Continuing on from our previous article about the new World war 3: soviets, we discuss the T-80 main battle tank, the epitome of Soviet military technology of the time, and how to use it in your games.
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A brief history of the T-80
Design history
Following interim improvements on the older T-64 tank, the design bureaus at Kharkov implemented a plan to mount a more powerful engine on the chassis. Production was expanded from Kharkov to also include the Kirov and Nizny Tagil bureaus. Both bureaus split design elements accordingly and ended up with the T-72 and T-80 respectively.
The Kirov Bureau's design sported their signature powerful turbine engine, which was mounted on a lenghtened T-64a chassis with a more robust suspension in line with the T-72. Combined with a new armor layout which boasted the best of composite materials and ERA technology, the tank was at the time nigh-invulnerable to penetration from most Anti-tank weapons of the day in frontal combat.
Entering production and service in 1976, it was soon made clear that the initial design was outperformed by the cheaper T-72 as well as it's older cousin, the T64b. As a result, newer improvements were ushered into service starting with the T-80B, with an updated armor layout and the ability to fire Kobra ATGMs on the move. By 1980, all tanks were upgraded with a more powerful engine, colloquially earning it the nickname of the 'flying tank' for it's incredible performance in the field. Initially protected by Kontakt-1 ERA plates, the T-80 was finally upgraded to it's final form by 1986 to the T80U, which sported the advanced Kontakt-5 ERA, capable of resisting APFSDS rounds.
All these improvements came at a cost, however, as the resulting tank was 3 times as expensive as the T-72, relegating it to low numbers (by Soviet standards) and deployment in 'elite' units, never intended for export. In total, 5405 tanks were built and deployed, some to this day in the Russian Federation.
Operational history
Oftentimes confused with the T-72 due to it's roadwheels and sparse numbers, Western observers would only know about the T-80 years after it was introduced into the Soviet armed forces. NATO forces only discovered too late of it's presence in the Cold war, leading to hurried development of new ATGMs and Attack helicopters to tackle this emerging threat. Although numbering "just" 1900 registered tanks in 1985, the operational range and capabilities of the T-80 presented huge worries for NATO's defense plans.
However, the nightmare of the tank rush across the plains of Europe never came to be. Instead, the first time the T-80 was deployed in force was in the 1991 attempted coup of the faltering Soviet government, and it wasnt until 1993 that the first shot was fired in anger, this time again at the Russian parliament.
Plagued by a non-existent economy and little to no training, the T-80 was finally deployed in combat against the Chechens. In this crucible of fire the T-80 presented several fatal flaws that the Afghanistan-hardened veterans were able to exploit. Mired in urban combat without infantry support, T-80bs and T80bvs were brought down over and over again by multiple RPG strikes to the flanks of the tank. Because of the vertical placement of the autoloader carousel, 3-6 RPG strikes were enough to catastrophically destroy the tank through ammo explosions.
225 tanks were destroyed in the first month of the assault on Grozny, and as a result of this futile performance T-80s were not deployed again to Chechnya, and excluded from the war with Ukraine. Although it could be argued that poor strategic deployment and individual crew training was to blame, the T-80s reputation was forever tarnished by this display of ineptitude.
T-80 tank battalion
In World War 3, The T-80b and T-80bv are curiously omitted and replaced with the T80U, which makes for some anachronisms (of which there are already countless examples from other nations as well). The T-80 battalion represents the heaviest tank formation available to the Soviets, and makes for a powerful breakthrough assault force.
Clocking in at 22 points for the base company of 3 tanks, each platoon is a tough nut to crack despite sporting the typical Russian skillset. More tanks can be added to each company at 9 points per T-80, and we expect to see at least 1 company of 5 tanks at 40 points (a most comfortable number for your reserves). Being breakthrough tanks, the dozer blade is a mandatory addition to clear minefields for the (paltry) remainder of your assault force.
To missile or not to missile?
The AT-11 Sniper ATGM is available to all T-80s for 1point per tank. Hardly a cheap upgrade, the missile offers some safety for standoff battles and also as a makeshift anti-helicopter weapon in a pinch. Like the T64a, the T-80 can fire it's ATGM on the move, making it a significant threat against any target on the board. Unlike the T64a's mediocre AT21, the T-80's ATGM boasts AT22, which is sufficient to crack anything FA20 and under with a little luck.
With the cross country rating of 2+, the T-80 can take refuge in difficult terrain and rain missiles at long range against most targets with impunity.
However, this ATGM tax builds up very fast, so we recommend a single platoon at most to be equipped with them as a fire support unit.
