Notes: The TM-800 is a highly-modified T-55 tank, which was used by Romania for many years. Externally, the largest difference is the suspension, with six smaller roadwheels instead of the five large ones of the T-55, and return rollers which the T-55 does not have. Side skirts are also evident, and if one looks a bit closer, they will notice that armor protection has been greatly increased. This additional protection incorporates some low levels of composite armor in the frontal arc as well as spaced laminate on the sides. The exhaust is also in a different place on the TM-800. Though production of TM-800 ended some time ago (since the Romanians could find no export buyers), the TM-800 has been in limited service with the Romanians since 1994.

Armament is the same as that of the T-55 (with a locally-produced version of the D-10T), but fire control and stabilization is very different. The gun is fully stabilized, and fire control includes a surprisingly-sophisticated ballistic computer and a laser rangefinder. The night vision equipment includes thermal imaging for the gunner (accessible by the commander), as well as IR for the commander and driver and image intensifiers for the commander and gunner. The TM-800 has an automatic explosion and fire detection/suppression system. Lugs for ERA are found on glacis, hull sides, turret front, and hull front. Finally, the engine has been upgraded to an 830-horsepower diesel, possibly of Chinese origin.

Note: though some sources day that the TR-86 is a development of the TM-800 and put it’s development much later, most sources place the development of the TR-85 as taking place from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s; series production began in 1986. Most sources state that the further development of the TR-85 resulted in the TM-800.

The TR-85 is also based on Romanian-built version of the T-85. The TR-85 has a more boxy hull and turret due to additional armor and armor improvements, including spaced laminate sandwich armor through the front and side arcs, and side skirts. Mobility is not comparable to the TM-800; even though the suspension is the same, and though the TR-85 uses license-built German engine that develops 860 horsepower, it is also heavier than the TM-800. The TR-85 uses a locally-designed fire control system that includes a crosswind sensor and a laser rangefinder and better stabilization. The TR-85M is a TR-85 that has a larger turret bustle.

The TR-85M1 Bizonul is a modernized version of the TR-85, which includes an updated fire control system, a muzzle reference system and a thermal sleeve for the main gun. The TR-85M1 has a laser and thermal warning system, which notifies the crew that laser or IR targeting beams are tracking the TR-85M1; up to 6 smoke grenade launchers (of the 6 on each side of the turret), can be launched automatically to block the targeting.

Notes: The TR-580 is one of Romania’s first attempts to produce more than simply a minor upgrade of the T-55. I’ll grant you, it’s not a really big upgrade, but it’s better than its predecessor. Originally, 398 TR-580s were produced (mostly upgraded from T-55s) in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but almost 170 were later further upgraded to TR-85 or TM-800 specifications, and others were simply scrapped after being rendered unserviceable by the amount of service they had seen in their careers. Perhaps 90 of TR-580s remained in service by 2006, and probably less are being used by 2009. When spotted by the West in 1977, the TM-580 was referred to by NATO as the TR-77 or M-1977.

The TR-580 does in fact look quite similar to the T-55, but the armor is thicker and the entire vehicle is about half a meter longer due to a modified suspension that uses six smaller roadwheels instead of the five large ones of the T-55. These roadwheels are, however, spoked as the roadwheels of the T-55 are. Rearranged internal stowage also accounts for the difference in length, as the main gun ammunition is contained in armored bins. The TR-580 has side skirts, unlike the T-55.

The turret is largely identical to that of the T-55, but lacks the large stowage box on left side. On each side of the rear of the turret are four stowage boxes for 12.7mm ammunition. Night vision equipment is somewhat upgraded, as is the gun stabilization, but the targeting system is essentially the same as that of the T-55.