Russian tank crews have set a new speed record for the T-80BVM tank, reaching 86 kilometers per hour over rough terrain. The achievement was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“At the Kirillovsky training ground in the Leningrad Region, tank crews from the 69th Motor Rifle Division of the Leningrad Military District set a new speed record of 86 km/h for the T-80BVM across rough terrain,” the ministry stated.
The T-80BVM belongs to the family of so-called “flying tanks.” Its predecessor, the T-80U, earned this nickname after performing a dramatic jump off a ramp during a demonstration in the UAE, flying nearly 14 meters through the air before landing safely and continuing on.
The modernized T-80BVM is equipped with a powerful 1,250-horsepower gas turbine engine. Weighing over 40 tons, it is capable of high-speed maneuvers on challenging terrain.
During the exercise, crews from the Leningrad Military District conducted a 200-kilometer march across varied terrain. Given the limited time to complete the route, drivers accelerated to maximum speeds on straight sections. The lead tank exceeded factory specifications, setting a new performance benchmark.
In June, it was reported that defense manufacturer Uralvagonzavod, part of Rostec, had delivered a new batch of T-80BVM tanks to the Russian Armed Forces. These tanks were upgraded based on feedback from participants in the special military operation, with designers significantly enhancing the vehicle’s protection systems.
