Ukraine receives first modernised T-80 MBTs

[Zarvan]

The Ukrainian military has received a first batch of eight modernised T-80 main battle tanks (MBTs) from the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (KMDB).

According to Ukroboronprom, the T-80s would soon enter the "zone of the antiterrorist operation" (ATO), a term Kiev uses to refer to the conflict in east Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD), meanwhile, noted that the T-80s would be delivered to a mobile armoured unit of the country's airborne forces.

The MoD said the modernisation of the first eight T-80s was completed by KMDB a month ahead of schedule, with the vehicles handed over on 13 July.

The modernisation work is stated to have included changes to the vehicle's turrets, hulls, and the installation of Kontakt explosive reactive armour (ERA).

At the same time as the handover of the first eight modernised T-80s, the MoD announced that, following trials, a first production batch of Dozor-B 4x4 protected patrol vehicles is scheduled to be supplied to the Ukrainian military in September.

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@kaonalpha @Dazzler @Horus @Manticore @Horus

 

[Dazzler]

The Ukrainian military has received a first batch of eight modernised T-80 main battle tanks (MBTs) from the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (KMDB).

According to Ukroboronprom, the T-80s would soon enter the "zone of the antiterrorist operation" (ATO), a term Kiev uses to refer to the conflict in east Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD), meanwhile, noted that the T-80s would be delivered to a mobile armoured unit of the country's airborne forces.

The MoD said the modernisation of the first eight T-80s was completed by KMDB a month ahead of schedule, with the vehicles handed over on 13 July.

The modernisation work is stated to have included changes to the vehicle's turrets, hulls, and the installation of Kontakt explosive reactive armour (ERA).

At the same time as the handover of the first eight modernised T-80s, the MoD announced that, following trials, a first production batch of Dozor-B 4x4 protected patrol vehicles is scheduled to be supplied to the Ukrainian military in September.

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(189 of 689 words)
@kaonalpha @Dazzler @Horus @Manticore @Horus

Strange upgrade, old k-1 ERA on turret and hull which is way too weak for even RPG rounds. with no thermal imager, instead it has IR search light much like old t-80BVs.

 

[Penguin]

Strange upgrade, old k-1 ERA on turret and hull which is way too weak for even RPG rounds. with no thermal imager, instead it has IR search light much like old t-80BVs.

They obviously work with what they have available. Besides, note it is going to an airborne unit, not an armored unit.

 

[Dazzler]

They obviously work with what they have available. Besides, note it is going to an airborne unit, not an armored unit.

Not questioning the upgrades but having an It Search light instead of a basic IR or IIT doesn't sound right for any theatre of operation. Anyways, thanks for the info mate.

 

[Penguin]

Not questioning the upgrades but having an It Search light instead of a basic IR or IIT doesn't sound right for any theatre of operation. Anyways, thanks for the info mate.

T-80UD 8/167 All were stored until 2015 when the state began a complete overhaul of these vehicles to make them combat ready by the end of 2015. According to Yurii Birukov all rebuilt tanks will be used by airmobile brigades. First 8 rebuilt units transferred on 15-7-15.
Equipment of the Ukrainian Ground Forces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Possibly the term 'modernized' simply means 'overhauled' in this context. See also
Kharkiv factory provides rehabilitated tanks to Ukrainian army

Manager of the Kharkiv armour plant, Viktor Kozonak, says the work his mechanics perform can be a big challenge, with some of the military hardware not seeing any use for over 30 years.

"The hardware that is brought to us for repair - some of them have been standing without any movement for more than 30 years. Therefore, for many of the tanks we have to change all rubber parts, in many tanks we have to change all electrical wiring and all electrical mechanisms. Moreover, we have to change all the motors, because over time they have gone completely out of order," Viktor Kozonak says.