Posted on 12/10/2022 4:32:28 PM PST by dennisw
The first video has appeared online depicting the Ukrainian army’s ex-Slovenian M-55S tanks.
The video depicts what appears to be a four-person M-55S crew training on its new-old vehicle. The thick mud—a sticky hallmark of Ukraine’s wet early winter—might confirm the video is recent.
The M-55S despite its age could represent a glimpse at the Ukrainian army’s tank future. It’s all about the gun.
The M-55S is a deeply modernized Soviet T-55, a tank type that first entered service in the late 1950s. In the 1990s, the Slovenian army paid Israeli firm Elbit and STO RAVNE in Slovenia to modify 30 of its 36-ton T-55s.
The companies delivered the last example in 1999. The Slovenian army in the early 2000s replaced the M-55Ss with newer M-84s—and put the M-55Ss in storage.
Slovenian prime minister Robert Golob in a telephone conversation with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in September hammered out a deal whereby Germany would give Slovenia 40 military trucks—and Slovenia in turn would supply 28 M-55Ss to Ukraine. That’s enough tanks for a single battalion.
Among other enhancements—including reactive armor, an uprated engine and a new fire-control system—the M-55S has a stabilized, British-made L7 105-millimeter main gun in place of the original Soviet 100-millimeter gun.
The gun is what makes the M-55S valuable to Ukraine. The British gun is compatible with a wide range of modern ammunition, including armor-piercing sabot rounds that can penetrate the armor of a modern T-72.
More importantly, several Western companies produce 105-millimeter shells, meaning Ukraine shouldn’t struggle to maintain a steady supply of ammunition for its single M-55S battalion.
The Ukrainians have enough ex-Russian T-62s for perhaps two battalions. The problem, for these units, is that the T-62 packs a 115-millimeter main gun that’s unique in Russian and Ukrainian service.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Super upgraded or Super Duper Upgrayedd-Ed?…
It takes 10 Ladas to make a t-55 ,LOL
Tanks are old school. They’re impressive but there are enough weapons these days to make them rolling coffins.
Is this supposed to be good news, or bad?
It’s a tank from the 1950s that was “Super-upgraded” almost 25 years ago.
Drone fodder.
I’m glad you got it, I was worried…
UpgrayeDD with 2 Ds for a double dose of big pimpin’. Bussn y’all.
NICE!
Hahahahaha I just love that movie!
I like the look.
The M-55s is the grandson and nephew of the T-54 and the T-55, respectively. All three of them were (and are) pretty good platforms. With upgrades the M-55s could be formidable, as it’s all about the gun.
Hmmmm …. does it have explosive reactive armour built in?
Wish them luck to defeat Putin.
Ukraine may get some Leopard-2 tanks before long, and maybe even some M1s.
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