Main Battle Tank
T-64
The T-64 is a Soviet main battle tank designed at the Kharkiv Morozov bureau and built mainly at the Malyshev plant in Kharkiv, in service since 1967. It was the first Soviet tank with an autoloader and composite armour, and Ukraine and Russia still use it.
Ukraine|Malyshev Plant (Kharkiv)What Is the T-64? Overview, History and Development
The prototype Object 432 appeared in 1962 and the T-64 entered service in 1967, with a crew of 3 thanks to the autoloader. The T-64A introduced the 125 mm 2A46 gun in 1969. The 5TDF five-cylinder opposed-piston two-stroke diesel gives about 700 hp but is maintenance-intensive, which led to the T-72 and later T-80 programmes. Weight is about 42.5 t and road speed about 60 km/h.
Roughly 13,000 were built, a commonly cited approximate figure, and the USSR never exported it, keeping it for elite units. The T-64BV from 1985 added Kontakt-1 reactive armour, and the Ukrainian T-64BM Bulat from about 2005 added an 850 hp 5TDFMA engine and new fire control, offered for export without success. Ukraine retains several hundred T-64s, used heavily in the 2022 war. Russia fields T-64BV in reserve units, and Belarus keeps some in storage. Rivals include the T-72B and M60A3.
T-64 Specifications: Weight, Armament, Armor and Mobility
T-64 Variants and Versions Compared
The T-64B is the 1970s version with improved fire control and gun-launched missile capability.
The T-64BV is the 1985 version with Kontakt-1 reactive armour.
The T-64BM Bulat is the Ukrainian upgrade of about 2005 with an 850 hp engine and Nozh-type armour.
Which Countries Use the T-64? Operators and Users
Ukraine
Russia
BelarusT-64 FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many T-64 tanks were built?
Roughly 13,000 T-64 tanks were built, a commonly cited approximate figure. The Soviet Union never exported them and kept them for elite units.
Which countries use the T-64?
The T-64 is used by Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Ukraine retains several hundred, Russia fields T-64BV in reserve units and Donbas units, and Belarus keeps some in storage.
Why was the T-64 important?
The T-64 was the first Soviet tank with an autoloader and composite armour, allowing a crew of 3. It entered service in 1967, and its 125 mm gun came in the T-64A in 1969.
T-64 vs T-72: what is the difference?
The T-64 is more advanced but maintenance-intensive, with a 700 hp two-stroke engine, which led to the cheaper T-72. The T-72 was exported widely, while the T-64 never was.
How fast is the T-64?
The T-64 has a road speed of about 60 km/h and weighs about 42.5 t. The 5TDF engine gives about 700 hp, or 850 hp in the Ukrainian T-64BM Bulat.
Is the T-64 used in Ukraine?
Yes, Ukraine retains several hundred T-64s, mostly the T-64BV and T-64BM, and used them heavily in the 2022 war. Russia also fields T-64BV in reserve units.