The SU-18 mounted the 76.2mm Model 1927 Regimental Howitzer with a slotted muzzle brake to reduce rollback. Ivanov produced a self-propelled gun based on T-18 called SU-18 along with a ammunition carrier for it. With the start of Operation Barbarossa, German invasion of Soviet Union in 1941, a number of T-18 were given 45mm Model 1932 Guns and entered service as T-18M. In 1934 they were removed from active service and given for training. Also its armour was very thick, giving the crew a decent protection, and turret rotation was fast enough to give the crew good time to react for incoming attackers.Īn experimental company equipped with T-18s took part in defending the Far Eastern Railway against forces of Manchuria in 1929. The tank was small enough to be operated by just two men, commander (who also served as gunner and loader) and driver. Meanwhile the КБ ОАТ drew up plans for improved version of T-16, called T-18 which was accepted for production in July. The prototype, T-16, was tested in June 1927, but was deemed failure for its problems with transmission falling too often and inability to cross trenches more than 1.5m wide.

Zaslavsky at new Tank Bureau, formed specifically for the development of tanks.

The T-18, initially T-16, was developed mainly after French Renault FT-17 tank, using even some of its components, like FIAT 15 ter engine and 37 mm Hotchkiss Gun (by Russian named 37 mm Model 1928), and its overall appearance. T-18 and its derivatives (T-19, T-20, T-24 and SU-18) were unsuccessful designs, but their creations gave Soviets first glimpse of designing and production of armoured vehicles.

The T-18 Light Tank, also known as MS-1 ( Maliy Soprovozhdeniya-Perviy, 'First Small Support '), was the first tank created by Soviet union, as as such it was the first step in its tank development.

T-83 russian modern tank