T-80U during Army Games 2016 competitions

A few T-80U were seen during the Army Games 2016 competition. The T-80 was supposed to be withdrawn from service in 2015, but it is still being used a by few units. These tanks below to 4th Guards Tank Division "Kantemirovskaya".

These vehicles are U variants. They can be identified by the IR projector placed on the right of the gun. Also by the night sight in the turret. The Russian Army has modernised a part of the fleet by developing T-80UE-1 and T-80UA, equiped with thermal sights.

References:

- http://eng.armygames2016.mil.ru/page226470.html

- Russia will retire T-80s in 2015 (blog)

Missile load on Su-30SM

This photo is quite impressive, as it shows a Russian Su-30SM with 4 R-73, 2 R-77 and 2 Kh-31. A few years ago this setup could not have been possible because Russia could not afford advanced weaponry. Note red colours on R-77 missile, which led to some comments. In Russia inert missiles are painted white with 3 black rings. The red colour was used on early R-77 series. There is a well known photo from the 90s of a MiG-29M with them.

Fuentes y enlaces de interés:

- www.russianplanes.net 

- Photo byVadim Savistsky.

T-72 White Eagle for Nicaragua

Pictures of the work carried out on T-72 acquired by Nicaragua have appeared in VK network. Back in 2015 Nicaragua acquired 50 T-72 White Eagle. Information was posted in my blog (link). The work is being done in the Armoured Repair Plant 61, based in Saint Petersburg.

Photos 1 and 2: Work on the hulls.

Rear view of T-72 White Eagle.

Tower.

Panoramic camera and wind sensor.

 

Commander's position. Note two screens.

The vehicles can be easily identied by the panoramic camera isntalled behind the commander's hatch. This version is the most advanced in terms of FCS, but ERA armour and engine is kept. There is no evidence that the armamento or engine has been modified.

References:

- VK website on the Armed Forces of Russia.

- http://alejandro-8.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/t-72-aguila-blanca-para-nicaragua.html
- http://alejandro-8.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/fabrica-de-reparaciones-de-blindados-61.html