"The advantage of old T-55s and BMP-1s" Topic

A great insight into a Syrian armour repair unit.

What's fascinating is that the article shows the advantage of old junk like T-55 and BMP-1: ruggedness and simplicity. They can be maintained in what are very primitive conditions by western standards.

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Another article discusses deliveries of equally ancient albeit updated T-62s to Syria but more interestingly points out that the Russians are still maintaining pools of ready T-62s!

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Appropriate tech for the circumstances is the best tech!

If you don't have to go up against latest generation tanks, & you use them primarily in an infantry support role, yes they certainly can still be effective. A 100mm HE shell is still going to do a number on hasty infantry fortifications, or even masonry buildings.

Damon.

In the old days of the Cold War it was said the Soviet Union had warehouses filled with tanks as old as T-34. Any tank is better than no tank and quantity has it's own quality.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

So true Mike, the best AFV is the one you can access and use.

I always understood that the Soviets kept everything. Category 1 (or A) divisions always got the latest kit and were kept near full strength, category 2/B got the previous generation and were at a lower manning level, and category 3/C got the generation before that and were only a cadre of personnel. They weren't the best tanks of course, but while you're wasting ammo shooting at the T-55's the T-62's survive that bit longer.

That has always been a Russian "predilection". Use all they have regardless of when it was made, etc. As noted … an older AFV is better than no AFV … and numbers is always an advantage.

A point we would be wise to remember.

Old Soviet equipment is in a way easy to maintain as there is no advanced electronic equipment, just mechanical things. But they are not easy to maintain as they are not built to be easily and quickly repaired. Even simple maintenance can take hours as it is not easy to reach what you try to fix. On some tanks you have to remove the turret to replace the engine as compared to many western tanks where there is a number of quick couplings and you can switch engine in 30 minutes.

Saving old stuff is not cheap, you have to maintain the equipment regularly. You need to keep spareports and people trained to maintain it and people who can fight from it needs to be trained, and exercised. Ammo also gets old so you need to manufacture new (old style) ammo which costs money. Same with radios and all kinds of gear.

In many cases it is not worth the cost to keep (too) old equipment.

Good point … but I'm sure their plan would be to use what older equipment they have if need be. Until they break down, run out ammo, etc., or get KO'd …

On some tanks you have to remove the turret to replace the engine as compared to many western tanks where there is a number of quick couplings and you can switch engine in 30 minutes.

To whit, on the T-54/55 you had to partially remove the turret, supported on poles on the back quarter, in order to do a simple barrel swap. Not at all easy or quick to do.

Damon.

This is affected by the experience of the outbreak of the Second World War. Most of the tanks produced before the war were destroyed in the first months of the fighting. And while the evacuated industry was setting up the production of military equipment in new places, the Red Army experienced the most severe hunger in tanks. Almost all of 1942, the Soviets had to fight in many respects on "surrogate" tanks – T-60. An obsolete tank is really better than no tank.
In the USSR and Russia, the conscription army – the contingent of trained personnel for the management and maintenance of old-style tanks is large. Soldiers and officers called up from the reserve will only need to refresh their knowledge in a short time – and they will be ready for battle.
And also old artillery, small arms, ammunition are kept in warehouses. I even saw cavalry checkers fifteen years ago)))

Even obsolete tanks needs regular maintenance to function. With the risk of repeating myself, that will be expensive. And to rely on old conscripts…

The usefulness of a T55 and four 65 year old civilians who did their military service 45 years ago without refresher training will be slim I think. Even 40 year old who did their service 20 years ago would be of very limited value without extensive training.

Good intel Cuprum2. I'd expect nothing less. The Russians generally didn't waste anything. They were also Lend Leased US M3 Grant/Lees, M3 Stuarts, M4 Shermans, M3 Half-Tracks, trucks, etc. Plus UK Matildas, Valentines, Churchills, etc. They generally use those until the couldn't repair them anymore or they go KO'd beyond repair, in many cases, IIRC.

Even obsolete tanks needs regular maintenance to function.

Yes that is a standard for all vehicles and older AFVs may require more. I was both a Mech Bn & Bde BMO. Catering to the Iron Monsters🤖 is generally almost constant.

65 year old civilians who did their military service 45 years ago without refresher training will be slim I think.

I'm almost 65 and I'm sure I'd have a problem getting in and out of most AFVs. I commanded an M113 Mech Co., '87-'89 when I was on active duty, '79-'90 … 🗿🦖

The IDF used a lot of capture USSR equipment in their inventory, from '67 on. They modified those AFVs as required. And used them for quite some time. The IDF even used the old M4 Sherman stock or modified in many wars. IIRC they even still use the M4 chassis/hull for their SP Hvy 120mm Mortar. If they can't buy the parts … they make them.

In the reserve rank and file are up to 60 years old, officers – up to 65 years old.
Photo report from one of the military equipment storage bases. As you can see, there is regular maintenance of existing tanks and other military equipment. At the base described, the Sherman tank was restored, which was raised from a ship sunk during the Second World War and had lain on the seabed for 70 years.

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The result of their work – restored Sherman on the Victory Parade in Khabarovsk:

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Very good intel !!! 👍👌👍 Love to see those old AFVs, etc. maintained and rolling !

We have to remember our history … to see where you are going you have to see where you came from. Seems many in the USA are forgetting that …