The
T-72
The T-72 is a family of Soviet/Russian main battle tanks that entered production in 1969. The T-72 was a development of the T-64, which was troubled by high costs and its reliance on immature developmental technology. About 25,000 T-72 tanks ha ...
is a
Soviet
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, ...
-designed
main battle tank
A main battle tank (MBT), also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the role of armor-protected direct fire and maneuver in many modern armies. Cold War-era development of more powerful engines, better suspension sys ...
that entered production in 1971. It replaced the
T-54/55
The T-54 and T-55 tanks are a series of Soviet main battle tanks introduced in the years following the Second World War. The first T-54 prototype was completed at Nizhny Tagil by the end of 1945.Steven Zaloga, T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks ...
series as the workhorse of Soviet tank forces (while the
T-64
The T-64 is a Soviet tank manufactured in Kharkiv, and designed by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. The tank was introduced in the early 1960s. It was a more advanced counterpart to the T-62: the T-64 served in tank divisions, while ...
and
T-80
The T-80 is a main battle tank (MBT) that was designed and manufactured in the former Soviet Union and manufactured in Russia. The T-80 is based on the T-64, while incorporating features from the later T-72. The chief designer of the T-80 was So ...
served as the Soviet high-technology tanks). In front-line Russian service, T-72s are being upgraded or augmented by the
T-90
The T-90 is a third-generation Russian main battle tank. It uses a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore main gun, the 1A45T fire-control system, an upgraded engine, and gunner's thermal sight. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel and compos ...
(itself, a modernized version of the T-72B). The T-72 has been exported and produced in many countries.
Operators
Current operators
* – 500 T-72, T-72M, T-72M1 and T-72AG
*
– 44 T-72M1 bought from Belarus in 1999
* – 84 T-72B
* – ~572 T-72A, T-72B and T-72 SIM2
* – 446 T-72B in service. Various T-72 modifications in reserve.
* – 160 T-72M2 and a large number (some 250) in reserve.
* – 30 modernized T-72M4CZ and 20 T-72M1 in service. 66 T-72M1 in reserve as of 1 January 2016. More than 40 T-72 donated to Ukraine in 2022.
* – 100 T-72AV delivered by Ukraine in 2010.
* – 50 bought from Yemen, 171 T-72UA1 vehicles reportedly ordered from Ukraine in 2011.
:*
Tigray Defense Forces
The Tigray Defense Forces ( ti, ሓይልታት ምክልኻል ትግራይ, italic=no; TDF: ሓምት), colloquially ''Tigray Army'' () is a paramilitary rebel group in Tigray. It was founded by distant former generals of Ethiopia in 2020 t ...
* –143 T-72B/SIM1 in 2018. Upgraded T-72 SIMs were upgraded in Georgia with assistance of Israel.
* – 34 T-72M and T-72M1 in active service. 130 in reserve as of 2018.
77 T-72s were donated to the new
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Ground Forces (Arabic: القوات البرية العراقية), or the Iraqi Army (Arabic: الجيش العراقي), is the ground force component of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It was known as the Royal Iraqi Army up until the coup ...
.
Hungary announced it ordered 44
Leopard 2A7+ tanks from Germany, which are to replace the T-72 in the 2020s.
* – 1,900 T-72M and T-72M1 as of 2008
* – 480-540 T-72S and 140-300 T-72M1 as of 2021. Licens production still underway as seen in Iranian factories. Numerous upgraded models. Many T-72M's upgraded to Rakhsh standard.
* – 1,000 T-72 Ural (1973), T-72 Ural ''modernization'', T-72M, T-72M1 and Saddam tanks were in service with
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Ground Forces (Arabic: القوات البرية العراقية), or the Iraqi Army (Arabic: الجيش العراقي), is the ground force component of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It was known as the Royal Iraqi Army up until the coup ...
in 1990. 375 T-72 Ural (1973), T-72 Ural ''modernization'', T-72M, T-72M1, Lion of Babylon and Saddam tanks were in service with Iraqi Regular Army in 2003. Only 125 T-72M1 are in service as of 2009 with the
new Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Ground Forces (Arabic: القوات البرية العراقية), or the Iraqi Army (Arabic: الجيش العراقي), is the ground force component of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It was known as the Royal Iraqi Army up until the coup ...
. Some T-72S MBTs in service with the PMF. Some T-72s have been upgraded and modernized by Iran with Rakhsh kits.
* – 300
* – 77 T-72AV from Ukraine in 2007. 33 delivered in Feb 2009 may bring total to 110.
