"Order of the People's Commissariat of Medium Machinebuilding of the USSR #268ss
Moscow
June 29th, 1941
In accordance with the decree of the USSR SNK, I order:
- To the director of factory #174, comrade Markin:
- Produce two experimental T-26 tanks (one 1939 production with a conical turret and sloped turret platform, the second 1938 production with a conical turret and vertical turret platform) with 25-35 mm thick applique armour by July 25th, 1941.
- Develop blueprints, have them approved by the GABTU, and send them to the Izhora factory by July 8th, 1941.
- To the director of factory #183, comrade Maksarev:
- Produce four experimental BT-5 and BT-7 tanks with 30-35 mm thick applique armour by July 25th, 1941.
- Develop blueprints, have them approved by the GABTU, and send them to the Mariupol factory by July 8th, 1941.
- When producing experimental T-26 and BT tanks with applique armour, develop a full set of armoured parts, a technological process for installation of armour, and a complete set of instructions for installation and removal.
- This decree orders:
- The People's Commissar of Shipbuilding to supply on the day of receiving the blueprints:
- Two sets of armour to factory #174 from the Izhora factory for T-26 prototypes according to factory blueprints.
- Four sets of armour to factory #183 from the Mariupol factory for BT-5 and BT-7 tanks according to factory blueprints.
- The People's Commissar of Defense (GABTU):
- To supply the People's Commissar of Medium Machinebuilding with tactical-technical requirements for T-26, BT-5, and BT-7 tanks developed jointly with factories #174 and #183 within five days.
- Supply within five days:
- Factory #174 with 2 T-26 tanks.
- Factory #183 with 4 BT tanks.
- Perform thorough trials of T-26 and BT tanks with applique armour and, jointly with the People's Commissariats of Medium Machinebuilding and Shipbuilding, establish the optimal method of armouring the aforementioned tanks in 1941 by August 10th, 1941.
- The following will track the progress of this order:
- At factory #174: lead engineer of the tank department, comrade Savin.
- At factory #183: lead engineer of the tank department, comrade Grigoryev."