The T-64BM Bulat is a Ukrainian upgrade of the ageing soviet T-64B main battle tank. Ukraine operates over 2 200 of the old T-64 MBTs. The Bulat was revealed in 1999. Initially two upgrade variants were proposed - the T-64BM (also referred as the T-64U) and the T-64BM2. T-64BM2 is fitted with new automatic loader, however it has inferior fire control system. Later the more advanced T-64BM was selected. First vehicles were upgraded and entered Ukrainian Army Service in 2005.

   Protection was improved by installation of add-on passive and explosive reactive armor. The T-64BM Bulat is fitted with new Nozh modular ERA armor. Composite armor is used at the front of the hull and turret. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

   This main battle tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun, fitted with automatic loader. Maximum effective range of fire is 2 500 m at daytime and up to 1 500 m at night.

   The Bulat is compatible with the 9K119 (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missiles. These are handled and fired in the same manner as ordinary munitions. Guided missile has 80% hit probability at a maximum range of 5 000 m. It's control system is based on a laser beam, while the missile automatically keeps to the center of the beam.

   Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and remotely operated 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

   This main battle tank is fitted with new fire control system of the Ukrainian T-84 MBT. All sights and aiming devices were also upgraded.

   The Bulat MBT has an upgraded powerpack. Vehicle is powered by a 5TDFM diesel engine, developing 850 hp. It is an uprated version of the previous 5TDF. It might be also fitted with the 6TD-1 diesel, developing 1 000 hp. It is worth mentioning, that original engine of the T-64 was a Soviet unsuccessful attempt to copy powerpack of the British Chieftain. The 5TDF engine was notoriously unreliable.