* – 215
* – T-72B1
* – 150 in 2003
* – 48 PT-91M delivered by Poland (improved Polish
PT-91
The PT-91 Twardy (, en, Tough, link=no) is a Polish main battle tank. A development of the T-72M1, it entered service in 1995. The PT-91 was designed at the OBRUM (''Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych'', or ''Research ...
, which is itself an improved variant of the T-72M1)
* – 162: 136 T-72B and 12 T-72BK from Belarus delivered in two shipments, first in 1999 and the second in 2000, 14 T-72M were delivered in 2021 from the Czech Republic.
* – 100
* – 139 T-72S.
* – 50 T-72B1MS tanks.
*
– 77+ T-72M1 maybe in larger numbers.
* - Unknown quantity. The DPRK allegedly purchased a number of T-72 and its parts from various countries after being rejected an order of
T-90
The T-90 is a third-generation Russian main battle tank. It uses a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore main gun, the 1A45T fire-control system, an upgraded engine, and gunner's thermal sight. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel and compos ...
tanks.
* – 30 T-72A and 1 T-72AK delivered from Ukraine in 1999. Unspecified amount returned to Ukraine after their handover in July 2022.
* – 382 T-72M1, T-72M1D and T-72M1R in active service as of 2020.
2008 – 586
2006, 2007 – 597,
2005 – 644, 2004 – 649
and 135 T-72M1Z
(T-72M1 upgraded to PT-91 standard). Also 232
PT-91
The PT-91 Twardy (, en, Tough, link=no) is a Polish main battle tank. A development of the T-72M1, it entered service in 1995. The PT-91 was designed at the OBRUM (''Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych'', or ''Research ...
in service. More than 230 T-72s have been donated to Ukraine in 2022.
* – 850 T-72B3, 550 T-72B3M, and 630 T-72B are in operation in 2022.
270 T-72B3 received in 2013. Additional 143 T-72B3 were delivered as of October 2014. 300 were delivered during the year. Planned to continue purchases.
596 were upgraded to T-72B3 before 2015, more than 70 in 2015. 30 more as of May 2016. About 1000 tanks have been modernized as of September 2016, +300 (>1,300 up to 2017). 40 tanks were delivered in September 2016. +154 T-72B3M in 2017.
2,030 T-72 active, 8,000 in reserve in 2020.
[International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2021). The Military Balance 2021. Routledge. p. 192. ISBN 978-0367466398.] Deliveries and orders of modernized T-72B3Ms continue through 2022 even despite economic sanctions due to the
invasion in Ukraine.
* – 20 T-72M1, still in service at the end of 2018. Another 10 in storage.
* – 30 T-72B1MS and 64 T-72M in reserve
* – 96–101 units delivered in two shipments from Ukraine: first, 32 T-72 on the
MV ''Faina'' in 2009, and second, 67 T-72 in 20??. 2 T-72 tanks were destroyed during the
Heglig Crisis
The Heglig Crisis was a brief war fought between the countries of Sudan and South Sudan in 2012 over oil-rich regions between South Sudan's Unity and Sudan's South Kordofan states. South Sudan invaded and briefly occupied the small border town o ...
.
* – 400 T-72AV, of which 250 were bought from Ukraine and Belarus. Most of them are second-hand, the rest are produced locally under license at Military Industry Corporation. An additional 170 surplus T-72 were ordered on 20 September 2016.
* – 1,600
* – 44
* – 702
* – 50 T-72B.
* – 603, during the years prior to the
War in Donbas (2014–2022)
The War in Donbas, russian: Война на Донбассе was an armed conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine, part of the broader Russo-Ukrainian War. In March 2014, immediately following the Euromaidan protest movement and subseque ...
they were being retired in favor of
T-64
The T-64 is a Soviet tank manufactured in Kharkiv, and designed by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. The tank was introduced in the early 1960s. It was a more advanced counterpart to the T-62: the T-64 served in tank divisions, while ...
. Many have been restored to active service since then, capturing during the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
, and others were donated by former Warsaw Pact NATO members.
:•
Russian separatist forces in Donbas
The Donetsk People's Militia and Luhansk People's Militia (formerly also called Russian separatist forces in Donbas) are pro-Russian paramilitaries in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which have been fighting the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ...
* – 70 T-72B
* – 92 T-72B1, delivered in 2009–2012 from Russia. In June 2012, Russia and Venezuela agreed on deal for 100 more T-72.
* – 39 in 2003.
Evaluation / aggressor training
![OPFOR T-72 at Camp Pendleton, USA](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/OPFOR_T-72_at_Camp_Pendleton%2C_USA.JPEG/1200px-OPFOR_T-72_at_Camp_Pendleton%2C_USA.JPEG)
* – 1 donated by Germany to Australian Army for evaluation
* – Former East German tanks received at the end of the Cold War for OPFOR training. Out of service by 2000.
