T-54/T-55 operators and variants

• • : 40 T-54s were ordered in 1963 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1963 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 25 T-54s and 25 T-55s were ordered in 1965 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1966 (T-54s were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-54s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1966 and 1967 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-55s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1967. 50 T-55s were ordered in 1981 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service). and 320 in early 2003 and 2004 and 270 in 2006. • : 150 T-54s and possibly T-55s were ordered in 1975 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1975 and 1978 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-55s were ordered in 1987 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1987 and 1988 (the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service). 30 T-55s were received between 1993 and 1994 from Russia (20 in 1993 and 10 in 1994). were ordered in 1999 from Belarus and delivered in 1999 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Belarusian service). 31 T-55s were ordered in 1999 from Bulgaria and delivered in 1999 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service). 205 T-55AM2s were ordered in 1999 from Slovakia with 150 being delivered in 1999 and 55 in 2000 (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovak and later Slovak service). 90 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2000. Around 560 T-54s, T-55s, T-62s and T-72s were in service in early 2001. and around 200 in 2005 • : Used as an indirect-fire platform • : 10 T-54s were ordered in 1983 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1983 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 100 T-55s were ordered in 1988 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1989 (aid, the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service, the vehicles could be supplied by Vietnam). 15 T-55s were ordered in 1990 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1990. 40 T-55AM2s were ordered in 1994 from Czech Republic and delivered in 1994 (the vehicles were previously in Czechoslovak and later Czech service). 50 T-55AM2BPs were ordered in 1994 from Poland and delivered in 1994 (the vehicles were previously in Polish service). and 170 in early 2003. More than 100 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006. • – 4 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from Libya and delivered in 1982 (aid, the vehicles were probably previously in Libyan service). and 3 in early 2003, 2004 and 2006. • – 60 T-55s were in service in early 2001, early 2003, 2004 and 2006. Currently 60 T-55s are in service. • – 25 T-54s and T-55s were ordered in 1982 from an unknown supplier and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were probably second-hand). 20 T-55s were ordered in 2005 from Ukraine and delivered in 2006 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet and later Ukrainian service). • – 840 T-54s and T-55s were in storage as of 2025. 800 T-54s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1972 (some of the vehicles were probably from Czechoslovak and/or Poland production line). 550 T-55s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1969 and 1973. 50 T-54s were ordered in 1972 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1973 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). • : 200 T-54s and 200 T-55s were ordered in 1977 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1977 and 1978 (the T-54s were previously in Soviet service while the T-55s were possibly previously in Soviet service). 60 T-54s were ordered in 1978 from East Germany and delivered between 1979 and 1980 (the vehicles were previously in East German service). 700 T-55s were ordered in 1980 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1980 and 1988 (the vehicles were probably from Czechoslovak production line). 90 T-55s were ordered in 1983 from Libya and delivered in 1984 (the vehicles were previously in Libyan service). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1989 from East Germany and delivered in 1989 (the vehicles were previously in East German service, more were ordered but the order was cancelled). 40 T-55s were ordered in 1998 from Belarus and delivered in 1998 (the vehicles were previously in Belarusian service). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1998 from Bulgaria and delivered in 1999 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service, some may have been ex-Ukrainian and/or ex-Romanian vehicles sold through Bulgaria). 