Russian Leaks: Ukrainian Special Forces capture a new Russian T-80BVM tank in Kursk offensive.

On August 14, 2024, OSINTtechnical reported that in the Kursk Oblast, a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) team discovered an abandoned Russian T-80BVM Model 2023 main battle tank and successfully transported it back to Ukraine. The T-80BVM is a modernized version of the T-80BV, featuring upgrades in weaponry, protection, and mobility, making it a valuable asset in armored operations. This event highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the Russian Armed Forces in countering the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region.
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In the Kursk Oblast, a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) team discovered an abandoned Russian T-80BVM main battle tank and successfully transported it back to Ukraine. (Picture source: Butusov Plus and Vitaly Kuzmin)

According to the Russian Leaks, the T-80BVM is a medium tank, tracked, and equipped with a gas turbine engine. It weighs 47.4 tons and has a crew of three: the commander, gunner, and driver. The tank's dimensions include a length of 9,830 mm with the gun forward, 7,233 mm in terms of the hull, 3,380 mm in width with tracks, and 3,880 mm in width with additional armor modules. Its height to the turret roof is 2,219 mm, and 2,915 mm with the anti-aircraft machine gun, with a ground clearance of 431 mm.

The engine of the T-80BVM is a gas turbine engine, either the GTD-1250 or GTD-1100, with a power output of 1250 hp or 1100 hp respectively. With a three-shaft design, dual-stage centrifugal compressor, and free turbine, this type of engine allows the T-80BVM to possess a high power-to-weight ratio, uses a variety of fuel types including diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline, as well as starting at very low temperatures.

Thanks to its gas turbine, the T-80BVM can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h on the road, and 40-45 km/h on dirt roads, with a reverse speed of 10.8 km/h. Its operational range is 335 km on internal fuel, extendable to 440 km with additional fuel drums. The transmission is automatic, and the suspension system consists of a torsion bar with hydraulic shock absorbers. The tank can handle a maximum gradient of 32 degrees, a maximum side slope of 30 degrees, a trench width of 2.85 meters, a vertical step of 1 meter, and a fording depth of 1.8 meters without preparation.

The T-80BVM is a modernized version of the T-80BV, featuring upgrades in weaponry, protection, and mobility, making it a valuable asset in Russian armored operations. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

The main gun of the tank, the 2A46M-1, is designed to fire a variety of munitions including APFSDS, HEAT, HE-FRAG, and guided missiles (9M119, 9M119M) and is coupled with a hydroelectromechanical autoloader with a 28-round carousel and manual backup for quick reloading and sustained fire. This 125 mm smoothbore gun has a rate of fire of 7-8 rounds per minute, with an effective range of up to 5,000 meters for guided missiles and 10,000 meters for HE-FRAG shells.

In addition to the main gun, the tank is equipped with a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun (PKT or PKTM), which has a rate of fire of 600-700 rounds per minute to engage infantry and light vehicles at an effective range of 1,600 meters. For defense against both aerial and ground targets, the T-80BVM uses a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun (NSVT or "Kord"), which has a rate of fire of 630-800 rounds per minute, with an effective range of 2,000 meters for ground targets and 1,500 meters for aerial targets. The crew can also use an AKS-74 5.45 mm assault rifle, with a rate of fire of 100 rounds per minute (burst), and 40 rounds per minute (single shot), with an effective range of 1,000 meters.

The "Relikt" explosive reactive armor (ERA) system of the T-80BVM includes various components: 80 elements on the nose of the hull, 140 on the turret, and 192 on the side screens, with a total weight of 2,827 kg. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The fire control system of the T-80BVM includes the "Sosna-U" multi-channel sight for the gunner, which features thermal imaging, laser rangefinder, and automatic target tracking, allowing effective operation under various environmental conditions (day/night). The main gun and coaxial machine gun are fully stabilized, allowing for accurate firing on the move. The commander’s panoramic sight features thermal and night vision capabilities, allowing for independent target acquisition and engagement. There is also a backup optical sight (1P67-1) for the gunner, and an integrated fire control computer for ballistic calculations and target engagement.

The T-80BVM features composite and explosive reactive armor (ERA). The "Relikt" ERA modules provide enhanced protection against modern anti-tank threats, including tandem warheads and kinetic energy penetrators. The Relikt system includes various components: 80 elements on the nose of the hull, 140 on the turret, and 192 on the side screens, with a total weight of 2,827 kg. The tank also has grille screens with a total weight of 183 kg to protect the engine compartment. The Shtora-1 active protection system is designed to disrupt the guidance of anti-tank missiles.

The main gun of the tank, the 2A46M-1 125 mm smoothbore gun, has a rate of fire of 7-8 rounds per minute, with an effective range of up to 5,000 meters for guided missiles and 10,000 meters for HE-FRAG shells. (Picture source: Russia social media)

Additional protective systems include smoke grenade launchers for creating visual and infrared screens, an NBC protection system for comprehensive defense against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats, and a fire suppression system for automatic and manual fire suppression in the crew and engine compartments.

The T-80BVM is also equipped with a modular protection system that includes additional dynamic protection modules in a "soft" body, as well as modules and grille screens for the turret. The dynamic protection element used in this system is the 4S22 Kontakt-5, with 222 elements on the side screens in 26 additional modules, and 100 elements in ten containers on the turret, bringing the total weight of this set to 1,725 kg. This modular system can be installed and configured based on the operational requirements, providing flexibility in protection.

The T-80BVM can handle a maximum gradient of 32 degrees, a maximum side slope of 30 degrees, a trench width of 2.85 meters, a vertical step of 1 meter, and a fording depth of 1.8 meters without preparation. (Picture source: Russian social media)

Furthermore, on September 10, 2023, the Russian Armed Forces unveiled the T-80BVM Model 2023, an updated version of the T-80BVM main battle tank, developed by the Russian Armed Forces based on lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This version includes several modifications aimed at improving both its protection and combat capabilities. Notable upgrades include reinforced wire cage armor around the turret and hull to enhance defense against rocket-propelled grenades and drone attacks. Additionally, the tank is fitted with the Volnorez anti-drone electronic jamming system, capable of disrupting drones within a 600-1000 meter range, and a new 1PN96MT thermal imaging sight, designed to improve target acquisition in various visibility conditions. The reverse speed of the tank has also been increased to over 20 km/h, though specific details about this upgrade have not been disclosed.

In terms of armament, the T-80BVM Model 2023 retains the 125mm 2A46M-4 smoothbore gun, which is compatible with multiple types of projectiles. The tank's armor has been enhanced with Relikt explosive reactive armor to increase its resistance to anti-tank weapons. Improvements in mobility include reinforced running gear, an upgraded torsion bar, and an automatic track tension system, which together are intended to improve its off-road performance and ease of maintenance. The production of 152 units of this upgraded tank, with some already prepared for deployment, suggests an effort to integrate these updated tanks into current military operations.

In September 2023, the Russian Armed Forces unveiled the T-80BVM Model 2023, an updated version of the T-80BVM main battle tank, developed by the Russian Armed Forces based on lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. (Picture source: Russian social media)