by Thorleif Olsson

Several different types of tank brigades existed.

Independent Tank Brigade

In August 1941, a Independent Tank Brigade consisted of three Tank Battalions and a Motor Rifle Company, and support units.
93 tanks and 0 armored cars were included.
In total the whole brigade consisted of:
64 x T-60 or T-70 tanks
22 x T-34/76
7 x KW tanks
0 x armoured cars

In September 1941, a Independent Tank Brigade consisted of two Tank Battalions and a Motor Rifle Company, and support units.
67 tanks and 0 armored cars were included.
In total the whole brigade consisted of:
38 x T-60 or T-70 tanks
22 x T-34/76
7 x KW tanks
0 x armoured cars

Tank Brigade

In February 1942, a Tank Brigade consisted of two Tank Battalions, and support units.
In total the whole brigade consisted of:
282 x troops
17 x T-34/76
10 x KW
110 x lorries

In July 1942, a Tank Brigade consisted of two Tank Battalions and a Motor Rifle Company, and support units.
In total the whole brigade consisted of:
1.038 x troops
21 x T-60 or T-70 tanks
32 x T-34/76
3 x BA-64 armoured cars
110 x lorries
3 x staff cars or jeeps
12 x motorcycles
5 x tractors
4 x 76mm ZiS-3 AT-guns
6 x AT-rifles
6 x 82mm mortars

1st Tank Battalion had 151 men and the 2nd Tank Battalion 146. The Motor Rifle Battalion had 403 men. 1st Tank Battalion often had the best and heaviest tanks and its structure was:

BRIGADE HQ - 1 x T-34/76
- 1st Tank Battalion HQ - 1 x T-34/76
-- 1st Tank Company
--- Company HQ - 1 x T-34/76
--- 3 Platoons - 3 x T-34/76 = 9
-- 2nd Tank Company
--- Company HQ - 1 x T-34/76
--- 3 Platoons - 3 x T-34/76 = 9
- 2nd Tank Battalion HQ - 1 x T-60/T-70
-- 1st Tank Company
--- Company HQ - 1 x T-34/76
--- 3 Platoons - 3 x T-34/76 = 9
-- 2nd Tank Company
--- Company HQ - 1 x T-60/T-70
--- 3 Platoons - 3 x T-60/T-70
- Motor Rifle Battalion
-- 403 men
- Anti-tank Battery
- Technical Company
- Medical Section

In October 1943, a Tank Brigade consisted of three Tank Battalions and a Motor Rifle Company, and support units.
65 tanks and 3 armored cars were included.
In total the whole brigade consisted of:
1.264 x troops
21 x T-60 or T-70 tanks
44 x T-34/76
3 x armoured cars
125 x lorries