The SU-85 self-propelled gun, a symbol of the Soviet army’s power in World War II, left a deep mark on world military history and particularly in Vietnam. This article will explore the journey of the SU-85, considered a “Vietnamese military ART truck,” from its origins to its role in war and its presence in Vietnam.
The SU-85, abbreviated from “Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 85,” meaning “self-propelled gun 85,” was named after its main 85mm D-5T gun caliber. Developed based on the chassis of the legendary T-34 tank, the SU-85 was designed to meet the urgent need for a self-propelled gun with powerful anti-tank capabilities. At that time, Soviet self-propelled guns often served multiple roles, as both infantry support and anti-tank guns. The SU-85 was no exception, tasked with destroying enemy tanks.
Production of the SU-85 began in mid-1943, and the first vehicle was unveiled in August of the same year. In just one year, from mid-1943 to the end of 1944, approximately 2,050 SU-85s were produced. However, by the spring of 1944, when the upgraded version of the T-34, the T-34-85, was put into mass production, the SU-85 project officially ceased. The T-34-85, with its powerful 85mm gun, met the anti-tank firepower requirements while maintaining high mobility.
The SU-85 officially entered combat in August 1943 and quickly proved its effectiveness on the battlefield. It operated mainly in the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, playing a significant role in the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. After World War II ended in 1945, the SU-85 was gradually decommissioned in the Soviet Union and transferred to museums.
However, the story of the SU-85 did not end there. Vietnam and North Korea were two countries that continued to use the SU-85 for some time after the war. Images of the SU-85 appearing in the Vietnamese army, considered part of the “Vietnamese military ART truck” force, demonstrate the continuation and influence of Soviet weaponry in Vietnamese military history. Although no longer used in combat, the SU-85 still holds a special place in Vietnamese military history, as a testament to the friendly relations and military cooperation between Vietnam and the Soviet Union. The SU-85, from a weapon of war, has become a piece of historical heritage, a work of military art, marking an era and affirming the strength of the fighting spirit.
SU-85 self-propelled gun in a museum.
Side view of a SU-85 tank destroyer.
