experiments to find a better way to mount aircraft for wargaming.
Egypt, as a former British protectorate, received military assistance and equipment from Great Britain after World War II. However, following the 1952 revolution, the United Arab Republic (as Egypt became) pursued an anti-colonial policy which received enthusiastic support from the Soviet Union, including substantial quantities of military hardware.
By 1967, the United Arab Republic and Syrian inventories of armor were predominantly of Soviet origin. Initially, the most numerous tank was the T-34/85, one of the most common tanks in the world in the post-war era. Stocks came from Czechoslovakia which produced them until the late 1950s.
Retaining the robust mobility and sloped armour of the original T-34, with the added punch of a long 85mm gun, the T-34/85 was an capable vehicle, and pointed the way to the main battle tank concept. Its overall performance was roughly equivalent to a 76mm-armed M1 Super Sherman, many of which were used by the Israelis.
By the time of the 1967 war, the T-34/85 had been relegated to supporting the infantry divisions, but was still quite capable against lighter Israeli tanks, especially when supported by heavy tanks and tank destroyers.
