The first batch of five Ukrainian-made T-84 Oplot main battle tanks arrived in Thailand 0602141.

Defence & Security News - Thailand

The supply of the first batch of Oplot main battle tank is performed under the contract concluded in September 2011 between SC “Ukrspecexport” and operational command of the Royal Thai Army for the supply of 49 units of main battle tanks “Oplot” and support vehicles. The total contract value exceeds USD 200 million.

The Oplot T-84 main battle tank is based on a T-80UD, but has a number of advanced features which distinguish it from the T-80UD.

Main armament comprises a 125 mm KBA-3 (this is the local built version of the Russian 125 mm 2A46M-1) smoothbore gun fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. This is fed by an automatic loader which is similar to that installed in the T-64 in that the separate loading ammunition is stowed vertically whereas that of the T-72 and T-80 is stowed horizontally.

The T-84 Oplot can also fire laser beam-riding guided missile. The missile can be fired while both the tank and target are moving. The missile has a tandem warhead to defeat targets fitted with explosive reactive armour as well as modern spaced armour, optimised against HEAT attack.