Azov brigade elevates T‑80U tanks with advanced upgrades
Soldiers from the Azov Brigade showcased their T-80U tanks and the modifications that significantly increased their survivability. Here are the performance specifications of this armored spearhead from the USSR.
The Azov Brigade, despite facing ideological controversies, is among the most motivated and best-commanded units in Ukraine. Because of this, its battalions are often sent to the most challenging front lines, often tasked with rescuing other encircled Ukrainian units.
Consequently, the unit receives the best possible equipment, including T-80U tanks, which significantly outperform and provide better protection than most models from the T-72 or T-64 families, to which Ukrainian tankers are mostly accustomed. Western tanks such as the Leopard 2 or M1A1 Abrams usually go to newly trained units.
Soldiers of the 12th Azov Brigade, in an interview with the portal Militarnyj, shared their impressions of transitioning from the T-64 to the T-80U and the changes made to the tanks. Navin, a deputy in the 1st Company of the 2nd Armored Platoon of the 12th Brigade, highly praises the new tanks, describing them as true assault machines compared to other tanks, which he deems toys.
He particularly appreciates the tank's excellent mobility and reverse speed compared to the T-72 family machines, where the maximum reverse speed is only 3 mph. Navin also praises the power of the GTD-1250 gas turbine, as it is twice as powerful as the engine of a T-64 of similar weight.
Initially, drivers transitioning from the T-64 tanks were not thrilled about the switch to T-80U tanks, but after acclimating to them, none wanted to return to the older models.
T-80U - armored spearhead of the USSR
The T-80U tanks were developed in the late 1980s as an advancement of the T-80BW tanks. These featured a better turret with factory-installed Kontakt-5 reactive armor, an improved fire control system, and the ability to fire 9M119 Refleks anti-tank guided missiles.
As journalist Łukasz Michalik from Wirtualna Polska noted, the T-80 tanks were revolutionary for the Russians due to the use of a gas turbine that provided almost immediate torque, compared to diesel engines, which need to throttle up. This characteristic, combined with its mobility, earned them the nickname "flying tanks" in Russia.
Furthermore, the frontal armor of the hull, especially the turret, significantly surpasses what the base T-72B offers. The hulls of the T-72B are used to produce T-72B3 or T-90M tanks. This means that if modern reactive armor is added to the T-80U hull, the outcome can be even better.
The downside remains the autoloader with an ammunition magazine in the hull, which can cause a massive explosion and the instant death of the crew if hit. However, it's worth noting that Ukrainians developing this project at the Malyshev factory in Kharkiv have created the T-84 Opłot tank, which is free from this defect.
It's also noteworthy that the Azov Brigade made modifications to the acquired T-80U tanks to adapt them to current war conditions. Modifications include additional "Knife" reactive armor blocks where factory-installed Kontakt-5 blocks do not reach, added skirt curtains with weights protecting the junction of the turret with the hull, and extending the turret's rear in the form of a basket, protecting the engine compartment from FPV drones.
