PT-91, Poland

TR-580, TR-85, TR-800

Romania

In the early seventies it is known that Romania approached a number of West German firms for aid in rebuilding her fleet of T-series MBTs to a more modern standard with new lengthened hull, suspension, running gear, engine and other components. To what extent any aid was given is not known but in 1977 the first Romanian 1-55 variant, the TR-580, also variously known as the TR-77 (its export designation), M-77 (or US designation Ml 977), was seen.

This had all the features asked for by Romania including a lengthened rebuilt rear hull to accommodate a new 600 hp diesel powerpack. A number of the TR-77 export models were sold to Egypt and Iraq, but the former country apparently returned many because of the poor standard of workmanship.

In the following year the TR-85 (alternative designation US Ml978 ) version was seen. This had many of the features of the TR-580 but with a Chinese pattern 100 mm rifled gun with thermal sleeve, a locally built Chinese Langzhou laser rangefinder module over the gun mantlet and a digital computerised fire control system. The turret was also completely new and the TR-580 diesel engine exchanged for a more powerful 620 hp German model.

The next variant to make its appearance was an upgrade package for the T-55A.This is offered for export only. The rebuild package can also be supplied in a kit form to export customers for local assembly, As far as it is known the only customer may have been Iraq, which is believed to have bought a number of kits during the first Gulf War to upgrade T-55 MBTs at its tank rebuild plant.

The latest variant is the TR-800 (also known as TM-800) which is similar to the TR-580 and is believed to be an export version of it.

No support vehicle variants are known,

Specification:

First prototype: 1975-76

First production: 1977-1986

Current users: TR-77 Egypt, Iraq; TR-580 Romania; TR-850 Romania; T-55 rebuild Iraq

Crew: 4

Combat weight: TR-580 38 300 kg; TR-85 43 300 kg; TR-800 45 000 kg Ground pressure: n/av

Length, gun forwards: 9.25 m Width (over skirt): 3.3 m

Height (without AA gun): 2.4m

Ground clearance: 0.43 m

Max. road speed: 65 km/h Max. range (with external tanks): 600 km Fording: unprepared 1.2m; prepared5.5 m Gradient: 60% Side slope: 40%

Vertical obstacle: 0.8 m Trench: 2.6 m

Powerpack: TR-580 unidentified 600 hp diesel coupled to a manual transmission; TR-85/TR-800, T-55 rebuild unidentified 620 hp diesel coupled to a manual transmission Armament: (main) 1 x 100 mm gun (43 rounds); (coaxial) 1 x7.62mmMG; (anti-aircraft) 1 x 12.7 mm MG; (smoke dischargers) 2 x 4 -6

Romanian TR-580 MET showing different six-wheeled running gear from T-55 and side skirts.