Since February 2022, the Russian army has lost several hundred T-80 tanks in various modifications in Ukraine. This was the reason for the future resumption of production of combat vehicles from scratch.
Oryx analysts have documented more than 600 cases of destruction, damage or capture of T-80 main battle tanks in different modifications. The most popular version is the T-80BV – 261 tanks destroyed, 84 captured by the Ukrainian Defence Forces and another 58 abandoned or damaged.
The newest version of the combat vehicle is called the T-80BVM. The Russians have been trying to modernise older tanks to this level since 2019. According to Oryx, the Russian army has lost at least 96 T-80BVM units.
The modernisation has brought a 1,250 horsepower GTD-1250 gas turbine engine. It allows the tank to reach a speed of 80 kilometres per hour. It has a range of 500 kilometres. The T-80BVM also has a new Sosna-U sight, Relikt dynamic defence and 2A46M-4 cannon.
Published images show that the upgraded T-80BVM has a visor. The Russians claim it increases the combat vehicle’s defence against US Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Alexander Potapov, general director of the Uralvagonzavod concern, has announced the resumption of T-80 production from scratch. This will require new capacities. There is no information about production volumes yet.
Source: Zvezda
