Would you like to see T-55M5 in-game?
- Yes as a Tech-Tree Vehicle
- Yes as a Squadron Vehicle
- Yes as a Premium Vehicle
- Yes as an Event Vehicle
- No, I don’t want to see T-55M5 in-game.
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T-55M5
Introduction
The T-55M5 is a thorough modernization of the iconic Soviet T-55 main battle tank, designed to dramatically enhance its performance in modern combat environments. With extensive upgrades to protection, firepower, mobility, and crew systems, the T-55M5 transforms the original mid-20th century design into a capable armored fighting vehicle fit for 21st-century operations. This modernization preserves the rugged reliability and compactness that made the T-55 successful, while adding technologies normally reserved for much newer tanks.
History and Upgrades
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The T-55 entered service in the late 1950s as a direct evolution of the T-54, incorporating improvements in crew safety, reliability, and protection. It was one of the first tanks equipped with nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) defense systems, and its straightforward, rugged design allowed for rapid mass production. With over 100,000 units produced and exported globally, the T-55 became one of the most influential tanks of the Cold War era, seeing action in numerous conflicts across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. However, by the late 1970s, it was clear that the T-55’s armor and firepower were no longer sufficient against modern threats, particularly with the growing use of high-velocity kinetic rounds and advanced anti-tank guided missiles.
In response, several modernization packages were developed to improve survivability. The T-55AM added layered passive armor to the turret and hull front, often called “Brezhnev’s Eyebrows”, which increased protection to approximately 380–410 mm RHAe against kinetic rounds and around 450 mm versus HEAT. While effective against earlier munitions, it offered limited resistance against newer armor-piercing rounds and tandem warheads. The T-55MV introduced Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor, significantly boosting protection against single-charge HEAT warheads to an estimated 600 mm RHAe. However, it provided almost no improvement against APFSDS rounds or tandem charges, which could still penetrate the tank’s frontal arc.
One of the most recent upgrades created the T-55M5, developed in the early 2000s. This variant incorporated Kontakt-5, a more advanced generation of ERA capable of disrupting both HEAT and kinetic projectiles. With this configuration, the T-55M5 could achieve around 400 mm RHAe against APFSDS and up to 800 mm against shaped charges. It also offered limited resistance to tandem-charge warheads, a major shortcoming of earlier variants. As a result, the T-55M5 represents the most survivable and combat-capable evolution of the T-55 platform, bringing its protection closer to that of late-Cold War main battle tanks while preserving its cost-effective and rugged design.
The T-55M5 was primarily developed as an export and upgrade option for countries still operating large numbers of T-55 tanks. It offered a way to extend the service life of these vehicles by giving them performance closer to modern battle tanks without the financial burden of purchasing completely new platforms. Though it did not see widespread adoption, the T-55M5 stands as a strong example of how even mid-20th-century designs can be adapted to face modern threats.
Optics and Fire Control
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A key element of the T-55M5 upgrade is its dramatically improved fire control and optics. The gunner is equipped with what appears to be a thermal sight, of unspecified origin. This thermal imager allows for reliable detection and targeting of enemy vehicles and positions regardless of ambient light conditions, offering a tremendous tactical advantage in night operations or in poor visibility environments. Alternatively, on earlier modernization standards, the gunner appears to be equipped with the Soviet TVK-3 thermal.
The commander’s observation capabilities include the TKN-1SM sight, which provides both day vision and passive night vision modes. Equipping the commander with a thermal sight would have significantly increased the overall cost of the upgrade. In most armored vehicles, thermal sights for commanders are considerably more expensive than those for gunners due to the need for independent panoramic targeting systems. Incorporating such a system into the T-55M5 would have potentially raised the price of the modernization package to a point where it would no longer be a financially viable option, particularly for the export markets it was intended for. As a result, it is likely that the decision was made to limit thermal imaging capabilities to the gunner’s position, while retaining a more affordable passive night vision system for the commander.
