T-80

This article is about the Soviet main battle tank. For other uses, see T80

T-80
T-80B
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1976 - present
Used by	See Operators
Production history
Variants	See Models
Specifications
Mass	46 tonnes (T-80, T-80UD) 42.5 tonnes (T-80B) 43.7 (T-80BV) 51.9 tonnes (T-80A) 50.7 tonnes (T-80U)
Length	7 m (T-80) 6.98 m (T-80B) 7.01 m (T-80U) 7.085 m (9.72 m with gun in forward position) (T-80UD)
Width	3.58 m (T-80B) 3.60 m (T-80, T-80U) 3.56 m (T-80UD)
Height	2.22 m (T-80B) 2.20 m (T-80, T-80U) 2.74 m (T-80UD)
Crew	3 (driver, gunner, commander)
Armour	composite armour It can withstand 120mm rounds (triple layer) (T-80B, T-80U) Kontakt-1 ERA (T-80BV, T-80BVK) Kontakt-5 ERA (T-80U)
Main armament	125 mm 2A46-1 smoothbore gun (T-80) 125 mm 2A46M-1 smoothbore gun (T-80B) 125 mm 2A46M-1 (D-81TM "Rapira-3") smoothbore gun (T-80A, T-80U) 125 mm KBA3 smoothbore gun (T-80UD) 38 rounds (T-80B, T-80U) 45 rounds (28 in automatic loader) (T-80UD)
Secondary armament	7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun (1,250 rounds) 7.62 mm PKT KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun (1,250 rounds) (T-80UD) 12.7 mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun (500 rounds) 12.7 mm KT-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun (450 rounds) (T-80UD) 9M112 Kobra (AT-8 Songster) ATGM (6 missiles) (T-80, T-80B) 9M119 Svir (AT-11 Sniper) and 9M119M Refleks (AT-11B Sniper) ATGM (6 missiles) (T-80U)
Engine	GTD-1000T multi-fuel gas turbine (T-80, T-80B, T-80BK) GTD-1000TF multi-fuel gas turbine (T-80B and T-80BK since 1980, T-80BV, T-80BVK) GTD-1000M multi-fuel gas turbine (T-80A) GTD-1000F multi-fuel gas turbine (T-80U) GTD-1250 multi-fuel gas turbine (T-80U since 1992) 6TD twin-stroke, multi-fuel, liquid-cooled 6-cylinder diesel engine (T-80UD) 1,000 hp (746 kW) (GTD-1000T) 1,100 hp (820 kW) (GTD-1000TF, GTD-1000F) 1,200 hp (895 kW) (GTD-1000M) 1,250 hp (932 kW) (GTD-1250) 1,006 hp (750 kW) (6TD)
Power/weight	21.7 hp/tonne (16.2 kW/tonne) for T-80 25.8 hp/tonne T-80B 25.2 hp/tonne (18.8 kW/tonne) for T-80BV 26.5 hp/tonne (19.8 kW/tonne) for T-80A 24.7 hp/tonne (18.4 kW/tonne) for T-80U
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	335 km, 600 km with extra tanks (on road) (T-80) 335 km off-road (main tanks), 500 km on road(main tanks),600 km on road (extra tanks) (T-80B) 500 km, 900 km with extra tanks (on road) (T-80U) 580 km (road) 450 km (off-road) (T-80UD)
Maximum speed	70 km/h (road), 48 km/h (off-road) (T-80) 70 km/h (road) (T-80B, T-80U) 65 km/h (road), 45 km/h (off-road) (T-80UD)

The T-80 is a main battle tank which was designed in Soviet Union and entered service in 1976. A development of the T-64, it was the first production tank in the world to be equipped with a gas turbine engine for main propulsion (the Stridsvagn 103 used a supplementary gas turbine by 1971). An advanced derivative, the T-84, continues to be produced in Ukraine. The T-80 and its variants are in service in Belarus, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, and Ukraine. The T-80U and T-80UM modifications are currently in production at Omsk, Russia. The chief designer of the T-80 was Russian engineer, Nikolay Popov.

