Generational change of tanks began to mature in the sixties of the last century. The produced machines no longer corresponded to the ideas, materials, and opportunities that designers could give them. At the same time, a clear understanding of the appearance of the new tank, capable of absorbing the latest technological advances, has not yet developed.
Kharkov tank
History ordered in such a way that the first tank of the new generation T-64 appeared from the design bureau and the factory that created the legendary T-34. A modern modification called T-64BM “Bulat” develops the potential inherent in the first models.
The world's first MBT
The new machine, the descendant of which was the Ukrainian T-64BM Bulat tank, was a truly revolutionary breakthrough. She combined in a single system not only technological advances, but also advanced design concepts. An opposed two-stroke multi-fuel engine was installed on the tank. For the first time in the world, a serial tank was equipped with an automatic loader, which made it possible to abandon the loader and reduce the crew to three people. The advanced solution of the chassis created excellent smoothness, which allowed to conduct aimed fire immediately. The improved gun was equipped with an optical rangefinder, subsequently replaced by a laser. The tank made a splash in the ranks of potential opponents, forcing them to urgently create countermeasures. After replacing the 115-mm gun with a powerful 125-mm gun, the border between the medium and heavy tank was finally obliterated. Therefore, the T-64 became the world's first main battle tank according to the classification that it laid the foundation for.
Soviet modernization
From the first production batch, released in 1968, the tank was constantly modernized. In addition to changing the caliber of the gun, work was underway to strengthen the armor protection, improve the chassis and instrumentation. By the time the USSR ceased to exist, the machine met all modern requirements. It is enough to recall that it was the Kharkov tanks that formed the basis of the Soviet military group deployed in the west. At the same time, the limited modernization potential was affecting, which was the payment for achieving outstanding results in reducing the weight and size of the machine.
Ukrainian Damask
After the collapse of the USSR, the Ukrainian army possessed a significant number of T-64s of various modifications. The Kharkov plant named after Malyshev, at which they were created, had every opportunity for further production and modernization. Given the need to maintain the technical level of heavy military equipment, its own modernization program, called the T-64BM "Bulat", has already been launched. Engineers had to solve many complex issues related to the features of the machine. The light weight of the tank was not only the result of a successful layout, but also a saving on the safety margin of the suspension elements. This limited the ability to strengthen the reservation. The breakthrough engine was very moody and not very reliable. Overcoming many problems allowed us to develop all the best in the T-64BM “Bulat” and get rid of the shortcomings of the base model.
Modernization of the main systems
Strengthening armor was the most important requirement in the modernization process. Weight restrictions due to the nature of the suspension required an accurate engineering solution. It was found in the form of the latest knife-mounted dynamic protection system Knife created in Ukraine. The developers themselves are confident that it is more perfect than competitors. On the T-64BM “Bulat” installed the latest 125-mm gun with an improved guidance and stabilization system. This greatly increased the accuracy of the fire, especially when driving. New turret electric drives have reduced targeting time. The engine of the car underwent a radical improvement. In addition to increasing the specific and total power by 150 horsepower, its reliability and resource sharply increased.
Equipment improvement
The version focuses on fire control systems, combat control and tactical awareness. The advanced sighting system T-64BM "Bulat" is stabilized in two planes. A new laser rangefinder is installed with a range of up to ten kilometers, which also allows directing guided anti-tank missiles with a semi-active guidance system. There is an improved night device for the gunner. For the tank commander modernized sighting and observation system. There was an opportunity to use thermal imagers, which the machine is not equipped for financial reasons.
Bulat against the background of competitors
An important result of the work on the machine was a demonstration of the ability of Ukrainian gunsmiths to develop independently. T-64BM "Bulat", the characteristic of which cannot be negative, should be recognized as a strong average. Yielding in many respects to more advanced modernizations of Russian, German and American tanks, it allows you to build combat-ready and modern armored forces. Western tanks "Bulat" inferior in control systems and information. Despite the improvement of the tank guns, the performance of the German gun is higher. The problem remains with the reservation. It was not possible to strengthen the side armor quite effectively, and in this regard, the tank retains the logic of Soviet military planning, focusing on the massive use of tanks. At the same time, he retained his strengths. Small silhouette, low weight, high power density, long-range anti-tank missiles make him a dangerous opponent for the Abrams and Leopards. Differences with the Russian modernization of the T-72 are less obvious and lie, rather, in the difference between the platforms themselves. The Uralvagonzavod tank has a less progressive ideology. A more reliable chassis of the Russian car makes it easier to relate to booking problems. But there was no consensus on a more perfect solution. T-64BM “Bulat” against the background of its main competitors looks quite worthy.
Combat use
The first baptism of fire of the T-64 took in Afghanistan. It turned out that the engine of the tank is little adapted to the conditions of the highlands, and it was impossible to use this machine. The USSR did not export the T-64, using it only in its own army, so the tank does not have such a rich history as the T-54 or T-72. However, the unfolding battles in the Donbass region with the use of all types of weapons made it possible to evaluate not only the old versions of the tank, but also the T-64BM Bulat, the latest modernization of which took part in them. The loss of tanks from the Armed forces of Ukraine was unexpectedly high. Maybe this is partly due to the tactics and nature of the use of armored vehicles. But part of the losses should be attributed to a certain vulnerability of the tank. The disproportionate number of vehicles that were destroyed due to the detonation of a carousel ammunition is alarming. This may indicate a critically weak side booking. Despite the events held, “Bulat” also did not demonstrate a convincing superiority over old cars. Losses made up a significant percentage of the park. Regarding the experience of using T-64 in the current conditions, it should be recognized that the tanks did not show their best. This is the result of the ineptitude of the command or the technical features of the T-64, specialists have to figure it out.