Fake: T-62M tank is better than Abrams

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An article recently appeared that made a sensational claim that the Soviet T-62M tank could be better than the American MBT Abrams. However, is this really true? Let’s take a closer look.

 

Sensational article

According to the author of the article, the journalist of the 5th channel, Victor Reznov, the T-62M is an old and strong tank, which may seem outdated, but actually has several advantages compared to the Abrams. In particular, this tank has a larger armor system and more effective weapons, which allows it to conduct more effective combat operations.

Fake: T-62M tank is better than Abrams, The Ukrainian Review

Photo: Screenshot from the article of the 5th channel. Source: https://www.5-tv.ru/news/424970/velikovozrastnyj-isilnyj-cem-sovetskij-tank-t62m-lucse-amerikanskih-abrams/

Let’s analyze these two tanks and find out which tank is better.

 

History of tanks

Abrams

The M1 Abrams tank is the US Army’s main battle tank, developed in the 1970s. Production of the tank started in 1979. In total, about 10,400 Abrams tanks of various modifications were produced. The tank participated in wars in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Today, the M1 Abrams tank is in service in countries such as the USA, Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. Ukraine expects to receive older versions of Abrams tanks from the United States.

Fake: T-62M tank is better than Abrams, The Ukrainian Review

Photo: M1A2 “Abrams”, modernized according to SEPv2 with the CROWS module
Source: https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Abrams#/media/%D0%A4%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BB:M1A2_tanks_at_Combined_Resolve_II_(14069815848).jpg 

 

T-62M

The T-62M tank is a modernized version of the Soviet main battle tank T-62, which was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1961. The modernization of the T-62M was developed in the 1980s in order to improve its combat characteristics on the battlefield in the last years of the Cold War. T-62M tanks were not produced new but were obtained by upgrading existing T-62 tanks.

Fake: T-62M tank is better than Abrams, The Ukrainian Review

Фото: танк Т-62М
Джерело: http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T62/mk201705/?img=img8.jpg

 

The difference between T-62 and T-62M

The T-62M is a modernized version of the T-62. One of the differences between the T-62M and the T-62 is the presence of differentiated armor protection. The modernization included a number of improvements, such as the new 9K116-2 Sheksna fire control system, which allowed the launch of 9M117 anti-tank guided missiles from the main 115 mm smoothbore gun of the U-5TS. The night vision system was also updated and additional protective elements were added. The T-62M has better maneuverability and speed, which allows it to be more effective on the battlefield.

 

Development of tank technologies

Abrams

The development of Abrams tank technologies took place over several decades, starting with the first M1 model, the production of which, as we have already noted, started in 1979. Major tank modifications include the M1A1, which received a 120mm M256 smoothbore gun, and the M1A2, which received advanced thermal imaging, a GPS system, and a computerized fire control system. The latest M1A2 SEPv3 modification has even more improvements, such as improved electronics, anti-radio shielding, and increased crew protection. The US continues to modernize Abrams tanks, overhauling and upgrading existing M1 vehicles to the M1A2 version.

 

T-62

Serial production of the T-62 continued in the USSR from 1962 to 1973. About 20,000 units were produced. The T-62M tank is a modernized version of the main tank, developed by Uralvagonzavod Design Bureau No. 183 in Nizhny Tagil. One of the most successful and optimal modifications of the T-62 is the T-62MV, which has hinged dynamic protection “Kontakt-1” without additional reservation of the turret and hull. T-62 tanks and their modifications participated in many armed conflicts.

 

Expert’s opinion

We spoke with military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko, he told us that the article proving that the Soviet T-62M is better than the American Abrams is a complete delusion. These tanks cannot even be compared. Due to the fact that the T-62M is a medium tank, and the Abrams is a full-fledged heavy MBT. The T-62M can be used as artillery, it is not capable of more.

Fake: T-62M tank is better than Abrams, The Ukrainian Review

Photo: Oleksandr Kovalenko
Source: https://www.facebook.com/

To the question of what other tanks the Russian Federation uses, Oleksandr Kovalenko answered that currently Russia uses such tanks as the T-72, T-80, and T-90, and has already started using the T-54/55. Tanks T-72, T-80, and T-90 can obviously compete with tanks supplied to Ukraine. But definitely not tanks like T-62M and T-54/55.

