Each of us knows the phrase of a Roman historianCornelia Nepota (94-24 BC): "If you want peace, prepare for war." In connection with the fact that Russia's foreign policy has recently been gaining more and more activity (for example, interference in the conflict between the United States and Syria, the return of the Crimea, etc.), many sane people have a lot of questions about the fighting ability of our state. After all, sooner or later one can find a scythe on a stone, and it is unlikely to be solved by political means, then only force intervention will remain. And many people understand this, so more often in different forums one can meet questions of this nature: "How many tanks do Russia have?", "How many submarines?", Etc. Such interest reflects people's concern for the country's future: will it be able to resist the armed an attack from, say, China or NATO forces. In this article we will answer the question of how many Russian tanks have, consider what kind of armored vehicles, what are its characteristics and what is the most modern tank in service with our army.
Tank troops of Russia are the main shockforce of the ground forces. Mostly they are used together with motorized rifle divisions in the main directions. This type of troops is designed to perform the following main tasks:
1. In defense - direct support for motorized rifles in repelling an enemy offensive, inflicting counterattacks and counter-strikes.
2. In the offensive - the inflicting of powerful strikes cutting the front to a greater depth, the development of success, the defeat of the enemy in oncoming battles and battles.
Tank troops of Russia are divided into brigades andbattalions, they have great firepower, resistance to the damaging factors of nuclear weapons, high maneuverability and mobility. They are able to make maximum use of the results of nuclear or fire destruction of the enemy, in a short time to achieve the ultimate goal of the operation or combat.
The Russian tank divisions, their formations andunits allow you to conduct active combat operations both day and night, in a significant separation from the main forces, to conduct raids on enemy lines, to destroy enemy equipment and live force in oncoming battles and battles, to overcome radioactive contamination zones on the move, and to force water objects . In addition, they are able to quickly create a very solid defense, as well as successfully resist the offensives of significantly superior enemy forces.
Development of combat capabilities of this kind of troopsis carried out by equipping it with more advanced types of armored vehicles, in which the following most important combat qualities are optimally combined: high firepower, reliable protection and maneuverability. In the improvement of the necessary organizational forms, an important role is played by tank units of a combined-arms nature. This primarily corresponds to the content of the tactics of conducting modern combat operations.
Кризис, обрушившийся на российскую армию в 90-х years of the last century, of course, did not bypass the tank forces. And the concern of the townsfolk, wondering "how many tanks Russia has," is fully justified. After all, the nineties became literally a black page in the history of our army. Take at least a rapid withdrawal of troops from Mongolia and Eastern Europe, when a lot of modern technology at that time was left in the adjacent territories, and the one that was returned was, in fact, thrown into the mud, with the consequences for the technician. As a result, expensive machines were brought to the state of scrap metal. In addition, a significant loss suffered and the staffing: a large number of very promising officers with impressive combat experience were forced to leave the ranks of the armed forces.
The first "bell" for the country's leadership wasthe conflict in Chechnya, when hastily assembled units, often on faulty and dismantled equipment, began to incur serious losses. However, this tragedy did not stop the further degradation of Russian tank forces. The quality of personnel training left much to be desired, and the acquisition of new generation equipment was completely discontinued. The development of new models was based on the enthusiasm of designers and engineers, as well as individual military leaders. The defense complex, which produces armored vehicles, either became bankrupt, or reoriented for export.
New century fighting tanks of Russia met, fighting inChechnya. The sad experience of the first campaign was taken into account, now the losses among armored vehicles were much smaller. In 2000, it was first announced that a new modern tank, known as the T-95, or the "Object 195", was being created. It was assumed that he would join the troops by 2005. However, this did not happen. The first purchases took place in 2004, but not the long-awaited T-95, but the modernized T-90A, and then 15 units, went into service. In 2005, another 17 machines were purchased. These modern tanks of Russia were the best at that time serial models, but a new century required new technology, and the number of supplies clearly did not meet the requirements of a huge country. Only since 2006, purchases began to be made in acceptable quantities, in addition, the modernization of the "old" equipment was actively carried out. However, Russia's best tank (T-95) remained a dream: its deliveries were postponed all the time.
