In 1969, the Soviet Army received the T-64A variant with the 125 mm cannon instead of the 115 mm one. From 1976 to 1985, the T-64B was produced in Kharkov with an improved fire control system and the ability to launch a guided missile through the barrel. In principle, the manufacturer has managed to get rid of many previously defined problems. Two years later, the T-64 appeared with a version equipped with explosive reactive armor Kontakt-1. It is these means of fighting that are currently the basis of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian T-64E main battle tank carrying 23 mm GSh-23L cannon In 2004, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense adopted the T-64BM “Bulat”, which was developed in the Kharkiv design room for mechanical engineering named after AA Morozov. A total of 85 MBTs were ordered but it turned out to be unsuccessful. Its special edition – the T-64E was created by the Kharkov armored repair plant. Engineers suggest using multi-channel viewfinder with gunner thermal camera and captain’s panoramic viewfinder. Firepower is enhanced by the 23 mm GSh-23L double-barrel air cannon with a ammo base of up to 600 rounds, accompanied by a remote controlled 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. This weapon can be used by any member of the crew, including the driver. Protection has also been increased thanks to the Nozh explosive reactive armor and a high-speed fire suppression system. Meanwhile, the vehicle’s weight increased to 42,500 kg, the engine capacity also increased to 850 horsepower. Despite the announced new possibilities, the Ukrainian Armed Forces Command is not interested in the amendment. Such tanks would be too complicated and expensive. Also, the repair company itself is not capable of mass-producing them. As a result, only one prototype was born and until recently was rusting in the storage.

Ukraine’s secret weapon system is a series of missile launchers developed by the State Design Bureau Kyiv Luch in cooperation with other private and public Ukrainian defense companies.

MLRS can destroy infantry, armored and armored vehicle targets in the area where artillery batteries, headquarters and ammunition are concentrated. This system will allow the Ukrainian military to protect its borders, strait and territorial sea as well as naval bases and coastal infrastructure within missile range.

The mass-launch missile system was tested several times in 2018, while recent tests were conducted at a military training facility in Ukraine’s Odesa region in August 2019.

Russian website Rg.ru said that the 9P140 truck belonging to the MLRS series launch missile system of the Ukrainian army had a serious accident on the Odessa – Mariupol highway.

According to the latest information from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the MLRS convoy is on its way to the city of Mariupol on the coast of Azov, to strengthen its defenses against a threat from Russia.

Initial information showed that a vehicle carrying the missile for the MLRS system lost control, crashed into the median side of the road and plunged down a roadside slope causing the vehicle to flip over many times.

The car was severely damaged, the cabin was completely destroyed and the most frightening thing was that 16 rockets fell out but fortunately they did not explode. There is currently no specific information on the casualties of the driver’s vehicle.

The original cause was identified as a technical problem from the driver’s part, and another reason highlighted by the Russian press was that the vehicle’s use status was too long and the lack of spare parts. cure.

The MLRS series launch missile system is mounted on the KrAZ-7634 8 × 8 truck chassis. The driver’s cabin is mounted in the front left part of the chassis. Located behind the driver’s cabin, a systematic launch cabin with launch and fire preparation equipment.

The total weight of the truck is 32 tons, while its load capacity is 18.8 tons. Power comes from the YaMZ-7511.10 turbocharged diesel engine paired with a nine-speed mechanical transmission system. The engine develops a maximum capacity of 420 horsepower and allows a top speed of 100km / h.

The MLRS system is based on the Soviet-era BM-30 Smerch heavy jet artillery system. Each system is controlled by a crew of 4 and is capable of firing rockets in either single or launch mode.

The launch mass of each 300mm missile is 800kg. MLRS is capable of destroying enemy targets at a distance of 130 km. The system can fire 12 missiles in just 45 seconds and hit targets with a ring failure probability (CEP) below 30m.

The MLRS has a new automatic fire control system, which can be operated in either automatic or manual mode. The fire control system allows automatic determination of the bearing angle of the launcher.

The MLRS missile uses a non-GPS navigation system to avoid the risk of signal loss due to interfering with satellite positioning or deceptive attacks. Each missile is powered by a solid engine and can be fitted with different warheads. Photo source: Pinterest.

A close-up of the power of the Smerch jet cannon – with 12 bullets that can destroy all life in an area of ​​67 hectares. Source: QPVN.