Summary: Despite predictions of declining relevance, the enduring utility of main battle tanks (MBTs) in modern warfare has been underscored by the conflict in Eastern Europe. Ukraine's focus on expanding its tank arsenal with Western deliveries and domestically-produced T-84 Oplot tanks highlights this trend. The T-84, an enhancement of Soviet-era designs with advanced speed, armor, and weaponry, emphasizes Ukraine's strategic emphasis on armored capabilities amidst contemporary challenges. Despite limitations and economic constraints, the Oplot's role in Ukraine's defense strategy illustrates the MBT's continued importance in national security and military operations in the face of evolving threats.
Meet the T-84 Tank
Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, analysts largely agreed that the role of main battle tanks in future combat would decrease over time. But two years of warfare in Eastern Europe have shown that the tank still has a role in the modern battlespace. These armored vehicles provide operational flexibility and support infantry advances. They are tough for enemy troops to take out in bulk. The MBT concept may be over one century old but will continue to serve militaries for decades to come.
No surprise, then, that Ukraine has prioritized expanding its tank arsenal. Western allies like the United States, Germany, and the United kingdom have delivered dozens of advanced MBTs over the last year, including the M1A1 Abrams, Leopard 2, and Challenger.
Over the summer, Kyiv also ordered additional T-84 tanks for its armored corps. The domestically produced “Oplot” main battle tank was personally tested by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleskii Reznikov.
An Overview of the T-84
The Soviet Union developed three distinct tank series during the Cold War. The T-72, T-64, and T-80 all possessed similar capabilities, but each series required vastly different components. The T-80 was considered the most sophisticated of the three, but it was not fuel-efficient. To rectify this, the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau (KMDB) developed a new T-80U variant equipped with a 6TD-1 1,000-horsepower diesel engine. This new model was less expensive to produce and much more fuel-efficient. The variant was first deployed to the 4th Guards Tank Division and the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division after being showcased in the 1990 Moscow Victory Day Parade.
Following the dissolution of the USSR, Ukraine’s newly secured independence separated the T-80U’s manufacturer, KMDB, from Russia’s industrial base. Over the next few years, the T-84 and T-84U would be designed, both equipped with several enhancements. The Oplot could reach speeds in excess of 43 miles per hour, far faster than the other existing Soviet platforms.
While the T-84U was impressive, Ukraine did not want to dedicate exorbitant funds to procuring many of these tanks. In fact, Kyiv was already economically unstable and did not believe a Russian invasion to be imminent.
Ukraine purchased just 10 of the Oplot tanks in 1999. By 2003, the tanks entered service with Ukraine’s 92nd Mechanized Brigade. Over time, four of the 10 Oplots would be sold to the United States, leaving Ukraine with a mere six T-84U MBTs.
Specs & Capabilities
Each MBT in this series features a KBA-125mm smoothbore gun, a KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun and a KT-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun. As explained by Army Technology, its main gun can also launch laser-guided missiles against battle tanks, helicopters, and other armored vehicles:
“Oplot has 46 rounds of ammunition for the main gun, of which 28 rounds are placed in the automatic loader. Other ammunition types carried are 1,250 rounds for KT-7.62 machine gun, 450 rounds for KT-12.7 machine gun and 450 rounds for AKS submachine gun.”
The Kontakt-5 improved explosive reactive armor (ERA) package is also incorporated on the Oplot. As the first type of ERA capable of minimizing the penetration of armor-piercing discarding sabot rounds, the Kontakt-5 is quite valuable. The Oplot-M introduced cutting-edge Duplet ERA designed to survive tandem-charge anti-tank warheads.
Other enhancements included in the Oplot include the advanced R-163-50K radio, a 1V528-2 ballistic computer, a new command and control system and a 1 KRNA land navigation system.
Is Russia’s T-90 MBT comparable to the T-84U?
Although the T-84U possesses similar systems to the T-90, it is equipped with greater speed, propulsion, ammunition charges, and armor. Perhaps the greatest issue associated with the Oplot is that Kyiv does not have access to the 125mm armor-piercing sabot rounds required to penetrate the frontal armor on newer Russian tanks like the T-90.
Now that Ukraine has received deliveries of advanced Western tanks, its push to produce additional T-84U MBTs appears to have slowed.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Email the author or contact us: [emailprotected].
