Designation: T-55
Type: Medium Tank
Crew, men: 4
Weight, tons: 36
Dimensions, meters: 9.0-3.3-2.4
Number of guns/caliber, mm: 1/100
Number of MGs/caliber, mm: 2/7.62
Engine: V-55, diesel, 580 hp
Max. speed, kmph: 50
Cruising range, km: 500

The most mass produced tank in the USSR during the Cold War period, the T-55 was based on the T-54B. It was distinguished from the previous model by several innovations, including increased ammunition load, increased engine power, fuel system capacity, introduction of an AA machine gun system (PAZ), enhanced night vision system and a thermal smoke screening system. In order to protect the crew, an automatic tank crew protection system was implemented for the first time. Tank survivability in combat was increased due to the automatic PPO (fire-fighting) system.

The T-55M and T-55AM were designed based on lessons learned from using tanks during the Afghanistan war in 1983. Tank combat effectiveness was increased with primary attention paid to enhancing the tank's firepower while keeping the same level of mobility. With this aim in view a 9K116 "Bastion" guided missile system was mounted on T-55M tanks.

T-55 tanks were sold to many countries of the world and took part in numerous military conflicts in the Middle East, Indo-China, Afghanistan and during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia.