AT 2010 Yemen was purchased to 100 T-80BV, However, we know the sad story of a few of these machines.
In the distant 2011 , the real sensation was the transfer of a large batch of Belarus T-80BV Yemen. Talk about these plans went a long time, but few took it seriously.
At first, machinery costs, even b / y, It was significant for poor Yemen. Secondly, T-80, and especially their gas turbine engines, difficult to maintain. And in general, the presence of several types of tanks in the army unnecessarily load logistics. Belarusian army and therefore did not put in a system inherited from the Soviet T-80, and I decided to sell them, making the T-72 and only its main tank. Thirdly, At first T-80 proved poorly in hot climates. After a series of modifications of the problems have been corrected, but, as the saying goes, sediment remained, and several Middle Eastern countries were afraid to purchase these machines.
Howbeit, as a result of a large consignment of T-80BV arrived in Yemen. Information about their fate so little, that not even know the exact number of vehicles delivered, details vary from 66 to 92 pcs. Nevertheless, try to establish the fate of at least some T-80.
Immediately it should be noted, that the Yemeni military, though burdened with a completely new and unfamiliar machines, but did not spray them piecemeal. The entire batch of T-80BV sent into the prepared 3rd Brigade of the Republican Guard. About its position in the army structures is the fact, that commanded a brigade, General Tariq Affash, nephew of the then-current President Saleh Affasha.
Source photo: wikipedia.org
AT 2012 Saleh was ousted prosaudovsky President Mansour Hadi, which began vigorously "fight" against corruption. for example, to deprive the family of Affash support military, He disbanded the Republican Guard, replacing it in the presidential. After such an "anti-corruption" all steps Guard came under the control of private Hadi. Lacking sufficient support among the people, especially in the capital Sanaa, the new president has concentrated troops loyal to the nearest town to the base of al-Nuhaddin, there were transferred almost all of the T-80.
In the autumn 2014 Hadi, the activities of the Yemeni people brought to white heat and the uprising began Huthis. Events unfolded so rapidly, that the Presidential Guard did not even have time to respond, but she was in no hurry. A few months only two platoons of T-80 were in Sana'a and guarded Presidential Palace. Huthis stormed 19 January, and two days later the Guard resistance was broken. In two days of fighting, they knocked out one T-80, remaining guards surrendered without a fight. While Huthis not yet recorded all their victories on video, therefore unknown, as the tank was destroyed.
Around this same time period Huthis captured the very base of Al-Nuhaddin. The guards were so promptly "organized retreat", that left in the hangars of all their equipment and ammunition mountains. All good immediately went to the rebels, and they have thrown everything in front of Marib.
Efficiency was very helpful, because at the end of February 2015 year, Saudi Arabia and the coalition formed it began to invade Yemen. In Huthis had no aviation, no serious air defense, than the impunity enjoyed aircraft Saudis. The first air completely all the military bases were destroyed, under the control of insurgents. Following the start of heavy military equipment destroyed "in the fields". It was destroyed during the raids of 5 to 12 T-80BV.
Israeli Air Force attacked a Syrian Damascus Airport
Source photo: mil.ru
After, in the course went Aviation, Huthis changed tactics War. All available equipment, they are hiding in mountain caves, urban hangars and small forests. Emphasis was placed on the preservation of weapons until, as the original fuse coalition will come to naught.
When the number of sorties enemy aircraft dropped substantially, Huthis began to roll out of the "bins" his technique. The most unpleasant surprise for the Saudis became tactical missile complexes "Tochka-U". Tanks rushed into battle much less. If the missiles were hiding immediately after the commission of volleys, the meaning of the tank in its constant finding in the battlefield, and therefore, and the risk of destruction of aircraft sought 100%.
The last major tank battle Huthis was the attack on the dam of Marib. The terrain of the region is rich in vegetation, by the standards of Yemen, whereby it was possible to hide technique. In this battle, the attack had been thrown and T-80BV.
However, all the offensive Huthis happened so poorly. They knocked out a lot of enemy equipment, but they themselves have suffered serious losses. So, for unknown reasons, one T-80 was cast. Hadisty took the tank itself, but quickly said goodbye to them - from an unknown ATRA, probably, Iranian-made, Huthis car was hit. Serious injuries she received, but none of the parties it did not want to restore.
This was the last known battle T-80BV in Yemen. Since the end of 2015 year Huthis began to prefer more simple to handle and maintain the T-55 and T-62. Where have gone the rest of the T-80, and they have clearly Huthis are, unknown.
