T-84
Encyclopedia
The T-84 is a Ukrainian
main battle tank
, a development of the Soviet T-80
main battle tank. It was first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. The T-84 is based on the diesel
-engined T-80 version, the T-80UD. Its high-performance engine makes it one of the fastest MBTs in the world, with a power-to-weight ratio
of about 26 horsepower
per tonne (19 kW/t). The T-84 Oplot is an advanced version incorporating an armoured ammunition compartment in a new turret bustle; ten of these entered Ukrainian service in 2001. The T-84-120 Yatagan is a prototype model intended for export, mounting a 120 mm gun capable of firing standard NATO ammunition
and guided missiles.
in Kharkiv
(while the Russian T-90
is an advanced version of the T-72
BM, with some T-80 features). A main design objective was to make Ukraine's arms industry independent of Russia's, after resulting difficulties in fulfilling a contract to supply T-80UD tanks to Pakistan
. An external difference from earlier models is the new Ukrainian welded turret, replacing the T-80's Russian-built cast turret (some T-80s shipped to Pakistan were fitted with the T-84 welded turret, but lack other T-84 improvements).
The T-84's outstanding feature is the 26 hp/t power-to-weight ratio (compared to 18 hp/t of the contemporary Russian T-90, or 22 hp/t of the newer T-90S). It has inherited the nickname Flying Tank from the T-80. The tank is also designed to perform well in hot climates, and even includes an air-conditioned crew compartment (operating temperature
range is claimed to be −40 °C to 55 °C).
Due to the collapse of Soviet Union, Malshev Factory was no longer able to obtain ceremic armour modules from Russia and only the initial batch of T-84 were produced with such. Instead, later batches of T-84's composite armour is composed of special purpose rubber sandwiched between steel and alloy plates. The exclusion of ceremic plate from the tank's armour may indicate downgraded protection compared to older models.
Ukraine has demonstrated several upgraded prototypes of this tank, intended for both domestic employment and international sale.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
main battle tank
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
, a development of the Soviet T-80
T-80
The T-80 is a main battle tank designed and manufactured in the former Soviet Union. A development of the T-64, it entered service in 1976 and was the first production tank to be equipped with a gas turbine engine for main propulsion.the Swedish Stridsvagn 103 of 1971 used a gas turbine alongside...
main battle tank. It was first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. The T-84 is based on the diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
-engined T-80 version, the T-80UD. Its high-performance engine makes it one of the fastest MBTs in the world, with a power-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio is a calculation commonly applied to engines and mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power-to-weight ratio is a measurement of actual performance of any engine or power sources...
of about 26 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
per tonne (19 kW/t). The T-84 Oplot is an advanced version incorporating an armoured ammunition compartment in a new turret bustle; ten of these entered Ukrainian service in 2001. The T-84-120 Yatagan is a prototype model intended for export, mounting a 120 mm gun capable of firing standard NATO ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
and guided missiles.
Production history
The T-84 is the latest Ukrainian development of the T-80 series, designed by KMDBKharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau , often simply called Morozov Design Bureau or abbreviated KMDB, is a state-owned company in Kharkiv, Ukraine, which designs armoured vehicles, including the T-80UD and T-84 main battle tanks, as well as military prime movers...
in Kharkiv
Kharkiv
Kharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
(while the Russian T-90
T-90
The T-90 is a Russian third-generation main battle tank that is a modernisation of the T-72 . It is currently the most modern tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry...
is an advanced version of the T-72
T-72
The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1970. It is developed directly from Obyekt-172, and shares parallel features with the T-64A...
BM, with some T-80 features). A main design objective was to make Ukraine's arms industry independent of Russia's, after resulting difficulties in fulfilling a contract to supply T-80UD tanks to Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. An external difference from earlier models is the new Ukrainian welded turret, replacing the T-80's Russian-built cast turret (some T-80s shipped to Pakistan were fitted with the T-84 welded turret, but lack other T-84 improvements).
The T-84's outstanding feature is the 26 hp/t power-to-weight ratio (compared to 18 hp/t of the contemporary Russian T-90, or 22 hp/t of the newer T-90S). It has inherited the nickname Flying Tank from the T-80. The tank is also designed to perform well in hot climates, and even includes an air-conditioned crew compartment (operating temperature
Operating temperature
An operating temperature is the temperature at which an electrical or mechanical device operates. The device will operate effectively within a specified temperature range which varies based on the device function and application context, and ranges from the minimum operating temperature to the...
range is claimed to be −40 °C to 55 °C).
Due to the collapse of Soviet Union, Malshev Factory was no longer able to obtain ceremic armour modules from Russia and only the initial batch of T-84 were produced with such. Instead, later batches of T-84's composite armour is composed of special purpose rubber sandwiched between steel and alloy plates. The exclusion of ceremic plate from the tank's armour may indicate downgraded protection compared to older models.
Ukraine has demonstrated several upgraded prototypes of this tank, intended for both domestic employment and international sale.
Variants
- T-84: Ukrainian upgrade of the T-80UD. New welded turret and ShtoraShtoraShtora is an electro-optical active protection system or suite for tanks, designed to disrupt the laser target designation and rangefinders of incoming anti-tank guided missiles...
