The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank that was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like India, Indonesia, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, and North Vietnam. The tank’s full name is Floating Tank–76. Seventy-six stands for the caliber of the main armament: the 76.2 mm D-56T series rifled tank gun.
After World War II, the concept of light tanks was resurrected in the Soviet Union. Light tanks were to be used in reconnaissance units and therefore an amphibious ability was essential. A prototype was built at Kirov Plant in 1950, and the tank was officially adopted on 6 August 1951 with the designation PT-76. Production started at the Stalingrad Tractor Factory (STZ). The tank was subsequently modified in 1957 when the D-56T gun was replaced with the D-56TM.
The PT-76 was used as the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact armies. It was also intended for water obstacle fording operations and naval infantry landings. It served in the reconnaissance subunits of tank divisions and mechanized divisions of the Red Army and Soviet marines divisions. About 5,000 PT-76s were built during the vehicle’s lifetime, of which some 2,000 were exported. Other sources indicate that 12,000 were built. As of 2025, the PT-76 remains in service with some 15 nations.