* – Some transferred from Iraq to Pakistan after the Persian Gulf War.
* – Used for aggressor training. Its presence was considered classified but released into public after army's invitation events.
* – Acquired 8 former East German T-72s in 1991 primarily to evaluate Soviet armour. One has been preserved, while others are used as targets.
* – 90
* - 1 obtained from the exchange of industrial machinery in Romania for scientific research, which is called "Type 64".
Former operators
![Romanian T-72M tank](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Romanian_T-72M_tank.jpg)
* – About 1,700 T-72/T-72M/T-72M1s were produced between 1981 and 1990. The Czechoslovak army had 815 T-72s in 1991. All were passed on to the successor states in 1993:
:a) – 543
:b) – 272
* – 35 T-72s (from USSR), 219 T-72s (from Poland and Czechoslovakia), 31 T-72Ms (from USSR), 162 T-72Ms (from Poland and Czechoslovakia) and 136 T-72M1s. 75 T-72s were fitted with additional hull armour. Passed on to the unified German state
:a) – 549 tanks taken from the GDR's army, all scrapped, sold to other countries or given to museums.
* – Some 160–170 T-72M1s. About 70 T-72M1s (one armoured brigade) were bought from the Soviet Union and were delivered in 1984, 1985–1988 and 1990. A further 97 T-72M1s (including a small number of command versions T-72M1K and T-72M1K1) were bought from German surplus stocks in 1992–1994. All withdrawn from service in 2006. Scrapped in
Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä () is a city and municipality in Finland in the western part of the Finnish Lakeland. It is located about 150 km north-east from Tampere, the third largest city in Finland; and about 270 km north from Helsinki, the capital of ...
or sold as spares to the Czech Republic. At least two Finnish T-72s are still in working order and have been used in showcases.
* – Several were captured from the
Syrian Army
" (''Guardians of the Homeland'')
, colors = * Service uniform: Khaki, Olive
* Combat uniform: Green, Black, Khaki
, anniversaries = August 1st
, equipment =
, equipment_label =
, battles = 1948 Arab–Israeli War
Six ...
.
* – 30 T-72M1s were bought in 1986 from Israel and delivered in 1987. Withdrawn from service (in long-term storage), 28 tanks are for sale (23 of them need repairs and five are operational). In 2022 it was reported that Romania transferred their fleet of T-72s to Ukraine in response to the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
.
* – In 1994 Sierra Leone acquired two T-72s from Poland via Ukraine (the vehicles were previously in Polish service). Another unspecified number of ex-Polish tanks was delivered to Sierra Leone in 1997 also via Ukraine (these vehicles also previously served with Poland).
* – Passed on to successor states:
:a) – 10,284
:b) – 1,797
:c) – 1,044
:d) – 702
:e) – 700
:f) – 325
:g) – 246
:h) – 219
:i) – 150
:j) – 70
:k) – 44
:l) – 398,
all units transferred to Russia in 1993
:m) – 114,
all units transferred to Russia in 1994
:n) – 0,
no Soviet divisions stationed in Moldova fielded T-72s
* – Bought approximately 18 T-72Ms from the USSR and 72 from Czechoslovakia, later developed the improved
M-84
The M-84 is a Yugoslav main battle tank, a variant of the Soviet T-72. The M-84 is still in service in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kuwait.
Development and production
Development
The M-84 is based on the Soviet T-72M (expo ...
.
Future operators
* – In 2020, information from Vietnam announced that their army would prepare for the use of new tanks including the T-90S/SK and the T-72MS.
Variants
Soviet Union and Russia
![ParkPatriot2015part2-28](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/ParkPatriot2015part2-28.jpg)
The T-72 was designed and first built in the Soviet Union.
* T-72 "Ural" (Ob'yekt 172M) (1973):
Original version, armed with the 125 mm D-81TM smoothbore tank gun. Unlike the later versions it had the searchlight mounted on left. It also had flipper-type armour panels. It had the TPD-2-49 coincidence
rangefinder
A rangefinder (also rangefinding telemeter, depending on the context) is a device used to measure distances to remote objects. Originally optical devices used in surveying, they soon found applications in other fields, such as photography an ...
optical sight
A sight is an aiming device used to assist in visually aligning ranged weapons, surveying instruments or optical illumination equipments with the intended target. Sights can be a simple set or system of physical markers that have to be aligne ...
protruding from its turret.
