During the Cold War, NATO and the Warsaw Pact both had large tank formations present in Europe. The following gives the number of armoured formations and tank strength as of 1981/1982 for Warsaw Pact and NATO member countries. These include formations and vehicles deployed outside Europe, such as North America or the Asiatic USSR.

NATO

Grand Total: 35,000+ Tanks

West Germany

Total: 4000+ tanks (Total: 5000+ including Jagdpanzer)

United States

Total: 19,225+ tanks (min. 330 for training only) CENTAG mainly consisted of the US 5th and 7th corps and more mech divisions. The US army had a fair amount of tanks, making up for the shortcomings of NATO tank numbers.

France

In 1984 : Total: 1,868 tanks

United Kingdom

Total: 1,901 tanks and armoured cars Before the 1980s, equipment included the Conqueror tank (1955–1966) and FV4101 Charioteer (TA 1950s). Initially containing three armoured divisions, BAOR was reformed by 1960 into three mixed divisions and additional brigade groups. Then in the 1970s, as four smaller armoured divisions before reorganization as 3 armoured divisions in 1981–83.

Turkey

As of 1981/83: Total: 3,500 Tanks

Italy

As of 1981/82: Total: 1,620 tanks

Netherlands

As of 1981/82: Total: 918 tanks

Denmark

As of 1983: JutlandThe Jutland Division/Jyske division. Zealand Bornholm Total: 350 tanks

Belgium

As of 1981/82: Total: 766 tanks

Canada

As of 1981/82: The Leopards and Cougars came into service in the late 1970s and replaced 274 Centurion Tanks used by Royal Canadian Armoured Corps units (The Canadian Centurion tanks served in Germany for 25 years, from January 1952 to January 1977). Total: 114 MBT (+195 FSV) = 309 tanks

Norway

As of 1981/82: Total: 186 tanks

Portugal

As of 1981/82: Total: ~80 tanks

Greece

As of 1981/82: Total: 1,310 tanks

Spain

Members of NATO from 30 May 1982: Total: 830 tanks

Warsaw Pact

Grand Total: 59,100+ Tanks

USSR

As of 1981/82 the Soviet Ground Forces had: Total: 40000 tanks

East Germany

As of 1981/82: Total: 1,620+ tanks

Poland

As of 1981/82: Total: 4,010 tanks

Czechoslovakia

As of 1980 Total in 1980: 4,223 tanks

Bulgaria

As of 1981/82 Total: 2,400 tanks

Hungary

As of 1981/82 Total: 1,100 tanks

Romania

As of 1981/82 Total: 1,845 tanks

Other

Sweden

As of ca 1980 The Swedish army was in the process of forming a mechanized brigade, type MekB 10, which became active in 1983/84. This brigade was only equipped with 48 MBT's (Centurions) compared to the 72 MBT's of the regular armoured brigades, but instead received 24 Infanterikanonvagn 91 infantry support vehicles. Total: 456 tanks

Footnotes