A few days ago, the Russian Ministry of Defense published extremely interesting news. From Laos, 30 T-34-85 medium tanks, taken from the service of this Asian state, arrived in our country. This means that another country still abandoned the armored combat vehicles created in the early forties. Nevertheless, the rearmament of the Laotian army has little effect on the general situation in the world: T-34 tanks and various equipment based on them continue to serve in a number of medium-sized and poor countries in Asia and Africa.
Way abroad
Serial production of T-34 medium tanks started in 1940 and continued over the next several years. The last serial modification of this vehicle was the T-34-85. Similar machines were produced in our country until 1946, after which the industry launched the assembly of newer and more advanced samples. In total, the USSR built more than 60 thousand T-34 tanks of all modifications. A significant part of this equipment was lost during the Great Patriotic War, but numerous surviving tanks continued to serve.
T-34-85 tanks from Laos after arriving in Russia. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
As part of military-technical cooperation, the Soviet Union transferred armored vehicles of its own production to friendly countries. In the case of tanks of the T-34 family, it was about the transfer of finished equipment, taken out of service in combat units. Soviet armored forces received modern equipment, and old samples were written off and sent to third countries, or left for storage. This practice continued almost until the sixties. During this time, T-34 tanks managed to go to more than three dozen countries around the world.
It is noteworthy that some foreign countries received not only ready-made armored vehicles, but also a license for its production. In the early fifties, the Czechoslovak Republic and the Polish People's Republic established their own production of T-34-85 tanks in an improved post-war configuration. According to various sources, in 1952-58, these two countries built for their own needs at least 4, 5-4, 6 thousand T-34 tanks. As production progressed, foreign tank builders refined the original design and improved production technologies.
T-34 made in Poland. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Later, Poland and Czechoslovakia were given the opportunity to modernize their armored forces, and "used" T-34s were sent for storage or for export. Despite their considerable age, tanks of Soviet design and foreign production were of interest to customers. So, according to available data, the T-34 tanks, recently transferred to Russia, were built in Czechoslovakia and acquired by Laos relatively recently - in the eighties. Confirmation of these data may be some design features characteristic of tanks of Czechoslovak production.
Thus, in the post-war period, the T-34 medium tanks of the latest serial modification were able to enter service with almost four dozen countries and had the most noticeable impact on the development of their armored forces. The service of the T-34-85 in most foreign armies lasted for several decades and ended by the beginning of the nineties. Morally and physically obsolete equipment was written off and sent to museums or for processing. Nevertheless, in a number of countries, T-34s remain in service and continue to contribute to defense capability.
Czechoslovak T-34-85. Photo Wikimedia Commons
In the ranks and in reserve
According to open sources, until recently, T-34-85 tanks remained in service with 10 foreign countries. At the same time, the number of foreign operators of such equipment is constantly decreasing. From time to time, new data appear on the state of certain armies, which mention the abandonment of old models. In addition, the list of owners of the T-34 has been reduced following the emergence of the recent Russian-Lao agreement. However, even under such circumstances, medium tanks of the Great Patriotic War continue to serve.
At one time, in the order of military assistance, the Soviet Union transferred significant quantities of materiel to a number of friendly Asian states. So, during the Korean War, T-34 tanks were used by Chinese and North Korean formations. China has long abandoned obsolete vehicles, while in the DPRK the army retains a certain number of T-34s. Unfortunately, there is no detailed information on this score. The number and status of North Korean T-34-85s are unknown. At the same time, there is every reason to believe that Pyongyang has the opportunity not to use this technique as the basis of armored forces.
Chinese tank crews and their T-34s in Korea, 1952. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Later, our country and the allies transferred to North Vietnam significant quantities of T-34 tanks and other samples of different classes. Most of this technique was lost in the battles, but some of the vehicles managed to escape the sad fate. According to The Military Balance 2018, the Vietnamese army has 45 of these tanks. Nevertheless, they are all in storage and have almost no chance of returning to service.
Cuba was one of the recipients of the decommissioned Soviet equipment. It was supplied with old-model tanks removed from service, as well as some quantities of newer armored vehicles. The exact number of T-34s in Cuba remains unknown, and its determination is associated with some difficulties. According to known data, several such tanks are still serving in the Cuban army in their original configuration, and in addition, some of the tanks have been converted into self-propelled artillery installations. From them, the standard fighting compartment with a turret was dismantled, instead of which they installed open installations with artillery systems of various types.
Tank T-34 in the GDR, 1953 Photo Bundesarchiv / bild.bundesarchiv.de
Quite large groupings of T-34-85 tanks are retained by some African states. So, The Military Balance 2018 reports that 30 such armored vehicles are still in operation in the army of the Republic of Guinea. They form the backbone of the armored forces: in addition to three dozen T-34s, Guinea has only 15 amphibious tanks PT-76 and 8 T-54. The neighboring Republic of Guinea-Bissau has a smaller army and fewer tank forces. She continues to operate 10 T-34-85 tanks. Unlike the neighboring country, these vehicles are outnumbered by the newer PT-76s - the latter number 15 units.
Another recipient of the T-34-85 in Africa was the Republic of the Congo. In the past, this country had several dozen of these machines in service, with the help of which it was possible to build relatively combat-ready tank troops. Later, newer armored vehicles were received, and the T-34-85 were out of service. However, an unknown amount of such equipment is still present in the army on the sidelines and in storage.