Production history

Project of the first tank powered by a turbine engine in Soviet Union came into existence back in 1949. Its designer was A. Ch. Starostienko who worked at Kirovsk plant. The tank never got past the design phase because the turbine engines at the time were of very poor quality. Later in 1955 at Kirovsk plant under guidance of G. A. Ogloblin two prototypes of 1,000 hp (746 kW) turbine engine were made. Two years later a team led by famous heavy tank designer Ż. J. Kotin constructed two prototypes of Ob'yekt 278 tank. Both prototypes were hybrids of IS-7 and T-10, were powered by GTD-1 turbine engine, weighed 53.5 tonnes and were armed with 130 mm M65 tank gun. The turbine engine allowed the tank to reach maximal speed of 57.3 km/h but with 1950 l of fuel the tank could only make 300 km. They were considered experimental vehicles and work on them ceased. In 1963 in Morozov Design Bureau along with T-64 tank, the T-64T tank was created. It used GTD-3TL turbine engine which generated 700 hp (522 kW). The tank was tested until 1965. At the same time at Uralvagonzavod a design team under guidance of L. N. Karcew created Ob'yekt 167T tank. It used the GTD-3T turbine engine with the power of 801 hp (597 kW).

In 1966 experimental Ob'yekt 288 rocket tank powered by two aerial GTD-350 turbine engines with a combined power of 691 hp (515 kW) was created. The trials indicated that twin propulsion wasn't any better than turbine engine which was in development since 1968 at KB-3 of Kirovsk plant (LKZ) and WNII Trans Masz. The tank from LKZ equipped with this turbine engine was constructed in 1969 and designated as Ob'yekt 219 SP1. Essentially it was a T-64T with GTD-1000T multi-fuel gas turbine engine with the power of 1000 hp (746 kW). During the trials it was indicated that the increased weigh and changed dynamic characteristic required a complete rebuilding of vehicle's caterpillar tracks system. The second prototype which was designated Ob'yekt 219 SP2 received bigger drive sprocket and return rollers. The number of wheels was increased from four to five. The construction of the turret was also altered while using the same apartment as the T-64A which was 125 mm 2A46 tank gun, auto loader and the placement of ammunition. Also some of the additional equipment came from T-64A. LKZ plant created a series of prototypes based on Ob'yekt 219 SP2 and upgraded it and seven years later it became the T-80.

The T-80 has been confused by some Western analysts with the Soviet T-72, but a quick overview of Soviet tanks and their histories provides clarity: the T-80 and T-72 are mechanically very different. They are the products of different design bureaus (the T-80 from SKB-2 design bureau of the Kirov Factory in Leningrad, the T-72 from Uralvagonzavod at Nizhny Tagil, Russia), and are really only similar in general appearance. The T-80 is based on the earlier T-64 and incorporates features from the T-72, which was a complementary design.

The T-64 was the earlier offering of the Morozov Design Bureau (KMDB), a high-technology main battle tank designed to replace the obsolescent IS-3 and T-10 heavy tanks, used in the Red Army's independent tank units. The T-72 was intended to be a tank mass-produced to equip the bulk of the Soviet Motor Rifle units, and for sale to export partners and eastern-bloc satellite states. The mechanically simpler T-72 is simpler to manufacture, and easier to service in the field.

Also Western analysts for many years denied usage of gas turbine as main propulsion. From a long distance T-64, T-72 and T-80 look pretty much alike even though T-80 is 90 cm longer than T-64.

The T-64's story continues in the T-80. The Leningrad design bureau improved upon the earlier design, introducing a gas turbine engine in the original model, and incorporating suspension components of the T-72. This gave the tank a high power-to-weight ratio and made it easily the most mobile tank in service, albeit with acute range problems, since the turbine consumes fuel very rapidly, even when the engine idles. (Morozov's subsequent parallel development of the T-80UD replaced the gas turbine with a diesel, to decrease fuel consumption and maintenance.) While the M1 Abrams has a 1,500 hp (1,120 kW) gas turbine as well, the T-80 is almost half the size and weight; its consequent maneuverability sees it referred to as the "flying tank". The T-80 can fire the same 9K112 Kobra (AT-8 Songster) anti-tank guided missile through its gun barrel as the T-64.

