RussianDefence.com
Nikolai Novichkov - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
14 September 2017
Russia's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is preparing the
upgraded T-80BVM and T-90M main battle tanks (MBTs) for trials, taking into
account the results of the campaign in Syria, according to the head of the
MoD's main automotive armoured directorate, GABTU, Lieutenant General Alexander
Shevchenko. "State trials of the modernised T-90M MBT are under way, while
tests of the upgraded T-80BVM tank are being prepared," he said.
At the Army-2017 exhibition held outside Moscow on 22-27
August, the MoD and the Uralvagonzavod research and manufacturing corporation,
a subsidiary of Rostec, signed contracts worth over RUB24 billion (USD417 million)
for the delivery of T-90M MBTs and Terminator tank support vehicles and
contracts for the overhaul of the T-72, T-80BV (including a major upgrade), and
T-90 tanks.
The modernisation of the T-80BV to T-80BVM level will
considerably enhance its combat performance. Russian defence analysts believe
the vehicle will receive the Sosna-U multichannel sighting system with a laser
range finder, a thermal imager, and an automatic target tracker. The tank's
fuel consumption is expected to be reduced, and the lower end of its operating
temperature range will be extended to -50°C.
The combat weight of the upgraded T-80BVM has been
increased to 46 tonnes. The tank has three crew members. It is 7 m long (9.55 m
rear to muzzle), 3.38 m wide, and 2.21 m high. The tank's armament suite
comprises a 125 mm 2A46M1 gun-launcher (with an ammunition load of 45 rounds),
a 7.62 mm PKT co-axial machine gun (MG) (with an ammunition load of 1,250
rounds), and a 12.7 mm NSVT heavy anti-aircraft MG (with an ammunition load of
300 rounds).
Original
post: janes.com
T-90M MBT - RussianDefence.com
T-90M MBT - RussianDefence.com
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