Ukrainian tanks: Bulat (T-64) and Oplot

Ukraine has a developed tank building, with glorious traditions and an excellent school. The main center of the tank industry in Ukraine is traditionally Kharkiv, the Malyshev Plant Production Association and the Kharkiv Design Bureau for Machine Building. Morozov. It was in Kharkov, back in 1940, that the famous "thirty-four" was created - the legendary weapon of Victory. Also in Ukraine there are a number of tank repair plants that can carry out major repairs and modernization of tanks.

Kharkov and the Malyshev Tank-Building Plant were one of the main tank-building centers of the USSR; after its collapse, the plant experienced difficult times, especially in the 90s. The main activity of the enterprise was the production of tanks, but after Ukraine gained independence, the state order of tanks for the army almost disappeared, and the plant was interrupted by odd jobs.

In 2003, the plant created and began production of the Bulat tank - this is, in fact, a very deep modernization of the Soviet main T-64 tank. In 2008, the serial production of the Oplot tank began. This tank is the latest and most advanced modification of the Ukrainian T-84 tank. According to the developers, the newest Oplot should become the main battle tank of the Ukrainian army.

In 2011, Ukraine and Thailand signed a contract for the supply of 49 Oplot tanks, the first batch was shipped to the customer in 2014, and the Kharkov plant will continue to fulfill this contract in 2018.

Separately, it should be noted that all the years after the collapse of the USSR and the construction of an independent state, Ukraine very poorly financed tank building, as well as the defense sector as a whole. So the creation of these two combat vehicles (especially the "Oplota"), undoubtedly, can be called a feat of the Kharkov tank builders. Now the situation has changed a lot: in connection with the anti-terrorist operation conducted by Ukraine in the Donbas, a large number of new tanks were transferred to the troops in 2014 and more are planned to be transferred in 2018.

"Bulat"

Ukrainian tank "Bulat" - is, in fact, a complete modernization of the Soviet main tank T-64. Modernization was going on three, the most important criteria for any tank: maneuverability, firepower and protection. The tank was first demonstrated in 1999, and adopted by the Ukrainian army in 2004. As of the end of 2014, the cost of upgrading the T-64 to the level of "Bulat" costs about 14-16 million hryvnia.

What is the difference between the Bulat tank and the Soviet T-64? A new, more powerful 5TDFM engine with a volume of 13.6 liters and a capacity of 850 hp was installed on the tank, it is 20% more powerful than its predecessor, while it has the same dimensions. This engine has one of the coolest exhausts in the world, due to its structural features, which in turn makes the Bulat tank less vulnerable to weapons traced along the heat trail.

A more modern fire control system was installed on the machine; it consists of the 1G46M gunner's sight, the TO1-KO1ER night gunner's complex, which can be replaced with a thermal imager, the 1B528-1 tank ballistic computer, the 2E42M gun stabilizer and the observation-observation complex PNK-4CR.

On the "Bulat" installed complex built-in dynamic protection (VDZ) "Knife", which is several times reduces the vulnerability of the tank from the action of cumulative weapons. In particular, the "Knife" reliably protects the tank from hand grenade launchers, guided anti-tank missiles (Tou, Sturm, Fagot and others), anti-tank cumulative and armor-piercing shells. This protection system is very convenient, it can be mounted by the crew in field conditions for 5-6 hours and seriously increases the survivability of the tank.

In addition, the Bulat tank received a more modern 125-mm cannon, from which you can shoot Kombat guided missiles at a distance of 5 kilometers.

Video: Ukrainian tank Bulat

You can also note the excellent maintainability of the tank: replacing the engine of the car takes only 3-5 hours, the tank has excellent maneuverability and excellent maneuverability. It may be noted improved tank ergonomics. To all this it is necessary to add that “Bulat”, having excellent characteristics, and not inferior to the best world models, is significantly cheaper than them. Upgrading one Bulat costs three times less than making a Russian T-90A tank, with roughly similar characteristics.

The engine and chassis of the tank "Bulat"

After upgrading the Bulat tank was able to fire in the daytime to 2.3-2.5 km, and at night to 1.5 km.

Tank T-84 and its modification "Oplot"

Ukraine also mass-produced the main tank T-84 and its modification Oplot. The T-84 tank was created by the Kharkov Malyshev plant in 1999 and is a further improvement of the T-80 tank. Currently, there are four versions of this machine: T-84, T-84 Yatagan, T-84U Oplot and BM Oplot. In 2014, the Ukrainian army received several similar vehicles. Here are the main characteristics of these machines.

Considering the characteristics of these machines, it becomes clear that the Kharkov tank builders upgraded the tank in three directions: increasing maneuverability, improving protection and increasing firepower. T-84 and BM Oplot tanks were equipped with more powerful engines, new, modern weapons control systems and more advanced protection systems. The new command tank BM "Oplot" is equipped with a panoramic commander's sight with a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder (on the Russian T-90, this is not the case), a system for recording trunk bending (this significantly increases the accuracy of shooting).

The tank is made using high strength steel that has undergone special treatment. The tank is equipped with passive and active dynamic protection systems, and the Doublet (Knife-2) protection system provides crew protection even against ammunition with a tandem warhead. BM "Oplot" is equipped with a system to protect the roof of the tower from anti-tank guided munitions such as the US ATGM FGM-148 Javelin.

The tank has a COE Varta system, which protects the vehicle from guided munitions with laser and thermal homing heads. In addition, the tank "Oplot" is very subtle in all wave bands.

Improved tank ergonomics. Instead of the usual levers, the steering wheel was installed, the convenience of the fighting compartment was improved. On the tanks "Oplot" can be installed air conditioning.

The tanks Oplot and Bulat in 2014 took the most active part in the anti-terrorist operation and showed themselves from the best sides. In 2018, the Kharkov plant plans to transfer a few dozen of these machines to the Ukrainian army.

Modern tanks of Ukraine

Watch the video: T-84 Oplot M and T-64 BM BULAT - Ukrainian Tanks Eng subs (November 2024).