 |
 |
 |
|
The T-62 wasoriginally con ceived as a companion weapon to the T-55, being essentially a T-55 up-gunnedwith the 2A20 115mm cannon . Both the T-55 and the T-62 used the same wheels, track, engine, transmission, hatches and otherfittings. The primary differences between the two vehicles were the T-62sleng thened hull and new turret design. The new UT-5 cannon could fire its BR-5 APFSDS steel round through approximately 300mm of armor at a range of 1000 metres.This was adequate to deal with the then perceived threat of such NATO tanks as the American M48 and later models of the BritishCenturion . The T-62 was meant to add long range firing capability to Soviettank regiments being placed alongside T-55s, but in the later years of itsdeployment it fulfilled much the same role as the T-55. Despite being introduced in 1960, the improved performance of its successor, the T-72, the T-62 still sees service today in many of the worlds armies, the Arab nation s being the largest consumersoutside the Warsaw Pact. Egypt, Iraq,and Syriahave been notable users of the T-62. Israelhas acquired a quantity of T-62s in clashes with its neighboursand has rebuilt them to IDF stand ards.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
