Cold War tank formations
During the Cold War, NATO and the Warsaw Pact both had large tank formations present in Europe.
The following gives the number of Armoured formations and tank strength as of 1981/1982 for Warsaw Pact and NATO member countries. These include formations and vehicles deployed outside Europe, such as in North America or the Asiatic USSR.
Grand Total: 30,711+ Tanks
- German Army Formations
- 6 Tank Divisions (Panzerdivisionen)
- 4 Armored Infantry Divisions (Panzergrenadierdivisionen)
- 1 Mountain Division (Gebirgsdivision)
- 6 Home Defense Tank Brigades (Heimatschutz – Panzerbrigaden)
- 6 Home Defense Armored Infantry Brigades (Heimatschutz – Panzergrenadierbrigaden (not complete)
- 1 Airborne Division (Luftlandedivision)
Total: 3,787 tanks [2]
(Total: 4,907 including Jagdpanzer)
- Formations
- 4 Tank Divisions
- 6 Mechanised Divisions
- 4 Infantry Divisions
- 1 Airborne Division (incl. 1 Tank Battalion)
- 1 independent Tank Brigade
- 4 independent Infantry Brigades
- 3 Cavalry Regiments (Reconnaissance)
- 3 Tank Battailons Marines
- ? Tank Battalions National Guard (Reserve)
- Number of tanks
Total: 12,320 tanks (min. 330 for training only)[3]
- Formations
- 4 Tank divisions (divisions blindées - the 7th in France, the 1st, 3rd and 5th in West Germany)
- 4 Mechanised Infantry Divisions
Total: 1,868 tanks [5]
- Formations
- 3 Armoured divisions (1st, 3rd and 4th) as part of the BAOR
Total: 1,901 tanks and armored cars[7]
- Before 1980s.
Earlier units included the Conqueror tank (1955-1966) and FV401 Charioteer (TA 1950s) Initially containing 3 armoured divisions, the BAOR was reformed by 1960 into 3 mixed divisions and additional brigade groups. Then in 1970s, as 4 smaller Armoured divisions before reorganization as 3 Armoured divisions in 1981-83.
As of 1981/83:
- Formations
- 1 Tank Division
- 2 Mechanised Infantry Divisions
- 14 Infantry Divisions
Total: 3,570 Tanks[9]
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- 1 Tank Division
- 3 mechanised Divisions
- 6 independent mechanised Brigades
- Number of tanks
Total: 1,620 tanks[10]
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- 3 mechanised Divisions (1 of which reserve)
- Number of Tanks
Total: 918 tanks
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- Number of Tanks
Jutland
Seeland
- 106 MBT Centurion tank MK.V & MK.V2 with 105mm L7A1 gun (40 in each Brigade x2 and 26 in Reserve units)
- 40 Centurion tank MK.III with 84mm gun (Anti-tank Sqardron in Light-Battlegroupe x4)
- 18 light tank M41 Walker Bulldog (Recon Battalion)
Bornholm
Total: 388 tanks
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- 2 Armoured Brigades
- 2 Mechanised Brigades
- 1 Reserve Mechanised Brigade
- Number of tanks
Total: 766+ tanks
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- Number of tanks
Total: 114 tanks
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- Independent Armoured Squadrons
- Number of tanks
Total: 186 tanks
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- 1 Tank Regiment
- 2 Cavalry Regiments
- Number of tanks
Total: 64+ tanks
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- 1 Armoured Division
- 2 Independent Armoured Brigades
Total: 1,310 tanks
Members of NATO from 30th May 1982:
- Formations
- 1 Armoured Division
- 1 Mechanised Division
- 3 Armoured Cavalry Brigades
- 1 Light Cavalry Regiment
- Number of tanks
Total: 830 tanks
Grand Total: 71,700+ Tanks
- Formations
As of 1981/82 the Soviet Ground Forces had:
- 46 Tank Divisions, including six Tank Armies with four tank divisions each.
- 119 Mechanised Infantry Divisions
- Tank strength
Total: 57,670 tanks[12]
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- 2 Tank Division
- 4 Mechanised Infantry Divisions
- Number of tanks
- 1,500 MBT T-54 / T-55 / T-72 (further 1600 tanks stored)
- 120 Reconnaissance tanks PT-76
Total: 1,620+ tanks[13]
As of 1981/82:
- Formations
- 5 Tank Divisions
- 8 Mechanised Infantry Divisions
- 1 Amphibious Assault Division
- Number of Tanks
Total: 4,010 tanks[14]
As of 1981/82
- Formations
- 5 Tank Divisions (2 on a low level)
- 5 Mechanized Infantry Divisions
- Number of Tanks
Total: 3,400 tanks[15]
As of 1981/82
- Formations
- 5 Tank Brigades (in Sofia, Kazanlak, Karlovo, Sliven and Aytos)
- 8 Motor Rifle Divisions
- Number of Tanks
Total: 2,400 tanks
As of 1981/82
- Formations
- 1 Tank Division
- 5 Motor Rifle Divisions
- Number of Tanks
Total: 1,100 tanks
As of 1981/82
- Formations
- 2 Tank Divisions
- 8 Motor Rifle Divisions
- Number of Tanks
Total: 1,500 tanks
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 73
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 73
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82. Page 20
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 76
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 76
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 84
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 84
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 102
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82. Page 102
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 90
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 102
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 54
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 57
- ^ Armed Forces 1981/82 Page 53
References
- Armed Forces 1981/82 In: The Military Balance of the International Institute for Strategic Studies London (Bernard & Graefe Verlag, Munich 1982.)
- Ferdinand von Senger und Etterlin (1983). Tanks of the World. London: Arms and Armour Press.
- John Weeks (1981). Armies of the World. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd.