About the TankDuring World War II, Russian mass-produced, master crafted tanks put the country on the forefront of tank technology. After the war, the Soviet T-54 and T-55 tanks were developed. In 1958, the mass-production T-55 with its massive 100mm cannon, compact body, and half-sphere turret that exhibited superior shell deflecting capabilities shocked the countries of the West, and spurred a fierce tank development competition with the United States. In 1962, the T-55A with anti-radiation capabilities was produced. In addition to Russia, production also occurred in countries such as Czechoslovakia and Poland, with a wide range of updates and variations coming off the production lines. Approximately 10,000 T-55, T-54 type tanks were produced in all. Used extensively by militaries throughout over 40 countries in the Middle East, these tanks have been involved in Middle East conflicts including the recent Gulf War, and has clashed with rival U.S. tanks on many an occasion. Even now, 40 years after its initial production, the T-55 is still being employed by militaries in the Middle East and Balkan areas.