Article

2023-03-28 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Russia Pulling Ancient T-54 and T-55 Tanks from Storage as War Drags On

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Posted by Fred 2023-03-28 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 Ancient you say? Wait until the Ukrainians discover modern German military maintenance on those Leopards.

Posted by Cesare 2023-03-28 07:26|| 2023-03-28 07:26|| Front Page Top

#2 Underarmoured, underpowered, and grossly undersized compared to the Western-made Challenger 2, Leopard 2, and M1 Abrams main battle tanks now being transferred to Ukraine

So what? It's got an engine, armor and a gun. Beats walking! Plus Russia has lots and lots of ammo for them. Probably be used mostly for indirect fire.

Posted by Angstrom 2023-03-28 09:44|| 2023-03-28 09:44|| Front Page Top

#3 While Ukie anti-tank crews expend valuable ammo on these old decoys, other more modern platforms slide through pre-selected gaps.

Posted by Besoeker 2023-03-28 09:50|| 2023-03-28 09:50|| Front Page Top

#4 these old tanks are probably useless for offense but could help hold territory (if the infantry stayed put)

Posted by lord garth 2023-03-28 09:58|| 2023-03-28 09:58|| Front Page Top

#5 While Ukie anti-tank crews expend valuable ammo on these old decoys, other more modern platforms slide through pre-selected gaps.

Doubtful. An RPG-7 or AT4 will kill one of these pretty easily. Ukrainians have been trained on target priority for ammo usage.

Posted by DarthVader 2023-03-28 11:39|| 2023-03-28 11:39|| Front Page Top

#6 The Class V ATGM shortfall is about to arrive at current rates of expenditure.

https://news.yahoo.com/going-war-good-news-united-045349955.html

Posted by NoMoreBS 2023-03-28 12:25|| 2023-03-28 12:25|| Front Page Top

#7 ^ I believe in old Cold War Doctrine it was called a Logistical Culminating Point!

Posted by NoMoreBS 2023-03-28 12:29|| 2023-03-28 12:29|| Front Page Top

#8 Depleting the T-55 stock will hurt export sales and future stability of the usual dictators around the world.

Posted by Procopius2k 2023-03-28 13:22|| 2023-03-28 13:22|| Front Page Top

#9 These Cold War clunkers were designed to be used en masse and as economical to build in quantity as possible. Used in 'penny packets' they are best used as assault guns and dictators like the Assads find them useful for that. So, obsolescent but not obsolete...

Posted by magpie 2023-03-28 13:51|| 2023-03-28 13:51|| Front Page Top

#10 T-55 has longer range with smooth bore. Millions of rounds available. Support infantry I would expect. They have it. Use it.

Posted by Dale 2023-03-28 17:20|| 2023-03-28 17:20|| Front Page Top

#11 If the USA and NATO cannot keep up production of supplies fighting Russia what would happen if China throws its support behind Russia. Biden and Blinkin have angered China. Relations have only deteriorated. China has no interest in meeting with Biden and Blinkin. No trust.

Posted by Dale 2023-03-28 17:44|| 2023-03-28 17:44|| Front Page Top

#12 You can laugh all you want comparing them to modern main battle tanks, but Angstrom gets it in #2.

One additional 'feature' is that these machines were designed to be serviced and maintained by illiterate peasants with the nearest Pep Boys nowhere in sight.

Posted by SteveS 2023-03-28 18:58|| 2023-03-28 18:58|| Front Page Top

#13 Experience, Dale?

Posted by Frank G 2023-03-28 22:00|| 2023-03-28 22:00|| Front Page Top

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