Image source: topwar.ru
The Romanian company Uzina Mecanică Bucureşti (part of ROMARM – an approximate analogue of Rostec) presented an upgraded TR-85 M1R tank at the site of the BSDA 2024 defense exhibition (Bucharest, May 22-24).
The new modification is equipped with: laser and radar radiation sensors, a more powerful SAE-85R gun stabilizer; instead of the old night sights, new thermal imagers for the commander and gunner from the local company Pro Optica; the ACS, improved to the digital standard SCF Ciclop M-R; the BC2A (Battle Command and Control Application) software package from L3 Harris Technologies; a number of digital interfaces.
The power unit received a preheater to facilitate engine start. The tank has got new tracks with an extended service life. The cost of work to bring the machine to the level of TR-85 M1R has not been disclosed.
Image source: topwar.ru
The TR-85 M1 Bizonul tanks are subject to improvement – this is an improved version of the TR-85, to the level of which 56 vehicles were brought in 1997-2009. In turn, the TR-85 was produced in Romania in 1986-1990 on the basis of the Soviet T-55 medium tank, while it belonged to the OBT category. In total, about 600 cars were produced.
In 2023, the country's authorities announced their intention to modernize part of the tank fleet. This will allow the units to be equipped with equipment until the 54 M1A2 Abrams units (tank battalion) purchased from the United States are delivered to the troops. In addition, it is possible to purchase several hundred South Korean K2s.
