The Russian BREM-80U Armoured Recovery Vehicle

The Russian BREM-80U Armoured Recovery Vehicle

The Russian BREM-80U Armoured Recovery Vehicle was developed to support the T-80U Main Battle Tank (MBT). This was first seen in public late in 1998. As far as it is known, as of late 2009, the BREM-80U remained at the prototype stage and the BREM-1, which is based on the older T-72 MBT chassis still carries out the role of ARV for the T-80U family in Russia.

The baseline T-80U turbine powered chassis is retained in the BREM-80U ARV but a new all-welded steel-armoured superstructure has been added at the front for the crew and the winch equipment. This provides protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. The tools and smaller spare parts are carried in fully enclosed stowage boxes located alongside the hull and extended to the rear. The main hydraulic winch has a capacity of 35 tonnes but, using snatch blocks, this can be increased to 140 tonnes. The main winch can unwind at the rate of 50 m/min with two winding speeds being available, 17 and 50 m/min. A more powerful auxiliary winch is also provided. The main winch is provided with 120 m of wire rope while the auxiliary winch is provided with 320 m of wire rope. The crew of four consists of the commander, mechanic/driver, fitter and welder/rigger, a fifth seat is provided for an additional crew member. Mounted at the front of the hull is a hydraulically operated blade which can be used as a dozer blade or an anchor blade when the winch or crane is being used. The hydraulically operated crane is pivoted at the left side of the hull and folds back along the right side of the hull when not required. The jib crane is of the telescopic type and has a maximum lifting capacity of 18 tonnes.