140 T-55s were ordered in 1999 from Bulgaria and delivered between 1999 and 2002 (the vehicles were previously in Bulgarian service, some may have been ex-Ukrainian and/or ex-Romanian vehicles sold through Bulgaria, the delivery of last 40 vehicles was suspended between 2000 and 2001 due to UN embargo). • : 8 T-54s were ordered in 1974 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1974 (the vehicles were probably second-hand). used in conjunction with ex-Syrian Army T-55s (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian service) in the ongoing Syrian Civil War. • : 60 T-54s and 65 T-55s were ordered in 1981 from Libya and delivered in 1981 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Libyan service). 120 T-55s were ordered in 1982 from Syria and delivered in 1982 (the vehicles were previously in Syrian service). Some vehicles were captured from Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War. 100 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 1990, 110 in 1995, 500 in 2000 and around 250 in 2002. 540 T-54s, T-55s and Type 59s were in service in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008. 200 T-54s, T-55s and Type 59s have been upgraded to Safir-74 (also known as T-72Z although it should not be confused with Iraqi modernization of the same name) standard (20 could possibly be Sudanese vehicles modernized for Sudan). 1,500 T-54s, T-55s and TR-580s were in service with the Iraqi Regular Army in 1990 and 500 in 1995, 2000 and 2002. 406 T-54 and T-55 were in service with Iraqi Regular Army in 2003. All destroyed or scrapped except for 4 T-55s which are now in service with the New Iraqi Army. 4 VT-55As were ordered in 2005 from Hungary and delivered in 2005 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Hungarian service). • : 10 T-55s were in service in early 2003, 2004 and 2006. • : 15 T-54s and 15 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1975 (aid, the vehicles were probably previously in Soviet service). • : 180 T-54s and T-55s were ordered in 1991 from Syria and delivered between 1992 and 1993 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian service). 185 T-54s and 47 T-55s were in service as of 2023. 1,600 T-54s and T-55s were in service and in storage in early 2001, 500 in service in early 2003, 500 in service and around 1,040 in storage in 2004 • – 21 T-34s, T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001, 33 in early 2003. 12 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 2004, • – 35 T-55s were ordered in 1990 from Soviet Union and delivered in 1991 (the vehicles were second-hand). 16 T-55s were ordered in 2001 from Poland and delivered in 2002 (the vehicles were previously in Polish service). Some T-34s, T-54s and T-55s in service in 2004 and 2006. • – 400 T-54s and 250 T-55s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1970. 300 T-54s were ordered in 1967 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1969 and 1974 (the vehicles were probably produced or assembled in North Korea). 50 T-55s were ordered in 1970 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1972 and 1973. 500 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1975 and 1979 (The supplier may have been PRC in which case the vehicles wouldn't be T-55s but Type 59s). There were 3,500 T-34s, T-54s, T-55s, T-62s and Type 59s in early 2001 through 2004, 282 tanks T-55H ordered from Serbia and first batch of 100 tanks where delivered to Pakistan in April 2020 (the vehicles were previously in Serbian service). • – 24 T-54s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1973. 250 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1974 and 1975. and 275 (around 200 were serviceable in 2005 2004 • Polisario Front – around 70 T-55As • – 70 T-54/55A in active service, 122 T-54/55 in store as of 2025. As of 2013 there are 100 T-55s in reserve and less than 500 in storage, however those in storage may have been scrapped already. In March 2023, at least 14 T-54s were seen being moved by train, allegedly for service in Ukraine. In the months following, several T-54s and 55s have been seen in use with the Russian Military, often working as fire support vehicles with one being lost in November. • – 12 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2001, 30 in early 2003, 24 in 2005 • – 12 JVBT armoured recovery vehicles in active service in the Serbian Army. • – 30 M-55S-1s were in service and in the process of being withdrawn. 46 T-55s (14 were in storage) and 12 M-55Ss and M-55S-1s were in service in 1998. Overall 30 T-55s were modernized to the M-55S/M-55S-1 standard. • – 100 T-54s were ordered in 1972 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1973 and 1974. 50 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1975 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 35 T-54s were ordered in 1977 from Egypt and delivered in 1977 (the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). SSC-Khatumo State, under the Federal Government, captured 5~ tanks from Somaliland during fighting in 2023. • – 85 • – At peak there were 12 T-55s and 75 T-72s in service. 15 T-55s and T-72s were in service before the 2008 South Ossetia war. All T-55 in reserve since 2011. • – Some captured T-54s and T-55s. and 45 in early 2003. 30 T-54s were in service in 2004 and 2006. 180 T-54s and T-55s were in service in early 2003, 152 in 2005 and 2006. 680 T-54s and T-55s were in service in 1995 and 149 in 2000. In 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2010 there were 112 T-55s in service. • – 15 Tiran-4Shes and Tiran-5Shes were ordered from Israel in 1997 and delivered the same year (the vehicles were previously in Israeli service). 850 T-54s and T-55s and 350 Type-59 were in service as of 2023. 10 T-55s were in service in 2004 and 2006. == Former operators ==

