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T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 vs T-72

T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 vs T-72 at a glance — weight 36,500 vs 44,500 kg, top speed 50 vs 60 km/h, range 400 vs 500 km, crew 4 vs 3 (commander, gunner, driver).

T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇷🇺 T-54 / T-55 / TM-800Full specs
T-72 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇷🇺 T-72Full specs
Specifications
T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 T-72
Origin country 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Main Battle Tank Main Battle Tank
Type Medium Main Battle Tank Medium Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer Malyshev HMB Plant Malyshev HMB Plant
Number produced 16,532 units 25,000 units
Estimated unit price $0.2 million $2 million
Combat weight 36.5 tons 44.5 tons
Maximum speed 50 km/h 60 km/h
Operational range 400 km 500 km
Length 9.00 m 9.73 m
Width 3.27 m 3.59 m
Height 2.40 m 2.23 m
Crew 4 3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Powertrain
T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 T-72
Main armament 1 D-10T2S 100mm rifled barrel (34 shells) gun 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun
Secondary weapon 1 NSV 12.7mm machine gun (200 rounds) 7.62 mm PKT coax. machine gun
Engine Diesel Engine with 690 hp V-92S2F (T-72B3 & T-72B3M) 1,130 hp (840 kW)
Explore further
T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 side profile drawing T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
T-72 side profile drawing T-72 Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 or T-72?
The T-72 is faster with a maximum road speed of 60 km/h compared to the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800's 50 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 or T-72?
The T-72 has a longer operational range at 500 km compared to the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800's 400 km.
Which is heavier, the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 or T-72?
The T-72 is heavier at 44.5 tons combat weight compared to the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800's 36.5 tons.
Which is larger, the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 or T-72?
The T-72 is longer at 9.73 meters compared to the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800's 9.00 meters.
How many crew members do the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 and T-72 require?
The T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 requires a larger crew of 4, against 3 for the T-72.
Which is more expensive, the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 or T-72?
The T-72 is more expensive at approximately $2.0 million per unit compared to the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 at $0.2 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 or T-72?
The T-72 has been produced in greater numbers with 25,000 units compared to 16,532 units of the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800.
What are the main armaments of the T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 and T-72?
The T-54 / T-55 / TM-800 is armed with 1 D-10T2S 100mm rifled barrel (34 shells) gun while the T-72 carries 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun as its main armament.