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[Altank]

 

 

 

"Knowledge is power."

Altank's Reviews: Chapter V, The BM Oplot.

 

Index:
1. -History.
2. -In-game overview.
3. -Development and upgrades.
4. -How to get the best out of it (Role) and How to deal with one (Countermeasures).
5. -References.
6. -Special thanks.

 

Patch 1.22 version; last update: 06/08/15.

 

 
1. -History:
The Oplot-M (Modernised) or BM Oplot is an upgraded version of the T-84 Oplot, the latest Ukrainian development of the T-80 series; designed by KMDB in Kharkiv and entered service in 2001.
In the mid 1990s a contract was signed to supply 320 T-80UD tanks to Pakistan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, fulfilling the contract was difficult due to disturbed nature of Soviet military industry: a number of T-80UD parts were produced in Russia and their acquisition was troublesome. Also Russia interferred politically and at the same time competed on international market with their new T-90 MBT. This forced to develop local capabilities in Ukraine, finally resulting in the T-84.

The newest and more sophisticated Oplot-M main battle tank (MBT) is developed by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (KMDB) for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence inducted the Oplot-M MBTs into service in 2009. In September 2011, the Royal Thai Army placed an order with Ukrainian arms trading company Ukrspetzexport for 49 Oplot MBTs.
The tank has a conventional layout with the driver's compartment at the front, fighting compartment in the middle and engine at the rear, accommodating a crew of three members. The BM Oplot has a length of 9.7m (including the forward-facing gun), a width of 3.4m without removable side skirts, and a height of 2.8m. The combat weight of the tank is 51t.


 
2. -In-game overview:

The BM Oplot is one of the least known and most overlooked higher-tier tanks in the game; beside being the finest example of how many underestimated units actually perform better than more known and overrated ones.
Being one of the highest-tier tanks in the game, the BM Oplot features a fairly high price, though still much lower than other higher tier units', of 17000 silver coins (this purchase option is unlocked once reaching rank 41, Colonel Grade 1) or of 960 gold coins (this purchase option is unlocked once reaching rank 37, Major Grade 1 ).
Beside being one of the rarest high-tier tanks to find on the battlefield, the BM Oplot should always be considered as one of deadliest; mainly because of the high rank needed to unlock this unit, meaning that the BM Oplot is, most of the times, driven by esperienced and skilled players.
The BM Oplot has the highest level among the tanks in the Ukrainian line, aside from being the only one, and one of the highest among the tanks featured in the whole Soviet/Russian tech tree, starting at level 55 and reaching level 67.
It's also worth mentioning that the highest-tier unit of the Soviet/Russian tech tree is the Black Eagle MBT, at level 71.

 
3. -Development and upgrades:



BM Oplot's starting stats:
Health: 616.0
Armor: 582.0
Damage: 369.0
Speed: 40.0
Reloading speed: 2.9
Turret rotation speed: 30.0
Damage per minute: 7634.5

 

Fully upgraded BM Oplot's stats:
Health: 757.0
Armor: 952.0
Damage: 414.0
Speed: 61.7
Reloading speed: 2.4
Turret rotation speed: 46.0
Damage per minute: 10350.0

 

 

3.1 -Hull:

• Hull upgrades: two-tier hull upgrade available.

The BM Oplot features a two-tier hull upgrade; both of them are required in order to acquire most of the other upgrades and don't change the tank's appearance; as of patch 1.22.

3.2 -Health pool:

• Health pool upgrades: three-tier upgrade available.

The BM Oplot features a three-tier health upgrade. Despite this, the tank's health remains just a slightly above average stat.

3.3 -Armour and active protection system:

• Passive armor upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.
• Reactive armor upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.
• Spaced armor upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.
• Active protection system upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.

The protection system integrates passive armour, Nozh-2 explosive reactive armour, Zaslon active protection system, Varta optronic countermeasures system and other tank protection means.
The turret and hull are fitted with multilayer armour and built-in anti-tandem-warhead explosive reactive armour (BATW-ERA) for optimum protection against APFSDS, high-explosive squash head (HESH), high-explosive plastic (HEP) and HEAT-type projectiles.
Both sides of the driver's compartment are fitted with explosive reactive armour panels for extended protection. The modular explosive reactive armour package can be easily replaced or upgraded according to the future requirements.
The hull sides are hinged with large rubber skirts to withstand the attacks of man-portable anti-tank weapons.
The BM Oplot features a Varta optronic countermeasures system for deceiving incoming missiles and anti-tank guided weapons. The system integrates laser warning sensors, infra-red jammer and smoke/aerosol screen laying system. The vehicle has overpressure-type NBC protection system and can be fitted with track mine-clearing systems, capable of withstanding an explosion of up to 10kg of trinitrotoluene (TNT).
The BM Oplot is one of the most heavily armoured units in the game, featuring, beside the fairly high starting overall armour statistic, a two-tier upgrade of passive armour, a two-tier upgrade of reactive armour and, finally, also a two-tier upgrade of spaced armour. This tank is, therefore, very well armoured and protected against every threat, considering this MBT also features a two-tier upgrade of active protection system.

3.4 -Main gun and ammo:

• Main armament upgrades: three-tier upgrade available.

The BM Oplot is armed with a KBA-3 125mm smoothbore gun.
The main gun can also fire a laser guided missile against main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and hovering helicopters within the range of 5000m; it can also be fired on the move against travelling targets. The tandem warhead fitted on the missile can defeat targets equipped with explosive reactive armour and advanced spaced armour.
The BM Oplot features a three-tier upgrade of the main gun, which gives a bonus to the damage and a bonus to the accuracy, while, however, giving also a malus to both speed and trasmission.
The tank's damage is average, although sometimes it seems somewhat inferior to what it should actually be, when compared to the performance shown by other similar main guns.
It's also worth mentioning that the BM Oplot's main gun has almost no gun depression whatsoever.
The different types of ammo available for the tank's gun are:

• Armor Piercing (AP): two-tier ammo upgrade available;
• Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS): two-tier ammo upgrade available;
• High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT): two-tier ammo upgrade available;
• High Explosive (HE): two-tier ammo upgrade available;
• Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM): two-tier ammo upgrade available.

 

3.5 -Engine:

• Engine upgrades: four-tier upgrade available.

The BM Oplot is powered by a 6TD-2E 6-cylinder turbocharged liquid cooled engine, which delivers 1200hp: It is the improved and more environmentally friendly version of the previous 6TD-2 diesel engine, used on the T-84. However, the BM Oplot has been upgraded with a more powerful 6TD-3 diesel, developing 1500hp. Both engines could use diesel, jet engine fuel, petrol or any mixtures of them.
The engine provides a maximum on-road speed of 70 km/h and a range of 500 km with additional fuel tanks.
Therefore, the tank features an extremely high power-to-weight ratio; this, however, causes the BM Oplot to briefly lean to one side when turning, meaning that, sometimes, because of the poor gun depression, keeping the aim on the sides/rear of an enemy or even hitting low-profile tanks, such as the Black Eagle, could be quite hard.
Nevertheless, the engine is one of the many upsides of the BM Oplot: a four-tier upgrade of the engine, makes this tank extremely agile and allows it to reach its maximum forward and reverse speed very quickly.
Also, unlike many tanks featured in the Soviet/Russian tech tree, its reverse speed is also very good.
The engine is relatively compact and it's located at the rear, close to the turret.

3.6 -Reloading system:

• Reloading system upgrades: one-tier upgrade available.

The main gun is fed by a loading system equipped with conveyor, automatic loader and control system: the tank carries 46 rounds of ammunition for the main gun, of which 28 rounds are placed in the automatic loader.

The reloading speed is the major downside of the BM Oplot: the tank features a three-tier upgrade of the reloading system, achieving an average rate of fire. While the reloading speed is comparable to that of high damaging guns', the BM Oplot's main gun only deals a rather modest amount of damage, inevitably resulting in a low DPM.

3.7 -Turret rotation system:

• Turret rotation system upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.

The BM Oplot features a two-tier upgrade of the turret rotation system, achieving a high turret rotation speed, capable of performing a full rotation in less than 8 seconds: combined with the amazing agility, this tank results almost impossible to outflank without it returning fire, even with a good momentum.

