Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History

Russia has lost over 3,400 tanks since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to open-source intelligence analysis.1 This staggering figure includes losses across various models, with the T-72 series being particularly hard-hit. 

But Russia’s tank troubles are nothing new – history is littered with examples of poorly designed and ineffective tanks that proved to be more of a liability than an asset on the battlefield.

1. The Soviet T-35: Too Slow & Unreliable

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » soviet 735 wc
Image Credit: Mike1979 Russia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Soviet T-35 is often considered one of the worst tank designs in history. Plagued by mechanical issues, particularly with its transmission, the T-35 was unreliable on the battlefield.

Its multiple turret design proved to be a tactical disadvantage, and its thin armor made it vulnerable to enemy fire. 

2. North Korea’s Outdated T-34s: No Match for Modern Tanks

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » north korea tank 34 wc
Image Credit: Cassowary Colorizations, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While the Soviet-designed T-34 was a formidable tank during its World War II heyday, North Korea’s aging fleet of these tanks is now hopelessly outdated.

Despite modest improvements like new running gear and slat armor, the T-34/85’s lifetime in a match against modern South Korean K-2 or American M1A2 tanks would be measured in mere seconds.

3. India’s Troubled Arjun Tank: Mechanical Issues Abound

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » india arjun tank wc
Image Credit: Ministry of Defence (India), EdictGov-India, via Wikimedia Commons

India’s Arjun tank has been beset by problems since its inception. Initially envisioned as a lightweight tank, the Arjun’s weight ballooned from 40 tons to over 62 tons during development, compromising its mobility.

With numerous technical issues, low accuracy, and logistical support failures, Arjun has faced significant hurdles that have undermined its operational effectiveness.

4. The Vulnerable Russian T-72: Explosive Tendencies

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » russian t72 wc
Image Credit: Vitaly V. Kuzmin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The T-72’s problems first came to light during the 1991 Gulf War, where Iraqi tanks demonstrated a tendency to violently explode in combat due to the tank’s storage of main gun ammunition among the crew. 

This issue persists, as evidenced by the numerous images of T-72s with their turrets blown off in Ukraine. (ref) The tank’s vulnerability to top-attack weapons like the Javelin missile further highlights its weaknesses.

5. Russia’s Fuel-Hungry T-80: Logistical Nightmare

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » russia t80 wc
Image Credit: Dnikitin, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The T-80 tank’s reliance on a gas turbine engine leads to high fuel consumption and operational costs. In Ukraine, many T-80s have been abandoned or captured, likely due to running out of fuel or encountering mechanical problems.

This is a significant issue for a Russian Army not known for its attention to logistics and maintenance.

6. Iran’s Obsolete Sabalan: An Ineffective Upgrade

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » iranian sabalan tank wc
Image Credit: Fars Media Corporation, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Iran’s Sabalan tank, an upgrade of the old M47 Patton, suffers from obsolescence. With issues related to its turret size, weight, and mobility, as well as inefficiencies in its fire control systems, the Sabalan is less competitive on the modern battlefield.

7. The British A38 Valiant: A Flawed Prototype

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » valian tank wc
Image Credit: Hohum, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The British A38 Valiant never made it past the prototype stage due to critical design flaws. Despite its thick armor, the Valiant was heavy, underpowered, and difficult to control.

Poor ergonomics and insufficient ground clearance further hampered its performance, leading to the abandonment of trials after just 13 miles.

8. Japan’s Type 95 Ha-Go: Outdated & Outclassed

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » japanese light tank wc
Image Credit: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Japan’s Type 95 Ha-Go light tank, while widely produced, was criticized for its thin armor, making it vulnerable to enemy fire. By the time it faced American forces in World War II, the Ha-Go was thoroughly outclassed, with its weak armament and poor mobility rendering it ineffective against more modern tanks.

9. The Bob Semple Tank: A Well-Intentioned Failure

Rolling Disasters: The 9 Most Ineffective Tanks in Military History » bob semple tank wc
Image Credit: Unidentified photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Built on a Caterpillar D8 tractor chassis and covered with corrugated manganese plating, the Bob Semple tank was tall, slow, and poorly armored. Its armament consisted of six Bren light machine guns, which proved difficult to aim accurately due to the vehicle’s instability and vibrations. 

Despite the best intentions of its creators, the Bob Semple tank was impractical for combat use.

Source:
1. Oryx

Nancy Maffia » nancy
Nancy Maffia
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.