T80

The T-80 is a family of Soviet main battle tanks developed by Uralvagonzavod in the 1960s and 1970s. It was the first production MBT to be powered by a gas turbine engine, a design choice intended to provide high power-to-weight and rapid acceleration, while offering strong on-road mobility. Unveiled in 1976, the T-80 entered service with the Soviet Army that year and was later operated by Russia and several other countries.

The T-80 combines a three-man crew, enabled by an autoloading 125 mm smoothbore gun capable of firing a range of ammunition, including guided anti-tank missiles fired through the gun barrel. Armament is complemented by a coaxial machine gun and, on some variants, a defensive heavy machine gun. The vehicle’s propulsion is a gas turbine, which delivers high speed but incurs high fuel consumption and demands more complex maintenance. The chassis uses a hydropneumatic suspension to improve ride quality and cross-country performance.

Armor and protection were upgraded across the family. Early models used welded armor, while later variants added composite armor and, in several versions, explosive reactive armor to improve protection against shaped charges and kinetic energy rounds. The T-80 family saw multiple developments, including the T-80A with improved armor and fire-control, the T-80BV with additional ERA, and the T-80U with further modernization of sensors and protection. A diesel-powered variant, the T-80UD, was developed in Ukraine for export and use by some operators.

Operational history: the T-80 family served in the Soviet Army and remained in use in Russia and other operators into the late 20th and early 21st centuries, though many forces have since shifted to newer designs. It is noted for its turbine propulsion and its influence on subsequent MBT developments.