Monday, January 19, 2015

Ukraine restarts T64 Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle development.

Thanks for the link Jonathan!


via Janes.
Ukraine has renewed development of heavy infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) based on the T-64 main battle tank (MBT), Ukroboronprom has announced.
The Kharkov Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau had previously created prototypes of a new IFV based on the T-64 but work is understood to have ceased some years ago.
Now the firm has resumed development of the heavy IFV in order to ready the designs for serial production. According to Ukroboronprom, this work could be completed in time to allow for mass production to begin before the end of the year.
The heavy IFV is based on a heavily modified T-64 chassis and hull with its turret removed and the upper portion of the hull significantly raised in order to increase its internal volume and allow for the relocation of the engine forward. These changes allow the IFV, known variously as the BMP-64, BMT-64 and BMPT-64, to accommodate 10-12 dismounts in the rear of the vehicle as well as a crew of three.
Instead of the 125 mm armed main turret of the T-64, a new IFV turret has been added to the vehicle. Boasting an impressive amount of firepower, the original prototype features a turret armed with a ZTM-1 30 mm automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun. Two anti-tank missiles are mounted on the left-hand side of the turret, while two banks of three grenade launchers are attached to the front of the turret. In addition, the commander's hatch on the roof of the turret features a cupola armed with a twin GSh-23 mm cannon and a 30 mm automatic grenade launcher.
The T-64 IFVs armour protection has also been increased with the incorporation of Nozh ('Knife') advanced dynamic protection system (explosive reactive armour - ERA), although a defensive aid suite (DAS) was not known to have been installed on the original prototype.
According to Ukroboronprom part of the resumption of development of the vehicle will include efforts with specialists from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to improve the design of the T-64 IFV. This will include improvements to the vehicle's weapon systems and the installation of "more modern dynamic protection". The latter possibly refers to the Zaslon hard-kill active protection system, which has previously been installed on some T-64BM Bulat MBTs.
Interesting isn't it?  Nations that are involved in action against even moderately capable foes are going for heavy APCs (Israel, Ukraine) while those that aren't or have been involved in nation building or are aiming at expeditionary warfare are opting for wheeled APCs.

Form follows function.  Lets hope that the USMC faces only small dirt wars and is able to hand the torch to the US Army if faced with a fully mechanized, networked and lethal opponent.

31 comments :

  1. Isn't it logical that if you go with a wheeled vehicle with less armor then that makes the addition of an active protection system all the more necessary? I don't get why the US is behind others in operating such systems.

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    1. you would think but theory has replaced common sense. you're seeing fantasy trump reality in the DoD. when the defense leadership of the nation embarks on ideology over substance then you know we're in trouble.

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  2. It would be logic for Ukrainians – to involve in usage old T-64 carcasses which they have several thousands at least. But there is a teeny-tiny questions – Khar’kov is located near Russian border and in the neighborhood with rebelling Lugansk region. I doubt that any other industrial cluster saves possibility to proceeding this conversation of MBT in IFV. So the need of organization the relevant industrial cluster in other region (advisable in a Western region of the country) and this is a costly pleasure. Who will pay for this?

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    1. Offtopic: new terminal start to collapse, second level and some solid part of wall go down. It's a miracle that it stand to this moment, look's like there will be no place for attack or defend there.

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    2. I've read this in some Ukrainian sources but it is not still confirmed by photos or words of reliable rebels who are usually in air (now they disappear) – info vacuum is the first sign of a serious deal. So I’m not sure that the collapse was in realty…But it more than possible – it can be a trap, organized by rebels, by the way.

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    3. Well, well, well... info' can you check something, there are some news that Gubariew was kidnapped by some people (some witness say they speak with Chechen accent)...

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    4. I can’t say anything concrete about Gubarev’s possible kidnapping. All rebels I talk with do not stay tuned now. But Gubarev’s kidnapping would be logical – he is a middle-size figure but popular among the rebels, ss well as field commander Batman, brutally killed recently, was. But Gubarev is a pure politician, not a military. So it looks like cleanings are on the full march and “more to come”.

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    5. Some time ago Gubarev said couple of weird things, that he have proofs that it was Kremlin behind attack in Paris, that it was a personal order of President Putin for Kadyrov to organize the attack and other on the territory of UE. "Novorossiya condemns the actions of Kadyrov and terrorist attacks against civilians. We are ready to share with the world public opinion information at our disposal"... those proofs were also the "recorded" phone calls, but next day after long talks with Kremlin he withdraws from his position. Those talks were apparently made 10.01.2015, but couple of days ago Gubarev's again said that he will publish those information's if hes or hes men life will be in danger (read, what happen with Batman)...

      Now when he was kidnapped (there are some unconfirmed news that he was founded, heavy beaten up with broken both legs) this can be reaction for his words... maybe this is only his personal plan to run away from that region and he fake this kidnap. Or there is something real in his words and... you know, need to be silenced, no mater if he speaking the truth or not.

      I underline that this is only some theory that gather different puzzles and put them in... not that stupid order. Not my (not that Rusophobic friend, found in one of comments under article in net) but still... word start to look like Clancy' novel made real.