3.8 -Additional upgrades:

• Radio upgrades: one-tier upgrade available
• Radar upgrades: two-tier upgrade available
• Smoke grenade dischargers upgrades: four-tier upgrade available.
• Infrared optics upgrades: one-tier upgrade available.
• Thermal optics upgrades: one-tier upgrade available.
• Fording kit upgrades: one-tier upgrade available.
• Floating kit upgrades: no upgrades available.

 

 
4. -How to get the best out of it (Role) and How to deal with one (Countermeasures):
Now that we have analyzed the characteristics of the BM Oplot it's time to sum up:

~Pros:
-Above average health.
-Exceptional armour, your sides and, especially, your front are very tough, however, your tracks are weakspots.
-Reactive armour and spaced armour upgrades, the latter protecting both the lower front plate and the the sides.
-Low silhouette.
-Very high speed.
-Amazing power-to-weight ratio: this tank is extremely agile as well as featuring a great acceleration.
-High reverse speed, unlike many tanks of the Soviet/Russian tech tree.
-Very high turret rotation speed.

~Cons:
-The combination of an average reloading speed and average damage dealt by the main gun results in a low DPM.
-Poor gun depression.
-Very wide tank, a major downside when manoeuvring or outflanking in tight spaces; besides, the space between the tracks and the side skirts is actually a hitbox, just like part of the back of the turret.

-The high power-to-weight ratio causes the BM Oplot to briefly lean to one side when turning, meaning that, sometimes, because of the poor gun depression, keeping the aim on the sides/back of an enemy or even hitting low-profile tanks, such as the Black Eagle, could result fairly hard to do.
 

 

4.1 -Role:
the BM Oplot is probably the most versatile tank in Tanktastic; this tank a factotum: it performs well in standard "Deathmatch" matches as well as in "Team Deathmatch" and "Capture the flag" battle modes: it's heavily armoured, capable of withstanding enemy fire with ease, thanks to the presence of both reactive and spaced armour, which greatly reduce the effectiveness of HEAT and APDS rounds, and to its high health pool; keeping, nevertheless, an amazing agility.
Anyhow, being the BM Oplot's main upsides the good all-round armour with both reactive and spaced armor upgrades, the great agility combined with the amazing acceleration and the high turret rotation speed, the BM Oplot is indeed the ultimate brawler tank.
Your only major downside is, in fact, the low DPM: even with your high health pool and strong armour, you will really struggle fighting your enemies head on. Therefore, in order to make the best use of the qualities of this tank, you should always get close to enemy tanks: your armour and your health pool will withstand the shots while you're getting closer, and by taking advantage of your agility, outflak them, preventing them from shooting back and making the low DPM a negligible matter.
Just remember to plan your engagement carefully in tight spaces, as you are a wide tank, and to be ready to adjust your aim when turning, as the tank will lean to one side.
Therefore, I highly recommend to use mainly HEAT rounds: you are going to look for solid shot on the sides and the rear of enemy tanks, much less protected than the front and usually without the additional protection given by reactive armour. Besides, HEAT rounds also have a much higher damage, increasing the potential DPM of the BM Oplot, which, as said above, is quite low. Also, as you going to engage enemy tanks at close range, the higher accuracy and muzzle velocity of AP/APDS rounds become no longer of any use.
Of course sometimes, against certain tanks, AP/APDS rounds are a better choice; it's up to you deciding when that time's come.

4.2 -How to deal with one:
The BM Oplot is a very rare tank to find on the battlefield, and just as deadly, because it's also usually driven by higly skilled players who know how to properly use one.
Your main advantage against this tank is its own low DPM; therefore, always keep firing and don't let it outflank you and avoid you returning fire: in head on engagements this tank will struggle and it will hardly win, if you know where to shoot. The front is heavily armoured, however the tracks are weakspots, so, take advantage of that. Remember to use AP/APDS rounds and you should be fine: the BM Oplot features spaced armour on both the front and the sides, therefore, HEAT rounds are not a totally reliable choice, even though you may prefer using them because of their greater damage; the choice is up to you.
Just keep the distance, as this tank can easily outmanoeuvre most of its enemies, and never let one outflanking you.
Another good engagement is, whenever possible, getting below its gun: even when the BM Oplot is just fairly above you, the poor gun depression will prevent it from shooting you.
If you take advantage of its low DPM, mainly, and its poor gun depression, besides always avoiding being outflanked and unable to retun fire, you can take this tank down rather easily.
 