A Soviet-made tank that belonged to the People's Liberation Army of China. Photo Wikimedia Commons
According to known data, a certain number of T-34 tanks may still remain in the armed forces of Namibia. However, their exact number and condition are unknown. Apparently, these machines are already unusable. The situation is similar with the armored forces of Mali. Until recently, sources mentioned the presence of a 20-21 T-34-85 tank, but now they are also decommissioned.
An unknown number of T-34s are in the army of the Republic of Chad. Previously, these tanks were in full operation, but by now all have been transferred to storage. Information from some sources suggests that in recent years, the existing T-34-85 have been disposed of due to resource depletion and as unnecessary.
Armored vehicles of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, 1961. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Until recently, the Republic of Yemen could be considered one of the most active operators of T-34 tanks. Before the outbreak of the civil war, its armed forces had about 30 medium tanks from the Second World War. After 2014, evidence of the use of T-34-85 tanks in battles has repeatedly appeared. Part of such equipment was destroyed by the enemy, while other machines have finally exhausted their resource and can no longer be used. Assessing the current state of the tank forces of the opposing sides and determining the number of surviving T-34s is not yet possible.
Finally, the People's Army of Laos recently abandoned T-34-85 tanks. She had three dozen of these machines, of which 10 were in active operation, and the rest were in reserve. In accordance with the Russian-Laotian agreement, a number of modern T-72B1 tanks were sent to the Asian country from Russia, and the decommissioned T-34s went back. As a result of this deal, Laos was removed from the list of operators of old Soviet-designed tanks.
The reasons for longevity
Beginning in the mid-forties, the Soviet Union regularly transferred decommissioned T-34 medium tanks to friendly foreign countries. Since a certain time, two foreign countries entered the international market of weapons and equipment, which had a license to produce Soviet tanks. The USSR, Czechoslovakia and Poland, working both together and independently, sent many thousands of armored vehicles abroad and provided the rearmament of almost four dozen armies.
North Vietnamese T-34 tanks. Photo Scalemodels.ru
Over the past decades, technology has become obsolete morally and physically, even by the standards of poor and small countries. As a result, the overwhelming majority of the operating countries had to write it off or send it for storage - almost always with replacement with newer samples. Nevertheless, about one and a half to two hundred T-34-85 tanks still remain in a dozen foreign countries, and in some of them they still continue to serve.
Despite the unique history of service during the Great Patriotic War and combat work during subsequent conflicts, the T-34-85 medium tank, even with reservations, cannot be called modern and relevant to current requirements. Nevertheless, a significant number of such machines have successfully continued service for many decades and have not yet been abandoned. This development of events has several main reasons.
First of all, it is necessary to note the simplicity of design and operation, high maintainability and other positive technical features. Even countries without a developed defense industry can handle the operation and repair of T-34 tanks. In addition, as the experience of several foreign countries shows, the T-34-85 is a good platform for the construction of new equipment for various purposes. At one time, Cuban-made artillery self-propelled guns, assembled on the chassis of available T-34s, were widely known. Possessing sufficiently high fighting qualities, this technique was not particularly difficult to manufacture.
Medium tank used during the Rhodesian War. Photo Foto-history.livejournal.com
The second factor contributing to the continued service of old tanks is associated with the capabilities and desires of the operators. Many countries in Asia and Africa would like to replace the outdated T-34s with something newer and more efficient, but the weak economy does not allow them to even start purchasing negotiations. An interesting exception is Laos, which managed to negotiate with Russia on the purchase of new armored vehicles. From a certain point of view, it may seem that the Lao army has exchanged the old T-34-85 for the new T-72B1 with a solid surcharge. At the same time, she literally skipped over several generations of armored vehicles.
Other countries, for one reason or another, cannot conclude the same agreement, and therefore are forced to continue operating the technology of the middle of the last century. As the resource develops, it has to be written off, including without real chances of timely replacement with modern samples.
Broken T-34-85 in Yemen. Photo Foto-history.livejournal.com
Another factor affecting the service life of armored vehicles is associated with the financial capabilities of developing countries. If the operating country of the T-34 tanks cannot replace them with new machines, it is quite possible that its neighbors and geopolitical competitors are also forced to use outdated armored vehicles. As a result, there is no need for an early modernization of the army and the purchase of expensive imported products. This confrontation with outdated technology can last for years and decades - until the desired opportunities and real threats appear.
Decades in service
Medium tanks T-34-85 went into series in the first half of the forties of the last century and soon had a significant impact on the course of World War II. However, the further development of armored vehicles made them obsolete and unsuitable for participation in a full-scale modern war. Medium tanks no longer needed were sold to foreign countries, and this time they were waiting for a longer service.
Yemeni tanks are still capable of fighting. Shot from the frontline chronicle
The long-term operation of T-34 tanks in foreign countries was facilitated by a number of specific factors, some of which can be considered negative - armies have to face real problems and difficulties. Nevertheless, despite their special nature, these factors led to known results. T-34 tanks continue to serve, although the number of active vehicles is constantly decreasing. Equipment that cannot be restored has to be sent for storage or disassembly.
In this respect, three dozen T-34s, formerly belonging to the army of Laos, look like real lucky ones. They were serviced and repaired in a timely manner, thanks to which they remain on the move and are able to continue working. Reportedly, the Russian military department will use them in military-historical events, when shooting films, etc. This means that the legendary tanks will be preserved and will continue their service - but in a new capacity.
