T-84

"T84" redirects here. For the Howitzer Motor Carriage T84, seeM115 howitzer § Self-propelling mounts.

Not to be confused withM-84,a Yugoslav main battle tank.

T-84
A T-84 in 2018
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Ukraine
Service history
In service	1999–present
Used by	Armed Forces of Ukraine
Wars	Russo-Ukrainian War War in Donbas Russian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Designer	KMDB
Designed	1975–1994
Manufacturer	Malyshev Factory
Produced	1994–present
Specifications (T-80)
Mass	46 tonnes
Length	7.086 m (23 ft 3 in)
Width	3.775 m (12 ft 5 in)
Height	2.215 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew	3
Elevation	+13°, -6°
Armour	Steel,composite,ERA
Main armament	125 mm smoothbore KBA-3 cannon(43 rds) 120 mm smoothbore gun (40 rds)
Secondary armament	7.62 mmKT-7.62coaxial machine gun 12.7 mmKT-12.7anti-aircraft machine gun
Engine	KMDB6TD-2 6-cylinderdiesel16.3 litre 1,200 hp (890 kW)
Power/weight	26 hp/tonne
Suspension	Torsion bars,hydraulicdampers
Ground clearance	0.515 m (1 ft 8.3 in)
Fuel capacity	1,300 L (290 imp gal; 340 US gal)
Operational range	540 km (340 mi)
Maximum speed	65 km/h (40 mph) – 70 km/h (43 mph)

T-84 Oplot-M
A T-84 Oplot-M main battle tank, Kyiv, Ukraine, 2018
Place of origin	Ukraine
Service history
In service	2009–present
Used by	Ukraine Thailand
Specifications
Mass	51 tonnes
Length	7.075 m (23 ft 3 in)
Width	3.400 m (11 ft 2 in)
Height	2.800 m (9 ft 2 in)
Armor	modularcomposite,ERA,APS
Main armament	125 mm smoothbore KBA-3 cannonwith 46 rounds
Engine	KMDB6TD-2E opposed piston 6-cylinder (12 pistons) diesel (1,200 hp) or KMDB6TD-4 opposed piston 6-cylinder diesel (1,500 hp)
Power/weight	24.7 hp/t (6TD-2E) 30 hp/t (6TD-4)
Transmission	Automatic
Suspension	Torsion bar
Ground clearance	0.50 m (1 ft 8 in)
Fuel capacity	1,140 litres (250 imp gal; 300 US gal)
Operational range	500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed	Road 70 km/h (43 mph) Off-road: 45 km/h (28 mph)

TheT-84is aUkrainianmain battle tank(MBT), based on theSovietT-80MBT introduced in 1976, specifically thediesel engineversion: T-80UD. The T-84 was first built in 1994 and entered service in theUkrainian Armed Forcesin 1999. Its high-performanceopposed-piston enginemakes it a fast tank, comparable to other modern MBTs with apower-to-weight ratioof about 26horsepowerper tonne (19kW/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 120 mm gun able to fireNATO-standard tank ammunitionandanti-tank guided missiles.

Development history

After the adoption of theT-80tank, the Soviets began improving its design. The disadvantages of thegas-turbineengine were readily apparent, and so several design projects were initiated to adopt a diesel alternative.

Development of the T-80UD

Leningrad Kirov Plant(LKZ) began work in 1975 with a diesel 2V16 1500 hp engine on a T-80B chassis. This was designated the Ob. 219RD. Work was not completed until 1983. The design bureau atOmsk Transport Engineering Design Bureaudeveloped a test bed, called the Ob. 644, powered by the V-46-6 of theT-72.Further work on these was not continued, as the main focus at the time was on the gas-turbine engine favored by Defence MinisterDmitry Ustinov.

In 1975,Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau(KMDB) began work on the Object (Ob.) 278, a T-80 powered by a 6TD 1000 hp diesel engine developed for the improvedT-64andT-74(Ob. 450). This quickly became outclassed by theOb. 476,and so lost favor. The Ob. 478M was a more sophisticated model than the Ob. 478. Improvements included the Sistemafire control system,Shatteractive protection system,and a 1,500 hp diesel engine. This too was abandoned as it was considered too costly.

After the death of Ustinov in 1984, the strength of the design bureau of the LKZ began to weaken and the Ministry of Defense started to think seriously about equipping the T-80 tanks with diesel engines.

In September 1985, the government approved the development start of a diesel-powered T-80U. Five prototypes of the Ob. 478B with the 6TD engine were produced by year's end. Prototypes of a less sophisticated model, called Ob. 478A, were built for comparison. The government approved production of the Ob. 478B in 1986. The Soviet Army noted problems with the tank, and full-scale production was delayed to make changes. The Soviet Army also opposed a plan to name the tank the T-84, as KMDB had originally envisioned, because it would draw attention to the fact that the Soviets were operating four tanks (T-64, T-72, T-80 and T-84) with more or less similar characteristics. TheCentral Committeesettled the debate, siding with the Army. It was subsequently adopted into service as the T-80UD.

The T-80UD was first deployed to the4th Guards Tank Divisionand the2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division.It was first publicly shown at the1990 Moscow Victory Day Parade,then later in the1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt.

Development of the T-84

KMDB developed a welded turret to replace cast turrets, which were no longer made in Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union. A T-80UD with this turret, Ob. 478BK, was completed in 1995. Ukraine delivered 175 Ob. 478BE to Pakistan by 1999. The Ob. 478D with Aynet fire control system and Buran night sight was trialed. Pilots of the Ob. 478DU and Ob. 478DU2 were also produced. One prototype appeared atInternational Defence Exhibition(IDEX) in 1995 as the "T-84 Supertank." An Ob. 478DM appeared at IDEX 1999 as the T-84M. The Ob. 478DU4 gave rise to the T-84 Oplot, which was marketed to Turkey. The 125 mm caliber gun was replaced with a 120 mm one able to fire NATO ammunition, and designated the T-84-120. This was marketed to Turkey as the Yatagan, and was trialed there in 2000.

The Ukrainian government eventually made good on its promise to buy the T-84 for theUkrainian Army.Ten T-84Ms were delivered from 2001 to 2003. Ukraine was forced to sell off four of these to the United States when it struggled to finance the tanks.

first used T-84 in War on Ukraine

Development of the T-84-120

The T-84-120 Yatagan was developed in 2000 in Kharkiv to NATO standards for the Turkish tender for a new MBT.The tank featured a 120mm smooth bore gun that was capable of firingAT-11 SniperATGMs, a reloading mechanism and blow-out panels.The Yatagan was also equipped with communications equipment from the French Thomson company, anFN Herstalmachine gun, automatic transmission, a 6TD-2 diesel engine with 1200hp and FCS taken from Oplot.In total, three 120mm guns of different designs were tested on the tank.The T-84-120 Yatagan also participated in the Kyiv parade.The current condition of the tank is unknown.

Design

The T-84's outstanding feature is a 26 hp/t power-to-weight ratio. It is also designed to perform well in hot climates, and includes an air-conditioned crew compartment (operating temperaturerange is claimed to be −40 to 55 °C).

The BM Oplot is a further development of the prior T-84 Oplot. The tank has a conventional layout with the driver's compartment at the front, fighting compartment in the middle and engine at the rear, accommodating a crew of three.

The driver sitting in the centre is provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the right. The commander on the right and the gunner on the left have single-piece hatches.

The tank has a length of 9.7 m (including the forward-facing gun), a width of 3.4 m without removable side skirts, and a height of 2.8 m. The combat weight of the tank is 51 tons.

Armament

The Oplot is armed with asmoothbore125 mm KBA-3 cannon,a KT-7.62 (PKT)coaxialmachine gun and a KT-12.7anti-aircraftmachine gun. The main gun is fed by a loading system equipped with conveyor, automatic loader, and control system. The ammunition includeshigh explosive fragmentation(HE-FRAG),armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot(APFSDS)kinetic energy penetrator,andhigh-explosive anti-tank(HEAT).

The main gun can also fire a laser guided missile against armoured ground vehicles and hovering helicopters within the range of 5,000m. The missile can be fired on the move against travelling targets. Atandem-chargewarhead fitted on the missile can defeat targets equipped withexplosive reactive armour(ERA) and advanced spaced armour.

The Oplot has 46 rounds of ammunition for the main gun, of which 28 rounds are placed in the automatic loader. Other ammunition types carried are 1,250 rounds forKT-7.62machine gun, 450 rounds forKT-12.7machine gun and 450 rounds forAKSAssault rifle.

Fire control

The vehicle has three forward-facing periscopes in front of the driver's cupola. The centre periscope can be replaced with a night driving device.

The fire control system includes a gunner's day sight,PNK-6commander's panoramic sighting system,PTT-2thermal imaging sight, anti-aircraft sight and anti-aircraft machine gun control system. Detection range of targets for thermal sighting system is up to 8 km.

The tank is also equipped with LIO-V ballistic computer, armament stabiliser and other systems.

The advanced fire-control system enables the gunner or commander to lay and fire the main armament on the move. The stationary and moving targets can be hit with a high first round hit probability.

Protection

The protection system includes multilayer passive armour,Duplet explosive reactive armour(ERA),Zaslin Active Protection System,Vartaoptronic countermeasures system and other tank protection means.

Built-in new generation Duplet anti-tandem-charge warhead ERA protects against APFSDS, HESH and HEAT rounds.

Duplet improves protection against:

• Handanti-tank grenades,hand-held, and stationary grenade launchers andrecoilless guns(including ammunition with tandem-charge warheads)
• Anti-tank guided missiles(ATGMs) ofTOW-2,MILAN,andShturm-S type
• HEAT projectiles fired by125 mm tank smoothbore guns
• APFSDS projectiles fired by125 mmand 120 mm tank guns

Both sides of the driver's compartment are fitted with ERA panels for extended protection. The hull sides are hinged with large rubber skirts to withstand the attacks of man-portable anti-tank weapons. The modular ERA package can be easily replaced or upgraded as needed by future requirements.

The Oplot features a Varta optronic countermeasures system for deceiving incoming missiles and anti-tank guided weapons. The system integrates laser warning sensors, infra-red jammer, and smoke or aerosol screen laying system. The optronic countermeasure system can:

• confuse the guidance systems of ATGMs by emitting laser jamming covering the horizontal plane of ±18° relative to the main gun tube and ±2° in the vertical plane
• jam ATGM guidance systems that uselaser guidanceillumination of targets, semi-automatic laser guided homing projectiles, and artillery systems equipped with laser range-finders by activating the remote fast-deploying aerosol screens in a sector of ±45° relative to the main gun tube

Crew's collective protection system protects the crew and interior equipment against effects of nuclear explosions, radioactive substances, toxic agents, biological warfare agents, and detects and suppresses fires in the compartments of crew and power pack.

The Oplot tank can withstand an explosion of up to 10 kgtrinitrotoluene (TNT)under the tank track and up to 4 kg TNT under the driver's compartment. The vehicle has overpressure-type NBC protection system and can be fitted with track mine-clearing systems.

Due to the collapse of Soviet Union, theMalyshev Factorywas no longer able to obtain ceramic armour modules from Russia and only the initial batch of T-84 were produced with such. Instead, later batches of T-84's composite armour is composed of special purpose rubber sandwiched between steel and alloy plates. The exact difference in performance between the new and prior armor is unknown and depends on the performance of dynamic armor.

Engine and mobility

BM Oplot is powered by a6TD-2E6-cylinder turbocharged liquid-cooled engine, which delivers 1,200 horsepower (895 kW). It is improved and more environmentally friendly version of the prior6TD-2diesel engine, used on the T-84 MBT. The tank could also be powered by a more powerful6TD-3diesel, developing 1,500 horsepower (1,119 kW). Both engines could use diesel, jet engine fuel, petrol or any mixtures of them.

The engine provides a maximum on-road speed of 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) and a range of 500 kilometres (311 mi) with added fuel tanks. The tank is also equipped with a diesel-electric auxiliary power unit 10 kilowatts (13 hp) to supply power to onboard systems when the main engine is off.

BM Oplot is equipped withtorsion bar suspension.Either side of the six dual rubber-tyred road wheels are provided with idler at forward, drive sprocket at the rear, and track support rollers.

The first, second and sixth road wheel stations are fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers. The tank can negotiate a gradient of 32° and side slope of 25°. Equally, the tank can ford a water depth of 5m using deep water fording equipment.

Variants

An early model T-84 tank, whose appearance is near-identical to the T-80UD. Later versions have reactive armour integrated more smoothly with the hull.

A BM Oplot guided onto atank transporter

A BM Oplot atEurosatory2012

Object 478

Prototype.

Object 478M

Improvements included the Sistemafire control system,Shatteractive protection system,and a 1500 hp diesel engine.

Object 478A Comparison model.

A simplified Object 478B.

