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

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

On the other hand, Ukraine will gain from the introduction of more advanced Western main battle tanks in the upcoming months, including the M1 Abrams, Challenger 2, and Leopard 2.

Moreover, Ukraine possesses the T-84 Oplot, the 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. Following the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine was left with thousands of T-80s that required components from the newly established Russian Federation.

As a result, Ukraine chose to create its own armored vehicle based on the T-80 platform. Despite being a modern tank, the T-84 could not be manufactured on a large scale due to budget restrictions 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 incorporates substantial improvements compared to the T-80. It features blast panels for secure ammo storage, a welded turret, and a high-output diesel engine that makes it one of the fastest tanks in the world.

The T-84’s weaponry 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 types of ammunition, such as HEAT and APFSDS shells. The 6TD-2 turbocharged diesel engine provides 1,200 horsepower to the Oplot.

The Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau in Ukraine produced the T-84. It is a third-generation main battle tank. It is an enhanced version of the T-80 tank, which was initially created in the 1970s by the Soviet Union. Some of the most notable aspects of the T-84 tank include:

The T-84 is equipped with a 125mm smoothbore gun that can fire a range of 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 on the tank.

Armor: The T-84 has improved composite armor that offers better protection 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 has a diesel engine with 1200 horsepower, allowing it a top speed of about 70 km/h on and 45 km/h off-road. The tank also has a hydro-pneumatic suspension system that makes it very maneuverable over rough terrain.

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

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