The T-80U main battle tank (1985, "U" for uluchsheniye ‘improvement’) was designed by SKB-2 in Leningrad (hull) and the Morozov Bureau (turret and armament). It is powered by the 1,250 hp (919 kW) GTD-1250 gas turbine. It is a step ahead of the GTD-1000T and GTD-1000TF engines that were installed on the previous tanks of T-80 line. This gas turbine can use jet fuels as well as diesel and low-octane gasoline, has good dynamic stability, service life, and reliability. the GTD-1250 gas turbine has a built-in automatic system of dust deposits removal. Of course it retains the T-80's high fuel consumption, which the Russian army found unacceptable during the Chechen conflicts. The T-80U is protected by a new generation of explosive reactive armour called Kontakt-5, integrated into the design of the turret and hull, and Brod-M deep wading equipment. It can fire the new 9M119 Refleks (AT-11 Sniper) guided missile. The remotely controlled commander's machine gun is replaced by a more flexible pintle-mounted one.

The T-80U(M) of the 1990s introduced the TO1-PO2 Agava gunner's thermal imaging sight and 9M119M Refleks-M guided missile, and later an improved 2A46M-4 version of the 125 mm gun and 1G46M gunner's sight.

Recently, the Russians seem to be abandoning the T-80. Because of the turbine-powered tank's high fuel consumption, and the poor combat performance of older T-80BV tanks in Chechnya, the Russian Army decided to standardize on the Uralvagonzavod factory's T-90 tank (derived from the T-72BM, but incorporating some T-80 technology), and have had some success selling it to the Indian Army. The Omsk Tank Plant in Siberia, facing a shortage of domestic orders, has sold a small number of T-80 tanks to Cyprus, South Korea, and China, and has demonstrated versions intended for export, including the T-80UM1 with active protection systems, and the advanced T-80UM2 Black Eagle concept tank.

Ukrainian T-80UD

In parallel with the T-80U, the Morozov Bureau in Ukraine developed a diesel-powered version, the T-80UD. It is powered by the 1,000-hp 6TD-1 6-cylinder multi-fuel two-stroke turbo-piston diesel engine, ensuring high fuel efficiency and a long cruising range. The engine support systems make it possible to operate the tank at ambient fuel temperatures of up to 55°C and to ford to a water depth of 1.8 m. The T-80UD shares most of the T-80U's improvements, but can be distinguished from it by a different engine deck, distinctive smoke-mortar array and turret stowage boxes, and retains the remotely-controlled commander's machine gun. About 500 T-80UD tanks were built in the Malyshev plant between 1987–91. About 300 were still at the Ukrainian factory when the Soviet Union broke up, so the T-80UD is more common in Ukrainian service than Russian.

T-80UD tanks of the Russian 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division were seen in the streets of Moscow during the Soviet coup attempt of August 1991, and fired on the Russian parliament building during the Russian constitutional crisis of October 1993.

Ukrainian exports of the T-80UD have been moderately successful, selling 320 units to the Pakistani Army in 1997–99. This contract almost fell through due to Russia withholding cast turrets and other technology. Ukraine was forced to make its tank industry independent by developing domestic components, including a locally-designed welded turret which was installed on some of the last T-80s for Pakistan.

A further improvement of the T-80UD is the Ukrainian T-84 main battle tank, including the new welded turret, 1,200-hp (895 kW) 6TD-2 engine, Kontakt-5 reactive armour, Shtora active protection system, thermal imaging sight, muzzle referencing system, and auxiliary power unit. The T-84U (1999) shows many refinements, including deeper sideskirts, modified reactive armour, a small reference radar antenna near the gunner's hatch (used to track rounds and compensate for barrel wear), and a large armoured box for the auxiliary power unit at the rear of the right fender. The T-84 Oplot (ten delivered in 2001) introduced turret-bustle ammunition storage, and the T-84-120 Yatagan has been offered for export, featuring a very large turret bustle and NATO-compatible 120 mm gun.

Further information: [[:T-84]]

Design details

This T-80BV (a monument in St Petersburg) has reactive armour adapted to its turret and hull. The later T-80U has newer-generation reactive armour integrated into its design.

One of the T-80's advantages is the small size of the tank (projection is about half to three quarters that of the U.S. M1 Abrams, depending on the aspect) and optimal internal volume (about half of the M1's, but a bit roomier for the crew than the T-72). This gives high armour to volume ratio (one of protection indices). In spite of the fact that T-80 is much lighter than most modern western tanks, such as Abrams or Leopard 2, it has similar level of protection. However, there is no precise data available to make reliable comparison.

