A prototype of this medium tank was developed from 1953 through 1957 to replace the T-54. Several prototypes were manufactured. Later, Soviet authorities wanted a tank with greater nuclear survivability and firepower. As a result, the project was discontinued in 1961, and the decision was made to develop the Object 432.
After summing up the results of World War II and analyzing the effectiveness of all types of armaments, the Soviet government thought about the need to modernize its fleet of armored vehicles. First, there was a need to replace the T-54 medium tank, which would correspond to modern realities. Hence, in 1953, a new tank project was initiated, generically named “Object 430”. Several modifications of the fighting vehicle were developed under this name, which later became a basis for the development of “T-64”.
In “Object 430” the changes concerned the location and configuration of the engine and the whole engine-transmission compartment. The engine was located across the driving direction in the aft compartment, allowing to expand of inner space for the 4-person crew and ammunition.
A characteristic shape of the tank was a hemispherical turret with 248 mm armor at the front and a slot for the main gun - 100 mm D-54TS gun. There was also provision for a 14.5-mm anti-aircraft machine gun KPVT.
"Object 430" in later modifications was successfully tested, however, it did not show a significant advantage over the obsolete “T-54”. In 1961 the project was stopped. Successful engineering solutions were taken over by the "Object 432", which eventually evolved into the mass-produced “T-64”.
