{
  "id": "t-54",
  "name": "T-54",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "RUS",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1949,
  "operators": [
    "RUS",
    "AGO",
    "ARM",
    "AZE",
    "BIH",
    "COG",
    "CUB",
    "DZA",
    "EGY",
    "GIN",
    "IND",
    "IRN",
    "ISR",
    "KHM",
    "LAO",
    "LBN",
    "LBY",
    "MLI",
    "MNG",
    "MRT",
    "NAM",
    "PAK",
    "PRK",
    "RWA",
    "SDN",
    "SOM",
    "TGO",
    "UKR",
    "VNM",
    "YEM",
    "ZMB"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 31,
  "summary": "The T-54 and T-55 tanks are a series of Soviet main battle tanks introduced in the years following the Second World War. The first T-54 prototype was completed at Nizhny Tagil by the end of 1945.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "KhPZ, UVZ (Soviet Union) Bumar-Łabędy (Poland) ZTS Martin (Czechoslovakia)",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.4,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 41,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Model V-55",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 500,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 48,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 25,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.4 m unprep; 5.5 m snorkel",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Loader",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Manual",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Maximum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+18 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Minimum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-3 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "KTD-1 or KTD-2",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "on some T-55M",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "120 mm hull front at 60° (100 mm after 1949) 79 mm hull upper sides; 20 mm hull lower sides; 60 mm at 0° hull rear; 20 mm hull bottom; 33-16 mm hull roof",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "205 mm turret front; 130 mm turret sides; 60 mm turret rear; 30 mm turret roof",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "T-54 fitted with the ZET-1 vehicle protection system. It has net structure centred on vehicles main armament and flipper-type side plates.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, PAZ (Protivoatomnaya Zashchita) NBC protection system",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "grenlaunch/eng smk sys",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "D-10 Tank Gun, 100 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 14.6,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "14,600 m (16,000 yds), or 16,000 m (17,500 yds)"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "HE fragmentation projectile",
      "role": "100 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "355 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "Yes"
      },
      "qty": "45 total of any 100 mm Projectile Combination"
    },
    {
      "name": "Laser beam-riding anti-tank missile.",
      "role": "100 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "400-500 m/s",
        "Guidance": "Beam-Riding Laser"
      },
      "range_km": 4,
      "qty": "8 ea"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "T-55A",
      "text": "In 1961, development of improved NBC protection systems began. The goal was to protect the crew from fast neutrons; adequate protection against gamma radiation was provided by the thick armour and a PAZ basic NBC protect",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-54/T-55 upgrades",
      "text": "In its long service life, the T-55 has been upgraded many times. Early T-55s were fitted with a new TSh-2B-32P sight. In 1959, some tanks received mountings for the PT-55 mine clearing system or the BTU/BTU-55 plough. In",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-55AM",
      "text": "upgraded version of the T-55A. It is fitted with add-on composite armor and rubber side skirts. The gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve. It entered service in 1983.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-55AM-1",
      "text": "upgraded version of the T-55AM, powered by a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-55AD",
      "text": "fitted with Drozd active protection system. It also has add-on armor. It entered service in 1983.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-55AD-1",
      "text": "fitted wit a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-54"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": null,
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/t-54.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-t-54": {
      "title": "T-54 Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/T-54_Russian_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}