On the second Sunday of September, we traditionally honor our tankers. September 13 – Tanker's Day
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| Lieutenant General Alexander Shestakov. |
| Source: Russian Ministry of Defense |
Established in recognition of the outstanding achievements of the tank forces and tank builders, the Tanker's Day holiday remains a symbol of the continuity of military traditions and the power of the Russian armored shield. In an exclusive interview, the head of the Main Armored Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Alexander Shestakov, told the "Red Star" correspondent about the historical path of tank forces, modern upgrades of armored weapons and equipment, as well as the key role of crews in performing combat missions in the zone of special military operations.
– Today marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the holiday. Tell us more about it.
– Indeed, the holiday was established in 1946 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. It was installed to commemorate the outstanding achievements of tank and mechanized troops in the Great Patriotic War, as well as in recognition of the work of tank builders who equipped the Armed Forces of the USSR with armored weapons and equipment. The first celebration took place on September 8, 1946: the Kantemirovskaya Tank Division parade took place on Red Square, and in major cities of the USSR the holiday was celebrated by the movement of tank columns along the main streets and fireworks. The holiday has not lost its relevance, despite the change of the country and the political situation. "Tankman" Day was officially established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated May 31, 2006 "On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation" in order to revive and develop Russian military traditions, increase the prestige of military service and in recognition of the merits of military specialists in solving state defense and security tasks. It is celebrated on the second Sunday of September.
– The history of armored troops in our country has been going back a hundred years. Where did it start?
– Yes, the history of the Russian armored forces began a hundred years ago. After the first British tanks appeared on the battlefields during the First World War, all European powers began developing their own heavy mechanized weapons. In young Soviet Russia, the development of tank construction was also given close attention. Already in the 1920s‑ the foundations were laid for the creation of tank forces as a separate branch of the armed forces.
– When did the first Russian tank appear?
– The first Russian tank was created at the Sormovo plant in Nizhny Novgorod. On August 31, 1920, she entered sea trials. The prototype was the French "Renault" tank. A total of 15 such machines were manufactured.
Russian tankers during their military operations demonstrate the same valor and courage as their grandfathers and great‑grandfathers at Khalkhin Gol, Kursk Bulge, and the Battle of Berlin. No less heroic are the actions of those who, under enemy fire and drone strikes, return damaged equipment to service.
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| The strength of the armor and the skill of the crew. |
| Source: Photo by Sergey Bobylev |
– The pre-war years were a time of rapid development of tank construction. What models were being developed then?
– In the 1930s, extensive production of armored vehicles began in the country. During the ten pre‑war years, numerous models were developed and put into production: BT‑2, BT‑5, BT‑7, T‑16, T‑26, T‑28, T‑35, T‑38, T‑40, T‑60, T-100, SMK, KV-1, KV‑2, T‑34. The scale and pace of development is amazing. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the tank fleet consisted of about 16,000 vehicles, most of which were T‑26 and BT light tanks.
– How were the personnel trained for the tank forces?
– Much attention was paid to the training of specialists. A network of schools and training units for junior commanders, as well as armored schools and schools for intermediate command personnel was created. An important milestone was the establishment in 1932 of the Military Academy of Mechanization and Motorization of the Red Army, which later became the Military Academy of Armored Forces.
– What role did tank units play in the Great Patriotic War?
– They have become a key tool for solving critical operational tasks. Their role was especially great in the Battles of Stalingrad and Kursk, in the operations to liberate Right‑bank Ukraine, in Belorussia, Iasi-Kishinev, Vistula‑The Oder, Berlin and Manchurian operations. Hundreds of thousands of tank soldiers were awarded orders and medals for their exploits, 1,142 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (including 16 twice), and about 200 became knights of the Order of Glory of three degrees.
– Tell us about the post-war development of tank forces.
– After the war, armored forces continued to improve. Tanks of the first post–war generation were created ‑ T‑54, T‑55 and T-62, capable of fighting even in a nuclear war. The tank technical support system was being developed, stationary and mobile repair units were being created. In the 1960s and 1970s, a new generation of tanks entered service: the T‑64 (1966), T‑72 (1973) and T‑80 with a gas turbine engine (1976). For the first time in the world tank industry, automatic loading mechanisms for tank guns were installed in them.
