The T-62 is a Soviet main battle tank that was first introduced in 1961. As a further development of the T-55 series, the T-62 retained many similar design elements of its predecessor including low profile and thick turret armour. In contrast with previous tanks, which were armed with rifled tank guns, the T-62 was the first tank armed with a smoothbore tank gun that could fire APFSDS rounds at higher velocities.
While the T-62 became the standard tank in the Soviet arsenal, it did not fully replace the T-55 in export markets due to its higher manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements compared to its predecessor.
Because of the firepower of the new 115 mm gun, it was considered to be a formidable tank for the time, despite its drawbacks.Along with the T-55, the T-62 was one of the most common tanks in the Soviet inventory. The two tanks together once comprised approximately 85% of the Soviet army's tanks.
Later in the 1970s, the T-62 was rendered obsolete and was put into reserve service. The T-72 later succeeded it.
The T-72 is a family of Soviet main battle tanks that first entered production in 1971.About 20,000 T-72 tanks have been built, and refurbishment has enabled many to remain in service for decades:
