Tanks are not afraid of dirt! Especially European...
In response to the intensification of the American military in Poland and the Baltic states, the Russian army is carrying out a massive modernization of tanks, which during the Cold War were on the front line of confrontation with NATO and “tailored” for the European theater of operations.
Last Sunday, at the Alabino training ground, representatives of the famous Kantemirovskaya Guards Tank Division were solemnly handed over a batch of ten modernized T-80BVM combat vehicles. The Soviet tank, originally from the 1980s, has received a hefty dose of technological steroids and is ready to compete with the American Abrams.
T-80BVM at the Victory Parade
We are talking about the updated T-80B/BV tanks. All main characteristics have undergone improvements: firepower, protection (frontal, rear and lateral projections) from all types of destructive weapons, mobility, command control. The firing range of all types of ammunition has been increased during the day, at night and in conditions of limited visibility. The tank is equipped with a standard grille for protection against rocket-propelled cumulative grenades. The chassis has been modernized. Work under a contract with the Ministry of Defense was carried out by the Omsk Transport Engineering Plant, part of Uralvagonzavod.
Why did the Russian army suddenly remember the T-80B/BV, decide to modernize them and partially rearm tank units and formations with them? During the Cold War, the vehicles being updated today were on the front line of confrontation between the Warsaw and NATO blocs - in the western districts and groups of forces. Therefore, what is happening today is not accidental. However, we will talk in more detail about the political background of modernization below. First, some technical details.
The main disadvantage of these gas turbine tanks was considered to be their high fuel gluttony (up to 8 liters per kilometer; for comparison, the fuel consumption of the T-90 is 2-3 liters per kilometer) and sensitivity to dust.
However, it is also necessary to recall that gas turbine engines are much superior to diesel engines in terms of power supply and readiness to operate at low temperatures. So, if a tank diesel engine, depending on conditions, needs from 20 to 45 minutes to warm up, the gas turbine engine enters operating mode within a minute.
Now, thanks to the changes made, the vehicle has become more economical - operating fuel consumption has been reduced when the gas turbine engine is running in a parking lot with the fire control system running. At the same time, the gas turbine engine is enhanced to 1250 horsepower.
The tank is also equipped with a modern 125-mm 2A46M-4 cannon, a weapon stabilizer, a Sosna-U weapons control system with a laser rangefinder and a multi-channel sighting system for the commander and gunner for day and night vision.
In addition, the modernized vehicles are equipped with the Reflex guided missile weapon system, the launcher of which is a 125-mm smoothbore tank gun, which makes it possible to destroy armored vehicles and fortified enemy targets at a distance of up to 5 km.
The first battalion set of modernized tanks was already re-equipped in 2019 by the 200th separate motorized rifle brigade of the Northern Fleet. Apparently, the second battalion set will go entirely to the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division. She has already received 20 cars.
According to already available information, the rearmament of the T-80BVM will affect not only the Kantemirov and Severomorsk residents. Marines of the Pacific Fleet and cadets of the Kazan Command Tank School should receive the modernized tanks.
According to the press service of the Western Military District, on the day of acceptance at the Alabino training ground, the first test live firing of all tank weapons was carried out, and the crews were fully prepared to operate the T-80BVM, having undergone training on vehicles previously delivered to the unit.
Thus, the partial re-equipment of the Kantemirov and Severomorsk troops with improved tanks with gas turbine engines is an unambiguous response to the strengthening of the NATO and American military presence in Poland and the Baltic states. Considering the short distances on the European theater of operations, the fuel consumption of “jet” tanks is justified by their outstanding speed and maneuverability - acceleration rates of up to 80 km/h and movement of up to 60 km/h over rough terrain are comparable to “bolides”.
"So what?" - an inquisitive reader may ask, “American Abrams also have gas turbine engines installed, and they are capable of neutralizing the advantage of our T-80BVMs.”
At first glance, this is true. However, the main difference between our “jet” tank and the new generation “Abrams” lies precisely in the reliability of the gas turbine unit. Specialists from Omsk managed to increase the unpretentiousness, efficiency and reliability of tank gas turbine engines, especially in low temperature conditions, while the Americans did not solve the long-standing problems of their Abrams.
According to experts, thanks to the new “jet” tanks, the 4th Panzer Division will become a universal tool for the European theater of operations. Its tank battalions and regiments will be able to march at an accelerated pace, take up defensive positions, launch a counter-offensive and fight behind enemy lines.
All other things being equal (weapons, control systems, communications, sights and instruments), the improved “eighty” has increased speed, maneuverability and acceleration characteristics.
Along with other Russian tanks, the T-80BVM is capable of fully performing the tasks assigned to it - ensuring a breakthrough of the fortification line of a potential enemy, delivering flank and other attacks and supporting infantry units with fire.
In general, our tanks are not afraid of dirt. Moreover, European.
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