Except in newer versions of the tank (like the T-84 Oplot), the ammunition is stored in the most protected area - below the crew inside the crew compartment in the autoloader carousel. This means that if the tank is penetrated, the ammunition can cook off, killing the crew and blowing the turret into the air. In most western tanks, like the M1 Abrams, only part of ammunition is stored inside crew compartment and can cook off too; however, to protect the crew this ammunition is usually stored in a blast proof cabinet with blow out panels above it in case it ever does cook off. Autoloader speed is from 7.1 seconds to 19.5 s depending on the initial position of autoloader carousel.

The carousel itself is actually quite well protected. It is the rounds stored outside of the autoloader, especially those in the fighting compartment, that are mainly responsible for this "trademark" survivability issue, and this problem is made all the more acute by the use of semi-combustible charge casings instead of the traditional brass ones, giving almost no protection from the white-hot metal fragments sprayed inside the vehicle in the event of penetration. A T-80 restricted to carrying ammunition in its carousel greatly reduces this hazard, though it limits the vehicle to 28 rounds of ammunition (a fully laden T-80 can hold 45 rounds), which may be quite inadequate for most combat missions on the high intensity battlefield, but more acceptable in low intensity operations.

Due to the low turret roof, the lowest gun elevation is a few degrees below zero and so it is more difficult to find hull-down positions that the tank can fire from. However with the dozer blade equipped the T-80 can create an exellent fighting position in a short time. The latest prototype, the T-84 Oplot, has an entirely new turret with armoured ammunition compartment.

Variants

T-80 graphic.

T-80 in the field.

T-80BV graphic.

T-80BV

T-80BV (this photo has been flipped left-to-right)

Russian T-80U.