The hammer and the anvil
Fielding the T-80 battalion also presents some logistical challenges for Soviet players, namely a lack of offensive firepower and numbers. This will lead to a lack of board control which can be exploited by savvy NATO opponents. Therefore it is important to also field a second formation, preferably with ample infantry support to act as a security cordon. This will give your tanks the breathing space they need to operate without fear of being flanked easily, and also pressure your opponents with a sizable board presence.
Although fielding a second formation of T55//T62 is possible, having a weaker tank type on the table just means that all other anti tank assets will be directed at them instead.
T-80 Shock company
Elite soviet formations in the cold war
In a shocking twist of events, Battlefront decided that Soviet players had enough of the NATO bias and finally gave them what they wished for, and elite force that hits hard and is also light on the pocket (at first glance). But as the sayings go, be careful what you wished for...
Genesis of the patriots
The Soviet union has had no shortage of heroes, stemming from the experiences of the great patriotic war. Units such as the Engineer sappers, Naval infantry and Guards regiments distinguished themselves with courage under fire and training born from hard-won battles. These regiments were allocated the lion's share of manpower and equipment, and key units were stationed as part of the GSFG (Group of Soviet Forces in Germany) as a vanguard in the event of conflict.
Surgical strike force
Units such as the 10th Guards Uralsko-Lvovskaya Volunteer Tank Division were allocated small numbers of T-80s and were expected to make good use of them as first echelon forces.
These distinguished units typically performed well in mock battles and were well-trained and motivated. In-game, this shows up as the coveted 4+ to hit rating, which is unique to the Shock company.
Furthermore, in the same vein as their WW2 forefathers, the T-80s are well drilled in movement orders and can be expected to blitz or shoot and scoot as needed, making them a formidable foe in one-on-one battles.
All these comes at a significant points bump, however, and the large tank shock platoon easily costs nearly as much as a 4-tank T-80 company. In a 100 point game this severely curtails your army building options as 3 platoons plus the HQ is already sitting at 97 points (!), leaving little for anything else.
Sadly, this means that the T-80 shock company is more or less only seen in it's fully glory at 120 points games. At least, the T-80 shock platoon will conveniently show up in most armies as the default black box option...
Shock motor rifle platoon - the true star
The real reason to take the Shock company, however, is for the Shock motor rifle troops. Armed to the teeth with fantastic stats, these shock troopers will win the day against any opponent foolish enough to take them head on.
Battlefront has dangled this troop option as a choice that can only be taken if players field the entire shock company, so this is quite an exclusive unit. Although very pricy, these heroes will decide the battle whether in attack or defense, and will be the main reason to field the shock company.
lack of firepower on attack/defense
The shock company doubles down on both the strengths and weaknesses of the Soviet T80 lists, namely being very hard to kill, but also having very poor numbers and firepower relative to their more mundane counterparts.
Because of the exhorbitant points costs of the Shock company (unless, for some reason, you really like 2-tank platoons), support options are scarce and should mainly be used to establish board control and supporting fire, especially smoke cover.
Suggested support options
- Afghansty platoon (black box)
A medium or large platoon of Afghansty troops as a black box option provides large numbers of assault troopers to back up your Shock company brethren. With Spigots and Gremlins, they can also help to pour down support fire for your shock force.
- BTR battalion
Alternatively, a BTR battalion with 2 -3 small companies packing spigots and Gremlins can saturate the field in anti-tank firepower to keep light armor off your back. All these for just 19 - 28 points!
- BM-27 Hurricane
A new addition to the Soviet book, the BM-27 Hurricane battery rains down heavy rocket fire, and comes not only with smoke, but also minelets to stymie counterattacks.
- Hinds
Take out other MBTs with hinds and establish local dominance in support of your T-80s. 15 points nets you 6 hinds, which will be more than sufficient to take out most tanks.
- Iranian Chieftain company/ mechanised company
This one is more or less pure fantasy, but a small iranian chieftain company in support of your T-80s is a viable way to put down large amounts of brutal firepower downrange from a safe position. Clocking in at just 17-19 points for a mechanised company with Chieftain and mortar support, the ayatollah's finest can provide handy support fire when you need it. Alternatively if you somehow have points to spare, a minimum size Chieftain company will cost 27 points for 8 tanks, netting you an additional 16 shots unmolested!
Next Week
In our next article, we discuss a tank at the other end of the technological spectrum, but no less deadly: the T-55AM! If you ever wanted to repaint your east german tanks, theres no time like now to get started!
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About the Writer:
Eddie is an avid painter who also enjoys anime, studying military history and hopes that Girls Und Panzer will come true one day so that everyone can resolve their differences with tank Airsoft.
resources:
Tankograd: https://thesovietarmourblog.blogspot.com/2016/02/t-80-gambol.html
Tanks encyclopedia: https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/USSR/T-80.php
