Design Overview & Tactical Role
With over 11,000 units constructed, the T-26 was the most produced and numerous tank in the world during the entire 1930s interwar period. Developed from the British Vickers 6-Ton license, Soviet engineers created an exceptionally lethal light tank by fitting it with a high-velocity 45 mm 20-K gun that decisively outranged and out-gunned contemporary German Panzer I and Italian tanks.
Combat History & Battle Records
During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Republican T-26s easily destroyed opposing Nationalist German Panzer Is and Italian tankettes. It fought extensively in the Winter War against Finland and bore the brunt of armored defense during the initial shock of Operation Barbarossa in 1941.
Related Armored Vehicles (WWI & Interwar)
Cold War
1948
Cold War
1961
Cold War
1964
Cold War
1973