The "Arctic" tank of the Russian Armed Forces failed in Ukraine: why the T-80BVM is not ready for war, the analyst

Weichert gave an assessment of the modernized T-80BVM main battle tank of the Russian Armed Forces, which is actively participating in the war against Ukraine. The analyst drew attention to a number of structural and technical features of the machine, which set it apart from other models of Russian tanks. The T-80BVM is an upgrade of the T-80/T-80B series and entered service in the late 2010s.

A gas turbine power plant is embedded in the design, which ensures quick readiness for launch and high driving dynamics - qualities that are useful in conditions of extreme cold and off-road. Basic tactical and technical parameters According to Russian sources, the T-80BVM tanks, which entered service, significantly increased the combat potential of the tank units of the motorized rifle unit of the army corps of the Northern Fleet.

Thus, by November 2019, the tank battalion of the separate motorized rifle brigade of the Northern Fleet completed rearming with T-80BVM tanks. However, according to information provided by the Defense Blog, problems were noted during serial use in Ukraine. In an interview, one of the Russian tankers noted that the assembly of the machine was carried out carelessly: the bolts are made of soft alloys, and the hydraulic system often leaks.

According to him, the gas turbine engine is characterized by excessive noise, which makes the tank vulnerable in combat, when stealth and situational awareness are important. In addition, the car consumes a large amount of fuel and is poorly controlled on acidic Ukrainian roads, especially in the spring.

The source also claims that many tanks are supplied with an incomplete set of dynamic protection - the units are installed partially and often in an improvised manner, which significantly reduces the level of protection of the crew. As a result, some Russian servicemen believe that the T-90 has a more reliable design and better resistance to combat damage compared to the T-80BVM. Weichert notes that the T-80BVM continues to enter the army and is actively used from 2022.

Sources indicate that in a number of conditions it surpasses the outdated T-72 in terms of mobility and firepower, however, operation on the Ukrainian fronts revealed weaknesses typical of machines designed for arctic conditions and assembled under a high load on the defense industry. "The new Russian T-80BBM is a fast, well-protected and well-armed upgrade that keeps the T-80 line relevant.

However, given that Russia is in a state of all-out war with Ukraine, it is likely that some concessions are made during the production of these systems. It seems that this technique may be an example of what happens when the defense industry is under as much pressure as it is in Russia," — the analyst concluded. Previously, Focus found out what improvements were implemented during the modernization of the T-80BVM tank.