To develop an alternative to the fuel-hungry, expensive, gas-turbine T-80U (Object 219AS) from Leningrad Kirov Plant, the Malyshev Factory of Ukrainian SSR eventually delivered their answer: T-80UD (Object 478) with new 6TD diesel power pack for the vehicle since 1985 with comparable performance to its Leningrad cousin. Soon after the fall of the Soviet Union, the relics of the Red Giant became a source of foreign exchange to support the economy, including the T-80UD, which were part of the assets of the now-independent Ukraine. Meanwhile, by late-1980s, to counter the menacing T-72S fleet of India, Pakistan requested for a new MBT to counter such threats; while having the help from NORINCO for a domestic MBT (later known as Type 90-II, the prototype of the MBT2000/Al-Khalid I), the political and technical complications on the program made it impossible to enter service before 2000. To fill the gap of Pakistan's armored corps, after the evaluation of T-80UD in 1993 led by the engineer team of Malyshev Factory, they ordered 320 T-80UD from Ukraine with a $650M USD contract in July 1996, and they were delivered between 1997 and 1999, with three batches delivered. The one referred to in-game represented the Object 478BE, or T-80UD/DU1, with the original 6TD-1 powerpack and revised turret, which has its IR searchlight removed for additional protection; later deliveries of T-80UD also adopted revisions from the T-84 with revised, welded turret and higher output 6TD-2E powerpack.

Introduced as one of the main prizes of the "Winter Tales" event, T-80UD/DU1 brings the legendary T-80 series into the Chinese tech-tree as one of the line-up of Pakistani vehicles in-game. While the vehicle shares mostly identical appearance to T-80UD in Russian tech-tree, the introduction of high definition TVD boost target acquisition vastly while players can still enjoy the mobility of T-80UD; just be sure to be extra careful when advancing to avoid fire volley upon the vehicle as it still utilizes the earlier 6TD engine pack with slow reverse rate, as well as limited kinetic weaponry options with 3BM42 APFSDS at most.