T-80U-M1 Bars

   The T-80U-M1 Bars (Snow Leopard) main battle tank was revealed in 1997. It is a further development of the T-80U MBT. The T-80U-M1 Bars features improved weapon systems and protection. This main battle tank was developed mainly for export customers.

   The T-80U-M1 Bars has a multilayered front armor with built-in explosive reactive armor packages. It also has Arena active protection system. It also has Shtora-1 countermeasures system.

   The T-80U-M1 Bars is armed with a 125-mm smoothbore gun, completed with a carousel-type autoloader. Tank's main gun is also used to launch 9M119M (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper-B) anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner, as ordinary munitions. The 9M119M missile has a range of effective fire in 5 km. Tank's autoloader provides a rate of fire in 7 - 9 rounds per minute. It stores 28 rounds, while other projectile are located in front of the hull.

   Secondary armament consists of 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun and another 12.7-mm machine gun mount, located on top of the commander's hatch.

   The T-80U-M1 main battle tank has a crew of three, including commander, driver and gunner.

   Vehicle is powered by a GTD-1250 gas turbine engine, developing 1 250 horsepower. It is also completed with an auxiliary gas turbine unit, that powers all of the tank's systems when the main engines is turned off. The T-80U-M1 Bars uses chassis of the T-80U and has similar cross country performance.