The Uzbek Army (UA) is upgrading its T-64B and T-62 main battle tanks (MBTs) with additional protection, according to a video released on the UA’s official YouTube page.
Upgraded T-64B main battle tank of the Uzbekistan army. (Picture source print screen video Youtube account Uzbek army)
According to footage released on the UA’s YouTube channel on November 27, the Uzbek military has begun modernizing of the T-64B and T-62 tanks, with, at least, one vehicle of each kind fitted with new subsystems. Both T-64B and T-62 carry applique explosive reactive armour (ERA) tiles, which are mounted over the frontal arcs of their turrets. The sides and rear of the turrets are protected by bar-slat armor.
The modernized T-64B MBT has also received a new sensor suite in a metal box installed over the barrel. The tank also features two frontal rubber skirts, which protect the lower part of the hull against high-explosive anti-tank munitions, and new side skirts. The T-64B has retained a roof-mounted NSVT 12.7 mm heavy machinegun (HMG).
The upgraded T-62 carries a bank of several Tucha smoke dischargers on the right sight of the turret and a roof-mounted Degtyarev-Shpagin DShKM 12.7 mm HMG.
According to the newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, in May, the Uzbek Army unveiled a T-64B tank powered by a Russian-designed V-84 840 hp diesel engine instead of the organic 5DTF 700 hp diesel engine. The recently unveiled T-64B may have received this powerpack.
The Military Balance 2018 book released by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) says the UA operated 70 T-72, 100 T-64, and 170 T-62 MBTs as of early 2018.