The gunner’s thermal sight on the T-55M5 likely integrates both the ballistic computer and laser rangefinder, due to the obvious absence of the KTD-1/2 laser rangefinder on both versions. This streamlines target acquisition and fire control. Some T-55M5 examples have also been observed equipped with what appears to be a wind sensor mounted near the turret roof, suggesting further environmental input for fire control solutions. Supposedly improved two-plane stabilization and suspension ensures that the tank gets a notable increase in combat effectiveness over standard T-55 variants.
Armor Layout and Protection
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The T-55M5’s survivability is greatly enhanced through a new armor protection package. The vehicle is fitted with Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor (ERA) across the frontal areas of the turret and hull. This type of ERA is highly effective against both shaped charge munitions and kinetic penetrators, giving the tank far greater resistance against modern anti-tank threats (See History and Upgrades section for more details). In addition to frontal protection, the sides of the T-55M5 are fitted with Kontakt-5 ERA modules positioned outside flexible rubber skirts, closely following the design principles seen on the T-80U. This side armor dramatically improves the tank’s chances of surviving hits from RPGs and anti-tank missiles from its flanks.
Internal survivability measures include the installation of spall liners, reducing the danger to the crew in the event of armor penetration. The tank retained its automatic fire suppression system that can rapidly extinguish fires in the crew or engine compartments. Standard NBC protection systems remain fitted, ensuring the crew can continue operations in contaminated environments. Overall, these upgrades bring the T-55M5’s protection up to a level comparable (to an extent) to some third-generation main battle tanks,.
Mobility and Engine
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Despite the added weight from armor enhancements, the T-55M5 retains excellent mobility thanks to a new powerplant. It is powered by a V-55U V12 diesel engine producing approximately 620 horsepower, offering a noticeable improvement in performance over the original powertrain. This engine allows the T-55M5 to maintain a top speed of around 50 km/h on roads, while a reinforced torsion bar suspension system supports the extra weight. It could also theoretically be equipped with an even better 695 hp V-46-5M engine, a derivative of the T-72’s more powerful 780 hp V-46-6. The operational range remains at approximately 500 kilometers without external fuel tanks. Thanks to its relatively light weight compared to contemporary heavy main battle tanks, the T-55M5 remains agile and capable of operating effectively in restrictive environments where larger tanks might struggle. The tank is also fitted with T-72-style road wheels, however retains the ability to use its older wheels. The modernization retains the original T-55’s amphibious capabilities with preparation, ensuring that the tank can cross rivers and other water obstacles as part of its tactical mobility profile.
Armament
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The T-55M5 retains the original 100 mm D-10T2S rifled gun, but thanks to its 2000s-era modernization, it is capable of firing advanced ammunition such as the M1000A1 APFSDS, significantly enhancing its armor penetration capabilities and bringing its firepower in line with more modern main battle tanks. The exact penetration levels are unknown, but it is said to be on par with advanced 105 mm APFSDS rounds. Secondary armament was also upgraded. A 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun remains mounted beside the main gun for infantry suppression. While a 12.7 mm NSVT heavy machine gun is mounted on the loader’s cupola. To further enhance battlefield survivability, the tank is equipped with a Tucha smoke grenade launcher system, allowing it to generate smoke screens for concealment or tactical withdrawal. The ability to generate engine smoke was retained.
Specifications
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- Primary Armament:
- 100 mm D-10T2S rifled main gun (stabilized, ATGM capable)
- Secondary Armament:
- 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun
- 12.7 mm NSVT heavy machine gun (manually operated)
- Fire Control and Optics:
- Gunner’s thermal sight (origin unspecified), alternatively TVK-3
- TKN-1SM commander’s passive night sight
- Laser rangefinder and ballistic computer
- Wind sensor (optional)
- Protection:
- Kontakt-5 ERA on turret, glacis, and sides
- Rubber side skirts
- 8x “Tucha” Smoke Grenade Launchers
- Spall liners
- Automatic fire suppression
- NBC protection
- Engine:
- V-55U V12 diesel engine, 620 horsepower (maybe 695 hp V-46-5M)
- Mobility:
- Top speed: ~50 km/h on road
- Operational range: ~500 km
- Reinforced torsion bar suspension
- T-72 style road wheels
- Crew:
4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver)