T 84 Oplot M: Ukraine’s Frontline Tank with Unmatched Capabilities

The T 84 Oplot M is a formidable and highly advanced main battle tank designed and produced by Ukraine.

As one of the country’s most significant defense assets, this tank boasts superior firepower, cutting-edge protection systems, and remarkable mobility, making it a key player in modern warfare.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the history, features, and technical specifications of the Ukrainian T-84 Oplot-M, as well as how it compares to other global tanks.

What is T 84 Oplot M?

The T 84 Oplot M is a modernized version of the original T 84 Oplot tank, which itself is an evolution of the Soviet-era T-80U.

Designed and manufactured by Ukraine’s Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, the T 84 Oplot M is a state-of-the-art main battle tank (MBT) that focuses on improved protection, increased firepower, and advanced combat capabilities.

The T-84 Oplot-M Tank is not just a testament to Ukraine’s engineering prowess but also an essential element in its military strategy, given the rising need for advanced main battle tanks in modern warfare.

History of T84 Oplot Tank

The T-84 Oplot has a rich history that reflects Ukraine’s efforts to build a strong and independent defense industry following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Developed in the 1990s, the Oplot T-84 is a direct descendant of the Soviet T-80U, a tank that was widely regarded as one of the most advanced in its time.

However, the T-84 represents significant advancements over its predecessor, particularly in the areas of mobility, firepower, and armor.

Origins of the T 84 Oplot

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine inherited a large portion of the Soviet defense industry, including the facilities responsible for manufacturing tanks like the T-80.

Keen to establish itself as a military power and reduce reliance on foreign equipment, Ukraine set out to develop its own tank, resulting in the T84 Tank.

The project began in the early 1990s, with the goal of creating a main battle tank that could meet the needs of modern warfare.

• Early Development: The first versions of the Oplot T-84 were based heavily on the T-80 design, but incorporated several improvements. One of the main upgrades was the new 6TD-2 engine, which offered better performance and efficiency than the T-80’s gas turbine engine.
• Evolution to the T 84 Oplot M: By the early 2000s, Ukraine began to focus on further modernizing the T-84 platform, leading to the development of the T 84 Oplot M. This version included significant upgrades to the tank’s armor, fire control systems, and electronics, making it one of the most advanced tanks in the world.

Key Milestones in the T-84 Oplot’s History

The T-84 Oplot-M Tank became an essential part of Ukraine’s military strategy, and its development marked a turning point in the country’s ability to produce sophisticated military equipment.

Over the years, the Oplot T-84 has been continuously updated and refined, leading to the creation of the T 84 Oplot M, the most advanced version of the tank to date.

The Role of the T-84 Oplot in Ukraine’s Military Conflicts

The T-84 Oplot has played a key role in several military conflicts involving Ukraine, particularly during the ongoing tensions with Russia.

While the T 84 Oplot M has not seen widespread combat compared to other tanks, its presence in Ukraine’s arsenal serves as a deterrent to potential aggressors. Moreover, it symbolizes Ukraine’s ability to develop advanced, domestically-produced defense technology.

Fun Fact: The T-84 Oplot-M Tank has also attracted interest from international buyers. Countries such as Thailand have ordered T-84s for their own military forces, reflecting the tank’s appeal in the global market.

The T-84 Oplot M Specs and Features

The T 84 Oplot M is recognized for its blend of advanced technology, powerful armament, and robust protection systems.

Designed to excel in modern combat, it is built with a focus on survivability, firepower, and mobility. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the key features and specifications that make the T84 tank stand out.

Engine and Mobility

One of the defining features of the T 84 Oplot M is its powerful engine, which offers impressive mobility and speed in various combat environments.

• Engine: The tank is powered by a 6TD-2 diesel engine, which produces 1,200 horsepower. This engine is not only powerful but also more fuel-efficient than the gas turbine engines found in many other tanks.
• Top Speed: The T 84 Oplot M can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) on paved roads and 45 km/h (28 mph) on rough terrain, making it one of the fastest tanks in its category.
• Range: The tank has an operational range of around 500 km (310 miles) without the need for refueling, giving it significant strategic flexibility.

Armor and Protection

Protection is paramount for any main battle tank, and the T 84 Oplot M excels in this area. It features a combination of advanced armor and cutting-edge defense systems designed to keep the crew safe from modern anti-tank weaponry.

• Armor: The tank is equipped with multi-layer composite armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), specifically the Nozh-2 ERA system, which provides additional protection against anti-tank guided missiles and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) projectiles.
• Defense Systems:
  • Shtora-1 countermeasures system: This system disrupts the targeting of incoming missiles and rockets, giving the tank extra survivability in battle.
  • NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection: The tank is equipped with a system that safeguards the crew from chemical and biological threats, as well as nuclear fallout.
• Active Protection System: The tank features an Active Protection System (APS) designed to intercept and destroy incoming projectiles before they hit the tank.

Firepower and Armament

The T 84 Oplot M is equipped with powerful weapons systems that allow it to engage both armored vehicles and infantry effectively.

• Main Gun: The tank’s primary weapon is a 125mm smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including high-explosive shells and armor-piercing rounds. The gun is also capable of launching 9K119 Refleks anti-tank guided missiles, giving it the ability to engage targets at long range.
• Autoloader: The T 84 Oplot M features an automatic loading system, which allows the tank to fire at a faster rate compared to manually loaded tanks. The autoloader reduces the crew size to three, improving efficiency.
• Secondary Armament:
  • A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun for targeting infantry and light vehicles.
  • A 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the turret for engaging low-flying aircraft and other threats.

Crew and Automation

The T 84 Oplot M is operated by a three-man crew consisting of a commander, gunner, and driver. The tank’s automatic loader reduces the need for a loader, which allows for a smaller crew and increases efficiency during combat operations.

The T-84 Oplot M Blueprint and Design

The T-84 Oplot M is not only a formidable battle tank in terms of firepower and protection, but its design and engineering also reflect a commitment to modularity, upgrade potential, and battlefield adaptability.

The tank’s blueprints reveal a high level of innovation in terms of both the turret design and the overall chassis, allowing for future upgrades and ease of maintenance.

In this section, we’ll explore the key design features of the T 84 Oplot M, with a particular focus on the turret blueprint, overall modular design, and the technology behind its construction.

The Modular Design of the T-84 Oplot M

One of the standout features of the T 84 Oplot M is its modular design, which allows for easier upgrades and repairs. This modular approach makes the tank more adaptable to changing battlefield conditions and technological advancements.

1. Chassis and Hull

The T-84 Oplot M’s chassis is based on a proven design derived from the Soviet T-80, but with significant modifications to improve its survivability and adaptability. The hull is designed to accommodate a variety of armor packages and additional equipment, allowing it to be upgraded as needed.

• Armor Integration: The chassis is built to support composite armor layers, which can be swapped out or enhanced with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) like the Nozh-2 system. This flexibility ensures that the tank can be adapted to face new threats, such as more advanced anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or high-velocity armor-piercing rounds.
• Suspension System: The tank’s torsion bar suspension system provides a smooth ride over rough terrain, which is critical for maintaining accuracy when firing on the move. This suspension system is robust yet modular, allowing for parts to be easily replaced or upgraded in the field.

2. Modular Turret Design

The t-84 oplot m turret blueprint is a key feature that sets it apart from many other tanks. The turret is highly modular, allowing for future upgrades to the tank’s armament, targeting systems, and protection features without requiring significant redesigns.