• Ob'yekt 219 SP1 - Prototype. Essentially it was a T-64T with GTD-1000T multi-fuel gas turbine engine with the power of 1000 hp (746 kW).
• Ob'yekt 219 SP2 - Prototype. Ob'yekt 219 SP1 with bigger drive sprocket and return rollers. The number of wheels was increased from four to five. The construction of the turret was also altered while using the same apartment as the T-64A which was 125 mm 2A46 tank gun, auto loader and the placement of ammunition. Also some of the additional equipment came from T-64A. It was upgraded and in 1976 it became the T-80.
• T-80 (Ob'yekt 219) (1976) - First production model. The T-80 has some features of both the T-64 and T-72, and other features unique to itself. In general, the offensive capabilities of the T-80 are similar to the T-64A, but it is faster thanks to the GTD-1000T 1,000 hp (746 kW) multi-fuel gas turbine engine and better protected. Visual keys are large, die-cast, irregularly spaced, rubber-tired road wheels with three support rollers, a self-entrenching blade on the lower glacis, a large left-hand optic, and smoke grenade launchers on the rear of the turret sides (seven on the left side and five on the right side). Significant differences are a probable laser range finder, and probable enhanced armor on the glacis and turret (an upper glacis of steel layers enclosing fiberglass layers and a cast steel turret enclosing nonmetallic materials). Unlike the later models T-80 had V-shaped splash plate on glacis plate. Only a few hundred were built between 1976 and 1978 before the production switched to the T-80B. Some T-80's were later upgraded to B level.
  • T-80M-1 - T-80 with an Arena countermeasures array fitted to rear of the turret's roof. It also has an armour belt around turret.
  • T-80B (Ob'yekt 219R) (1978) - This first major redesign features a modified turret with new composite K ceramic armor providing better protection against APFSDS kinetic energy penetrators. The protection level of the turret increased from 410 mm of steel to 500 mm of steel. It also includes 1A33 fire control system, 9K112-2 system which allows firing 9M112 "Kobra" (NATO code: AT-8 Songster) ATGM using the tank's barrel. The missile control box is mounted in front of the cupola and has angled support. The ATGM may be launched while moving slowly and can be auto-loaded with the two halves mated during ramming but the stub charge is manually loaded. Unlike T-80, T-80B doesn't have a splash plate on glacis plate.
    • T-80B obr.1980g. - T-80B with a new 1,100 hp (820 kW) GTD-1000TF gas turbine engine.
    • T-80BK (Ob'yekt 660) - T-80B command tank equipped with additional R-130 radio, TNA navigation set, a 2nd whip antenna and a telescopic mast. It doesn't have the 9K112-2 system.
    • T-80BV (Ob'yekt 219RV) (1985) - T-80B with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour. The smoke grenade launchers were moved from either side of the main armament back to the either side of the turret and positioned between the turret side and the ERA panels. On the turret of the T-80BV, the panels are joined to form a shallow chevron shape. ERA is also fitted to the forward part of the turret roof to provide protection against attacks from above. While the ERA provides a high degree of protection against ATGM of its time which relied on a HEAT warhead to penetrate armor over the frontal arc. It does not provide any added protection against APDS or APFSDS. Vehicles which were build first for sometime lacked the ERA because of supply problems. Some T-80BV tanks have been equipped with dust flap under glacis plate and some of them were equipped with single line of ERA along top of hull side. A late production version had a new turret similar to the T-80U but with Kontakt-1 ERA.
      • T-80BVK - As per T-80BK but with ERA. First models were just T-80BK tanks with ERA. Later models were T-80BV tanks with additional communications equipment and an antennae.
    • T-80A (Ob'yekt 219A) (1982) - a further development of T-80B. It was developed in late 1970s and first model was produced in 1982. It was an attempt to provide the T-80B tank with an improved armour and firepower. It uses 1,200 hp (895 kW) GTD-1000M gas turbine engine. It has the 9K119 system which allows it to fire 9M119M Refleks (AT-11B Sniper) ATGM using the tank's barrel. It also had several pintle mounts for the NSVT heavy machine gun and other improvements. The ammo load for 125 mm smoothbore tank gun was increased considerably when comparing it to the one of T-80B (T-80B - 38 rounds, T-80A - 45 rounds). It has some features of the future T-80U including the new turret with stronger armour and equipped with a new fire control system with the 1G46 gunner's sight. However because of all those improvements T-80A is 2.8 tonnes heavier than the T-80B. It was further developed as T-80U.
      • T-80A obr.1984 - T-80A with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour. The model with Kontakt-1 is sometimes called T-80AV. The main difference between T-80BV and T-80A obr.1984 is the lack of missile guidance box in front of the commanders cupola.
      • T-80AK - Command variant of T-80A.
        • T-80AK obr.1984 - T-80A with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour. The model with Kontakt-1 is sometimes called T-80AKV.