-1 countermeasures suite, 1,200 hp (895 kW) 6TD-2 diesel engine. - T-84U: Ukrainian upgrade of the T-84. New armoured side skirts, turret-conformal Kontakt-5Kontakt-5Kontakt-5 is a type of third-generation explosive reactive armour originating in the Soviet Union. It is the first type of ERA which is effectively able to defeat modern armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot rounds....
explosive reactive armour, auxiliary power unitAuxiliary power unitAn auxiliary power unit is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft, as well as some large land vehicles.-Function:...
, thermal imaging sight, satellite navigation, commander's laser range-finder, muzzle reference system, and other improvements. - T-84 Oplot: T-84U with new western-style turret, but retaining the 125 mm gun. The Oplot tank features a new welded turret with separate crew and ammunition compartments with blowout panels on the ammunition compartment, a new bustle-mounted autoloaderAutoloaderAn autoloader or auto-loader is a mechanical aid or replacement for the personnel that load ordnance into crew-served weapons, such as tanks and artillery...
. A small number are in service with the Ukrainian Army. - T-84-120 YataganYataganThe yatagan or yataghan is a type of Ottomanknife or short sabre used from the mid-16th to late 19th centuries....
: a prototype version of Oplot tailored for evaluation by the TurkishTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
Army (prototype designation, KERN2-120). Mounts a 120 mm main gun which fires both NATO 120 mm rounds (like the M829M829The M829 is an American first-generation Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot tank round designed specifically for the 120 mm M256 main gun on the M1A1, M1A2. and M1A2 SEP Abrams main battle tanks. This heavy anti-tank round is essentially a dart made of a depleted uranium alloy...
DUDepleted uraniumDepleted uranium is uranium with a lower content of the fissile isotope U-235 than natural uranium . Uses of DU take advantage of its very high density of 19.1 g/cm3...
series) and a special 120 mm version of the AT-11 SniperAT-11 SniperThe 9M119 Svir and 9M119M Refleks are laser beam riding, guided anti-tank missiles developed in the former Soviet Union. The two missiles are similar, but vary in range and launch platform. Both are designed to be fired from smooth bore 125 mm tank and anti-tank gun . Their NATO reporting name...
ATGM. It also has automated gear shifting in place of mechanical gear selector, driver's T-bar control replacing tiller bars, air conditioning, and projectile muzzle velocity sensor, as well as differences in the fire control system, communications, etc. - T-84 Oplot-M (Modernized), or BM Oplot: The newest and most sophisticated version of the T-84 is an upgraded version of the "T-84 Oplot" mounting more advanced armor and new electronic countermeasure systems. One visible feature is the new PNK-6 panoramic tank sight.
- BREM-84: armoured recovery vehicleArmoured recovery vehicleAn armoured recovery vehicle is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to repair battle- or mine-damaged as well as broken-down armoured vehicles during combat, or to tow them out of the danger zone for more extensive repairs...
- BMU-84: bridgelayer tank
- BTMP-84: Heavy infantry fighting vehicleInfantry fighting vehicleAn infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
prototype based on the T-84 Oplot tank, with lengthened hull, an extra pair of road wheels, and a rear compartment for five infantrymen.
Users
- In 2007 the Bangladesh ArmyBangladesh ArmyThe Bangladesh Army is the land forces branch and the largest of the three uniformed service of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to provide necessary forces and capabilities in support of Bangladesh's security and defense strategies including defense of the nation's...
began negotiations for the procurement of 76 T-84 Yatagan tanks in the first batch. The Bangladesh Army intends to induct a substantial number of Yatagans (200 to 300) over the next several years as part of its third generation main battle tank procurement program: January 2011, Azerbaijan showed interest in the Oplot main battle tank and the Defense Ministry of Ukraine has long been holding negotiations on this issue. - March 2011, Royal Thai Army placed an order for 49 T-84s to replace existing U.S made M41A3M41 Walker BulldogThe M41 Walker Bulldog was a U.S. light tank developed to replace the M24 Chaffee. It was named for General Walton Walker who died in a jeep accident in Korea...
. Up to 200 may be acquired. Although, no officially announcement is released from the Royal Thai Army yet. So far, the government has just approved 7.155 billion Baht to purchase the first 49 T-84 Oplot main battle tanks to be assigned to the 2nd Cavalry battalion (Royal Guard at Fort Chakkraphongse, Prachinburi), the 4th Cavalry Battalion (Royal Guard at Kiakkai, Bangkok), the 8th Cavalry battalion (Fort Suranari, Nakhon Ratchasima), and the 9th Cavalry Battalion (Fort Ekathotsarot, Phitsanuloke). :320 T-84
See also
- List of tanks
- List of Soviet tanks
- M-84AS
- M-95 DegmanM-95 DegmanM-95 Degman is a prototype Croatian main battle tank, developed in the factory Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila d.d., located in Slavonski Brod, Croatia. It is also known as the RH-ALAN Degman. The Đuro Đaković factory is best known for its principal role in the production of M-84, a Yugoslav version...
External links
- T-84 Oplot Data Sheet and pictures
- Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau—Ukrainian producer of the T-80. KMDB's pages for T-80UD, T-84, Oplot, and BTMP-84.
- T-84 MBT at globalsecurity.org