• Main Armament: The turret houses the 125mm smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing both standard tank rounds and 9K119 Refleks anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). This dual capability enhances the tank’s flexibility in combat, allowing it to engage both armored targets and fortified positions at long range.
• Autoloading System: Integrated into the turret is an automatic loading system, which reduces the crew size to three (commander, gunner, driver) and increases the tank’s rate of fire. The autoloader is modular in design, meaning that it can be upgraded or replaced if new ammunition types or loading mechanisms become available.
• Advanced Fire Control Systems: The turret also houses the tank’s fire control system, which includes thermal imaging, laser rangefinding, and a ballistic computer. These systems are designed to be easily upgradable, ensuring that the T-84 Oplot M can maintain its technological edge in the future.

3. Turret Protection

The T-84 Oplot turret is designed with advanced protection systems to ensure the safety of the crew and the integrity of the tank in combat.

• Nozh-2 ERA: The turret is covered with Nozh-2 Explosive Reactive Armor, which is specifically designed to counteract modern anti-tank threats, including tandem-charge warheads that can bypass older ERA systems. This modular armor can be easily replaced or upgraded as needed.
• Smoke Grenade Launchers: The turret is also equipped with smoke grenade launchers, which can create a smoke screen to obscure the tank from enemy targeting systems. This is a critical feature in both offensive and defensive operations, providing the T-84 Oplot M with an additional layer of protection.
• Shtora-1 APS: The Shtora-1 Active Protection System is integrated into the turret, providing soft-kill countermeasures that disrupt the guidance systems of incoming missiles. This system is modular and can be upgraded with more advanced APS systems in the future.

T-84 vs T-90: How Does It Compare?

The T-84 Oplot M and the T-90 are two of the most advanced main battle tanks (MBTs) currently in use by their respective countries—Ukraine and Russia.

While both tanks are built on the legacy of Soviet-era designs, each has undergone significant modernization, resulting in distinct differences in firepower, mobility, armor, and overall combat effectiveness.

In this section, we’ll compare the T-84 vs T-90, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in several key areas.

1. Firepower

The firepower of a tank is a crucial factor in its battlefield effectiveness, and both the T-84 Oplot M and T-90 are armed with powerful 125mm smoothbore guns. However, there are some differences in their ammunition types, autoloading mechanisms, and missile capabilities.

Both tanks can fire anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), giving them a significant advantage in engaging long-range targets, including other armored vehicles. The T 84 Oplot M and T-90 both use the 9K119 Refleks missile, capable of engaging targets up to 5 kilometers away.

• T-84 Oplot M has a slightly more advanced fire control system, which may give it an edge in terms of accuracy in certain combat scenarios.
• Rate of Fire: The T-84 Oplot M’s autoloader allows for a slightly higher rate of fire, particularly in intense combat situations where rapid target engagement is crucial.

2. Mobility

Mobility is another critical factor that influences how a tank can maneuver on the battlefield. In this regard, the T 84 Oplot M holds a notable advantage over the T-90 due to its more powerful engine and higher top speed.

• T-84 Oplot M has a more powerful engine, generating 1,200 horsepower compared to the T-90’s 1,000 horsepower, giving it better acceleration and top speed on roads.
• Speed: On paved roads, the T-84 Oplot M can reach a top speed of 70 km/h, which is faster than the T-90’s 60 km/h. Off-road, however, the T-90 has a slight edge in rough terrain due to its higher ground clearance.
• Operational Range: The T-90 has a marginally longer operational range of 550 kilometers, but the difference is not significant enough to impact overall performance in most combat scenarios.

3. Armor and Protection

The T 84 Oplot M and T-90 both feature advanced protection systems, including Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) and Active Protection Systems (APS). However, the specifics of their armor layouts and protection capabilities differ.

• Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA): The T-84 Oplot M is equipped with Nozh-2 ERA, a more advanced ERA system compared to the Kontakt-5 ERA used by the T-90. Nozh-2 provides better protection against tandem warheads, which are designed to defeat standard ERA by using two explosive charges.
• Active Protection System (APS): Both tanks feature the Shtora-1 APS, which disrupts the guidance of incoming missiles, reducing the likelihood of being hit by anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). However, the T-84 Oplot M integrates additional active countermeasures, enhancing its protection against modern threats.