In the program of the rearmamentdetailed how many armored vehicles need to be modernized, how many new tanks should be manufactured. True, it was not clear what models should be produced: T-90A or T-95? As a result, shabby T-72B, also called "museum" T-62s, sent through two Chechen wars to the solution of the Georgian conflict. Tank troops in this operation proved to be the best side, as a result of which the southern grouping was armed with the main tank of Russia - T-90A. Probably, in order to cool the militant Saakashvili.
After the events described above, the country beginsthe next reform of the army. As a result, Russia's tank troops were reduced to the level of battalions and a few brigades. The grief-reformers refused to purchase T-90A, the development of the new combat module Burlak was completely stopped. And, most importantly, the most promising modern Russian tank - T-95, - and without getting off the assembly line, was sent to the scrap. However, the country's leadership took time to think about it, the defense minister was removed from office and a new one was appointed. The result of such changes was a new serious project in tank building: the development of a new Armata platform based on the T-95 and Object 640 (Black Eagle). "Armata" will be a universal platform for new-generation armored vehicles: ACS, tanks, infantry and support vehicles, as well as repair and evacuation equipment. This installation has no analogues in the world, all innovative designs of Russian design bureaus are collected here.
2013became a milestone in the life of Russian tank forces: as numerous sudden inspections have shown, many reforms have not affected the quality of combat training. Therefore, a strong-willed decision was made to sharply increase the norms of allocated ammunition. In addition, much has been done to enhance the prestige of this kind of troops. As soon as they did not scold "Tank biathlon", but thanks to these competitions, citizens of our country for the first time in many years remembered that we, it turns out, still have tank troops. The Kantemirovskaya division was re-created. And now there is an active rearmament and modernization of military vehicles. Already today, let and experienced, but the first samples of the "Armata" family are already made.
However, unfortunately, it is too early to talk aboutresults. We can only note the positive dynamics. Answering the readers' question about what tanks are currently in service with Russia, it remains only to ascertain the fact that until now the basis of our aircraft is the fleet of old equipment T-72B and T-80BV. Much remains to be done to make our army truly modern.
This model was designed in 1960., its serial production began in 1963, and it was adopted in service in 1967. The design of this machine used an improved version of the traditional layout of tower technology with rear engine compartment and separate placement of crew members. On these tanks a rifled 100-millimeter cannon with an ammunition of 50 rounds was installed. Monolithic differentiated armor, two-stroke diesel power unit, mechanical transmission were adopted. The front elements of the tower and body are able to withstand the direct hit of a 100-mm armor-piercing projectile from a distance of one kilometer. As you can see, these tanks are in service with Russia for 47 years, and this is the deadline. At one time, the T-60 was an excellent representative of the tank family and could compete with the machines that are in service with the NATO bloc, but time passes and the technical park needs modernization, and urgent.
Serial production of T-72A continued from 1979to 1985 at the plant in Nizhny Tagil. Later, on its base, the export version was launched - the T-72M tank, and then its further modification - the T-72M1. After 1985, the modernized T-72B and its export version of the T-72S got into mass production. The last tank and to this day reliably carries service in our army. In addition, it was exported to the countries of Eastern Europe, India, Finland, Yugoslavia, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait and Algeria. As you can see, the geography of distribution is very extensive. He showed excellent results in different climatic conditions, and, despite his solid age, continues to serve in various parts of our planet. It was equipped with diesel power units capable of speeds of up to 65 km / h, and very reliable 125 mm cannons. The weight of the car was 41 tons. On the basis of this tank were developed BREM-1, an engineering machine IMR-2, a bridge-laying machine MTU-72.
This machine was adopted in 1976.It became the world's first production model with the main power unit based on a gas turbine engine. Development of the system began in 1955. Finally, TBG was adopted in 1968. It was a power unit, the power of which was 1000 liters. from. In the design of the combat vehicle, the elements used and tested on the T-64A were used: a loading automaton, a cannon, ammunition, separate units and mechanisms for the control system of armored protection and fire. The new unit led to an increase in the mass of the tank, and consequently, to a change in the dynamic characteristics. As a result, designers had to design a new running gear: caterpillars with treads covered with rubber, hydraulic shock absorbers and torsion shafts with improved characteristics, supporting and supporting rollers, driving wheels.