 

Description of Abrams’s characteristics

It weighs about 60 tons and is more than 9 meters long. The tank is equipped with a 120-mm gun and provides high firepower. It also has a high level of protection, including booking and active protection systems. The M1 Abrams can reach speeds of up to 67 km/h, making it one of the fastest tanks in the world. The cost of one tank varies from $6M to 9M.

 

Description of the characteristics of the T-62M

The T-62M tank is about 6.9 meters long, 3.4 meters wide, and 2.4 meters high. The tank is equipped with a 115-mm gun and a 7.62-mm machine gun. The weight of the tank is about 40 tons. The T-62M has a V-55U engine with a capacity of 620 horsepower. The tank can reach a speed of up to 50 km/h and has a range of about 450 km.

 

Combat experience

Description of combat experience Abrams

He has served in several wars, including the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Fake: T-62M tank is better than Abrams, The Ukrainian Review

Photo: M1A2 Abrams in Iraq, 2005.
Source: https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BB:U.S._Army_M1A2_Abrams_Iraq_2005.jpg

Abrams’ combat experience includes successful operations in Iraq in 2003, where no crew members were irretrievably lost to enemy fire. However, several crew members died as a result of detonation of mines.

 

Description of the combat experience of the T-62M

T-62 tanks were used in many countries, including the Soviet Union, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Algeria, Libya and others. There is one known case of a tank battle between one T-62 of the Russian forces and two T-72As of the Chechen military, during which T-62 was hit and two crew members were killed.

 

Armament

Description of Abrams weapons

The M1 Abrams has the following armament: The main armament is the 120mm XM256 smoothbore cannon, the 7.62mm M240 machine gun and the 12.7mm M2 machine gun. In addition, the M1 Abrams tank has a protection system that includes different types of armor, an active protection system, and a protection system against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats. The M1 Abrams tank also has advanced electronics and a fire control system that allows it to be more accurate and effective in combat.

 

Description of the armament of the T-62M tank

The T-62M tank is armed with a 115 mm smoothbore gun. In addition, the T-62M tank has 7.62 mm machine guns. The T-62 tank was the world’s first tank with a smoothbore gun in production.

 

Comparison of maneuverability

The M1 Abrams tank has better maneuverability compared to the T-62M due to several characteristics. In particular, the M1 Abrams tank has a more powerful engine, which allows it to move faster and more efficiently on different types of roads and terrains. In addition, the M1 Abrams tank has a larger fuel tank capacity, which allows it to travel a greater distance without additional refueling.

Fake: T-62M tank is better than Abrams, The Ukrainian Review

Photo 1: Abrams tank. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Abrams#/media/File:Mounted_Soldier_System_(MSS).jpg

 

Reality or myth?

A review of the facts that testify to the superiority of the Abrams over the T-62M

Facts showing the superiority of the Abrams over the T-62M include the following:

  1. Firepower: The Abrams has a 120mm M256 smoothbore gun that provides better accuracy and range compared to the 115mm U-5TS smoothbore gun on the T-62.
  2. Electronics and fire control systems: The Abrams has advanced thermal imaging, GPS, and computerized fire control systems that provide better accuracy and range at long ranges.
  3. Protection and armor: The Abrams have better crew protection and more advanced active and passive protection systems compared to the T-62M.
  4. Maneuverability and speed: The Abrams have higher speed and better maneuverability in different types of terrain compared to the T-62M.

Overall, the Abrams tank has significant advantages over the T-62M in firepower, electronics, protection, maneuverability, and combat experience, making it more effective on the battlefield.

 

Conclusion

As a result of the research, it can be concluded that the fake that the T-62M is better than the Abrams is false.

An accurate analysis of the characteristics, combat experience, armament, and reservation of these tanks, as well as the test results, confirm the superiority of the Abrams over the T-62M. Even if you compare the old versions of the Abrams with the T-62M, the American tank still has the advantage of more modern technology and higher combat readiness.

Therefore, it can be argued that the myth of the superiority of the T-62M over the Abrams is not credible.

 

Danylo Kondysiuk