The Soviet-made tank used by North Korean forces during the Korean War was the T-34-85. This upgraded version of the T-34 medium tank carried an 85 mm gun and a larger three-person turret, giving it substantially more firepower than earlier T-34 models.
A North Korean tank brigade equipped with roughly 120 Soviet-supplied T-34-85s spearheaded the invasion of South Korea in June 1950. The South Korean Army had no tanks and few effective anti-tank weapons, while early U.S. units were equipped mainly with lightweight M24 Chaffee tanks. The T-34-85 therefore enjoyed major advantages during the opening advance toward Seoul and the Pusan Perimeter.
The balance changed after UN forces introduced heavier tanks, including the M4 Sherman, M26 Pershing, and M46 Patton, along with stronger anti-tank weapons and extensive air support. Many North Korean tanks were destroyed or abandoned during the retreat after the Incheon landings.
T-62, T-55, and IS-2 are Soviet designs associated with later periods or other deployments. They were not the standard tank that spearheaded North Korea’s initial 1950 invasion.