4. Cost and Export

Another important factor to consider is the cost of each tank, which affects not only domestic production but also export potential. Both the T 84 Oplot M and T-90 are marketed internationally, but their price points and production capabilities differ.

• Cost: The T-84 Oplot M is slightly more expensive, with an estimated cost of $4.9 million per unit, compared to the T-90’s price of $4.5 million per unit. The higher cost of the T-84 Oplot M is likely due to its more advanced systems and higher production costs.
• Export Markets: The T-90 has been exported to a larger number of countries, including India, Algeria, Vietnam, and Iraq. The T-84 Oplot M has seen limited exports, primarily to Thailand, with potential interest from Pakistan and other nations.

Conclusion: Which Tank is Superior?

When comparing the T 84 Oplot M and the T-90, it’s clear that both tanks have their strengths. The T-84 Oplot M stands out with its superior protection systems, slightly better firepower, and higher mobility, making it highly effective in both urban and open-field combat. On the other hand, the T-90 offers excellent value for its price and has a wider export market.

Ultimately, the choice between these two tanks may depend on the specific needs of the military using them. The T-84 Oplot M is better suited for countries that require cutting-edge technology and advanced protection, while the T-90 provides a more cost-effective option for nations looking to modernize their armored forces without the need for the most cutting-edge systems.

The t84 tank excels in areas such as protection, mobility, and fire control, making it a more advanced option overall. Its Nozh-2 ERA, enhanced Active Protection Systems (APS), and superior engine performance give it a distinct advantage on the modern battlefield, particularly in environments where advanced anti-tank weapons are prevalent.

The T-90, on the other hand, is more widely available and has a proven track record of successful exports to multiple countries. It is a solid choice for countries looking to upgrade their tank fleets without the higher cost associated with the T-84 Oplot M.

FAQs About T 84 Oplot M

The T-84 Oplot M is an impressive and advanced main battle tank, but it’s also a subject of interest and curiosity for many military enthusiasts, defense professionals, and potential international buyers.

In this section, we’ll address some of the most frequently asked questions about the T-84 Oplot M, covering everything from its capabilities to its cost, export potential, and operational use.

1. How much does the T-84 Oplot price?

The T-84 Oplot M is priced at approximately $4.9 million per unit, making it more affordable than some of the world’s top-tier main battle tanks like the M1A2 Abrams and Leopard 2A6, which can cost upwards of $6 to $8 million.

The cost reflects the tank’s advanced capabilities, including its Nozh-2 ERA, autoloader, and fire control systems.

2. What are the main differences between the T84 vs T90?

The Ukrainian T-84 vs T-90 are both descendants of Soviet tank designs but have evolved in different directions due to the unique needs of Ukraine and Russia. Key differences include:

• Engine Power: The T-84 Oplot M has a 1,200 hp engine, while the T-90 is equipped with a 1,000 hp engine, making the T-84 faster and more powerful.
• Armor: The T-84 Oplot M features Nozh-2 ERA, which is more advanced than the T-90’s Kontakt-5 ERA, providing better protection against tandem-charge warheads.
• Cost: The T-84 Oplot M is slightly more expensive, at $4.9 million, compared to the T-90’s $4.5 million price tag.

3. What countries have purchased the T-84 Oplot M?

The most notable export customer of the T 84 Oplot M is Thailand, which ordered 49 units as part of a defense modernization effort.

Other countries, such as Pakistan, have expressed interest in acquiring the tank, but no formal deals have been finalized yet.

The T-84 Oplot M’s competitive pricing and advanced features make it an attractive option for nations looking to modernize their armored forces without the high costs associated with Western tanks.

Conclusion

The T 84 Oplot M is a highly advanced and competitive main battle tank, with a range of features that make it a strong contender in modern armored warfare.

Whether in urban combat or on the open battlefield, the T 84 Oplot M is designed to excel in various conditions, providing both protection and firepower to its operators.

As Ukraine continues to develop and export this tank, it will likely play an increasingly important role in both national defense and the global tank market.