Ukrainian military for the first time showed T-64BV 1K of the latest modernization, which is already destroying the enemy (video)
Ukraine’s military television has released a report on the T-64BV 1K command tank, a 2022 modernization. This is the first mention of this type of vehicle in open sources since the full-scale invasion of Russia.
It is claimed that these tanks “after deep modernization are back in service and successfully performing combat missions”. As part of the modernization, they received new surveillance and targeting devices, modern navigation and communication equipment that meets NATO standards, improved armor and fuel tank protection, and the command tower was reinforced with a 12.7 mm NSVT machine gun.
It is also emphasized that the main difference between the T-64BV 1K modernization of 2022 is also the replacement of old radio stations with new digital ones, which allows to expand the operational range of control to 500 kilometers. And in the installation of an unnamed type of engine with a capacity of 840 hp, which helped to improve the driving characteristics of this vehicle.
At the same time, according to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the T-64BV 1K of the 2022 modernization is used in the “drive and shoot” format, i.e. to fire at enemy trenches and dugouts.
The Defense Express editorial board suggested that the “840 hp engine” might have actually meant the 5TDFM, which can be installed on the T-64 without any modification. However, the nuance is that the 5TDFM has a capacity of 850 hp, so the question of what type of engine was actually installed on the T-64BV 1K of the 2022 modernization remains open.
As a reminder, in November 2021, the modernized T-64BVK was presented, a project led by Kharkiv Armored Plant. The modernization of the commander’s T-64BVK was carried out (at that time) for the first time since Ukraine’s independence, and included the installation of the latest communications, surveillance and navigation equipment, replacement of lighting and internal switching devices.
The most important conceptual difference, as reported at the time by the Kharkiv Armored Plant itself, is that while the Soviet T-64BVK of 1985 had to stop and install a special mast for long-distance communication to communicate with headquarters, the T-64BVK tank modernized at the Kharkiv Armored Plant can exchange information directly on the move.
