The GTD-1250 is designed to power the T-80U main battle tank and various wheeled (tracked) vehicles. The engine features large gas-dynamic stability margins, increased service life, high reliability, as well as enhanced repairability and simplicity of maintenance. The design incorporates unique engineering solutions: automatic systems intended to remove dust deposits from cover plates of the radial-flow compressor impellers and from the high-pressure turbine nozzle assembly; variable power turbine nozzle assembly; integrated reduction gearbox. The engine can be provided with positive-displacement hydraulic transmission intended to enhance the maneuvering and speed characteristics of the battle tank. The GTD-1250 is a multi-fuel engine: it can operate on diesel fuel, kerosene, gasoline and their mixtures.

The engine's main features are: a gas generator with the low- and high-pressure turbocompressors; radial-flow, enclosed, unit-cast compressor impellers provided with cover plates; reverse-flow, multi-injector, annular combustion chamber; single-stage axial-flow turbine of the high-pressure compressor with the cooled nozzle assembly; single-stage axial-flow turbine of the low-pressure compressor; single-stage axial-flow power turbine with the variable nozzle assembly; exhaust pipe with exhaust gas efflux turning coaxially with the longitudinal engine axis; thermal insulation of the hottest engine housing components and exhaust pipe. Provision is also made for the installation of an oil tank, electric power generator, air cleaner with built-in air-oil coolers and cooling fans.