I’m really surprised they put this premium, it would’ve made really good sense as a cap vehicle for the T-80U. Maybe its a secret different T-80UE-1 than the one mentioned here. (I hope it is, this should be TT, esp if it gets thermals and 3BM60)
I think that a good move since they satified all Gaijin standards:
Copy and paste model: Literally just T-80UD turret with T-80BVM naked hull slap together with FCS of T-80BVM.
Not so different and unique charitics and not worth an upgrade from a TT progression since it’s just a “better gun handeling” T-80B and offer nothing unique in the pure “look of a tank”.
I mean yes, I agree with you, but still the T-80U(D) turret is better than the BVM turret (from memory, irl at least), which is why I think it would good for a tech tree tank. It’s about the same level as the BVM but maybe slightly better due to the better armor of the T-80U turret, but still retains all the functionality of the BVM.
In that sense I would more consider it as a better T-80U than an improved T-80B
They copied T-80UD to create this model and entirely ignored actual specifics of the vehicle.
Not only it should have entirely different engine dwck but the front armour is wrong, no 3BM60, as well as missing 40° horizontal targetting speed, although that one might be not true IRL, has completely wrong “night optic”/should have Plisa 2nd generation thermal.