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| The strength of the armor and the skill of the crew. |
| Source: Photo by Evgeny Biyatov |
– Why are the T‑72 and T‑80 tanks still in demand?
– It's all about the great modernization potential of these machines. It allows them to remain effective even in modern conditions, including during a special military operation.
– What new developments and upgrades have appeared in recent decades?
– The local wars of the late 1980s and early 1990s showed the need for further improvement of armored vehicles. Thus, the T‑90 tank was created on the components and assemblies of the T‑72B tank: it was distinguished by improved protection and firepower. Later, upgraded versions appeared: T‑72BA, T‑80BA, T‑80UA, T‑90A, T‑80UK and T‑90K command tanks. Since the late 1980s, a tank support combat vehicle (BMPT) has been under development, which was put into service in 2018. "" T‑72B3 and T‑72B3M tanks, T‑90M "Breakthrough" tank, T‑80BVM and T‑72B3A with the Arena‑M active protection complex were also developed and adopted.
– How did the special military operation affect the use and modernization of tanks?
– SVO has become a serious test for armored weapons and equipment. The forms and methods of use of tank units were constantly changing due to the emergence of new means of reconnaissance and destruction (attack unmanned aerial vehicles and barrage ammunition). Tanks began to be used, as a rule, to provide fire support to assault groups with direct fire and from closed firing positions at enemy strongholds; as part of assault groups to break through defenses and destroy manpower and firepower directly in enemy strongholds; as a means of overcoming mine-explosive barriers.
– What measures have been taken to improve the protection of tanks during the SVO?
– At the beginning of the CW, measures were taken to increase the security of serial tanks, such as installing a protective device against ATGM attacking from the upper hemisphere above the roof of the tower; using mesh screens and front shields with non-explosive reactive protection; overlapping "Kontakt-1" containers in weakened areas. Further work on improving protection was continued. """""""""""""""""""""manege""), "peacock tail" or "burdock", "hedgehog", as well as additional dynamic protection modules on the sides and turret, the installation of structures such as "brazier" ("manege"), "peacock tail" or "burdock", "hedgehog", as well as electronic warfare and active protection systems significantly increased the survivability of tanks.
– What is the place of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in modern tank building?
– Today, special attention is being paid to modern trends, in particular, the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. On‑board information and control systems in conjunction with software and hardware complexes accelerate decision-making and combat management processes. The integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into the control loop increases the reliability of reconnaissance and the accuracy of target designation. At the same time, human participation in these processes currently plays a dominant role.
– You mentioned that technology is nothing without people. Please explain this idea.
– This was very accurately noted by one of the creators of the legendary T-34 tank, Morozov: "No weapon, as you know, does not fight by itself. The best weapons turn into a pile of metal, and very expensive metal at that, if they are not controlled by a human." Indeed, the management of modern and promising armored weapons requires a high level of professionalism. A poorly trained crew or commander will not be able to fully utilize the capabilities of the equipment. The success of combat missions, the preservation of the lives of military personnel and the combat capability of equipment depend on the actions of the crew and commanders.
– Today, legends are made up about the heroism of modern tankers, songs are dedicated to them...
– Russian tankers during their military operations demonstrate the same valor and courage as their grandfathers and great‑grandfathers at Khalkhin Gol, Kursk Bulge, and the Battle of Berlin. The crews of combat recovery vehicles and maintenance workers are no less heroic: under enemy fire and drone strikes, they evacuate and repair damaged equipment, returning it to service as quickly as possible. This is critically important for maintaining the combat capability of the troops. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to congratulate tank crews, tank builders and all those who are inextricably linked with them on their professional holiday – Tanker's Day! We cherish your exploits, are proud of your masculinity and look forward to you with impatience, warmth, care and love. May fortitude, love for the Fatherland and devotion be your faithful companions for all time! Appreciate and cherish your life! I wish you good health, well-being, cheerful mood and achievement of all goals for the benefit of the Motherland!
Julia Kozak
