T-64

As the Soviet Union invested more and more into armored technology it soon became apparent that a new platform would need to be developed to wield all of that fancy new tech. The result of that realization was the T-64, which was the first vehicle to be equipped with BDD armor, the Eastern equivalent of the famed Chobham composite armor.

In Team Yankee

The Stat Card

The T-64 is one of the best armored options for the prospective Red Army Commander.

IRL

A Pair of Ukrainian T-64 Bulats

The more astute reader will probably notice that the T-64 is a lot more capable than the T-72, which was developed more recently. This is because the T-64 was designed to only be utilized by the Soviet Union while the T-72 was meant to be more of an export model. The Soviets were keenly aware of the fact that things that they sent to their allies had a nasty habit of ending up in the hands of someone who really shouldn't be getting their mitts on soviet hardware, Like the US as a completely random example. Hence the reds usually kept the best stuff to themselves.

To say that the T-64 is a great tank is a bit disingenuous. It was revolutionary although when the British showed off the Chieftan with its 120mm cannon the Soviets reworked the T-64 to have an auto-loader and 125mm cannon in production as the T-64A. It was the first tank to feature an auto loader, it was also the first tank to use composite armor. Of course its entire design was such a revolution that most had to have the people who made the tank drafted into service to maintain most of the systems. Currently the tank has several upgrades making it more capable, and it is being used in the Ukrainian civil war.