| Entered service |
2005 |
| Crew |
3 men |
| Dimensions and weight |
| Weight |
45 t |
| Length (gun forward) |
9.22 m |
| Hull length |
6.54 m |
| Width |
3.6 m |
| Height |
2.17 m |
| Armament |
| Main gun |
125-mm smoothbore |
| ATGW |
9K119 (AT-11 Sniper) |
| Machine guns |
1 x 12.7-mm, 1 x 7.62-mm |
| Elevation range |
- 6 to + 14 degrees |
| Traverse range |
360 degrees |
| Ammunition load |
| Main gun |
36 rounds |
| Machine guns |
? |
| Mobility |
| Engine |
5TDFM diesel |
| Engine power |
850 hp |
| Maximum road speed |
60 km/h |
| Range |
~ 500 km |
| Maneuverability |
| Gradient |
60% |
| Side slope |
40% |
| Vertical step |
0.8 m |
| Trench |
2.85 m |
| Fording |
1.8 m |
| Fording (with preparation) |
5 m |
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The T-64BM Bulat is a Ukrainian upgrade of the ageing Soviet T-64B main battle tank. Ukraine operates over 2 200 of the old T-64 MBTs. The Bulat was revealed in 1999. Initially two upgrade variants were proposed - the T-64BM (also referred as the T-64U) and the T-64BM2. The T-64BM2 is fitted with new automatic loader, however it has inferior fire control system. Eventually the more advanced T-64BM upgrade was selected. First vehicles were upgraded and delivered to Ukrainian Army units in 2005. In 2014 this MBT saw action during ongoing military conflict in Ukraine.
Protection was improved by installation of add-on passive and explosive reactive armor. The T-64BM Bulat is fitted with new Nozh modular ERA armor. Composite armor is used at the front of the hull and turret. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.
This main battle tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 125-mm smoothbore gun, fitted with automatic loader. Maximum effective range of fire is 2 500 m at daytime and up to 1 500 m at night.
The Bulat is compatible with the 9K119 (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missiles. These are handled and fired in the same manner as ordinary munitions. Guided missiles have a 90% hit probability at 4 000 m range and 80% hit probability at a maximum range of 5 000 m. Its control system is based on a laser beam, while the missile automatically keeps to the center of the beam. A total of 36 rounds, including anti-tank guided missiles, are carried.
Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and remotely operated 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
This main battle tank is fitted with new fire control system of the Ukrainian T-84 MBT. All sights and aiming devices were also upgraded.
The Bulat MBT has an upgraded powerpack. Vehicle is powered by a 5TDFM diesel engine, developing 850 hp. It is an uprated and more reliable version of the previous 5TDF. It might be also fitted with the 6TD diesel, developing 1 000 hp. It is worth mentioning, that original engine of the T-64 was a Soviet unsuccessful attempt to copy powerpack of the British Chieftain. The 5TDF engine of the T-64 was notoriously unreliable.
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