• : 50 T-54s and 50 T-55s were ordered in 1961 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1962 and 1964 (T-54s were previously in Soviet service), part of the 4th and 15th Armoured Brigades. 150 T-54s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1978 and 1979 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). 200 T-55s and 255 T-62s were ordered in 1978 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1978 and 1991 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service). at least 400 T-54s, T-55s, T-62s were in service on 1 April 1992. The country only had one tank battalion that was in a state of decay as of 2018. • – In Albania, there was a plan to import 75 T-54As to replace the T-34/85s in service, but the idea was abandoned because relations between the Soviet Union and Albania had worsened due to criticism of Stalin, and all exports were sent to the Iraqi Army. It was diverted to export. Later, the T-34/85 in Albania was replaced by the Type 59 tank . • Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula – operated small numbers of T-55s captured from Yemeni stocks. • Amal Movement – 50 T-55As were ordered in 1985–86 from Syria and delivered in 1985–86 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian service). All served with the Amal Movement's regular forces until the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990-91 and passed on to the Lebanese Armed Forces or the Syrian Army. • – 30 T-54s were ordered in 1975 from Egypt and delivered in 1975 (as aid, the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). • : 10 T-55s were ordered in 1997 from Egypt and delivered in 1997 (the vehicles were previously in Egyptian service). 192 T-34s, T-54s T-55s, M60A3s, M-84s and AMX-30s were in service in early 2003. Currently, the military of Bosnia Herzegovina operates 180 T-55s. 80 T-55s were in service in 2004, 69 T-55s and 13 T-54s in 2005 Around 209 T-55s were in service in 1998 and 222 in 2003, 2004 and 2006. • – At least four captured Egyptian T-54s and T-55s were ordered in 1978 from Israel and delivered in 1979, in order to train Chilean crews to operate captured Peruvian T-55s. • – At least 296 T-54s and T-55s, 2 MT-55s, 25 VT-55s were inherited from Czechoslovakia. 30 in early 2003, 74 T-55As were bought from the Soviet Union, 31 delivered in 1965, another 31 in 1967 and finally 12 in 1972; this included 10 T-55K command variants. 74 T-55s were in service in early 2003. and 74 T-55Ms in 2005. • – taken from GDR's army, all scrapped, sold to other countries or given to museums. • – 202 T-54s were ordered in 1956 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1956 and 1957. 488 T-54As and T-54AMs were ordered from Poland and delivered between 1959 and 1964. 1766 T-55s and T-55As were ordered in 1964 from Czechoslovakia and delivered between 1964 and 1980. 333 T-55s and T-55A(P)s were ordered from Poland and delivered between 1965 and 1973. 362 VT-55s were ordered in 1964 from Czechoslovakia and delivered between 1965 and 1969. and early 2003, 450 in 2002, 2005 and 2008. The number of T-55s and modernized T-55s in service is to stay at 450 in 2010 and to be reduced to 220 by 2015. There were around 550 T-55s in active service and around 200 in storage in 1999. In 2004, the Indian Army had a total of 700 T-55s, 450 of which were in operational service. In May 2011, the last T-55s were retired from active service and moved to reserve storage. • – operated small numbers captured from Syrian and possibly Iraqi stocks. • – The Israeli army captured during the Six-Day War, repaired, modernized and put into service around 200 T-54s, T-55s and PT-76s. T-54s and T-55s were modernized to Tiran 4 or 5 standard prior to the Yom Kippur War. However, some Tirans are still in possession of the Israeli Army, possibly in reserve or in storage. The Israeli Army had 1,500 T-54s and T-55s in 1990, 300 in 1995, 200 in early 2001 • Lebanese Forces: 40 Ti-67 Tirans (Israeli-modified T-54/55s) were supplied by Israel after 1980, another 20 T-54/55s were captured from the Syrian Army in summer 1982 and 64 more were supplied by Iraq between 1986 and 1989 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Iraqi service). A few VT-55KS Armoured Recovery Vehicles were also captured from the Syrian Army. All served with the Lebanese Forces until the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1991–94. • Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - One T-55A captured from the Sri Lanka Army used from 1993 to 2008, until it was recaptured. • – 61 T-55s Scrapped. • – 40 T-54Bs were ordered in 1960 from the Soviet Union and delivered in 1962. 