IS2

IS-2, or Iosif Stalin 2, is a Soviet heavy tank developed during World War II. It was designed to counter German heavy armor and to spearhead breakthroughs, succeeding the KV-1 family. The IS-2 featured heavy sloped armor, a cast turret, and a powerful 122 mm D-25T main gun. The crew consisted of four: commander, gunner, loader, and driver. It was built to withstand high-velocity anti-tank fire.

The tank weighed about 45–46 tons and was powered by a diesel engine, enabling a top road speed in the mid-30s km/h. Its thick armor included strong front hull and turret protection, contributing to its reputation as one of the best-protected tanks of its era, capable of engaging German Tigers and Panthers at range.

Production began in 1943 and continued through 1944–45 across multiple Soviet plants. The IS-2 saw extensive combat on the Eastern Front from late 1943 onward, participating in major offensives that contributed to the Soviet advance into Berlin in 1945. It remained in Soviet service after the war and, in some cases, was exported.

Variants and successors: A postwar modernization known as the IS-2M introduced improvements such as updated armor protection and adjustments to the turret and gun, expanding its service life into the early Cold War. The IS-2 influenced later Soviet heavy tanks, including subsequent IS designs.