T-80 tank

The T-80 had several advantages over its predecessors, including higher speed, better mobility, and a more powerful engine. The gas turbine power plant allowed the tank to accelerate quickly and maintain high speeds, even over rough terrain. The tank's armament included a 125mm smoothbore gun, which was capable of firing a wide variety of ammunition types. The tank also featured advanced fire control systems, including a laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer.

One of the most significant drawbacks of the T-80 was its high fuel consumption, which limited its operational range. This issue was partially addressed in later versions of the tank, which featured improved fuel efficiency and more efficient engines. The T-80 has seen extensive combat use, including during the First Chechen War, the Second Chechen War, and the Russo-Georgian War. Despite its combat record, the tank has faced criticism for its high cost, complex maintenance requirements, and limited export prospects due to its reliance on advanced technologies. Despite this, the T-80 continues to serve in the armed forces of several countries and remains an important symbol of Soviet-era military technology.

Cyprus: 82 units of T-80U as of 2015.
Belarus: 69 T-80 units as of 2015.
Russia: 450 T-80BV/U units in service and 3,000 T-80B/BV/U vehicles in storage as of 2015.
Ukraine: 265 T-80BVs in service and another 200 in storage, as of 2016. Some number of T-80U/UE-1/BVM/UK captured during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
South Korea: 80 T-80Us as of 2015.
Pakistan: 320 units of T-80UD as of 2015.
Yemen: among other things, a certain number of T-80s, as of 2015.

In 1995-2006, South Korea received 43 T-80U and 67 BMP-3 units from the Russian Federation as part of the repayment of the Soviet Union's national debt. Until the K2 tanks with 120-mm smoothbore guns entered service in 2014, the tanks received from the Russian Federation were the most powerful tanks in service with the Korean Armed Forces.

T-80Us are in service with two battalions of the 3rd Tank Brigade.

In August 2019, the Korean military provided their American counterparts with the opportunity to study in detail samples of Soviet-made weapons.