ukraine/turkey T-84-120 'Yatagan': Sharpened Sabre

[Yontzee 1,673]

 T-84-120 'Yatagan': Sharpened Sabre 

The T-84-120 'Yatagan' on display during the 2018 Independence Day Parade rehearsal in Kyiv, Ukraine.

• Basic Description:
  • The T-84-120 'Yatagan', also known as Object 478H1, or KERN2-120, is a prototype main battle tank (MBT) developed by Ukraine's Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, or KMDB, between the year's 1999 and 2000. The T-84-120 is a modified Ukrainian T-84 Oplot that is designed to meet Western standards by incorporating a 120mm KBM-2 Smoothbore gun that features a newly designed autoloader that can load unitary 120mm rounds, including APFSDS-T, HEAT-FS, and more, equipped by a majority of NATO countries. Not only this, but the T-84-120 can fire a gun launched-anti-tank guided missile (GL-ATGM) dubbed the Konus, which is capable of penetrating tank armor behind ERA due to its Tandem-HEAT design. The T-84-120 is also equipped with KT-7.62mm coaxial machine gun as well as a KT-12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The machine guns can be swapped out with NATO weapons such as the M2HB heavy machine gun (HMG). The weapon fire control system (FCS) utilizes a modified T-84 'Oplot' FCS to fire the variety of new types of ammunition as well as providing thermal sighting for the Gunner. The T-84-120 is equipped with a 6-cylidner multi-fuel, two-stroke diesel engine, or the 6TD-2 which is capable of generating 1,200hp Diesel Engine powers the vehicles critical electronics as well as propels the drivetrain, which is equipped with an automatic transmission. The suspension, a torsion bar design, utilizes 12-road wheels with telescopic hydraulic double-acting shock absorbers to withstand maneuverability and the firing of the main gun. The hull is protected by Nizh, or Nozh explosive reactive armor (ERA), an improvement over Kontact-5, and is capable of withstanding both kinetic and chemical rounds. Other countermeasures include the Varta optical-electronic countermeasures complex (a Ukrainian produced Shtora-1), laser warning system, as well as 12x 81mm smoke grenade launchers. The T-84-120 made its debut in 1999 at the IDEX-99 International Arms Exhibition, showing off its uniqueness in being a successor to Soviet designs with the capability to integrate western technology. In February, 2000, the Turkish Army set out a tender to procure a new main battle tank that is capable of meeting NATO standards. Multiple tanks were offered from major defense corporations such as Rheinmetall's Leopard 2A6, Nexter System's Leclerc, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) M1A2 Abrams, and KMDB's T-84-120 which would be later known as the 'Yatagan'. The 'Yatagan' went through multiple tests in Turkey's proving grounds, meeting all the requirements of the Turkish Army, and showing off its capability to match modern MBT. However, due to internal issues and financial constraints, the Turkish Army opted to upgrade existing M60 tanks as well as procure Rheinmetall's Leopard 2A4. Another potential operator is India, which in 2010 expressed interest in the 'Yatagan', calling it the 'Tank of the Future' from which India would base its future tank designs on however, no further interest was made public. It is unknown if the T-84-120 prototype has been used in the conflict in Ukraine.
• Specifications:
  • Role: Main Battle Tank
  • Origin/Manufacturer:
    • Ukraine - KMDB
  • Armament:
    • Primary: 120mm KBM-2 Smoothbore Gun
      • Ammunition:
        • APFSDS-T
        • HEAT-FS
        • HE-FRAG
        • GL-ATGM
          • 'Konus' ATGM
            • Caliber: 120mm
            • Warhead: Tandem-HEAT
            • Penetration: 700mm of RHA behind ERA
            • Range: 5km
            • Guidance: Laser Beam
            • Weight: 28kg
      • Feed System:
        • 22rd-Autoloader, 40rds total.
    • Coaxial: KT-7.62mm Machine Gun (4,000rds) 
    • Roof-mounted: KT-12.7mm Machine Gun (450rds)
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 7.705m
    • Width: 3.775m
    • Height: 2.285m
    • Weight: 48t
  • Mobility:
    • Engine: 1,200hp 6TD-2 6-cyl Diesel Engine
    • Max Speed: 65km/h
    • Transmission: Automatic (7-Forward, 5-Reverse)
    • Suspension: Torsion Bar
• Crew:
  • Commander
  • Gunner
  • Driver
• Features:
  • Laser Rangefinder
  • 12x 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
  • ESS
  • Entrenching Blade
  • Varta Soft-kill APS
  • Laser Warning System
  • Armor:
    • Contact-5 ERA
    • Nizh ERA
  • Optics:
    • Gunner: 1G46 Gunner's Tank Sight (Thermal)
    • Commander: TKN-4S Night Vision Device 
    • Driver: Night Vision Device
• In-game :
  • With its capabilities, the T-84-120 'Yatagan' would sit well at Battle Rating 10.3 to 10.7.
  • A hybrid tank using a Western Gun and an Eastern platform, the 'Yatagan' would be a highly unique addition to War Thunder. Featuring high speeds, powerful dynamic protection, and the capability to fire 120mm rounds as well as a GL-ATGM, the 'Yatagan' would perform very similarly to the T-80U. The T-84-120 would fair well at either flanking targets, capturing points, or heading straight into a slug fest due to its armament, speed, armor protection. The 'Yatagan' should be added as a premium, squadron, or event vehicle for any Ukrainian or Turkish Ground Forces Tree, or Sub-tree due to it being a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
• Sources:
  1. http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t84_yatagan.htm
  2. https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/new_t-84_yatagan_main_battle_tank_with_120mm_nato_cannon_unveiled_by_ukraine.html
  3. https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/Ukraine/T-84.php
  4. http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product2807.html
  5. https://en.topwar.ru/37098-osnovnoy-boevoy-tank-t-84-120-yatagan.html
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20150316052013/http://warday.info/voennaya_tekhnika/478-osnovnoy-boevoy-tank-t-84-120-yatagan-ukraina.html
  7. https://cheline.com.ua/news/mens-club/ukrayinskij-yatagan-55402
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20150418012122/http://eizvestia.com/armiya/full/137-raketa-upravlyaemaya-protivotankovaya-konus
  9. https://vpk.name/en/603170_will-ukraine-be-able-to-throw-the-t-84-120-yatagan-tank-into-battle.html
  10. https://web.archive.org/web/20151211095308/http://morozovkmdb.com/rus/body/history4-19.php
  11. http://www.usva.org.ua/mambo3/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2196&Itemid=1
  12. http://www.btvt.narod.ru/1/bronja_ukraini/bronja_ukraini.htm