["Czołgi Świata" (World's Tanks or Tanks of the World) magazine issue 20]
:*T-72K: Command version of the T-72 "Ural" with an additional R-130M radio. Company command versions were fitted with two additional R-123M/R-173 radios and also carried a 10 m telescopic mast. Battalion and regiment command versions were fitted with two additional R-123M/R-173 radios and the R-130M that used the 10 m mast when it was erected. In NATO code, the T-72K was represented by three different designations: T-72K1, T-72K2 and T-72K3 which represented the company command version, battalion command version and regiment command version.
:* T-72 (Ob'yekt 172M-E, Ob'yekt 172M-E1): Soviet export version armed with the 125 mm D-81T smoothbore tank gun with 44 rounds. It was sold
to Iraq and
to Syria and was also built in Poland by
Bumar-Łabędy.
::* T-72 fitted with a French 155 mm F1 turret for trials
in India
IN, In or in may refer to:
Places
* India (country code IN)
* Indiana, United States (postal code IN)
* Ingolstadt, Germany (license plate code IN)
* In, Russia, a town in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast
Businesses and organizations
* Indepen ...
.
::* T-72 fitted with a British 155 mm Vickers T6 turret for trials in India.
:* Robot-2: Remote controlled T-72 "Ural".
:* Ob'yekt 172-2M "Buffalo": Modernization of the T-72 made in the early 1970s. The angle of the front armour slope was changed to 30 degrees. 100% metal side skirts protecting sides of the hull, added armour screens protecting the turret, ammunition storage increased to 45 rounds, modified suspension, added
smoke grenade
Smoke grenades used at demonstrations in Paris, 2008
upBritish L83A1 Smoke Grenade manufactured in May 2008. This grenade has already been used.
A smoke grenade is a canister-type grenade used as a signaling device, target or landing zone mark ...
dischargers (SGDs), engine power boosted to .
:* T-72 "Ural-1" (Ob'yekt 172M1) (1976):
new 2A46 main gun, new armour on the turret.
:* T-72V: ("V" for ''vzryvnoi'' – explosive) unofficial designation for tanks fitted with
Kontakt-1 explosive
reactive armour
Reactive armour is a type of vehicle armour that reacts in some way to the impact of a weapon to reduce the damage done to the vehicle being protected. It is most effective in protecting against shaped charges and specially hardened kinetic ener ...
fitted to the hull front and turret.
:* T-72 "Ural" modernization. Large numbers of early-production models were modernized in the 1980s. The modernization included placing the searchlight on the right-hand side of the main armament, blanking off the TPD-2-49 coincidence optical rangefinder and the addition of rubber skirts protecting the tracks instead of the flipper-type armour panels.
:* T-72A (Ob'yekt 176) (1979):
An improved version of the basic T-72 "Ural". Overall, its offensive capabilities are similar to the basic T-72 "Ural", but it is much better protected. The differences between T-72 "Ural" and T-72A include the searchlight being placed on the right-hand side of turret, the TPD-2-49 coincidence optical rangefinder being replaced by the TPD-K1
laser rangefinder
A laser rangefinder, also known as a laser telemeter, is a rangefinder that uses a laser beam to determine the distance to an object. The most common form of laser rangefinder operates on the time of flight principle by sending a laser pulse in ...
, added plastic armour track skirts covering the upper part of the suspension with separate panels protecting the sides of the fuel and stowage panniers instead of the flipper-type armor panels used on the T-72 "Ural", the turret front and top being heavily reinforced with composite armour better known by its US codename – "Dolly Parton", provisions for mounting reactive armor, an electronic
fire control system
A fire-control system (FCS) is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a director, and radar, which is designed to assist a ranged weapon system to target, track, and hit a target. It performs the same task as a ...
, MB smoke grenade launchers, flipper armour mount on front mudguards, internal changes, and a slight weight increase.
::*T-72A obr.1979g: Additional glacis armour with thickness of 17 mm of high resistance steel.
::* T-72A obr.1984g: Late-production model with anti-radiation lining.
::* T-72AK (Ob'yekt 176K): Command version of the T-72A. In NATO code T-72AK was represented by three different designations: T-72AK1, T-72AK2 and T-72AK3 which represented the company command version, battalion command version and regiment command version.
![T-72AV](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/T-72AV.jpg)
::*T-72AV: ("V" for ''vzryvnoi'' – explosive) model with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret.
::* T-72M (Ob'yekt 172M-E2, Ob'yekt 172M-E3, Ob'yekt 172M-E4): Soviet export version, similar to the T-72A but with thinner armour and downgraded weapon systems. Also built in Poland and
Czechoslovakia
, rue, Чеськословеньско, , yi, טשעכאסלאוואקיי,
, common_name = Czechoslovakia
, life_span = 1918–19391945–1992
, p1 = Austria-Hungary
, image_p1 ...