      • T-80U (Ob'yekt 219AS) (1986) - (U for Ulushchenniy) A further development of T-80A. This version has a new 1,100 hp (820 kW) GTD-1000F multi-fuel gas turbine engine as well as 1A46 fire control system and a new turret. T-80U also received a different engine decking. 9K112-2 system was replaced with newer 9K120 system which allows firing 9M119 Svir (AT-11 Sniper) and 9M119M Refleks (AT-11B Sniper) ATGM. Also the 12.7 mm NSVT heavy machine gun received the ability to be fired from within the turret with a use of a remote-control which work in a similar manner to the one in T-64. Infra-red searchlight mounted on the commander's cupola is replaced with an image intensification channel. There's a laser designation system mounted on the tank's roof forward of the tank's commander cupola, it projects a modulated beam. The system is protected by a rectangular armored box cover. Like all of the previous T-80 models, the T-80U has full length rubber side skirts protecting the sides but those above the first three road wheels are armored and are provided with lifting handles. There are also rubber elements fitted beneath the front glacis which provide additional protection against mines with tilt-rod fuses and HEAT warheads. The forward skirt elements are armored and a radiation absorption liner coat is mounted on the inside and on the outside of armour. The turret roof between the commander's and gunner's hatches has been provided with additional protection against attack from above. Driver's protection, particularly against mine explosions, is enhanced by suspending the driver's seat from the hull roof. Two clusters of four 81 mm 902B Tucha electrically operated smoke dischargers are mounted on either side of the turret. The new turret also has an improved frontal armor package with Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armour which defeats APFSDS. Early production version of T-80U still used Kontakt-1 ERA. A special camouflage paint distorts the tank's appearance in the visible and IR wavebands. GTA-18A Auxiliary Power Unit is used when the engine is off. Late production version had a more powerful GTD-1250D multi-fuel gas turbine engine and the "Brod-M" snorkel.
        • T-80U obr.1992 - T-80U with an improved 1,250 hp (930 kW) GTD-1250 multi-fuel gas turbine engine.
        • T-80U(M) - Improved fire control.
        • T-80UK - Command version, equipped with additional R-163-50K and R-163-U radios, TNA-4 land navigation system, TShU-1-7 Shtora countermeasures system, electronic fuze-setting device that permits use of "Ainet" shrapnel round, a meteorological sensor, laser warning receivers, "Agava" thermal sight which provides a 2,600-meter night acquisition range, fire control and APU. Became the main Russian export tank in the 1990s. It can be easily recognized by EO boxes on the front of turret on either side of the main armament and multiple radio antennas.
        • T-80UE (1999) - Export version of the T-80U with some of the equipment from the T-80UK (including the TShU-1-7 Shtora electro-optical countermeasures system). Unlike the T-80U it doesn't have the anti-aircraft heavy machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola, instead it has pintle mounts at the four corners of the turret allowing it's position to be switched.
        • T-80UM - Russian version with a new weapon system for the 9M119M Refleks (AT-11B Sniper) ATGM, new thermal imaging sight "Agava-M1" (optionally "Agava-2" or "Buran-R") because of which the L-4 "Luna" IR has been removed.
          • T-80UM-1 "Bars" ‘Snow Leopard’ - Russian 1997 prototype with new Arena active protection system (Zaloga 2000:4).
        • T-80UM-2 - Russian prototype with KAZT Drozd-2 active protection system (Zaloga 2000:4).
          • Chorny Oryol (Ob'yekt 640) (Black Eagle) - A series of Russian demonstration prototypes with new turret including separate crew and ammunition compartments, blow-out panels on the ammunition compartment, new autoloader, Kaktus ERA, new targeting systems, and other undisclosed improvements. Six and seven-axle versions have been demonstrated.
            • Desert Eagle - Tank based on the second prototype of the Chorny Oryol (Black Eagle) but it has a longer hull with 7 road-wheels. It is fitted with the KAZT Drozd-2 automatic protection system with its launchers on either side of the turret. It's probably intended for export.
• T-80UD "Beryoza" (Ob'yekt 478B) (NATO code: SMT M1989) (1985) - (Beryoza - birch-tree) Ukrainian diesel-engined version with 1,006 hp (750 kW) 6TD engine. Early production version used Kontakt-1 ERA which was later replaced with Kontakt-5 ERA.
  • T-80UDK - T-80UD command tank. Prototype only.
  • Ob'yekt 478BK - T-80UD with a welded turret.
  • Ob'yekt 478BEh - T-80UD sold to Pakistan.
  • T-84 (Ob'yekt 478DU2) - Ukrainian development of the T-80UD, including T-84U, T-84 Oplot, and T-84 Yatagan models.
• BREM-80U (BREM-80) - Armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) based on the T-80U, with a large superstructure on the forward half of the chassis, a large square-section 18-tonne crane on the left side of hull and 35-tonne winch (in contrast to earlier Soviet ARVs which had light jib cranes).
• BTU-80 - Dozer vehicle based on T-80.
• MTU-80 - Bridge layer based on T-80 chassis.
• PTS-4 - Amphibious load carrier based on T-80.
• Ladoga - Initially called Debut, this APC is designed for evacuation of Soviet government from Kremlin to airport under nuclear/chemical/biological attack. Ladoga uses tracks from the T-80U as well as suspension system and gas-turbine powerplant. The crew is 2 soldiers. It also has a four-seat cab equipped with a crew life-support facilities to protect the passengers against the radiological, chemical and bacteriological contamination of the environment.
• BREM-84 - Ukrainian ARV, based on the T-80UD but powered by the 6TD-2 engine of the T-84.
• 2S19 "Msta-S" - Self-propelled 152 mm artillery gun based on T-80 running gear and the T-72's diesel engine. There is also a NATO 155mm-barrelled version.

