The strife in Ukraine has demonstrated the significance of tanks in contemporary warfare. Ukraine takes pride in the T-84 Oplot, their first homegrown main battle tank with origins in the Soviet Union.

The Role of Tanks in War The military incursion in Ukraine has suggested the loss of 40% to 50% of the Russian armored vehicle fleet. Russian tanks such as the T-62, T-64, T-80, and T-90 have exhibited limited adaptability on Ukrainian terrain.

On the other hand, Ukraine will gain from the forthcoming arrival of more advanced Western main battle tanks, like the M1 Abrams, Challenger 2, and Leopard 2.

Moreover, Ukraine has the T-84 Oplot, their first domestically produced main battle tank.

Origin of the T-84 Oplot The T-84 Oplot was designed from the Soviet Union’s T-80 UD program during the Cold War. After the USSR’s collapse, Ukraine was left with thousands of T-80s that required components from the newly established Russian Federation.

As a result, Ukraine opted to create its own armored vehicle based on the T-80 platform. Despite being a modern tank, the T-84 could not be mass-produced due to budget constraints and a lack of priorities.

Currently, only six T-84s remain in Ukraine, as four were sold to the United States for evaluation.

Characteristics of the T-84 The T-84 features significant enhancements compared to the T-80. It includes blast panels for secure ammo storage, a welded turret, and a high-output diesel engine, making it one of the fastest tanks globally.

The T-84’s armament is similar to that of the T-80, including a 125mm smoothbore main gun, a KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun, and a KT-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun. The main gun can load various ammunition types, such as HEAT and APFSDS shells. The 6TD-2 turbocharged diesel engine supplies 1,200 horsepower to the Oplot.

The Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau in Ukraine manufactured the T-84. It is a third-generation main battle tank. It is an enhanced version of the T-80 tank, initially developed in the 1970s by the Soviet Union. Some of the most crucial aspects of the T-84 tank are:

The T-84 is equipped with a 125mm smoothbore gun that can fire various rounds, including high-explosive, armor-piercing, and guided missiles. A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun are also mounted on the tank.

Armor: The T-84 has enhanced composite armor that better protects it from small arms fire and anti-tank weapons. The tank’s armor also features modules called explosive reactive armor (ERA), which can detonate incoming weapons and reduce their effectiveness.

The T-84 possesses a diesel engine with 1,200 horsepower, providing a top speed of around 70 km/h on roads and 45 km/h off-road. The tank also has a hydro-pneumatic suspension system, making it easy to traverse rough terrain.

Electronics: The T-84 boasts modern electronics, such as a fire control system with a laser rangefinder and thermal imaging sights. The tank also has a battle management system, allowing it to communicate with other tanks and units on the battlefield.

Crew: Three individuals operate the T-84: a commander, a gunner, and a driver. The tank’s advanced electronics and automation systems simplify the crew’s tasks and make the tank more effective in combat.

Overall, the T-84 is a cutting-edge main battle tank