The clash between Russia and Ukraine has now taken the form of a conflitto frozen. However, the tension can rise at any time, given the great strategic importance of the Ukrainian theater and the extent of the forces deployed.
It is known that the Russian Army plans to acquire new generation wagons and combat vehicles, such as the new MBT T-14 ARMATA.
The T-14 has a combat weight of 40 tons, and is powered by a diesel engine that develops more than 1.200 Hp of power, which allows it to reach a speed of 75 km / h. the main armament consists of a 2A82-1M 125 mm smooth-bore cannon / missile launcher and a PKTM coaxial machine gun from 7,62x54 mm.
The information on the armor is still scarce, however the 5 large caliber fixed launchers of the active protection system AFGHANIT are evident, placed on the right and on the left under the tower, used for countermeasures. hard kill, the relative radar and optronic sensors installed in the tower itself, and the 2 launchers that can be oriented to 12 cells, used for countermeasures soft kill. A good part of the sides of the hull is protected by a row of tile of reactive armor of fourth generation called MALACHIT.
However, given the high costs it will be possible for Moscow, at least initially, to equip only one unit with 88 T-14: the 1 ° Armored Guard Regiment, which deploys two battalion tanks and one mechanized
For its part Kiev is taking steps to introduce new weapon systems such as the M-84 OPLOT (photo opening) tank into service.
Starting from the T-80UD wagon, the general architecture has remained unchanged, with a two-seater turret and the pilot positioned centrally in the hull.
Particular attention is paid to the composite protection, with metal layers alternating with layers of rubber; moreover, a reactive protection is installed to counter the HEAT charges with a tandem head.
Instead of the previous ones tile the reactive charges are located under a uniform layer, which preserves them from blows of light weapons and splinters, as each charge is located in a small cell, separated from the adjacent one by a metal sheet. The OPLOT is armed with a KBA-3 piece from 125 mm smooth-core, derived from the Soviet 125. The automatic loading system still uses the carousel for 28 projectiles, divided between projectors and launch charges. The cannon is able to launch the national-guided laser-guided missile, COMBAT. The missile is divided into two sections and is chambered, in two stages, by the same automatic arm that loads the conventional ammunition.
The OPLOT uses a 6TD-2 two-stroke, supercharged, diesel engine, with turbocharger, capable of developing a power of 1.200 Hp. This power allows to have an excellent weight / power ratio, equal to 23,5 hp / t, and to reach the maximum speed of 70 km / h. the Ukrainian engine has considerable development possibilities, in fact it is working on the 6TD-3 version that will be able to develop, with the same dimensions, a power of 1.500 hp. This engine will certainly equip the future Ukrainian MBT T-REX, with hull derived from the OPLOT, but with unattended turret as the three crewmen will be in the hull.
Photo: US Army / TASS
