This is one of the main types of weapons that the Russian Federation uses in the war against Ukraine . The T-62 was developed back in the late 1950s – the main goal in order to compete with British combat vehicles that produced Chieftain tanks, as well as the United States with their M60.

The military expert and publicist ChrisO_wiki writes about this on his page on the social network.

According to him, the Russian T-62 tank ceased production in 1975. After that, he was transferred to the reserve. Already in 1983, the Russian Federation began to modernize and produce T-62M combat vehicles – they were distinguished by improved protection and mobility, a new fire control system.

“T-62s were actively used in Afghanistan in the 1980s, and in Chechnya in the 1990s, having suffered heavy losses – according to American sources, almost 325 T-62s were lost in the Soviet-Afghan war. The last time Russia used the T-62 in combat was in 2008 during a brief war in Georgia. Russia is estimated to have refurbished around 60-120 T-62s to take part in the 2018 Vostok military exercise in Siberia and the Russian Far East,” the military expert said.

The Russian Federation could also send some of the refurbished T-62s to Syria to replace the significant losses of the Syrian army. Several thousand more T-62s are still in use around the world. It is reported that 900 were assigned in Russia as a mobilization reserve.

“It is unlikely that stored T-62s have modern optics or fire control systems. Russia may have destroyed unserviceable examples of more modern stockpile tanks such as the T-72 or T-80 in order to upgrade its systems to the renewable T-62s. Russia, of course, would not have done this if it had not lost a huge number of T-72/80/90,” the expert added.

He also stressed that the T-62 is inferior to more modern Russian-Soviet tanks in all respects.

They have a smaller cannon (115mm vs. 125mm), thinner armour, no autoloader, outdated fire control and radio systems, no night combat capability, lower speed and lower rate of fire.

The T-62 also presents significant logistical difficulties. All T-72s, T-80s and T-90s share a common heritage, common parts and ammunition, and a high degree of compatibility. The T-62 has a completely different pedigree, descended from the T-55.

“This means that it will be much more difficult for Russia to maintain, repair and replenish deliveries of T-62s in the field. Tanks will need their own ammunition and parts supply chain, completely separate from the T-72/80/90. With tight logistics, this will be a challenge. In the anti-tank missile-laden environment of Ukraine, where modern T-90s have proven vulnerable, T-62s are likely to become death traps for their crews. It is unlikely that they will withstand even old anti-tank missiles and an intimidatingly open ammunition depot in the hull, ”the military expert explained.

He also added that Russia could use the T-72 to equip reserve battalion tactical groups, in rear areas to reinforce checkpoints and suppress resistance – possibly also to hedge against Ukrainian breakthroughs.

Recall that Ukraine remains effective in the Donbass , although Russia has increased the intensity of its operations.

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