80 T-54s were ordered in 1966 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1967 and 1968 (the vehicles were probably from Czechoslovak production line) mostly lost in wars (Western Sahara war) or scrapped due to lack of spare parts. • – 400 T-54s were ordered in 1969 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1970 and 1972 (aid). 600 T-55s were ordered in 1973 from the Soviet Union and delivered between 1973 and 1975 (aid). • People's Liberation Army (Lebanon) – 4 T-55As provided on loan by the DPFLP and Fatah in 1983 (aid, the vehicles were previously in DPFLP service). 70 T-55As were ordered in 1986–87 from Syria and Libya and delivered in 1986–87 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Syrian and Libyan service), along with a number of BTS-4 and VT-55KS Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV). All served with the PLA until the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990-91 and passed on to the Lebanese Armed Forces or the Syrian Army. • – 3,000 T-54, T-54A, T-54AD and T-54AM produced between 1956 and 1964. 7,000 T-55, T-55L, T-55AD-1 and T-55AD-2 produced between 1964 and 1979. Some T-54A upgraded to T-55 standard. 200 T-54 tanks have been upgraded to T-55LD in 1975, 10 of which were later sold to Libya. In 1980 Ludowe Wojsko Polskie (LWP) operated 1,207 T-55L, T-55LD, T-55AD-1 and T-55AD-2, 146 T-55, 986 T-55U and 340 T-54, T-54A, T-54AD and T-54AM. Eventually almost all T-54 and T-55 tanks have been upgraded to T-55AM "Merida" standard (there are some not upgraded ones in the museums). Last 839 were withdrawn from service in 2002. All Polish T-54 and T-55 that were withdrawn from service were either used as shooting targets at proving grounds, sold to other countries or given to museums. • – 72 T-55s were in service and in storage in 2005. 398 TR-580s were in service with the Romanian Army in 1993, around 88 TR-580s in early 1999, 717 T-55s and 227 TR-580s in early 2003 • – At least 206 were inherited from Czechoslovakia. 1 T-55AM2B received from Czech Republic in 2000. 1 T-55AM2 received from Czech Republic in 2001. • South Lebanon Army – 60 Ti-67 Tiran 4 and Tiran 5s (Israeli-modified T-54/55s) were supplied by Israel after 1982 (aid, the vehicles were previously in Israeli service), Captured by Hezbollah or the Amal Movement and passed on to the Lebanese Armed Forces in 2000. • – 35,000 T-54-1 (T-54 Model 1946), T-54-2 (T-54 Model 1949), T-54 (T-54-3 or T-54 Model 1951), T-54A, T-54B, T-54AK1, T-54AK2, T-54BK1 and T-54BK2. produced between 1946 and 1958. 27,500 T-55, T-55A, T-55K1, T-55K2, T-55K3, T-55AK1, T-55AK2 and T-55AK3 produced between 1955 and 1981. Passed on to successor states. • – 34 T-55 BLG-60M2 Bridge Layers were ordered in 1994 from Germany, originally inherited from East Germany. The Swedish designation was Brobv 971 (Brobandvagn 971 or Tracked bridge vehicle 971). The bridge layers were in service from 1997 until 2011 when they were replaced by a model based on the Leopard 2. • Tigray Defense Forces − Surrendered to the Ethiopian forces in the aftermath of the Tigray War • – 160 T-54s and 1600 T-55s in service in 1991. Passed on to successor states. == Evaluation-only operators ==

• : 10 Polish-built T-55LD tanks (part of a batch of 200 T-54s rebuilt in 1975) seized from a French ship, the Astor, which had been transporting a heavy weapons consignment from Libya for Idi Amin in Uganda. Amin's regime collapsed on the day that the ship docked in Mombasa, and it was redirected to Angola. The ship called in to Durban where the cargo was seized. Two T-55LD tanks have been kept by the South Africans for evaluation while eight were given to Rhodesia, together with SADF advisers for the purpose of training Rhodesian crews. The rumour was spread that the tanks had been captured in Mozambique in order to obscure South Africa's part in the deal. ==Models and variants==

Models T-54 • '''T-54-1 (Ob'yekt 137) or T-54 Model 1946''' Produced 1946–1948. With a streamlined turret and wide gun mantlet, similar to T-44, new V-54 engine, unstabilized D-10T 100 mm main gun, and two SG-43 machine guns in bins on the fenders. Only a small number were built for trials that were a fiasco; as a result, the production of the T-54 series was halted until the implementation of modifications. • '''T-54-2 (Ob'yekt 137R) or T-54 Model 1949''' – Produced 1949–1952. It incorporated a number of improvements to the turret, as well a wider track (580 mm) and modernized transmission. The turret is dome-shaped with flat sides (inspired by the IS-3 heavy tanks), similar to later T-54s but with a distinctive overhang at the rear. The hull machine gun