Iraqi Armed Forces Forums منتدى القوات المسلحة العراقية

This interesting image popped up recently on a facebook page showing what seems like a one-off example of a welded turret with a 100mm Gun from a T-55.

Its something I'd never seen before and as far as I know was never exhibited publically in Iraq. The style of turret could indicate that it was intended as a "light tank".

That's quite interesting. Iraq had a whole slew of tank modifications from outside models (eg. different gun, replaced turret), but this is a variant unlike what I've ever seen or read about. The hull looks like it is from a T-54/T-55 considering the shape, sloping and length, so it was probably built around that.

the gun is certainly a 100mm D-10T

but the turret is a completely new welded type. I have not been able to find anything similar. The closest thing is the recent chinese "light tank" the Type-15.

Safe to presume that this was a completely original turret design centered around the T-55 chassis. Probably some kind of experiment in domestic production or prototype of some kind. If this is the only existing one of its kind then this theory likely holds true, all things considered.