Not to be confused with
M-84, a Yugoslav main battle tank.
| T-84 |
An Early model T-84 tank — later versions have reactive armour integrated more smoothly with the hull. |
| Type |
Main battle tank |
| Place of origin |
 Ukraine |
| Service history |
| In service |
2001–present |
| Used by |
Ukraine |
| Production history |
| Designer |
KMDB |
| Designed |
1993–94 |
| Manufacturer |
Malyshev Factory |
| Produced |
1994–present |
| Specifications (T-80[1]) |
| Weight |
46 tonnes |
| Length |
7.086 m (23 ft 3 in) |
| Width |
3.775 m (12 ft 5 in) |
| Height |
2.215 m (7 ft 3 in) |
| Crew |
3 |
|
| Elevation |
+13°, -6° |
|
| Armour |
Steel, composite, ERA |
Primary
armament |
KBA-3 125 mm smoothbore gun (43 rds) |
Secondary
armament |
7.62 mm KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun
12.7 mm KT-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun |
| Engine |
KMDB 6TD-2 6-cylinder diesel
1,200 hp (890 kW) |
| Power/weight |
26 hp/tonne |
| Suspension |
Torsion-bars, hydraulic dampers |
| Ground clearance |
0.515 m (1 ft 8.3 in) |
| Fuel capacity |
1,300 l (290 imp gal; 340 US gal) |
Operational
range |
540 km (340 mi) |
| Speed |
65 km/h (40 mph) |
|
|
|
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 existing 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.
Production history
The T-84 is the latest Ukrainian development of the T-80 series, designed by KMDB in Kharkiv (while the Russian T-90 is an advanced version of the T-72BM, 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.[2][3] 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).[4]
T-84 Oplot, showing the welded turret bustle and characteristic ammunition storage bins beside it.
[1].
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).
Ukraine has demonstrated several advanced prototypes, intended for both domestic employment and international sale.
Variants
- T-84 — Ukrainian upgrade of the T-80UD. New welded turret and Shtora-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-5 explosive reactive armour, auxiliary power unit, 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 autoloader. A small number are in service with the Ukrainian Army.
- T-84-120 Yatagan — a prototype version of Oplot tailored for evaluation by the Turkish Army (prototype designation, KERN2-120). Mounts a 120 mm main gun which fires both NATO 120 mm rounds (like the M829 DU series) and a special 120 mm version of the AT-11 Sniper 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 (M standing for "Modernization") 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.
The T-84 Yatagan from the rear, showing its larger, boxy turret bustle. Note also the rear exhaust, inherited from T-64 and T-80 tanks. [2].
|
The BTMP-84 heavy infantry fighting vehicle sports the same turret as the Oplot tank. [3].
|
Export
Bangladesh: In 2007 the Bangladesh Army 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[5]
Georgia: In October 2009 the Georgian Army bought 12 T-84 Oplot tanks.[6]
See also
References
- Steven Zaloga and David Markov (2000). Russia's T-80U Main Battle Tank. Hong Kong: Concord. ISBN 962-361-656-2.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
External images
