How many tanks does Russia have? Modern tanks of Russia. Heavy tanks of Russia. The best tank in Russia. A photo

Each of us knows the phrase of the Roman historian Cornelius Nepot (94-24 BC): "If you want peace, prepare for war." Due to the fact that Russia's foreign policy has recently been gaining more and more activity (for example, interference in the conflict between the US 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 this is understood by many, 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 future of the country: 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.

What kind of troops are these?

Tank troops of Russia are the main strike force 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 that cut the front to a great depth, the development of success, the defeat of the enemy in oncoming battles and battles.

Russian tank troops are divided into brigades and battalions, 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 damage to the enemy, in a short time to achieve the ultimate goal of the operation or combat.

Combat Opportunities

Russia's tank divisions, their formations and subunits allow 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 counter battles and battles, to overcome radioactive Infection, and also 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 troops is 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 character. This primarily corresponds to the content of the tactics of conducting modern combat operations.

Russian tank forces: a rebirth after the demise?

The crisis that struck the Russian army in the 1990s, 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 swift withdrawal of troops from Mongolia and Eastern Europe, when a lot of modern technology at that time was left in the neighboring territories, and the one that was returned was, in fact, thrown into the mud, with the corresponding consequences for technology. 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 was the conflict in Chechnya, when the 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.

The beginning of the revival

A new century the battle tanks of Russia were met, fighting in Chechnya. 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 upgraded 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 carried out 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.

Woe-reformers

In the program of the rearmament program adopted by the Ministry of Defense, it was detailed how many armored vehicles needed 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, battered T-72B, also called "museum" T-62s, sent through two Chechen wars to the solution of the Georgian conflict. The tank troops in this operation showed themselves on 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, another reform of the army begins in the country. As a result, Russia's tank troops were reduced to the level of battalions and small 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 tank of Russia - 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 platform "Armata" based on 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.

Still ahead

2013 became a milestone in the life of Russia's tank forces: as numerous unexpected inspections have shown, many reforms have not affected the quality of combat training. Therefore, a strong-willed decision was made to sharply increase the rates 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 about the results. 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.

Tanks in service with Russia: T-64

This model was designed back in 1960, its mass production began in 1963, and it was adopted 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 is running out and the technical park needs modernization, and urgent.

Battle tank T-72

Serial production of T-72A continued from 1979 to 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 to this day reliably serves 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 various 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 BREM-1, an engineering machine IMR-2, a bridge-laying machine MTU-72 were developed.

Battle tank T-80

This machine was adopted in 1976. It became the world's first serial model with a 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.

Battle tank T-90

This best tank in Russia is an advanced 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 reinforced by the tile armor of the active type of the second generation. Felling driver-mechanic is located in front of the body. Above him are a hatch and an observation system with wide-angle optics. 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.

How many tanks does Russia have?

Now we stop tormenting the reader and turn to the 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 the 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). Least of all in the tank troops there are armored vehicles of a new generation - the T-90, there are only 400 of them. Agree that this is a negligible 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 second in our rating. This is the USA - Russia's main competitor in the political arena. The US Army has 9,125 tanks, including 8,725 M1 Ambrams units. As you can see, the US military is a conservative - the basis of their tank forces is only one model. The third place in the rating is occupied by our eastern neighbor and strategic partner - China, which has 8500 armored vehicles, including 500 T-99 tanks. The three leaders are far away from their pursuers. So, the fourth place takes, 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 South Korea - 2823 units.

And why all this?

From the data given, it can be seen that the number of tanks in Russia considerably exceeds the number of combat units at 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 he 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. Thus, our strategic partner, China, is sleeping and sees how to snatch Siberia to 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 Ukraine, we 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.

The future of tank building

As previously reported, the Russian army is developing the latest system of "Armata", which will become the basis for the creation of new types of armored vehicles. In this regard, the beginning of the most serious modernization of mechanized and armored forces is planned from 2015, and from next year - the introduction of a new series of machines into 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 assigned to 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 a very diverse climatic conditions. The designers are faced with the most serious task: the creation of such equipment that can function reliably both in the Arctic and in the southern regions of our vast homeland. All these conditions must be met by T-99. Tank (Russia has always been known for its "kulibin", capable of solving any seemingly impossible task) of a new generation is almost ready for serial 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 undertakings.