Russian ingenuity: T‑80BWM tank's 'knight' armour upgrade
The Russians have a variety of self-modified tanks that draw the attention of military analysts. Certainly, the "knight" tank, as mentioned on Facebook by the Military Portal, falls into this category. The "knight" is actually a Russian T-80BWM tank enhanced with anti-drone chainmail.
The Military Portal highlighted the Russian T-80BWM tank "dressed in anti-drone chainmail, which doesn't add to its knightly appearance." This is a machine modified by the Russians to increase crew safety in the event of drone strikes, which are a real challenge for various tanks and armoured vehicles.
The "knight" is not the first instance of Russian creativity in tank modification. Previously, similarly modified machines have appeared on the battlefield, an example being the so-called "turtle tank" enhanced with steel elements, giving it an unusual appearance. However, it should be noted that while the presence of "turtles" in Ukraine has been reported several times, the "knight" can be considered a novelty.
Russian T-80BWM tanks
The Russian T-80BWM tank is one of the most advanced modernizations of the legendary T-80 series, which has been a significant part of the Russian armed forces' equipment for decades. The T-80BWM was developed through a comprehensive modernization program aimed at improving combat capabilities and adapting the vehicle to the requirements of modern warfare. This is a response to the growing needs for mobility, protection, and firepower.
T-80BWM is equipped with a GTD-1250 engine generating 1250 horsepower, enabling the tank to reach a top speed of about 70 km/h on paved roads and approximately 40-50 km/h off-road. The tank's armour has been significantly reinforced through the use of the modern Relikt reactive armour system, which protects against anti-tank shells, including both kinetic and cumulative. Combined with passive multilayered armour, this provides a high level of protection from both long-distance attacks and close combat. Additionally, the tank is equipped with active protection systems that increase the chances of survival on the battlefield.
The main armament of the T-80BWM is a 125-millimetre 2A46M-4 smoothbore gun, allowing the use of a wide range of ammunition, including anti-tank rounds, high-explosive fragmentation rounds, and 9M119 Refleks guided missiles. The tank also features the modern Sosna-U fire control system, enabling precise targeting both during the day and at night. The integrated thermal imaging system and laser rangefinder significantly enhance operational effectiveness in all weather conditions.
