Russia Strikes Rare Swedish 'S-Tank' in Sumy: Unanswered Questions
Russian forces destroy the rare Stridsvagn 103 tank, known as the 'S-Tank,' in Sumy. Unanswered questions remain about how it ended up with Ukraine's forces.
Russian forces have reportedly destroyed a rare Swedish «S-tank» on the Sumy front. The tank was struck by a drone in a forested area.
The Stridsvagn 103, known in the West as the «S-tank» was a Swedish main battle tank from the 1960s. It was the world’s first production tank to use a gas turbine engine, a notable feature that set it apart from other armored vehicles of its time.
The S-tank is equipped with a fixed gun, and its targeting system is unique: horizontal targeting is achieved by rotating the entire chassis, while vertical aiming is done by tilting the body of the vehicle. This innovative design was revolutionary for its time and made the Stridsvagn 103 a pioneer in tank development.
It’s worth noting that the Stridsvagn 103 was never used by other countries, making the one destroyed in Ukraine even more unusual. There has been no prior confirmation of Sweden supplying these tanks to Ukraine, raising questions about how this particular tank ended up in the hands of Ukrainian forces.