replaced the fender bin mounted ones. It also had a shorter bustle. • '''T-54-3 (Ob'yekt 137Sh) or T-54 Model 1951''' – Produced 1952–1954, in Poland 1956–1964. Adopted the familiar, fully egg-shaped turret and new TSh-2-22 telescopic gunner's sight instead of the TSh-20. – Produced 1955–1957, in Poland 1956–1964, in Czechoslovakia 1957–1966, and in China as the Type 59. Added STP-1 "Gorizont" vertical-plane gun stabilizer to D-10T tank gun and this new weapon was designated D-10TG. Originally had a small muzzle counter-weight, which was later replaced with a fume extractor. – Produced from 1957 to 1958. It is armed with the D-10T2S tank gun with STP-2 "Tsyklon" 2-plane stabilization. – Produced 1958–1963, • '''T-55A (Ob'yekt 155A)''' Since 1970, T-55A tanks began to receive a new turret fitting for the 12.7mm DShK 1938/46 antiaircraft heavy machine gun. • '''T-55K1 (Ob'yekt 155K1), T-55K2 (Ob'yekt 155K2), T-55K3 (Ob'yekt 155K3), T-55AK1 (Ob'yekt 155AK1), T-55AK2 (Ob'yekt 155AK2), T-55AK3 (Ob'yekt 155AK3), T-55MK1 (Ob'yekt 155MK1), T-55MK2 (Ob'yekt 155MK2), T-55MK3 (Ob'yekt 155MK3) – Command tanks, fitted with additional radio sets. Sub-versions are the K1 and K2''' models with two R-123 (or R-123M) and used at company and battalion level respectively. They carry five fewer rounds for the main gun than the standard tanks. The regiment commander's K3 is equipped with an R-130M, an R-123M, a 10-metre antenna mast and an AB-1-P/30 generator at the expense of twelve 100 mm rounds. Early models had the R-113 and R-112 sets instead of the R-123 and R-130, the upgraded M series is fitted with R-173 and R-143T2 sets respectively. Modernization T-54 in Munster, Germany. • '''''' fitted with the ZET-1 vehicle protection system. It has a net structure centered on vehicle's main armament and flipper-type side plates. – T-55A fitted with Drozd ('thrush') active protection system (KAZ – kompleks aktivnoj zashchity). Soviet Naval Infantry saved money by installing "Drozd" on a small number of tanks instead of opting for appliqué armour, or acquiring newer T-72s. About 250 were kept in stores for secrecy, but later switched to simpler reactive armour. T-55AD is also fitted with the radio set R-173, sight TShSM-32PV, "Tsiklon-M1" stabilizer etc. of the T-55AM. • '''T-55AD-1 (Ob'yekt 155AD-1)''' – Version powered by the 691 hp (515 kW) V-46-5M engine, which was derived from the T-72's 780 hp (582 kW) V-46-6. in 2014. • '''T-55MV (Ob'yekt 155MV)/T-55AMV (Ob'yekt 155AMV)''' • '''Ob'yekt 141''' - Developed by the Kharkiv design bureau from 1952 to 1954 as a testbed for the D-54. In 1955, the "Raduga" stabilizer was installed; however, due to a malfunction work on it was stopped. In the spring of 1959, the Ob'yekt 141 was used as a testbed for the U-5TS; however, due to excessive gas in the crew compartment and a low ammo count of 28 rounds, work on it was stopped. • '''Ob'yekt 137ML''' - Prototype of the T-54 with 9M14 "Malyutka" (NATO code: AT-3 Sagger) ATGM. • '''Ob'yekt 155ML''' - Prototype of the T-55 with a launcher for three 9M14 "Malyutka" (NATO code: AT-3 Sagger) ATGM mounted on the turret rear. • '''''' – Improved or remanufactured BTS-1. • '''' (Bronetankoviy TyagachSredniy'' – Medium Armoured Tractor) – JVBT-55A in service with the Soviet Army. – Bridge-layer tank equipped with a 12 m long single-span bridge with a capacity of 50 tonnes. It entered service in 1955; today only a very small number remains in service. It has a combat weight of 34 tonnes. • ''' (Ob'yekt 602)' (Tankoviy Mostoukladchik'') • '''TO-55 (OT-55, Ob'yekt 482)''' – This flame-thrower version of the T-55 tank incorporates the ATO-200 flame projector. The flame thrower is ignited by pyrotechnic charges, and 12 charges are the basic load. The stowage tank, which replaces the hull ammunition rack besides the driver, contains 460-litres of flammable liquid, and each burst averages 36 liters. The maximum effective range of the system is 200 meters, with the stream having an initial muzzle velocity of about 100 mps. They had minor differences between production lots, such as a different commander's cupola. The SU-122-54 had a modified chassis, with small spaces between the first, second and fourth pair of wheels and a large gap between the third, similar to the T-62's; and a superstructure, built into the hull, housing the 122 mm D-49 L/48.4 gun for which the vehicle carries 35 rounds. The secondary armament consisted of two KPVT heavy machine guns, one mounted as an anti-aircraft machine gun near the commander's hatch and the other mounted coaxially with the main gun. The vehicle carried 600 rounds for the machine guns. The main gun has a fume extractor positioned right behind the muzzle brake, some vehicles did not have the fume extractor. Other variations included a different commander's cupola. • T-55 converted into the S-125 TEL. • '''''' – T-55AM2 fitted with new armour array. East Germany • '''' (Z for Zusatzausrüstung'' – additional equipment) – East German modernization of T-54 similar to T-54AM. • '''' (Z for Zusatzausrüstung'' – additional equipment) – East German modernization of T-54 similar to T-54AM. • '''' (Z for Zusatzausrüstung'' – additional equipment) – East German modernization of T-54 similar to T-54AM. • '''' (Panzerzugmaschine ohne Bergesatz'') – East German development with recovery and welding equipment. 