T-84

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T-84 Oplot
original model T-84 tank[4]
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Ukraine
Specifications
Weight	48 tonnes
Length	7.71 m
Width	3.60 m
Height	2.22 m
Crew	3
Armour	[secret]
Primary armament	125mm smoothbore gun KBA-3
Secondary armament	7.62mm KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun, 12.7mm KT-12.7 AA machine gun
Engine	12-cyl. diesel model 6TD-2 1,200 hp (895 kW)
Power/weight	26 hp/tonne
Suspension	torsion-bar
Operational range	450 km
Speed	65–70 km/h

External images
Photo of T-84[1] T-84 and improved T-72[2] Gunner's station from inside [3]

The T-84 Main Battle Tank is a Ukrainian development of the Soviet T-80 main battle tank, first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. The T-84 is based on the diesel-engined 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 120mm gun capable of firing standard NATO ammunition and guided missiles.

[edit] Production history

The T-84 is the latest Ukrainian development of T-64 and 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. 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 have the same 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 the 18 hp/t of the Russian T-90 (although the T-90S built for India has an improved power plant). 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.

[edit] Models

T-84 Oplot, showing the welded turret bustle and characteristic storage bins beside it.[1]

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]

• 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, auxiliary power unit.
• 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 125mm gun. The Oplot tank features a new welded turret with separate crew and ammo compartments with blowout panels on the ammo compartment, a new bustle-mounted autoloader. A small number is 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 120mm main gun which fires both NATO 120mm rounds (like the M829 DU series) and a special 120mm 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.

[edit] Variants

• BREM-84 — armoured recovery vehicle
• BMU-84 — bridgelayer tank
• BTMP-84 Heavy infantry fighting vehicle — Prototype based on the T-84 Oplot tank, with lengthened hull, an extra pair of road wheels, and a rear compartment for five infantrymen.
• 12-tonne armoured carrier

[edit] References

1. ^ Oplot Main Battle Tank at KMDB
2. ^ History: Conclusion at KMDB
3. ^ Oplot Main Battle Tank: Fire control system at KMDB

• Steven Zaloga and David Markov (2000). Russia's T-80U Main Battle Tank. Hong Kong: Concord. ISBN 962-361-656-2.

[edit] See also

• List of tanks
• List of Soviet tanks
• T-95

[edit] External links

• Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau—Ukrainian producer of the T-80. KMDB's pages for T-80UD, T-84, Oplot, and BTMP-84.
• Oplot and Yatagan at army-guide.com
• T-84 MBT at globalsecurity.org
• JED Equipment Database: T-84 Tank information and variants (requires paid membership)
• T-84 video at YouTube

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