T55MV

The T-55MV is a variant of the Soviet T-55 main battle tank, a lineage that originated in the late 1950s. The 'MV' designation typically signifies the addition of appliqué armor, specifically Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA). This upgrade was intended to enhance the tank's protection against shaped charge warheads, a growing threat during the Cold War.

Visually, T-55MV tanks are distinguishable by the rows of ERA bricks mounted on the hull and turret. These bricks are designed to detonate outwards when struck by a shaped charge, disrupting and weakening the incoming jet of molten metal. The T-55MV retained the T-55's primary armament, a 100mm D-10T series rifled gun, and its general chassis and powerplant.

This modernization program was part of a broader effort by various nations to extend the service life of their T-55 fleets in the face of increasingly capable anti-tank weaponry. While not a complete overhaul, the Kontakt-1 ERA provided a significant, albeit reactive, boost to survivability against contemporary threats. The T-55MV saw service with the Soviet Union and was also exported to allied nations. Its deployment reflected a common trend of upgrading older tank designs to maintain relevance on the battlefield.