Russia launches modernization of 800 T-62M and T-62MV tanks for deployment in Ukraine

To improve its armored capabilities in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia has initiated an extensive modernization program to modernize 800 T-62M and T-62MV tanks, which will be redeployed to the region to replace destroyed T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks in Ukraine.
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The new improved T-62M/MV tanks are equipped with new communication systems, a thermal sight, new computerized firing control, and new armor. (Picture source Screen Show video footage from Russian Social Network)

According to a video published on Russian social networks, the Russian 103rd Armored Tank Repair Plant is currently modernizing approximately 800 tanks of outdated Soviet T-62M/MV Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). According to open source information, Russia will have more than 2,000 different versions of T-62 tanks in stock.

The T-62M is a Soviet-era main battle tank that was first introduced in the early 1960s. It is an upgraded version of the T-62, with improvements in armor protection, mobility, and firepower. The T-62M features a more powerful engine, an improved suspension system, and a laser rangefinder.

The T-62MV is a modernized version of the T-62M tank. It was developed in the late 1980s as an upgrade to the T-62M, with improvements in armor protection, mobility, and firepower. The T-62MV features Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) on the turret and hull, which provides additional protection against anti-tank weapons.

The T-62M and T-62MV tanks are armed with a 115mm smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing several types of ammunition including armor-piercing, high explosive, and anti-tank guided missiles. The second armament of the tanks includes one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola. The tank can carry a load of up to 40 rounds for the main gun and several thousand rounds of machine gun ammunition.

The T-62M and T-62MV tanks are motorized with a new V-55-5 V-12 water-cooled diesel with injection pump fuel system, pressure lubricated, developing 580 hp at 2,000 rpm. The tank is able to reach a maximum road speed of 50 km/h in forward speed and 7 km/h in reverse. It has a maximum cruising range of 450 km.

Russian Army T-62M Main Battle Tank MBT. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)

The new improved T-62 tanks feature new communication systems, a thermal sight, new computerized firing control, and new armor. It will take the same armament as the previous versions of the T-62 tanks consisting of one 115 mm 2A20 smoothbore gun, one coaxial machine, and one 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted on the commander hatch.

The effective range of the 115mm 2A20 smoothbore cannon used on tanks such as the T-62 and T-55 varies depending on the type of ammunition used and other factors such as terrain and weather conditions. Generally speaking, the maximum effective range of the cannon is approximately 2,000 meters for armor-piercing rounds and up to 5,000 meters for high explosive fragmentation rounds.

The new t-62 is fitted with an improved version of the ERA used on earlier tanks like the T-72 and T-80, with better protection against tandem-charge warheads. The rear side of the turret as well as the rear side of the hull are equipped with wire cage armor. The idea behind wire cage armor is to disrupt the flight path of incoming anti-tank rockets and missiles, causing them to detonate before they can penetrate the tank's armor.

Russian Army T-62MV Main Battle Tank MBT. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)