Readiness Improved and Some Capability Restored

The Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) have received batches of modernised T-64 MBTs and BMP IFVs from the Lviv and Zhytomyr Armored Plants, according to UkrOboronProm (UOP) announcements made on 15 and 16 December.

Ukrainian media reported that the Lviv plant delivered five T-64s and seven modernised BMP-1s. Separately, the Zhytomyr plant modernised and delivered BMP-2 IFVs as well as BREM-2 recovery vehicles. Lviv alone has modernised and delivered over 50 armoured vehicles this year. The upgrade applied to the Ukrainian vehicles is fairly standard and includes a thermal imager, Lybid K-2RBam radios and a new satellite navigation system. Some MBTs are also provided with new explosive reactive armour inserts.

The upgrade programme has been under way since 2017 and is designed to recapitalise the UAF’s armoured forces at a relatively low cost, while also providing them with credible capabilities to fight Russian and separatist forces if the conflict escalates to the use of armoured formations again.  By August 2019, the Kharkov Morozov Design Bureau had delivered 150 modernised T-64s, and production had been extended to other enterprises within Ukraine’s state-owned conglomerate, UOP. It is therefore reasonable to assume that at least 200 T-64s have been upgraded to the standard established in 2017.

In 2020 the T-64s were joined by the T-72AMT, an upgrade developed for the T-72, which had fallen from favour with the UAF. The upgrade was revealed in 2017, and 31 vehicles were delivered by the Kiev Armoured Plant in 2020. Deliveries of T-80s upgraded to a similar standard have also been reported, although the quantity is unclear.

UOP reported the delivery of 37 upgraded BMP-1s in 2020, and an unknown number of a variant known as BMP-1AK were delivered in 2018. A separate delivery is thought to have been received from the Czech company Excalibur Army between 2018-2019, accompanied by a significant quantity of BTR-3 and BTR-4 IFVs, at least 300 of which are thought to have been delivered.

The UAF have been furiously modernising and refining their capabilities since the war started with Russia in 2014. However, some estimates indicate that fighting in 2014-2015 either damaged or destroyed 180 Ukrainian tanks, with losses of IFVs likely higher. In addition, personnel casualties have been significant in the six years since the end of the high-intensity portion of the conflict. The challenge that faces the UAF is therefore significant – however, there are indications that readiness at least is higher than in 2014, and the threat is now clear, enabling it to respond more decisively should the need arise.

Sam Cranny-Evans reporting for MON