10 made on Polish-made T-54A chassis. NATO code: T-54(A). • '''' (Panzerzugmaschine mit Bergesatz'') – similar to T-54T, but with 140-t winch. 10 made on Polish-made T-54A chassis. NATO code: T-54(B). • equipped with KMT-5) and the first vehicle was delivered in 1967. Almost 200 BLG-60s were built by STAG Genthin and SKET Magdeburg. • '''''' trainer – Modified training bridge. • T-55MK – command version of the T-55M upgrade. • KAM-1 – Finnish medium recovery tank built on T-54 hull, developed in 1984. Prototype only. • KAM-2 – Finnish light recovery tank built on T-54 hull, developed in 1985. Prototype only. • ITPSV 90 Marksman – Finnish SPAAG conversion of the Polish T-55AM equipped with the British Marksman turret. Germany • T-54 upgrade developed in 1991 by Jung Jungenthal to meet the requirements of the Egyptian army (but was never purchased). The upgraded T-54 is equipped with additional passive armour, a new transmission LSG 3000, an improved cooling system, a new all-electric gun control system, under-armour fuel tanks "Superflexit" on either side of the hull and 76 mm smoke grenade discharges. The original 100 mm gun is retained. • T-54B modified by India. Iraq Following combat experience during the Iran–Iraq War, the Iraqis modified several Soviet vehicles to better suit their needs and showcased some of these modifications during an international defence exhibition held in Baghdad in April 1989. While they were nominally T-54/T-55 conversions, some of these conversions were based on the Chinese Type 59 or Type 69 tank instead. As far as it is known, only the Enigma entered service in substantial numbers with the Iraqi Army. • 'T-55 Enigma''' – T-55, Type 59, and Type 69-II fitted with appliqué non-explosive reactive armor (NERA) composed of layers of steel and rubber encasing the entire turret, the front of the hull, and the sponsons. Smoke grenade dischargers were mounted on either sides of the turret. According to Foss, new night vision equipment was installed and the improvements increased the weight of the vehicle, reducing the power-to-weight ratio from to . They were officially designated as Al Najim (star) or Al Faw'' (after the Second Battle of al-Faw); the "Enigma" designation was given by Western observers. The NERA armor initially dismissed as crude, proved to be capable of defeating all Western anti-tank missiles and handheld weapons at the time with the exception of the AGM-114 Hellfire during tests with captured vehicles. Built in relatively small numbers (perhaps as few as 8), they were used mostly as command vehicles. • T-55 with 125 mm gun – A T-55 with the original D-10T 100 mm main gun replaced by the 2A46 125 mm gun from the T-72. The T-72 autoloader was also fitted in, reducing the crew to three: commander, gunner, and driver. To accommodate the larger gun, the turret was raised and an ejection port was installed on the back. Other modifications include an Iraqi-made fire control system with passive night sights and smoke grenade dischargers on either side of the turret. • T-55 modified to fire 122 mm rockets by removing the main armament and fitting a multi-barrel-rocket launcher on the rear of the turret. Reloads appear to have been stowed in the turret and passed out through a crudely cut access on the rear of the turret. It has a square sided platform mount with drop down sides and rear. Iran • T-72Z/Type 72Z/Safir-74 – Iranian upgraded T-54/55 and Type-59 (Chinese copy of the T-54A), T-72Z being the name given to the upgraded T-55s, Safir 74 being the name given to the upgraded T-54s and Type 72Z being the name given to the upgraded Type-59s. The upgrades Include the new fire control system Fotona EFCS-3B (with laser rangefinder, cross-wind sensor, ballistic computer and gunner's passive night vision device), a 105 mm tank gun, side skirts, smoke grenade launchers, ERA package, a new power-pack with 780 hp 12-cylinder V-46-6 diesel engine and new tracks. Iranian sources state there was also a plan to arm the tanks with a 2A46 125 mm tank gun, but it seems as if this project was cancelled. Pakistan • Al-Zarrar – Type 59 modernization which can also be applied to T-54s and T-55s. In June 2015, Serbia sold its 282 modernized T-55 tanks to Pakistan. People's Republic of China • Type 59 – Chinese-produced version of T-54A. • Type 59G/VT-3 – Chinese hyper-modernization of Type 59, fitted with 125 mm smoothbore main gun and heavy ERA. Used by at least Chad and Tanzania. Peru APC (left-center) in action in 2008 • T-55 modernization which replaces the V-55 diesel engine with a Caterpillar