CIS
T-64 Series Originally fielded in 1967 the T-64 did not reach the then groups of Soviet Forces in Eastern Europe in large numbers until 1974. The tank had a number of innovative design features including an autoloader with a 6-8 rpm rate of fire. From the T-64A the gun main armament fitted is the fully stabilised 125 mm 2A26M2 smoothbore gun that uses a rotating carousel magazine at the bottom of the turret basket. The 24 projectiles are stowed with their noses pointing in towards the centre with the propellant charges standing behind around the edge, A projectile must be lifted into position behind the breech with the propellant charge brought up behind it for the rammer to work. The system is difficult to reload and is almost impossible
to manually fire if the autoloader fails for any reason. The 12.7 mm NVST anti-aircraft machine gun can be fired from inside the turret. The tank is equipped with a PAZ radiation detector and has an integral antiradiation/span liner. Beneath the lower part of the glacis is a toothed dozer/plough with which the tank can dig its own fighting position within 15-20 minutes. It can also be fitted with KMT-5/6 mine roller/plough systems. From the information released for the CIS talks the Russian designation of the T-64 variants have been identified. T-64 - the original production model with a 115 mm D-68 gun and 40 rounds of ammunition. Of the ammunition carried 30 rounds were loaded in the autoloader.
Distinguished by shorter barrel and no fume extractor, some 600 built. T-64 - initial production vehicle with 125 mm 2A26 gun. A total of 38 rounds carried. Most rebuilt to T-64A standard. T-64A - with coincidence rangefinder (effective engagement range 1600 metres but built-in fire-control capacity available for 2200 metres). A total of 37 rounds are carried. A modified T-64A appeared in mid-seventies with addition of 2 x 6 smoke grenade launcher assemblies on each side of turret front, T-64A Rebuilt - rebuild of T-64 and T-64A models. As T-64A but with addition of side skirts to improve hull side protection, glacis plate applique armour, new stowage arrangements and other minor changes. T-64AK - command version of T-64A