T-80UD (Object 478B)

SeeT-80UD.

T-80UD (Object 478BE)

T-80UD for export to Pakistan.

T-80UD (Object 478BE-1)

Variant of the 478BE with a welded turret.

T-80UD (Object 478BEM)

More similar to the T-84 variants but was designated as T-80UD. Made for export to the US for testing in 2004. Included an auxiliary power unit (APU). Did not include Shtora-1.

Object 478BEM-1

Included Drozd-1 active protection system (APS). Three built.

Object 478BEM-2

Included air conditioning. One built.

T-80UD (Object 478D)

Featured a new 1200 hp 6TD-2 engine.

T-84 (Object 478DU)

Object 478D with a T-64 hull. Prototype.

T-84 (Object 478DU2)

One of the various prototypes for the T-84. Featured a welded turret with integrated reactive armor. Smoke grenades were moved from the front of the turret onto the top rear part. This smoke launcher configuration was kept for the T-84 after this. Manufactured in 1992.

T-84 (Object 478DU4)

One of the various prototypes for the T-84. Featured new reactive armor on the sideskirts and an APU. Manufactured in 1999.

T-84 (Object 478DU5)

One of the various prototypes for the T-84. Included an air conditioner. Participated in Turkish trials.

T-84 (Object 478DU8)

One of the various prototypes for the T-84. Made for Malaysian trials. Track width was extended to 600 mm.

T-84 (Object 478DU9)

The first serially produced T-84 variant. New welded turret andShtora-1 countermeasures suite, new electronics, new main gun, new armor, and 1,200 hp (895 kW) 6TD-2 diesel engine.

Oplot-M(Object 478DU9-1)

Modernized, or "BM Oplot": The newest and most sophisticated version of the T-84 is an upgraded version of the "T-84 Oplot" mounting more advanced armor, new electronic countermeasure systems, and others. One visible feature is the new PNK-6 panoramic tank sight.

Oplot-T(Object 478DU9-T)

"BM Oplot-T" is an export version for Thailand.It has some minor modifications to meet local requirements, such as different radio, air conditioner and so on.Thailand ordered 49 of these tanks. Originally it was planned that all of them will be delivered by 2014. However, due to ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, the delivery was postponed to and completed in 2018.

Object 478DU10

Proposal for a more advanced variant of the BM Oplot (Object 478DU9-1).

T-84-120Yatagan(Object 478N)

A prototype version of Oplot tailored for evaluation by theTurkish Army(prototype designation, KERN2-120).Mounts a 120 mm main gun which fires both120 mm NATOrounds (like theM829DUseries) and a special 120 mm version of theAT-11 SniperATGM. Most significantly, the Yatagan features a completely redesigned "Cassette style" bustle mountedautoloader,similar to the ones used onLeclercandK2 Black Panther,replacing the Soviet-era carousel autoloader. This redesign allows all ammunition in the ready-rack to be separated from the crew and equipped with blowout panels, features considered standard for NATO MBTs. It also has automated gear shifting in place of a mechanical gear selector, driver's T-bar control replacing tiller bars, air conditioning, and projectile muzzle velocity sensor, and differences in the fire control system, communications, etc.

Object 478N1

Planned production variant of the T-84-120

BREM-84Atlet(Object 478BP)

Armoured recovery vehiclebased on the T-84Oplotchassis.

BREM-T

Armoured recovery vehiclebased on the T-84Oplot-Tchassis.

BMU-84

Armoured vehicle-launched bridge.

BTMP-84

Heavyinfantry fighting vehicleprototype based on the T-84 Oplot tank, with lengthened hull, an extra pair of road wheels, and a rear compartment for five infantrymen.

Service history

Ukraine

The first T-84 prototype vehicle rolled out in 1994, and in the same year it was decided to build several more vehicles. They were subjected to extensive company and army trials. After successful completion of the extensive trials programme in the late 1990s the T-84 entered service with the Ukrainian Army in 1999.

During theRussian invasion of Ukraine,at least one T-84 was deployed with the3rd Tank Brigadein Donbas, nearBarvinkoveandSlovyansk.T-84 tanks were believed to be deployed with the14th Mechanized Brigadein Donbas.

Thailand

In March 2011, theRoyal Thai Armyplaced an order for 49 Oplot-T to replace its fleet of agingM41A3 Walker Bulldoglight tanks. In September 2011, the Malyshev Plant announced plans to produce the first batch of five Oplot-T tanks for the Thai Army by the end of the year. Under the contract, the Ukrainian company will make 49 tanks worth over US$200 million.