diesel one. It was not accepted by the Peruvian Army. • 'T-55M1 Leon 1''' – T-55 modernization designed by the Peruvian engineer Sergio Casanave. The project was named DIEDE 2005. The Peruvian Army assisted project since it began. This modernization fits the T-55 with a new fire control system, laser rangefinder and twin SACLOS 9M14-2T HEAT tandem system Malyutka 2M'' ATGM launchers on each side of the turret. Also the main gun is modified to fire 100 mm M-43A1 APFSDS. At least three physical demonstrator were made, but none become an operational prototype. Rejected by the Peruvian Army. • 'T-55M2A1 Leon 2''' – Also designed by the Peruvian engineer Sergio Casanave, this proposed upgrade include a new thermal fire control system and optics, ability to fire M-43A1/M-43A3 APFSDS ammo (up to 2,600 m) and the launcher for the 9M117 (3UBK23-1) Bastion'' laser beam-guided anti-tank missiles with a range up to 6,000 m and 750 mm RHAe penetration after ERA, new engine developing 630 hp and new night vision system. At least three physical demonstrators were made, but none become an operational prototype. Rejected by the Peruvian Army. • 'T-55M8A2 Tifón 2' ( Typhoon-2) – T-55 modernization designed by engineer Sergio Casanave and developed jointly by the Desarrollos Industriales Casanave de Perú (DICSA), (Casanave Industrial Developments Peru) and Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau of Ukraine. It's based on the Ukrainian T-55AGM and is almost identical with the exception of the engine, the main armament, Fire Control System with 1G46M gunner sight, PKN-5 Commander sight, and both integrated with the Buran – Catherine Thermal sight, air conditioned system, Deflek Ceramic special alloy steel armor, and Nosh explosive reactive armor. The tank is powered by the new 5TDFMA two-stroke liquid-cooled multi-fuel supercharged diesel engine with boxing pistons developing 1,050 hp and has maximum speed of over 75 km/h on the road in forward gear and over 35 km/h in the reverse gear. The main armament is the 125 mm KBM-1M 48 caliber smoothbore gun capable of firing conventional ammunition with enhanced performance which can destroy modern tanks from a range of up to 3,500 m (APFSDS and HEAT-TANDEM) and barrel-launched which have a penetration of 800 mm RHAe after ERA and are capable of destroying modern tanks from a distance up to 5,000 m. The gun weighs 2,5 tonnes, has a barrel length of 6 m (48 calibers) and can fire APFSDS, HEAT and HE-FRAG rounds. The gun has a normal recoil length of 26–30 cm and maximum recoil length of 31 cm. Is not being considered as an option for upgrade by the Peruvian Army. • '''''' – Uralvagonzavod is offering the Peruvian Army an upgrade for its T-55s as an alternative to replacement with new tanks. The proposal is to replace the turret of their current tanks with the turret of the BMPT. The BMPT turret is equipped with two 2A42 30 mm autocannons, two AGS-17 grenade launchers, four 9M120 Ataka-V ATGMs, and a PKTM machine gun. Every operator in the turret has a scope, and the main armament operator has a thermal camera, an optical sight, and a panoramic camera. It is also equipped with a laser detection system. Although the BMPT design fits onto a T-72 tank chassis, it can be adapted to fit on a T-55. Poland . • Polish-produced tanks often have different stowage arrangements. The arrangement includes a rectangular box mounted on the left side of the turret, a smaller square stowage box on the left side of the turret-rear, and a slightly different rear decking. • T-54AM – Polish and Czechoslovak production of the T-54B under license. • T-54 fitted with stand-off armour plates fitted to hull front and wire mesh screens around the turret to provide protection against ATGM. • '''''' – Polish T-55A command tank with additional R-123 radio and reduced ammo storage to 38 rounds. Some were fitted with new radio sets like the R-123 or R-173. Considered to be a second generation MBT because of the high degree of modernization. • '''''' – Version without armour on the hull front, can be fitted with mine-clearing systems ZB/WLWD or KMT-5 or a dozer blade USCz-55. One per company. • '''''' – T-55AM "Merida" command tank with additional R-130 radio and reduced ammo storage to 38 rounds. • T-55A engineer tank, with KMT-4 mine plow on the front and boxes containing PW-LWD rapid explosive breaching system (similar to Giant Viper). • IWT (Inżynieryjny Wóz Torujący) – Polish combat engineer vehicle, based on the WZT-2 and fitted with a hydraulic dozer blade, a hydraulic arm and mine-clearing systems PW-LWD and KMT-5. It uses DShK 1938/46 heavy machine gun for antiaircraft protection. Entered service in very small numbers in 1978. • '''''' – Polish version of the East German bridge layer BLG-60. • '''''' – Similar to BLG-60M: improved model that makes it possible to attach 3 bridges together to bridge gaps of up to 52 m. • '''''' – Similar to BLG-60M2: improved model, widened by 20 cm. Republika