BM Oplot-T: Through the Jungles!

Today we’ll be taking a look at the BM Oplot-T, an export version of the Ukrainian T-84 Oplot MBT for the Thai Army!

Vehicle History

The T-84 Oplot tank (Object 478DU9) was a further development of the T-80UD Beryoza design developed by the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. Adopted by Ukraine on February 8th, 2000, it featured a 1,200 HP 6TD-2 engine, a new welded turret, an improved weapons control system, and next-generation ERA protection.

The new engine significantly increased the Oplot's mobility, particularly with the addition of a reverse clutch that allowed the tank to reach a reverse speed of 30 km/h. A further modification, the Object 478DU9-1, received enhanced armor protection from the addition of Duplet external ERA, and the PNK-6 panoramic commander’s sighting system.

The export version BM Oplot-T (Object 478DU9-T) was produced for Thailand from 2013 to 2018, with 49 units manufactured. It featured an additional power unit, modified side screens, a rear turret bustle, and an additional ladder at the rear.

Introducing the Oplot-T!

Meet one of the most advanced examples of the T-80 family: the export variant of the T-84 Oplot, used by the Thai Armed Forces! It features good armor combined with ERA, powerful shells, advanced electronic systems, and improved reverse mobility. And it’s coming for Japan! Let’s take a closer look.

The BM Oplot-T is a further development of the T-80UD MBT from the Kharkiv tank plant. In this blog, we'll first examine the tank's armor protection, as the Oplot features a new turret design and a modified hull. In addition to the T-80 series' traditional combination of homogeneous steel and ERA, Ukrainian designers equipped the Oplot with domestic ERA modules, both integrated and external. These ERA blocks not only significantly increase protection against HEAT-based weapons, such as guided missiles, but also improve protection from kinetic projectiles. Duplet ERA blocks have been added to the sides of the hull and are also mounted on the frontal sections of the hull and turret. But that’s not all! The already well-protected Oplot is also equipped with a Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) and Varta soft-kill APS, which disrupts the guidance of SACLOS ATGMs, causing them to deviate from their flight path.

Did you know? “Oplot” translates to “Stronghold”.

There’s a lot of interesting stuff inside of the BM Oplot-T. The main compartment still features the large carousel-type autoloader with 28 rounds, which provides a high rate of fire independent of crew skill. Specific to the Thai variant, the rear of the turret includes an extended bustle rack where additional ammunition is stored. The BM Oplot-T also features a modern fire control system, including a panoramic commander’s sight, laser rangefinder, and thermal imaging for both the commander and gunner.

Diving into the ammunition now, where the Oplot really shines. In addition to the rounds familiar from tanks in the USSR tree, the BM Oplot-T is armed with the excellent GP125 ATGM. The Oplot also fires the new top-end BTA4 APFSDS round, with a maximum penetration of more than half a meter of armor!

Having covered the electronics, firepower, and armor, let's take a look at the mobility. There’s a big elephant in the room here, and that’s if the reverse speed, so typically slow on the T-80 series, has improved. And the