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Subject:
RE:T64, Soviets worst tank?
mike_golf
2/1/2004 3:38:05 PM
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| The T64 was an excellent tank design. No Western military would have ever designed it, but it met all of the Soviet design criteria and exceeded most of them. However, it was expensive. When NATO began its buildup of equipment and technology in the mid-70's the Soviets faced a real problem. They simply didn't have the skilled labor force and cash flow needed to continue to design, produce and improve tanks like the T64. Not at the same time as they were also trying to keep up on missiles, aircraft, naval vessels, etc. They took the T-72, a newer, although cheaper, design and made it their primary platform outside the GSFG. It was one of the first signs that the Soviet system was cracking under the pressure of competing with the West.
By 1980 the Soviets were fielding their limited numbers of much better T64's in the GSFG to face the new NATO systems coming on line. The T72, much cheaper and easier to produce than the T64, was fielded in Afghanistan and sold in large numbers as an export vehicle. Trust me, this information is backed by good intel and was well understood within NATO during the 1980's. You have to understand the situation that the USSR was in during the late years of the Cold War is what led to the T72 seeing wide use and the T64 seeing no combat use whatsoever. The T64 would have performed quite a bit better than the T72. This was confirmed after the fall of the USSR. Several T64, T72 and T80 tanks were acquired by the US and brought to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, where they underwent rigorous testing. Master Gunners (hint about source of my knowledge), engineers and tank crewman got a chance to get their hands on the vehicles and see what their real capabilities were. Hopefully you will take my word for it that the T64 outclasses the T72. |
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