Armor: November 8, 2001

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Ukraine is marketing a new variant of the T-84 tank designed to carry five infantrymen in the back. The BTMP-84 has only 30 rounds of ammunition for the main gun (the Ukrainian KBA-3, a copy of the Russian 2A46 smoothbore 125mm gun), compared to 43 on the original tank. The troop compartment is behind the turret; a passageway (inside the tracks, to the right of the engine when facing the rear) allows the troops to get out. Under fire, the troops could crawl down this passage to the rear of the vehicle, or if the area is secure, they could open a hatch forming the top of the tunnel and climb out. The BTMP-84 has the same armor protection as the T-84. Stephen V Cole