[ad_1]
Ukraine and the Czech Republic have embarked on a collaborative endeavor to repair and modernize T-64 tanks for active use on the battlefield.
T-64BM in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Image credit: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Are T-64 tanks old? Without a doubt, yes! The first units of these military vehicles were produced in 1963. To give a better perspective, these were the times when our grandparents were born, more or less.
The idea of repairing such old tech for a new use may seem doubtful. However, dismantling them, reassembling, and packing them with an array of modern electronics is much cheaper and faster than building new machines from zero. And, after such upgrades, old Ukrainian battle tanks not only get a new life, but they also transition to a new level of performance where they are able to stand against more recent models of the invading Russian forces.
Driven by this idea, Ukroboronprom and VOP CZ are joining forces to carry out this tank restoration project, which will prioritize improved security and safety measures and technological upgrades. This is a logical step, especially considering the fact that Ukraine now has industrial capacities for the production of 125-mm shells suitable for T-64s.
Ukraine already has substantial experience in modernizing old military vehicles. Here in this image you can see an example from 2007 – tank T-64BV in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Image credit: Сергій Попсуєвич via Wikimedia, GFDL license
The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic has announced that the state-owned company VOP CZ, in cooperation with Ukroboronprom, will initiate the repair work on T-64 tanks in the near future. The project is a result of a memorandum signed by both parties in February 2023.
According to Marek Špok, the director of VOP CZ, the tanks will be restored from a state of preservation in long-term storage.
This process will likely span at least several months. As these tanks have been in storage for many years, they require complete disassembly, the replacement of numerous components, and a comprehensive restoration to achieve combat readiness.
This is what an old T-64 looks like after spending a couple of decades in storage. Image from open sources via Defense Express
The modernization process will be conducted under the technical supervision of Ukrainian specialists, who will be directly involved in the project. The tanks will be equipped with optical observation systems, improved communication systems, and other enhancements.
Additionally, the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic highlights that the cooperation agreements between Prague and Kyiv extend beyond tank repairs.
These agreements also include the creation of a joint defense cluster, which involves projects related to the production of military equipment, increased ammunition production across various calibers in existing and future manufacturing facilities, the establishment of service hubs for air defense systems, and collaboration in high technology fields. This collaboration also includes the establishment of a joint scientific research center.
Written by Alius Noreika
[ad_2]
Source link