The Ukrainian Army has received at least 100 upgraded T-64s from the Kharkiv Armour Plant since 2018, according to an 11 February Facebook post by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
The Ukrainian Army has received at least 100 upgraded T-64s from the Kharkiv Armour Plant since 2018. (UkrOboronProm)
The post reads, “The best combat capabilities, modern thermal imagers, secure digital communications, satellite navigation, and new dynamic protection – all of this was gained by our tank crews thanks to the specialists of Ukrainian defence.”
The vehicles are referred to as the T-64 2017 and enough of the upgraded tanks have been delivered to equip an entire brigade.
An 11 February press release from Ukrainian state enterprise UkrOboronProm explains that “the upgrade of the T-64 to the 2017 model allows a significant expansion of its combat capabilities, and the time required to integrate the new equipment allows it to be carried out during routine maintenance”.
The press release also details how the vehicle is fitted with third-generation night vision equipment, which utilises existing fittings to minimise changes and reduce costs.
Furthermore, “the gunner’s sighting system has an integrated thermal imager, which detects, identifies, and engages enemy 125 mm guns at any time of day and in all weather conditions.” This appears to refer to the Russian T-72s used by separatist and Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.
Other improvements include a satellite navigation system from Orizon-Navigation integrated into a digital battle management system, as well as Lybid K-2RB digital radios with a range of 70 km supplied by Dolya & Co.
The final element of the upgrade is the extensive array of explosive reactive armour, which is claimed to “effectively counteract all modern anti-tank weapons: cumulative and armour-piercing, as well as shock-cumulative ‘shock core’ munitions”.
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