Srpska • SO 76 M-18 Mod – Late T-55 MBTs which were fitted by Bosnian Serbs with a turret of the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer. They were used for mechanic training before the war. Bosniak forces captured at least one. • T-55 converted by Bosnian Serbs into a SPAAG armed with a Bofors AA gun. Rhodesia and T-55LD. • T-55LD with South African FM tactical radio sets adopted from the Eland armoured car. The Eland's communications utilised throat-activated microphones and was considered superior to Soviet models; this system was also unique in that radios were operated by a Rhodesian tank commander, rather than loaders as was standard to T-55 doctrine. Romania . • T-55AM or – General designator for three different models in Romanian service: the Russian T-55AM with "Volna" fire control system, the Czech T-55AM2 with "Kladivo" FCS and a locally upgraded model with "Ciclop" FCS (the T-55AM2R). 227 TR-580s were in service in 2017. • UOS-155B (Univerzálny Odtarasovací Stroj) – UOS-155 "Belarty" with hydraulic excavator fitted with mine clearing device. Slovenia • T-55S – The prototype for the M-55S. On 14 July 2023, a Ukrainian M-55S was hit by a guided Krasnopol 152 mm Russian artillery shell, making it the first known time an M-55S saw combat, the tank was damaged but still drivable. On July 22 an M-55S was destroyed by a Russian artillery strike, making it the first time an M-55S was confirmed destroyed. • ' – M-55S converted into a driver trainer vehicle. The turret has been replaced by a training enclosure with seats for an instructor and two trainee drivers. A third driver is in the normal driving position of the vehicle. It is also known as LM-55, M-55USP and USP9'. Ukraine • T-55 – version modernized by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau fitted with 4 smoke grenade discharges cluster fitted to each side of turret front and laser rangefinder fitted above main armament. • T-55-64 – With T-64 suspension and powerplant. • T-55MV – The former Soviet Army tank repair plants number 7 in Kyiv and number 17 in Lviv in Ukraine have been promoting the T-55MV on the world market for several years. The turret, hull front section and side skirts of this version are protected by the Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armour capable of withstanding hits from the American M829 120 mm armour-piercing depleted uranium ammunition. The main armament of the T-55MV was improved by employing the 9M117 "Bastion" (AT-10 Stabber) ATGM which can be launched through the barrel of the standard T-54/55 rifled gun. With an effective range of 4,000 m, the 9M117 is capable of penetrating armour equivalent to 550 mm of steel plate. If the missile is equipped with a tandem warhead, its armour penetration capability increases. The Volna fire control system with its digital ballistic computer was also fitted. Syria was the first country to order 200 of its T-55s upgraded into the T-55MV. United Kingdom • T-54A, a proposal by Royal ordnance to upgrade the T-54As of the Egyptian Army to the standard NATO 105 mm gun. The tank received a Spain-produced Indra TIFCS-3BU fire control system. The original 100 mm tank gun D-10T2S received thermal sleeve, a DShK 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, a PKT 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a laser rangefinder system which works in conjunction with a thermal imaging camera for increased accuracy and operated in the dark. A computer system is also installed, allowing the vehicle to have stability control, calculate the tilt, and measure the speed of the vehicle. In the driver's position an installation in the hydraulic power steering system allows the steering column, brakes and clutch to be controlled easier. In terms of communication, the tank is equipped with a Russian-produced RF2050 multi-band system and/or the indigenously produced systems made by Viettel. Yugoslavia • TZI-JVBT – Czechoslovak JVBT-55A in service with Yugoslav Army. • T-55TZI – Yugoslavian modification of the VT-55A armored recovery vehicle. • T-55AI "Igman" – Yugoslav upgrade of the T-55A, intended for modernization of YPA's aging fleet of T-55s. It was using sophisticated components from M-84, local produced advanced versions of T-72, with whom it was in parallel development. Major improvements included external mounting of 2 rails for AT-3 Sagger missiles, an engine from T-72, a simplified SUV with meteosensor and laser rangefinders from M-84, addition of spaced armor on turret and front body, and installation of smoke dispensers. About 20 were made before break-up of Yugoslavia. Prototypes were impressed into regular service, however there is no data of them being used in combat. A variant of this modification, intended for export, was armed with L7A1 105 mm gun. ==Notes and references==

Bibliography • • • • • Zaloga, Steven J. "Soviet Assault Guns," Jane's Defence Review. Vol.4, No. 9. (1983. 849-852). ==Further reading==