Innovations & technologies

Malyshev to deliver modernised T-84 MBTs to Ukrainian Army for trials

Ukrainian State Enterprises (DPs) Malyshev Plant and Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau are preparing to deliver a batch of T-84 main battle tanks (MBTs) for trials by the Ukrainian armed forces.

The T-84 Oplot (‘Fortress’) is a newly modernised version of the T-80 MBT design that was widely produced for the Soviet armed forces in the 1980s. As with numerous defence-industrial facilities originally created during the Soviet era, the manufacturing plant and design offices are co-located in order to streamline the transition between the research and development (R&D) process and series production.

The new tanks have emerged from a full-scale remanufacturing of existing vehicles. In the first phase the tanks underwent a complete overhaul in which all major subassemblies and mechanical components were either repaired or swapped out for new hardware. The vehicles were then transferred to the Morozov design bureau to receive new onboard electrical systems, including a digital communications suite and a new, more capable sight and targeting module.

The design team responsible for the upgrade say it will make this modernised version of the T-84 more capable of operating in all weather conditions as well as at night. Additionally, the tank is now equipped with both passive and active protection systems that are effective against radar-, infrared-, and optically guided weapons.