• 
  T-80BV
• T-80BV
  T-80BV

Service history

Former USSR

Soviet T-80 MBT during maneuvers, 25 March 1986.

Two T-80UD MBTs on Red Square in Moscow during failed Coup d'état attempt, August 1991.

First T-80 MBTs started arriving in tank units in late 1970s. The first to receive them was the Group of Soviet Forces stationed in East Germany. T-80 and T-64 MBTs were to be the core of the assault groups of tank units. The fighting capabilities of these vehicles was evaluated during numerous war games and according to them if the war with NATO would start, the T-80 MBTs would reach the La Manche canal within 5-6 days (with the Soviet forces having the upper hand) or 2 weeks (with the NATO forces having the upper hand). Because of this they gained the nickname of "La Manche tanks" in Soviet Army. T-80 MBTs have unintentionally publicly displayed their maneuverability when a battalion equipped with those tanks appeared on a highway leading to Berlin during military exercises. While there they were able to move with speed equal to that of tourist buses and Trabant cars. At the time they were classified as secret weapons. At the beginning of its service it was the the most modern and effective tank in the world. The crews praised its high speed (for a tank) and ability to quickly reach battle readiness thanks to the turbine engine. This engine however had a serious flaw which was the fact that it overheated in high temperatures which is why the tanks weren't sent to the hot southern regions of Soviet Union. Only the appearence of T-80UD with a diesel engine solved this problem. In 1985 there were 1,900 T-80 MBTs overall. According to data publicized in Russia, 2,256 T-80 MBTs were stationed in East Germany between 1986 and 1987. NATO realized that new Soviet tanks could reach Atlantic within two weeks and because of that started to develop counter methods that could stop them. This led to sudden increase in development of anti-tank weapons including attack helicopters. In 1991 when the Soviet Union was breaking up the Soviet Army operated 4,839 different models of T-80.

T-80 MBTs were never used in a way in which they were intended, large scale conventional war in Europe. It was used during political and economical changes in Russia in 1990s. In August 1991 communists and military commanders allied with them tried to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev and regain control over the unstable Soviet Union. T-80 MBTs drove onto the streets of Moscow but the Coup d'état failed and quickened the fall of Soviet Union.

Russia

Russian T-80U MBT in at the open air museum in Saratov.

While a number of T-80 MBTs was inherited by Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Russia still managed to save the majority of those tanks for itself. In 1993 Boris Yeltsin ordered to use T-80 MBTs against Russian parliament which opposed him. On 4 October 1993 six T-80UD MBTs from 12^th Guards Tank Regiment which is a part of 4^th Kantemirowsk Guards Tank Division took positions on a bridge opposite the Federation Council of Russia. The building was hit 12 times, 10 by Frag-HE rounds and 2 by undercaliber AP rounds. It remains unknown whether the use of two AP rounds was a mistake made by the loader or if it was planned to use them as they could pierce through a dozen walls in order to further terrify the parliamentarians. This operation also failed because soon the tanks got surrounded by a crowd of bystanders and everything started to look more like a picnic rather than a military operation. In 1995 the number of T-80 tanks increased to around 5,000 but was reduced in 1998 to 3,500. In July 1998 a T-80 tank drove into a square in front of the administration building of city of Nowosmolensk and aimed its gun at the building. The tank was commanded by major Igor Bieljajew from Molinsk garrison, a part of 22^nd Army. His motive was unpaid pay for several months. At first the commander of the 22^nd Army tried to negotiate with the major. The negotiations failed and it was decided to tow away major's tank using another T-80 tank. This was prevented by the local population which allied itself with the major. As a result all unpaid pay of the 22^nd Army was paid. As of right now Russian Army has 3,044 T-80U, T-80UM, T-80UD MBTs in active service and 1,456 T-80U, T-80UM, T-80UD MBTs in reserve. There are at least 460 T-80UD in service with 2nd Guards Tamanskaya Motor Rifle Division and 4th Guards Kantemirowsk Motor Rifle Division. As of right now a T-80BV tank is on display in Kubinka Tank Museum and a T-80U tank is on display at an open air museum in Saratov.

Chechen wars

T-80B and T-80BV MBTs were used during the First Chechen War. This first real combat experience for T-80 MBTs was unsuccessful as they were used for capturing cities, a task for which they weren't very well suited. The biggest losses were suffered during the ill-fated assault on the city of Grozny. The reasons for that included the fact that the forces selected to capture Gorzny weren't prepared for such an operation while the city was defended by, among others, veterans of Soviet War in Afghanistan. The T-80 tanks used in this operation either didn't have reactive armour (T-80B) or it wasn't fitted before the start of the operation (T-80BV). The unexperienced crews had no knowledge of the layout of the city while the AFVs that entered it were attacked by shoulder-launched anti-tank rocket propelled grenade launchers operated by the defenders hidden in cellars and on top of high buildings. The fire was directed at the least armoured points of the vehicles. The average of hits that each destroyed tank received ranged from three to six. Each tank was fired at by six or seven RPGs. A number of vehicles exploded when the autoloader with vertically placed rounds was hit, in theory it should be protected by the roadwheel but when the tank got hit on its side armour the ready-to-use ammunition exploded. 250 AFVs that entered Grozny were destroyed including about 100 tanks. After that T-80 MBTs were never again used to capture cities and instead supported infantry squads from a safe distance.