 

Here I end my review of the BM Oplot, the Ukrainian juggernaut and one of the most versatile tanks in the game.
I apologize in advance if something written is wrong and I hope you enjoyed it. If you liked it, another one will shortly follow! Tell me what you think about it in the comments and any advice you may suggest is welcome.
If you want to help, contact me via PM.
Take care on the battlefield, fellows!

Copying/Using any part of this review anywhere else is strictly forbidden, unless my proper authorisation is given.

 
5. -References:
Www.army-technology.com
Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building-The BM Oplot main battle tank

 
6. -Special thanks to:
The Reviews Team.
Fiutel_88 for allowing the Reviews Team to perform armor tests on his BM Oplot.
And last but not least all of you that read this review!

[_In_PlaiN_SighT_]

Great review once again! And call me inplainsight for references

[_In_PlaiN_SighT_]

Btw, once the Black Eagle hopefully gets nerfed in game patch 21a hopefully the number of BE players (BE are a pain sometimes due to thier low profile like stated by altank and the Oplot poor gun depression angle) so the number of BE players will dwindle and the Oplot will get a Gun depression buff and it shall rule (Along with the upcoming Leo 2A7 )

[Totonho99]

Btw, once the Black Eagle hopefully gets nerfed in game patch 21a hopefully the number of BE players (BE are a pain sometimes due to thier low profile like stated by altank and the Oplot poor gun depression angle) so the number of BE players will dwindle and the Oplot will get a Gun depression buff and it shall rule (Along with the upcoming Leo 2A7 )

the leo 2a7 should be a modification, thus not affecting the performance of the current leo 2, but its not like if it wasnt amazing as it is now.

[_In_PlaiN_SighT_]

the leo 2a7 should be a modification, thus not affecting the performance of the current leo 2, but its not like if it wasnt amazing as it is now.

[PandaRoles]

the leo 2a7 should be a modification, thus not affecting the performance of the current leo 2, but its not like if it wasnt amazing as it is now.

Nope... L2A5 will be added and that will turn into the A7. The 2A0 will go up to the A4.

[_In_PlaiN_SighT_]

Nope... L2A5 will be added and that will turn into the A7. The 2A0 will go up to the A4.

Thanks for clarifying.

[Red Faction]

i dont think so thats the "weakspots"

[Red Faction]

i dont know why developers nerfed bm oplot from 17 alpha i know in 17 alpha it was so strong but now to do damage 301 sometimes do 28 damage.....

[Panzer-Blitz]

Huh, I never noticed it leaned to one side...and I ONLY use the Oplot...

Helpful, very helpful in confirming my theories.

[Tank War 2]

Well. I am going to have money to either get the Type-99 or BM Oplot, TODAY.

Let's see. What's better lol

[_In_PlaiN_SighT_]

Men of Oplot. Me, Red Faction, and Kristian Tanks.

Attached Thumbnails

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[Totonho99]

Nope... L2A5 will be added and that will turn into the A7. The 2A0 will go up to the A4.

Doesnt quite make sense if you ask me, but OK

[Sharks06]

Great project loved it i hope I can join the team

[Red Faction]

Well. I am going to have money to either get the Type-99 or BM Oplot, TODAY.
Let's see. What's better lol

Buy BM Oplot

Edited by USMC Sniper, 01 September 2014 - 01:41 PM.
used red letters

[Qnomei]

Can you copy/paste these to the wiki? These reviews are awesome. Don't forget to credit yourself if you do.

[USMC Sniper]

buy bm oplot

red letters are only to be used by Tanktastic staff

[USMC Sniper]

and again great review on one of my secret favorites

[Altank]

Following the release of patch 1.21, the Review has been updated, even though the performance of the tank hasn't changed that much, overall.

[PufPuf]

Following the release of patch 1.21, the Review has been updated, even though the performance of the tank hasn't changed that much, overall.

Good job Altank