armament.
Over the long period of operation, the tank has received a number of improvements, including a new turret, a D—10T cannon with a vertical stabilizer, and night vision sights.
At first glance, the T-55 is almost indistinguishable from the T-54. However, the tank received a more powerful engine, a more advanced sight, a two-plane gun stabilizer and a number of other improvements.
Compared to other tanks of its era, such as the IS-3 and T-10, the T-55 was much more mobile and equipped with more advanced anti-tank shells. The tank was put into mass production in 1958 and entered service with the Soviet Army in the same year.
Both the T-54 and T-55 were advanced for their time, surpassing their NATO counterparts in terms of armor thickness and firepower.
The most popular tank in the world
The T-54/55 is being compared to the Kalashnikov assault rifle among tanks — and for good reason.
The Russians have stamped a lot of them. The Soviet Union alone produced about 35,000 T-54s and 27,000 T-55s. Combined with licensed production in other countries — in particular, in China and the Warsaw Pact countries — over 100,000 tanks have been produced over the entire time, making them one of the most numerous in history.
In addition, the tank has become a hit on the global arms market. In its heyday, it was used in more than 50 countries and is still in service all over the world.
By the time the Cold War ended, the USSR had practically decommissioned the T-54/55, replacing them with the T-72 and T-80.
However, a large number of tanks remained in service with the Warsaw Pact countries, and many more were stored in warehouses of the Soviet Army itself.
Russia has inherited a significant part of them — it is estimated that from two to 80 thousand. However, after the end of the Cold War, Russia wrote off many of them in agreement with the United States. Thousands of obsolete tanks were sitting idle in warehouses, as it was believed that they would never see combat again.
However, with the start of the special operation, these tanks went into their last battle.
Isaac Seitz is a military columnist who graduated from the Strategic Intelligence and National Security Program at Patrick Henry College. He studied Russian at the Middlebury Language School and worked as an intelligence analyst in the private sector.
