Russian defense firm Uralvagonzavod Group has unveiled its plan to upgrade the country’s T-80BVM main battle tank, an upgraded version of the T-80 tanks first introduced to the military in 1985.
The company’s press office told state-owned TASS that it would improve the vehicles’ firepower, protection, maneuverability, and controllability.
“Proposals are available for the powerplant, the armor protection and, of course, for aiming and accomplishing firing tasks. Our technical staff is ready to carry out this work…” the CEO of Uralvagonzavod Group said during the Army-2021 International Military-Technical Forum.
Produced by the Omsk Transport Machine-Building Enterprise, the T-80BVM is equipped with 125mm cannon and a high-powered 1,250 hp gas turbine engine. It also features a vision device, a multi-channel gunner sight, an armament stabilizer, a slat, and a modular reactive armor.
At present, Russia operates more than 4,500 T-80 main battle tanks of all variants.
Other Upgrades
Defense company Omsktransmash, part of the Uralvagonzavod Group, also announced that it is ready to modernize T-80U main battle tanks used by militaries from other nations, including Cyprus, Egypt, Pakistan, and South Korea.
According to Omsktransmash CEO Igor Lobov, the firm is looking to supply more advanced parts to operate the tanks more efficiently.
Even before the company unveiled its plan to boost the firepower of the T-80U tank, the vehicle’s T-80B variant was the first to undertake significant improvements. It has been equipped with a new turret, laser rangefinder, and improved armor.