{
  "id": "t-55",
  "name": "T-55",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "RUS",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1959,
  "operators": [
    "AFG",
    "AGO",
    "ARM",
    "AZE",
    "BGR",
    "BIH",
    "BLR",
    "CAF",
    "COG",
    "CUB",
    "DZA",
    "EGY",
    "ERI",
    "ETH",
    "GEO",
    "GIN",
    "HRV",
    "IND",
    "IRN",
    "IRQ",
    "ISR",
    "KHM",
    "LAO",
    "LBN",
    "LBY",
    "LKA",
    "LVA",
    "MLI",
    "MMR",
    "MNG",
    "MOZ",
    "MRT",
    "NAM",
    "NGA",
    "NIC",
    "PAK",
    "PER",
    "PRK",
    "ROU",
    "RUS",
    "RWA",
    "SDN",
    "SOM",
    "SVN",
    "SYR",
    "TCD",
    "TGO",
    "UGA",
    "UKR",
    "VNM",
    "YEM",
    "ZMB"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 53,
  "summary": "The all-improved T-55 was developed from 1955-58 onward at the Uralvagonzavod plant. It was basically the sum of upgrades performed on the former T-54s, but with full NBC protection called PAZ (Protivoatomnaya Zashchita), studied by the KB-60 design bureau in Kharkov.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "KhPZ, UVZ (Soviet Union) Bumar-Łabędy (Poland) ZTS Martin (Czechoslovakia)",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.37,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.4,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 41,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "Model V-55",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 580,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 400,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 48,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 25,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.4 m unprep; 5.5 m snorkel",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Loader",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Manual",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Maximum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+18 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Minimum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-3 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "KTD-1 or KTD-2",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "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-55"
      ],
      "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-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "T-55 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-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, PAZ (Protivoatomnaya Zashchita) NBC protection system",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Generator",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "TDA exhaust smoke generator",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "2 × 4.76 mm Smoke Grenades",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "D-10 Tank Gun, 100 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x QJZ-89 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 14.6,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ],
      "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-55"
      ],
      "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-55"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "400-500 m/s",
        "Guidance": "Beam-Riding Laser"
      },
      "range_km": 4,
      "qty": "8 x 9M117 Bastion ATGM Missiles"
    }
  ],
  "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-55"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-54/T-55 upgrades",
      "text": "n 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-55"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-55"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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-55"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-55AD",
      "text": "fitted with Drozd active protection system. It also has add-on armor. It entered service in 1983.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-55AD-1",
      "text": "fitted wit a V-46-5M diesel engine, developing 690 hp.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-55"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": {
    "file": "t-55.jpg",
    "thumb": "t-55-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "U.S. Army 18MPB by Sgt. 1st Class Tanisha Karn",
    "license": "Public domain",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:198th_C_Co_in_Udbina_(9092317).jpg",
    "title": "File:198th C Co in Udbina (9092317).jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (Public domain)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/t-55.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-t-55": {
      "title": "T-55 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-55_Russian_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}