The T-84 is the latest Ukrainian development of the T-80 series, designed by KMDB in Kharkiv (while the Russian T-90 is an advanced version of the T-72BM, with some T-80 features). A main design objective was to make Ukraine's arms industry independent of Russia's, after resulting difficulties in fulfilling a contract to supply T-80UD tanks to Pakistan. An external difference from earlier models is the new Ukrainian welded turret, replacing the T-80's Russian-built cast turret (some T-80s shipped to Pakistan were fitted with the T-84 welded turret, but lack other T-84 improvements).
The T-84's outstanding feature is the 26 hp/t power-to-weight ratio (compared to 18 hp/t of the contemporary Russian T-90, or 22 hp/t of the newer T-90S). It has inherited the nickname Flying Tank from the T-80. The tank is also designed to perform well in hot climates, and even includes an air-conditioned crew compartment (operating temperature range is claimed to be −40 °C to 55 °C).
Due to the collapse of Soviet Union, Malshev Factory was no longer able to obtain ceremic armour modules from Russia and only the initial batch of T-84 were produced with such. Instead, later batches of T-84's composite armour is composed of special purpose rubber sandwiched between steel and alloy plates. The exclusion of ceremic plate from the tank's armour may indicate downgraded protection compared to older models.
Ukraine has demonstrated several upgraded prototypes of this tank, intended for both domestic employment and international sale.
| T-84 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin |  Ukraine |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1999–present |
| Used by | Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | KMDB |
| Designed | 1993–94 |
| Manufacturer | Malyshev Factory |
| Produced | 1994–present |
| Specifications (T-80) | |
| Weight | 46 tonnes |
| Length | 7.086 m (23 ft 3 in) |
| Width | 3.775 m (12 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 2.215 m (7 ft 3 in) |
| Crew | 3 |
| | |
| Elevation | +13°, -6° |
| | |
| Armour | Steel, composite, ERA |
| Main armament | KBA-3 125 mm smoothbore gun (43 rds) |
| Secondary armament | 7.62 mm KT-7.62 coaxial machine gun 12.7 mm KT-12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun |
| Engine | KMDB 6TD-2 6-cylinder diesel 1,200 hp (890 kW) |
| Power/weight | 26 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | Torsion-bars, hydraulic dampers |
| Ground clearance | 0.515 m (1 ft 8.3 in) |
| Fuel capacity | 1,300 l (290 imp gal; 340 US gal) |
| Operational range | 540 km (340 mi) |
| Speed | 65 km/h (40 mph) - 70 km/h (43 mph) |
