A video released on Facebook on May 12, 2023, reveals that Oleksii Rezikov, the Ukrainian Defence Minister, has personally tested the domestically-produced T-84 Oplot Main Battle Tank (MBT). Concurrently, Rezikov confirmed that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has decided to order T-84 Oplot tanks from Ukroboronprom, a state-run defense conglomerate, for the nation's army.
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Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has conducted a field test of the Ukrainian-made T-84 Oplot MBT Main Battle Tank. (Picture Ukraine MoD)
In a comment following his test run of the Ukrainian-made T-84 Oplot Main Battle Tank, Defence Minister Oleksii Rezikov said, "It's always nice to test-drive equipment that’s going to the front. But when it's Ukrainian equipment, it's many times more pleasant. Yesterday I had the honor of personally trying out Ukrainian Oplot tanks... And I am convinced that there should be a Ukrainian tank such as the Ukrainian T-84 Oplot tank in the first ranks of the tank coalition... That’s why it has been decided that the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine will order Oplots from Ukroboronprom for the Ukrainian army."
In 2021, the state-owned Malyshev Factory, under the umbrella of Ukroboronprom, reported that it had produced the Oplot tank ordered by Ukrspetsexport, a company within Ukraine’s defense industry. This model was designed for demonstration at international trade fairs and tests for potential foreign customers.
The T-84 Oplot MBT is the primary Ukrainian tank developed by the Kharkiv Morozov Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau. This combat vehicle is engineered to annihilate all types of ground targets amidst enemy fire resistance. It stands as a testament to Ukraine's domestic military-industrial capabilities and signifies a key step in modernizing the country's armed forces.
The T-84 Oplot Main Battle Tank (MBT), a product of the Kharkiv Morozov Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau in Ukraine, is a state-of-the-art evolution of the T-80 series. Although it shares its lineage with the T-80, the T-84 Oplot boasts substantial enhancements that elevate it to the status of a distinct tank model.
A key aspect of the T-84 Oplot MBT is its engine and performance capabilities. Armed with a potent engine, the tank exhibits remarkable performance on various terrains, demonstrating its robustness and adaptability. Its advanced engine system supports the tank's superior speed and mobility, enabling it to navigate challenging environments with relative ease.
The T-84 Oplot is a generation of Main Battle Tanks fully designed and manufactured in Ukraine. (Picture source Ukraine Mod)
The Oplot T-84's formidable firepower is another of its defining features. It's equipped with a range of armaments, including a high-velocity gun and anti-tank missiles that can engage a variety of targets effectively. Coupled with an advanced fire control system, these weapons make the T-84 a powerful force on the battlefield.
The primary weapon of the T-84 Oplot is a 125mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing a variety of ammunition, including APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot), HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank), and HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation) rounds. This gun can also fire the 9K119M Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile. The missile has a range of up to 5,000 meters and is guided by the tank's fire control system.
The tank is also equipped with a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun for engaging light-armored targets and infantry, and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the turret roof.
In addition, the T-84 Oplot has an automatic loader, which reduces the crew size to three (commander, gunner, and driver) and can sustain a high rate of fire. The tank carries a total of 46 rounds for the main gun, which includes a variety of ammunition types.
The T-84 Oplot MBT also prioritizes crew protection with its advanced armor and defensive systems. It's designed with composite and reactive armor that offers substantial resistance against a variety of threats. Additionally, the tank's integrated countermeasures provide protection against anti-tank guided missiles and RPGs, increasing the survivability of the tank and its crew in combat.
In essence, the T-84 Oplot MBT is a well-rounded combat vehicle that balances firepower, mobility, and protection. It stands as a testament to Ukraine's domestic military-industrial capabilities and signifies a key step in modernizing the country's armed forces.
