Paraguay still uses a couple of Sherman tanks as one example, and South Africa was using a post-World War II British-made tank until quite recently. "It is a testament to longevity of the T-34, but we'd be blind if we didn't say that about other bits of WWII technology as well. "These were probably post-war and built to better standards," Willey told Military Vehicles. This could explain how after all these decades the tanks are still in operating condition. The Russian Ministry of Defense has maintained that these are in fact 1944 production models, however some military analysts have claimed – at least based on the photos – that these tanks may include Czechoslovak-made versions produced in the 1950s. "It was a simple design that was praised at the time," said David Willey, curator of The Tank Museum in Bovington, England. The version used by Laos entered service in the latter half of World War II and featured an 85mm main gun, which significantly boosted its firepower – and allowed it to continue to go head-to-head with late-war German medium and heavy tanks. Laos had been the last active operator of the T-34/85 anywhere in the world, and this marked the end of the line for what had been one of the most innovative tanks developed prior to the Second World War. During the Cold War the T-34 in its various configurations continued to see combat. Between 19 the Soviet Union produced more than 58,000 T-34s in total, and after the war these were provided to allies and partners. The T-34 was seen as one of the primary factors in the Soviet Red Army's victory over the German invaders in World War II. Russia is also due to supply Laos with its Yak-130 aircraft including combat trainers over the next year. The first batch of these tanks, which was introduced in 2010 and features Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) kits as well as improved gunnery sights and upgraded electronics, arrived in Laos in December 2018. In December the Lao People's Armed Forces took possession of an undisclosed number of upgraded T-72B1 "White Eagle" main battle tanks. However, the timing could indicate that these were part of a new trade deal between the two nations.
![russian tank force symbol russian tank force symbol](http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/vehicles/Lanchester-Armored-Car/IMAGES/WWI-Axis-markings.jpg)
While Laos returned the T-34s to Russia as part of a January 2018 deal, the Russian Ministry Defense hasn't said whether the tanks were purchased or used as part of an exchange for other military equipment.
![russian tank force symbol russian tank force symbol](http://images.vector-images.com/105/ussr_guard_emb_n11511.gif)
It is worth noting that upon arrival in Russia the tanks bore the distinctive Lao national roundels on the turrets but otherwise look like they are direct from the frontlines of WWII. The tanks have been described as being "in entirely good condition," and in released photos the T-34s do appear to be operational. Naro-Fominsk, which is near Moscow, is the home to the Russian Army's 4th Guards Tank Division, and it is there that the tanks will likely be refurbished for future use in parades and movies.