T-80U

   The T-80U main battle tank is a further development of the T-80. It entered service with the Soviet Army in 1985. Currently this main battle tank is in service with Russia, China (50), Cyprus (27) and South Korea (33).

   The T-80U has a welded hull and cast turret. Armor of this MBT was improved comparing with the previous version. It features composite armor and is fitted with built-in Kontakt-5 ERA blocks. It is estimated that armor protection of the T-80U is equal to 900 mm against HEAT rounds and 1 100 mm against projectiles. This main battle tank is also fitted with automatic fire suppression and NBC protection systems.

   The T-80U is armed with a fully-stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun, fitted with an autoloader. It fires armor-piercing, APDS, HEAT and HE-FRAG rounds. It can also launch 9M119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. This missile has a maximum range of 5 km and can target low-flying helicopters. Missile has a semi-automatic laser guidance and has a hit probability of 0.8 at 4 000 m range and 0.7 at 5 000 m. Maximum rate of fire is 6 - 8 rounds per minute. Effective range of fire with APFSDS round is 2 000 - 3 000 m day and 2 000 - 2 600 at night. Armor penetration is about 590 - 630 mm at 2 000 m range.

   Secondary armament consists of 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun and 12.7-mm MG, mounted on top of the roof.

   The T-80U MBT is powered by the GTD-1250 gas turbine engine, developing 1 250 hp. Tanks produced before 1990s were fitted with the GTD-1000TF gas turbine engine, developing 1 100 hp. Engine can be replaced in field conditions within 3 hours. Vehicle is also equipped with auxiliary power unit, which powers main systems when the tank is stationary.

Variants

   T-80UK command tank;

   T-80UM-1 Bars developed mainly for export. It is more capable and better protected variant, fitted with improved fire control system;

   T-90 uses complete turret of the T-80U;

   T-80UD Ukrainian variant of the T-80U, fitted with more fuel efficient diesel engine instead of the gas turbine.