The government approved 7.155 billionbahtto purchase the first 49 Oplot tanks to be assigned to several units: the 2nd Cavalry battalion (Royal Guard at Fort Chakrabongse, Prachinburi), the 4th Cavalry battalion (Royal Guard at Kiakkai, Bangkok), the 8th Cavalry battalion (Fort Suranari, Nakhon Ratchasima), and the 9th Cavalry battalion (Fort Ekathotsarot, Phitsanuloke).

In April 2017, it was reported that following the delayed deliveries from this tank, the Royal Thai Army was expected to decline the remainder of the sale and acquired the ChineseVT-4main battle tank instead of the Ukrainian tank, due to the long term delivery schedule.The signed order for 49 units had to be completed by the month of January, 2017, it was reported that other deliveries may not be expected.

A 26 March 2018 press release byUkroboronpromstated that the 2011 contract for supplying Oplot-T tanks to Thailand had successfully completed and that the last party of tanks had passed checks by the customers and would be sent to the buyer in the near future.

Operators

A map of T-84 operators in blue

Current operators

• Ukraine

TheUkrainian Ground Forcesreportedly had 6 T-84 in service as of 2021,but the current number is unknown. Battlefield footage published in early 2023 indicates least one of the tanks was possibly damaged by a Russian-made ZALA Lancet drone.

On May 12, 2023, Defense Minister Reznikov drove an Oplot at a training ground in Kharkiv Oblast and subsequently announced that the Armed forces of Ukraine would order an unspecified number of Oplots.

• Thailand

According toThe Military Balance2019, Thailand had acquired 49 Oplot-T(Object 478DU9-T) main battle tanks.

Evaluation-only operators

• United States

1 unit, for technologies analysis and operational OPFOR training.

Failed bids

• Azerbaijan

In January 2011,Azerbaijanshowed interest in the Oplot main battle tank. The Defense Ministry of Ukraine has long been holding negotiations on this issue.In June 2013, it has been made public that Azerbaijan had instead purchased 100 RussianT-90tanks,in a series of rearmament deals worth $4 billion with Russia.

• Malaysia

The T-84 Yatagan was offered to the Malaysian Army in 2002.But the contract was lost to the PolishPT-91.

• Peru

In 2009,Perureportedly tested the Oplot tank, but the government ofAlan Garcialater decided to acquire test examples of the ChineseMBT-2000in late 2010, only to have the government of his successor,Ollanta Humala,abandon the purchase in early 2012 to seek other alternatives.In May 2013,the T-84 was reported to be part of comparative tests to be conducted by Peru. The T-84 competed against theT-90S, theM1A1 Abrams,theLeopard 2A4 and A6, and theT-64also offered by Ukraine.By September 2013, only the T-84, T-90S, RussianT-80,and M1A1 Abrams were still competing.

• Pakistan

In 2017, Ukraine was in talks with Pakistan for the potential sale of 100 Oplot tanks. Though Pakistan evaluated the Oplot in 2015-2017, it selected theVT-4main battle tank instead.However later on,Heavy Industries TaxilaandUkrspecexportsigned aMoUworth $600 million to upgrade the existing fleet of Pakistan'sT-80UDMBTs possibly to Oplot-M standard.

Gallery

Object 478 atNational Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War,Kyiv:

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See also

• PT-91M
• M-84AS
• M-95 Degman
• Karrar
• T-80BVM
• T-90
• Type 99 tank
• TR-125

Sources

• Zaloga, Steven J.; Markov, David (2000).Russia's T-80U Main Battle Tank.Hong Kong: Concord Publications.ISBN962-361-656-2.
• Zaloga, Steven J. (17 February 2009).T-80 Standard Tank: The Soviet Army's Last Armored Champion.Osprey Publishing, New Vanguard.ISBN978-1-84603-244-8.

External links

• T-84 Oplot Data Sheet and pictures
• Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau—Ukrainian producer of the T-80. KMDB's pages forT-80UD,T-84 Oplot,T-84 Yatagan,andT-84 Oplot-M.
• T-84 MBTat globalsecurity.org
• T-84 MBTat military-today
• Hromadske.ua, “Ukraine’s Tanks Are So Good, Its Own Army Can’t Afford Them,”2017-09-14.