The T-64 MBT is a Soviet main battle tank which began production in the mid-1960s. It is a more advanced counterpart to the T-62, and serves primarily in tank divisions, while the T-62 supports infantry in motorized rifle divisions. The T-64 features a number of extremely advanced features; composite armour, armoured side plates (to protect the transmission from HEAT Shells), a compact engine and transmission, an independently stabilised optical sight, an autoloading smoothbore 115mm gun and the removal of one crew member (thus the T-64 has a three-man crew). It can reach a maximum speed of 45-60 km/h depending on the powertrain. The T-64 is widely considered by NATO strategic planners to be the most dangerous tank in the Soviet arsenal, and by Oceanykan tankers as the most coveted product of eastern engineering.