Russia Unveils Cutting-Edge T-16 Armored Recovery Vehicle at Army-2023.

At the Army-2023 International Defense Exhibition held at Patriot Park near Moscow from August 14 to 20, 2023, Russia showcased its latest T-16, also known as BREM-T, a tracked armored recovery and repair vehicle. This vehicle is built upon the Armata tank platform.
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The new Russian-made T-16 armored recovery vehicle was unveiled during the Army-2023 defense exhibition near Moscow. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)

The T-16 is a battlefield recovery and repair tank, specifically tailored to support the T-14 Armata main battle tanks. Its original turret has been replaced with a compact, remotely operated weapon station that houses a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The vehicle incorporates a modified hull from the T-14 Armata tank, maintaining the same design with the engine positioned at the rear.

For its primary function as a repair and recovery vehicle, the T-16 boasts a 10-ton capacity crane on the right side of its hull, and an auxiliary crane with a 900 kg capacity on the rear left side. A dozer-blade is attached to the front of the hull, serving to stabilize the vehicle during winching and craning tasks. This blade also aids in clearing paths and performing earthmoving operations.

The main crane is adept at lifting engines from other battle tanks during repair missions, while the auxiliary crane, designed for lighter loads, helps prolong the main crane's lifespan.

The T-16 requires a three-person crew: a commander, gunner, and handler, all seated at the front. Additionally, there are three seats for passengers, facilitating the rescue of crews from damaged tanks or armored vehicles. Entry and exit for the crew are through roof hatches, with an extra hatch at the rear of the superstructure for passengers or as an emergency exit.

In terms of defense, the T-16 mirrors the protection level of the T-14 Armata MBT. It's equipped with a next-generation add-on armor kit, providing robust defense against modern Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs). If damaged, these armor modules can be swiftly removed and replaced.

Powering the T-16 is the same A-82-2 diesel engine used in the T-14 Armata tank, which produces 1,200 hp. This allows the vehicle to achieve top road speeds of 75 km/h and a maximum cruising distance of 550 km.

The T-16 is fitted with two cranes, a 10 tons capacity mounted to the right side and a 900 kg capacity crane at the rear left side. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)

Defense News August 2023