The problem is that those are the production figures. But how many are still operational?Wiki puts the T-72 at 25k produced ( and T-54/55 at an eye watering 86k - 100k) which soundly beats the figure of 9000+ for the M1 Abrams which is also given. If it beats the Abrams then chances are it beats every other Western MBT in service at the moment in terms of production figures.
Their figures aren’t bad if they list reliable sources, as long as there is not a political interest involved. If there is then Wikipedia has plenty of bias, most of it extremely liberal in the locked articles.However, being Wiki, I wouldn't put anything valuable on those numbers being correct but for rough ball-park figures its not too bad.
EDIT: Usually its not too bad anyway from my experience.
Thats true, my mistake. I oversimplified to a degree I admit. Respective developed countries probably have a more accurate and updated value of operational MBTs on their respective military capability websitesThe problem is that those are the production figures. But how many are still operational?
And how do you count 3rd country knock-offs like the Chinese Type 59 clone of the T-54?
Their figures aren’t bad if they list reliable sources, as long as there is not a political interest involved. If there is then Wikipedia has plenty of bias, most of it extremely liberal in the locked articles.
do you even understand what 3rd world country means :drunkThe problem is that those are the production figures. But how many are still operational?
And how do you count 3rd country knock-offs like the Chinese Type 59 clone of the T-54?
Their figures aren’t bad if they list reliable sources, as long as there is not a political interest involved. If there is then Wikipedia has plenty of bias, most of it extremely liberal in the locked articles.
Sorry I was being somewhat awnry. The T-55 series are quite common, for the reason you and I both stated. But having seen them in action, especially in some very remote areas being operated by people who have a lack of formal education, training, and equipment then "Puttering" would also be an accurate description. I wonder what the actual numbers are for units built and those that are still servicable. I am sure you would have to break them down by country of origin. With all that said the T-55 series has to be the most manufactured series since the T-37 series.The T-55 series are quite common. It's not just that there's a few of them putterin around, it's that Ukraine and Russia still have warehouses full of them, and still sell them. As recently as iirc 2011 Uganda bought T-55s in Russia.
What I was trying to say was that it's not just a few leftovers. Significant numbers are operated, there is still demand, and a significant supply of them. By T-37 you mean.... ?Sorry I was being somewhat awnry. The T-55 series are quite common, for the reason you and I both stated. But having seen them in action, especially in some very remote areas being operated by people who have a lack of formal education, training, and equipment then "Puttering" would also be an accurate description. I wonder what the actual numbers are for units built and those that are still servicable. I am sure you would have to break them down by country of origin. With all that said the T-55 series has to be the most manufactured series since the T-37 series.
I reckon he means T-34, IIRC its production numbers were similar to the T54/55 isnt it? Could easily be wrong as my knowledge of modern Russian gear is limited at best.What I was trying to say was that it's not just a few leftovers. Significant numbers are operated, there is still demand, and a significant supply of them. By T-37 you mean.... ?
Iirc there were significantly more.I reckon he means T-34, IIRC its production numbers were similar to the T54/55 isnt it? Could easily be wrong as my knowledge of modern Russian gear is limited at best.
I was basing that guestimate on Wiki numbers along, it gave the followingIirc there were significantly more.
I recall reading that around 120-150 thousand T-34s were produced.I was basing that guestimate on Wiki numbers along, it gave the following
T-34 - around 84k
T54/55 86k - 100k
My apologies but I did mean T-34, not enough coffee that day. My memory may be bad but I seem to remember reading that the USSR made over 120,000 copies. But I suspect that wartime numbers were estimates and may include many that were knocked out in action and were later returned to duty after rebuilding.What I was trying to say was that it's not just a few leftovers. Significant numbers are operated, there is still demand, and a significant supply of them. By T-37 you mean.... ?