Foreign service

While other kinds of Soviet Equipment, like T-72, were exported to many countries around the world, T-80, like T-64 before it, had a status of secret weapon which meant that it was not planned to be exported early on like the T-72 was. Despite that Poland was negotiating with the Soviet Union about buying either T-72S or T-80 MBTs. After the political changes of 1989 in Poland and the dissolution of the Soviet bloc, Polish-Soviet talks on purchase of modern tanks came to a halt. This led to led to Polish developing the PT-91 MBT.

Great Britain

After the fall of Soviet Union, Great Britain bought a number of T-80U MBTs. They weren't bought officially but through a specially created trading company which was supposed to deliver them to Morocco. The price of five million USD offered for each tank ensured the lack of suspicions from the Russians who realized the situation when the Moroccan minister of defense who was at the time in Russia did not confirmed the transaction. By this time however the tanks were already in the British hands. British evaluated the tanks on their proving grounds and transfered one over to the US where the Americans evaluated it on Aberdeen Proving Ground. In January 1994 Great Britain has officially confirmed that it is in possession of the said tanks. While evaluating the vehicle, British got to know all weak spots and flaws of the T-80U which helped them in preventing the Russians from successfully selling it to the countries of the Near East and the Middle East. Although the first public appearance of T-80U in Abu Zabi in 1993 stirred some attention, no tanks were sold as a result of it.

Combat history

• 1994 - 1996 First Chechen War (by Russia)
• 1999 - Second Chechen War (by Russia)
• 2008 - War in South Ossetia (By Russia)

Operators

• Belarus - 92 T-80B
• Cyprus - 41 T-80U
• Kazakhstan -
• Pakistan - In August 1996 Pakistan decided to buy 320 T-80UD tanks from Ukraine for $580 million. After first 15 vehicles were shipped to Pakistan in February 1997, Russia protested by stating that T-80UD is a 100% Russian construction and therefore Ukraine can't export it. Ukraine was able to ship 20 more T-80UD tanks until May 1997. The contract was completed by shipping 285 Ukrainian T-84 (Ob.478BE) tanks instead of T-80UD tanks. Some sources state that tanks used by Pakistan may not be T-80UD but T-80U.
• Russia - 3,044 T-80U, T-80UM, T-80UD in active service and 1,456 T-80U, T-80UM, T-80UD in reserve.
• South Korea - Republic of Korea Army acquired 33 T-80U tanks and 2 T-80UK tanks in exchange for nullification of Russian debts to South Korea made during the existence of USSR (Originally 80 T-80U main battle tanks were planned).
• Ukraine - 271

Former operators

• Soviet Union - passed on to successor states.

Evaluation only operators

• United Kingdom - Indirectly bought a number of T-80U MBTs. (See Great Britain section in Foreign service section for details).
• United States - Received one T-80U from Great Britain.

See also

• List of tanks
• List of Soviet tanks
• T-95, rumoured Russian prototype main battle tank with a remotely-controlled turret
• 125 mm smoothbore rounds

References

• Karpenko, A.V. (1996), Obozreniye Bronetankovoj Tekhniki (1905-1995 gg.), Nevskij Bastion.
• Sewell, Stephen ‘Cookie’ (1998), “Why Three Tanks?”</ref> in Armor vol. 108, no. 4, p. 21. Fort Knox, KY: US Army Armor Center, ISSN 0004-2420 (PDF format).
• Zaloga, Steven (1992), T-64 and T-80, Hong Kong: Concord, ISBN 962-361-031-9.
• Zaloga, Steven and David Markov (2000), Russia's T-80U Main Battle Tank, Hong Kong: Concord, ISBN 962-361-656-2.

External links

• Pakistan Main Battle Tank T-80UD
• Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau—Ukrainian producer of the T-80. KMDB's pages for T-80UD, T-84, and Oplot.
• Main Battle Tank T-80U
• Army Technology: T-80U Main Battle Tank Information
• T-80U Main Battle Tank at the Armor Site
• Tanknet forums
• T-80 series. Template:Ru icon