T-68-SS is a tank based on the T-54/55 or T-62 models that were captured from the Soviets during the Manchurian war, which lasted from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. The war ended with Japan's victory, managing to dominate the battles and control about 7/10 of the Manchurian region.

In this intense battle, both sides suffered significant tank losses: 1,482 tanks destroyed, 467 missing, 200 captured, and 5,307 heavily damaged. On the infantry side, around 1.35 million soldiers were killed, 468 went missing, and 308,000 were captured. As for aircraft, around 40 were shot down, 2 went missing, and 5 were captured.

Japan suffered most of the losses. However, this doesn't mean the Soviets were superior. Japan managed to steal approximately 140 Soviet T-54/55 and T-62 tanks, most of which were abandoned by their crews due to being outmaneuvered or non-functional.

Back to the point, the T-68-SS, commonly called "Kitsune" or "Fox" in Japanese, got its name from its excellent camouflage abilities and agility, much like a fox. The T-68-SS is equipped with a Mitsubishi M67-KAI diesel engine, one of the best tank engines of its time.

With component replacements and upgrades, this tank became one of Japan's turning points in Manchuria and a silent witness to Japan's victory over the Soviets. Initially weighing 39.7 tons (T-54/55) and 40 tons (T-62), the tank's modifications and additional components increased its weight to 56 tons.

The name T-68-SS comes from the year it was modified and used by the Imperial Japanese Army. SS stands for "Susumu no Sensha" or "Tank that advances" in Japanese, meaning this tank was the spearhead of the Imperial Japanese Army in the Manchurian war. They were highly effective against Soviet MBT-class tanks, the T-54/55 and T-62.

The Soviets struggled against the T-68-SS because they often mistook it for a friendly tank, getting caught off guard. However, the Japanese forces could distinguish between the T-68-SS and the original T-54/55 and T-62. How? The Japanese had a secret marker that only they could see and recognize. And what was it? Yeah.. If you thought it was the white stripe, you're wrong. The marker was the angled steel component above the tracks, which acted as bullet deflectors or, in other words, additional armor. What else? Oh, easy, if you thought it was the armor layer on the turret, you're not wrong, but it's more specifically the cylinder parts located around the 7 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions on the turret.

The Soviets thought they were facing a modified T-62 and were fooled by the camouflage, leading to their demise. But not all Soviet tank divisions and infantry were deceived, as around 14 T-68-SS tanks were destroyed by enemy fire, burnt (crews killed by Molotov cocktails or flamethrowers), or suffered ammo rack explosions (shots hitting the ammunition compartment, causing internal explosions that destroyed the tank and its crew).

As for its capabilities... This tank was considered a fast MBT for its time, with a top speed of 55 km/h and a reverse speed of 23 km/h, making it a favorite among the army. Its weight balanced well with its engine's capabilities and good maneuverability, making it Japan's best MBT (originally Soviet) before being replaced by the Type-72 in 1972.

In terms of ammunition, this tank could carry 70 rounds of 120mm Type-50 smoothbore shells, 2,500 rounds of 25/30mm machine gun bullets (depending on the machine gun mounted on the turret).

For defense, it was equipped with additional armor on the turret and sides, 8 smoke grenade launchers, and extra armor layers of around 50mm on the front, 20mm on the sides, and 30mm on the rear and top.As for armament, the tank was fitted with a 120mm Type-50 smoothbore cannon and a 30mm machine gun mounted on the turret.