The T-64BM's rocket launcher turns into a mobile anti armor unit

The T-64BM Bulat is a Ukrainian upgrade of the ageing Soviet T-64B main battle tank. Ukraine operates over 2 200 of the old T-64 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). The Bulat was revealed in 1999. Initially two upgrade variants were proposed – the T-64BM (also referred as the T-64U) and the T-64BM2. The T-64BM2 was fitted with new automatic loader, however it had inferior fire control system. Eventually the more advanced T-64BM upgrade was selected.

First vehicles were upgraded and delivered to Ukrainian Army units in 2005. In 2014 this MBT saw action during ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. It was widely used during this conflict. However recently all surviving T-64BM tanks were repaired and put to storage. For some reason Ukrainian military command decided not to use these tanks in conflict and rely on the ageing T-64BV tanks.

Protection was improved by installation of add-on passive and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). Composite armor is used at the front of the hull and turret. The T-64BM Bulat is fitted with Ukrainian Nozh modular ERA, which reportedly recommended itself well. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

This main battle tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 125 mm smoothbore gun, fitted with automatic loader. Maximum effective range of fire is 2 500 m at daytime and up to 1 500 m at night.

The Bulat is compatible with the 9K119 Svir (Western reporting name AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missiles. These are handled and fired in the same manner as ordinary munitions. Guided missiles have a 90% hit probability at 4 000 m range and 80% hit probability at a maximum range of 5 000 m.

Its control system is based on a laser beam, while the missile automatically keeps to the center of the beam. A total of 36 rounds, including anti-tank guided missiles, are carried for the main gun.

Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and remotely operated 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

This main battle tank is fitted with new fire control system of the Ukrainian T-84 MBT. All sights and aiming devices were also upgraded.

The Bulat MBT has an upgraded powerpack. Vehicle is powered by a 5TDFM diesel engine, developing 850 hp. It is an uprated and more reliable version of the previous 5TDF. However despite increased engine power weight of the tank also increased during upgrade. The T-64BM is slow comparing with most modern tanks due to its low power-to-weight ratio.

It was proposed to be fitted with a more powerful 6TD diesel, developing 1 000 hp. It is worth noting that the original engine of the T-64 was an unsuccessful Soviet attempt to copy powerpack of the British Chieftain. The 5TDF engine of the T-64 was notoriously unreliable.

The T-64BM has a deep wading kit and can ford water obstacles up to 5 m deep.

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