Ukraine’s Kharkiv Armored Plant has announced that it is testing its latest modernization of the T-64BV main battle tank.
The tank has been equipped with third-generation surveillance and sighting units, rubber shields, and anti-accumulation sternward bar armor. Its fuel system has also been upgraded with additional armored protection.
“T-64BV tank of 2022 model received new up-to-date radio stations to replace the old Soviet ones,” director of the Kharkiv armored plant Herman Smetanin said in a statement. “Among others, from now on, this combat vehicle has navigation, internal and external communication systems which fully meets NATO standards.”
About the T-64BV
T-64BV tank is an upgraded version of the T-64B main battle tank with enhanced anti-radiation protection and additional explosive reactive armor.
The 40-ton vehicle, first deployed in the 1960s, has undergone considerable improvements compared to the T-55 and T-62.
The vehicle has seen the addition of an automatic breechloading system and a reduction in crew size to three.
With a maximum road speed of 45 kilometers (28 miles) per hour, the T-64BV has a cruising range of 600 kilometers (373 miles).
T-64BV standard equipment includes an NBC system, that protects the tank against mass destruction weapons, and infra-red night vision equipment for better nocturnal missions. The tank also has two snorkels for deep fording and is fitted with a laser rangefinder. It also fires guided missiles.
Modernization of T-64
In May last year, Ukraine announced completing the modernization of the T-64, which began in 2017. Completed ahead of schedule, the upgrade included a night vision system upgrade, new radio system, engine upgrade.
The tank has been developed to strengthen the mechanized units for different combat missions, destroy firing points, and breakthrough fortified positions of the enemy.
The platform is currently in use with Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ukraine sold the weapon system to Congo in 2014.
T-64 tank development began in the Soviet Union in the 1950s, and it was deployed with the army in the 1960s. While Ukraine reportedly has 720 T-64 battle tanks, Russia is believed to have a couple thousand.