2024-04-09 07:27:25
A video of a Russian T-80UE-1 tank possibly deployed in Ukraine as part of the 4th Tank Division of the Russian 1st Tank Army has attracted the attention of both Russian and Western media. The Russians praise the now-traditional anti-drone shields on top of the turret, while Army Recognition focused on the vehicle’s “advanced technological features” and rarity.
In particular, journalists draw attention to the modernized fire control system of this tank – compared to analogues of the same line – the integrated infrared sight “Plisa”, similar to the mounted “T-90”, and the gun “2A46M-4” with an improved mechanism for loading shells, which supports a wider variety of ammunition including kinetic fragmentation rounds BOPS.
However, all these capabilities do not make the T-80UE-1 stand out as much as the T-90. In fact, as Defense Express points out, this combat unit has been spotted on Ukrainian battlefields before, in 2022. in the spring At the time, only one battalion (usually 31 tanks) was equipped with the T-80UE-1, and soon Ukrainian forces seized at least four such war machines – and used them against their former owners.
However, the T-80UE-1 deserves attention – but in a different light, writes Defense Express. This type of tank was essentially an attempt by the Russian defense industry to modernize the T-80BV back in the 2000s, but the resulting vehicle proved too expensive for the Russian Federation, so the idea of mass production was quickly abandoned.
The T-80UE-1 was put into service by the Russian Armed Forces in 2005, but only a few dozen units were produced at that time.
Before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the first real combat experience, this tank was seen only once – and that episode was quite unfavorable to the rumored capabilities of the T-80UE-1. During 2020 In the tank biathlon, this main battle tank was able to hit the target only on the third attempt – and the shooting was from a stationary position in the comfortable environment of the range.
2024-04-09 07:27:25