This best tank in Russia is aadvanced T-72B. Adopted in 1993. The appearance of the machine was caused by the need to modernize (with the war in the Persian Gulf) the existing models of equipment, as well as the reorientation of production to exclusively Russian components, because after the collapse of the USSR, a part of the defense complex remained abroad. These modern tanks of Russia are distinguished by a very low profile. The frontal armor of the round flat tower is strengthened by the tile armor of the active type of the second generation. The mechanic-driver's wheel is located in the front part of the body. A manhole and an observation system with wide-angle optics are placed above it. The bow is equipped with a special acute-angled oval. The tank is equipped with a 125-millimeter cannon, equipped with a thermo-insulating casing.
Now we will stop tormenting the reader and turn tothe main issue of this article. Let's consider what the number of tanks in Russia is, and we will list the top 10 countries in this parameter. It turns out that our country is an absolute leader here: on the balance of the Ministry of Defense there are as many as 18 177 units of the mentioned combat equipment. Of these, the tanks are T-72B (7144 pcs.), T-80 (4744 pcs.) And T-64 (4000 pcs.). In addition, the arms are T-62 (689 vehicles) and T-55 (1200 tanks). The lowest number in the tank forces is the armored vehicles of the new generation - the T-90, there are only 400 of them. Agree that this is an insignificant figure for such a large army. Let's hope that in the near future the situation will continue to change, and in a few years the statistics will change for the better.
And now let's see which country is the secondplace in our rating. This is the USA - Russia's main competitor in the political arena. The US Army has 9,125 tanks, including 8725 M1 Ambrams. As you can see, the US military is a conservative - the basis of their tank troops is only one model. The third place in the rating is occupied by our eastern neighbor and strategic partner - China, with 8500 units of armored vehicles, including 500 "Type-99" tanks. The three leaders are far away from their pursuers. So, the fourth place is, oddly enough, Syria with its 4750 cars, and most of them have a proud inscription: "Made in Russia". Further on the list follow: Turkey - 3763, India - 3569, Egypt - 3380, North Korea - 3300, Israel - 3283, and closes the top ten leaders of South Korea - 2823 units.
Из приведенных данных видно, что количество tanks in Russia significantly exceeds the number of combat units from the nearest competitor (almost twice). A pacifist-liberal-minded reader can burst into an angry tirade over the wasted money (to create and maintain such a lot of "iron"). However, in response, we can recall the ancient wisdom with which we started this article: "If you want peace, prepare for war!" After all, it's dangerous to be weak in the modern world. If you do not periodically give your neighbors "teeth", then you can lose, if not everything, then much. So, our strategic partner, China, is sleeping and sees how to snatch Siberia to Russia as far as the Urals, and the NATO bloc is already knocking at the door from the West.
By the way, in connection with the latest events in Ukraineyou can slightly expand our review. It turns out that on the balance sheet of the Ministry of Defense of Kyiv there are 2522 tanks, and this is the eleventh position in our rating. True, these statistics were taken even before the conflict began in our neighbors, so that after the loss of the Crimea and the outbreak of hostilities in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, this figure may decrease. After all, even in the official sources controlled by Kiev, it was reported about combat losses among armored vehicles and even about the transfer of some soldiers to the side of the rebels. Well, okay, enough about the sad, back to Mother Russia.
Как уже сообщалось ранее, российская армия develops the newest system of "Armata", which will become the basis for the creation of new types of armored vehicles. In this regard, the beginning of a major modernization of mechanized and armored forces is planned from 2015, and from next year - the introduction of a new series of machines to all branches of our country. One of such models is the newest tank of Russia T-99. This specimen will be equipped with an improved version of the 125mm gun. One of the main tasks set for designers is to reduce the weight of the machine in order to increase maneuverability and mobility. In fact, these parameters and "burned" T-95 and "Object 195". After all, the main task of our tanks is the protection of long land borders. Armored vehicles play a key role in maintaining military parity against any threat. It should be understood that our country is not only characterized by a huge territory, but also by very diverse climatic conditions. The designers are faced with the most serious task: the creation of such equipment, which can function reliably both in the conditions of the Arctic and in the southern regions of our vast Homeland. T-99 must meet all these conditions. Tank (Russia has always been different "kulibinymi", able to solve any impossible task, it would seem, the new generation is almost ready for mass production. As stated by the Ministry of Defense, the first copies will be shown to the public at the parade on May 9, 2015. So it remains to wait and hope that the country will not be covered by another political crisis, capable of destroying any endeavors.
