T-80UD

   The T-80UD is a variant of a T-80U main battle tank, fitted with a diesel engine in place of the high performance gas turbine. The original T-80 tank with a gas turbine was produced since 1976. Its gas turbine was essentially a modified helicopter powerplant. It had a number of advantages such as compact dimensions and high power output and the ability to start when the temperature is as low as -40°C. However the gas turbine engine had a number of drawbacks as well including high fuel consumption, expensive production and troublesome maintenance. In the mid 1970s Soviets began development of a T-80U variant, fitted with a more conventional diesel engine. The resulting T-80UD was introduced in 1985 and entered service with the Soviet Army in 1987. The T-80UD is similar to the T-80U except the powerplant. Production of the T-80UD commenced in Ukraine in 1987. Around 500-800 of these MBTs were built. It was planned to become the main MBT of the Soviet Army, however with the collapse of the Soviet Union its production ceased in 1991. These tanks are currently in service with Russia and Ukraine. A number of Ukrainian T-80UDs were exported to Pakistan in the late 1990s. Due to expensive maintenance Russian Army planned to retire all T-80 series tanks by 2015.

   Armor protection of the T-80UD includes composite armor with built-in explosive reactive armor blocks. Vehicle is fitted with an NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

   The T-80UD is armed with a fully-stabilized 125 mm smoothbore gun, fitted with a carousel-type autoloader. It also fires 9M119 Refleks (AT-11 Sniper) laser-guided anti-tank missiles in the same manner as ordinary projectiles. Missiles have a maximum range of 5 km and can also aim low-flying helicopters. A total of 45 rounds are carried, including APFSDS, HEAT and HE-FRAG. 28 rounds are stored in the autoloader. Remaining ammunition is stored inside the hukk. 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 coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and remotely controlled 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

   The T-80UD is fitted with a modern fire control system and has high first round hit probability.

   Vehicle is powered by the 6TD diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. Diesel engine of the T-80UD is 8-10 times cheaper to produce and consumes 20-40% less fuel comparing with the gas turbine of the T-80U. Though the T-80UD is slower than the T-80U.

The tank is fitted with self-entrenching blade and deep wading kit.

Variants

   T-80UDK command tank.

   T-84 main battle tank. It is a further development of the T-80UD. In the mid 1990s a contract was signed to supply 320 T-80UD tanks to Pakistan. After collapse of the Soviet Union fulfilling the contract was difficult due to disturbed nature of Soviet military industry. A number of T-80UD parts were produced in Russia and their acquisition was troublesome. Also Russia interferred politically and at the same time competed on international market with their new T-90 MBT. This forced to develop local capabilities in Ukraine, resulting in the T-84. The T-80UD tanks supplied to Pakistan had many features of the T-84, including new turrets. In most respects the T-84 is similar to the Russian T-90.

   Atlet armored recovery vehicle, fitted with a crane, winch, and a front-mounted dozer blade. It is also based on the T-80UD.