Imagery

Spoiler

Front view of the 'Yatagan'.

Another view of the T-84-120 'Yatagan' on display during the 2018 Independence Day Parade rehearsal in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Front images of the 'Yatagan' during maneuvers.

Rear views of the 'Yatagan'.

Autoloading system of the T-84-120.

Different anti-aircraft machine guns used on the 'Yatagan'.

Commander's station.

Gunner's Station.

Driver's station.

Varta optical-electronic countermeasures complex. 

The 6TD-2 multi-fuel diesel engine used in the 'Yatagan'.

 

Videos of the T-84-120 'Yatagan'.

User-made model of the 'Yatagan' made by https://live.warthunder.com/user/DanPogan/ in War Thunder.

Edited January 20, 2023 by Yontzee

[kleinerPanzer 647]

Open for discussion 

[eleks12 1,079]

+1 

 

[Milocat 4,848]

+1, would love to see this added sometime.

[Mahiwew 528]

Surprised how long it took for this one to get suggested
+1

[JamesPond1200@psn 299]

Once Ukrainian tanks start coming to the game, this has to be included! +1

[NAYEONnaise 1,936]

+1, but under what tree? USSR might seem too controversial atm

[lLiberté 345]

  I have soft spot for Yatağan, I always felt like Ukraine should've went with 120mm optimisation. Anyways, +1

 

On 01/10/2022 at 17:33, NAYEONnaise said:

+1, but under what tree? USSR might seem too controversial atm

 

  After solving how Ukraine should be added to the game, Ukrainian TT it is, or alternatively if somehow Turkish TT finds its way to the game before Ukrainian one, it can be added as squadron vehicle to TTT, at least that's how I envision. 

[Yontzee 1,673]

Changed the Shtora-1 APS to the Varta APS. A little background, the Varta is a Ukrainian produced Shtora-1 APS that is equipped on many of its main battle tanks. This was changed because, while it's still a Shtora-1 APS, it is produced and designated in Ukraine under the name "Varta". This was changed on my T-84 Oplot suggestion as well.