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    6. Pan, I have some opinion about it but it needs a lot of time to describe now – may be later if you will be interesting in. Long story in short – I guess in this context more adequate pay attention to real personal ties of Gubarev in context of competition of rebels about spreading of local assets with sources, and assets with sources given from Russia. I’m not sure that former Russian nazi and an animator (he played Santa Claus, bggg) is a threat for such high level as Putin’s is. Donbass rebellion is greatly close to business then to “fight for Russian Realm and Novorossiya” (IMHO, of course).

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    7. Of course info' I'm always more then happy to read your opinion on that mater.

      "Santa Claus" Gubarev was founded, probably unharmed... he was indeed kidnapped by Chechen's and also in relation to what he said. He explain them that this was a lie and they let him go... something smells funny in this story.

      Now the French Le Figaro have an article that some 5 Chechen's with Russian citizenship ware captured near Montpellier, they were preparing an terrorist attack. Shit this only give more fuel for all this Gubarev talking about how Kadryrov was ordered to made the attack in UE.

      This is all mess up, really mess up.

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    8. Bullshit, serious sources speak about robbery, where tchechen are very common in south of France.
      Figaro media bullshit want to fuck russia at each time they can, it's our foxnews....
      I laugh when i read about fox news excuses on NO GO Zones in Paris...

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    9. The fact is that a majority of french citizen want to deliver mistral while government not.
      So they need yto move public opinion in their way.

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    10. Interesting fact... so we can expect massive protests of majority of French citizens with banners "Give Mistrals to Russia" right?... any seconds now... any seconds... and nothing... ooooo... the bullshit is indeed here.

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  3. One incentive for these projects is lots of surplus hulls that can be utilised both in ukraine and Israel ,before Israel built Namer its heavy APCs were all mix and match of soviet and british surplus tanks that. But if ukraine wants these pieces in service any time soon they should forget the elaborate turrets

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  4. Offtopic: sawn-off SVD. Nice!
    https://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/15499/27652091.336/0_95a69_4b4452b5_XL.jpg

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  5. Any one else notice that the prototype shown in the picture looks just a little like the bradley?

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  6. What is the T-64 Prototype to the right of the IFV? There are at least two RWS on the turret roof.

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    1. i have no idea. the photo is from the manufacturers website so it must be a new model they're working on.

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  7. to Gerard Nagle
    @What is the T-64 Prototype to the right of the IFV@
    It is concept T-64E (only concept still)
    http://warweapons.ru/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/wpid-6DC8qrXVAz0.jpg

    taken here
    http://warweapons.ru/t-64e-stal-tankom-xxi-veka/

    I can translate the article about it if you want

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    1. To info-infanterie
      Thanks for the link to the T-64E info, very interesting.
      No need to translate, Google did a pretty good job. Many thanks

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    2. to Gerard Nagle

      Not at all!

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  8. regardless of the current conflict with the sepps, the russians are now presenting armata and kurganets. There's a chance that the ukrainians might have thought they would need to show up against those.

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    1. Let's wait for actual working and riding Armata and Kurganets, for now the only thing they present is... nothing. Some wet dream graphics here and there and poor quality pics of models, let's wait for some real pics. Clock is ticking sooner or later some will resurface.

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    2. @they present is... nothing.@
      No, you forget pictures and diminished foam- models to have erotic dream about Armata! Bgggg.
      I will be completely happy if I will watch in real deal a Russian military heavy unit (completely equipped according to new view) in even 5-7 years. Manufacturing an AV and treatment of “childhood illnesses” – is one thing, requiring time. Education of the personnel and their mutual harmonization is complete another, not to mention correction of tactic, adjustment of supply ammo, additional and spare equipment an devices and so on, and so on.

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    3. They're scheduled to be shown in the 2015 victory parade which means the actual prototype should have already come out by now.

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    4. @They're scheduled to be shown in the 2015 victory parade which means the actual prototype should have already come out by now.@
      Yeah! I’m completely in my-nails-biting mode until the parade! But I guess that in Russian army (which is more important than parade-showing) we will see Armata (specially MBT on the platform)-platforms a lot of time after 2015. One of indirect sighs – large order for T-72B3. About Kurganets and Boomerang I’m greatly more optimistic. And, rumors go, good-old working horse MTLB will be in “new view” line too.

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  9. to 김치맨
    @There's a chance that the ukrainians might have thought they would need to show up against those.@
    I guess that vast majority of rebel’s AVs will be old soviet/Russian BTR, BMP and T-72 which rebels can accidently find in the nearest bushes. Bggg.
    The main problems of Ukrainians that the rebels can find too much of above said AVs.

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    1. I'm talking of the psychological warfare; media, and even morale. Not because they're introducing their new armours on the frontline (though they had sent T-72BM3).

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    2. I guess in terms of psych and moral pressing that against Ukrainians greatly more effective their public humiliation then threating with Russian new weapon (even now they confuse T-72 mods with –T-90, and T-64 Ukrainian mods with NATO’s tanks.

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