the t-62 was originally conceived as a companion weapon to the t-55, being essentially a t-55 up-gunned with the 2a20 115mm cannon. Both the t-55 and the t-62 used the same wheels, track, engine, transmission, hatches and other fittings. The primary differences between the two vehicles were the t-62's lengthened hull and new turret design. The new ut-5 cannon could fire its br-5 apfsds steel round through approximately 300mm of armour at a range of 1000 metres. This was adequate to deal with the then perceived threat of such nato tanks as the american m48 and later models of the british centurion. The t-62 was meant to add long range firing capability to soviet tank regiments being placed alongside t-55s, but in the later years of its deployment it fulfilled much the same role as the t-55.

despite being introduced in 1960, the improved performance of its successor, the t-72, the t-62 still sees service today in many of the world's armies, the arab nations being the largest consumers outside the warsaw pact. egypt,iraq, andsyriahave been notable users of the t-62. israelhas acquired a quantity of t-62s in clashes with its neighbours and has rebuilt them to idf standards