Peru has started tests of a Ukrainian-Peruvian tank T-55M8A2 Tifón-2.

The Tifón-2, which was designed by the Kharkiv-based Morozov Design Bureau in cooperation with the Peruvian Casanave (DICSA) on the basis of a modernized version of the T-55 – T-55ATM.

Peru's Army has launched a program "Proyecto Arrascueto" to re-equip its army and in the full-scale update of its 300 T-55 tanks to Tifón-2. The Morozov Machinery Design Bureau will supply Lima with the relevant number of modernization sets to be mounted on T-55 by DISCA. Maybe the Army would order 150 Tifón-2 more, if the budget allows it. So “the Tifón-2 is expected to become the national tank of Peru”.

The main characteristics of the Tifón-2 are:

- crew of 3

- a 1,050-hp 5TDFMA 5 cylinder engine with a top speed of 78 km/h, 60km/m in combat terrain and 33km/h to reserve. Range is about 500km. The engine can use: Kerosene, petrol, diesel, jet fuel or a mix al them.

- a 125mm KBM-1M with an automatic loader and a computerized fire control system. Space for 30 ammunition (12 on the carousel and 18 on stock), ammunition tipe: APFSDS-T, HEAT-TANDEM, HE-FRAG. The range is about 3500 m.

- Anti tank missile "KOMBAT" (HEAT-TANDEM). The laser system from LUCH, allows a a range of about 5000 m +. This allows to combat surface objects but also low flying helicopters.

- 2 machine guns: anti air NSVT 12,7x108 mm and a PKT de 7,62x54R.

- calibre 81 mm grenade launcher
- Sizes: long: 6,58 m, bride: 2,40, high: 3,40. In combat 46 ton.

- it has the ceramic “Deflekt” amour and a reactive armour “Nozh”.

For more information:

TIFÓN 2 - TYPHOON 2 Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau and

Desarrollos Industriales Casanave S.A. Latin America Associate
Phone: 51-1-250-0878
Fax: 51-1-250-0878
Celular: 51-996870711
Nextel: 51-813*7544
E-mail: gerencia@discasanave.com
Web: http://www.discasanave.com/

By Gerardo Señoráns Barcala

Defence Expert

Latin America