.
:::* T-72MK (T-72M(K)): Export version of T-72AK. It is a command vehicle for battalion commanders and has additional radio equipment including the R-130M radio, AB-1-P/30-M1-U generator and a TNA-3 navigation system. The main external difference is a 10 m telescopic antenna stowed under the rear of the stowage box during travel. An additional antenna base for this telescopic antenna is mounted on the left side of the turret. Because of the additional equipment the number of rounds for the 125 mm tank gun had to be lowered from 44 to 38. In NATO code the T-72MK was represented by three different designations: T-72MK1, T-72MK2 and T-72MK3 which represented the company command version, battalion command version and regiment command version.
![T-72M – TankFest 2019 (49917164507)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/T-72M_%E2%80%93_TankFest_2019_%2849917164507%29.jpg)
:::* T-72M1 (Ob'yekt 172M-E5, Ob'yekt 172M-E6): Soviet export version, with thicker armour and similar to T-72A obr.1979g. It also is fitted with 7+5 smoke grenade dischargers on turret front. It was also built in Poland and ex-Czechoslovakia.
::::* : Commander's variant with additional radios.
::::* : T-72M1 with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour ("V" for ''vzryvnoi'' – explosive).
::::* T-72M1M (Ob'yekt 172M-E8): Soviet export version. It's a T-72M1 upgraded to T-72B standard.
It has the
Arena Active Protection System
Arena (russian: Арена) is an active protection system (APS) developed at Russia's Kolomna-based Engineering Design Bureau for the purpose of protecting armoured fighting vehicles from destruction by light anti-tank weapons, anti-tank guided m ...
.
* (Ob'yekt 184) (NATO code: SMT M1988):
(1985)
(SMT – Soviet Medium Tank) Much improved version with 1A40-1 fire control system, thicker armour, turret front and top were heavily reinforced with composite armour better known by its US codename "Super Dolly Parton", 20 mm of appliqué armour in the front of hull, 1K13-49 system for use of the
9M119 Svir anti-tank guided missile
An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), anti-tank missile, anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily armored military vehicles. ATGMs range in size from shoulder ...
, new 2A46M main gun, new 2E42-2 stabilisation system, and new V-84-1 engine with 840 hp (626 kW).
On early models the smoke dischargers were mounted on the turret front (as on the T-72A), later they were grouped on the left side of the turret to prepare for the installation of ERA bricks.
:* : fitted with 227 "Kontakt-1" ERA bricks to the hull and turret. The glacis plate and turret is covered with a layer of single ERA blocks and the turret's bottom row is mounted horizontally. There's also an ERA array on the sideskirts. They're often incorrectly called T-72BV.
:* T-72BK (Ob'yekt 184K): Command version of the T-72B, recognisable by having multiple radio antennas and a radio mast stowage under rear turret bin.
:* : ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive) model with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret.
:* T-72S "Shilden" (T-72M1M1,
Ob'yekt 172M-E8): Export version of the T-72B with only 155 ERA bricks, simplified NBC system, no anti-radiation lining etc.
:* T-72B1 (Ob'yekt 184-1): T-72B without
ATGM
An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), anti-tank missile, anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily armored military vehicles. ATGMs range in size from shoulder ...
capability.
::* T-72B1 fitted with "Kontakt-1" ERA. It has eight SGD on the left-hand side of the turret and explosive reactive armour on the turret and hull front.
::* T-72B1K (Ob'yekt 184K-1): Command version of the T-72B1.
![T-72B1MS White Eagle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/T-72B1MS_White_Eagle.jpg)
::* T-72B1MS "White Eagle"(Ob'yekt 184-1MS): T-72B1 modernized by the 61st armour repair factory (today part of the
Uralvagonzavod
UralVagonZavod (russian: ОАО «Научно-производственная корпорация «УралВагонЗавод», , Open Joint Stock Company "Research and Production Corporation Uralvagonzavod") is a Russian machine-buildin ...
group), first unveiled at the Engineering Technologies 2012 forum, painted all white, hence the unofficial nickname "White Eagle". The protection of the tank is unchanged, with the Kontakt-1
explosive reactive armour
Reactive armour is a type of vehicle armour that reacts in some way to the impact of a weapon to reduce the damage done to the vehicle being protected. It is most effective in protecting against shaped charges and specially hardened kinetic ener ...
being retained, and the cannon is unchanged. A modernised V-84MS engine is installed, but its power output is the same as the older one. An
auxiliary power unit
An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft and naval ships as well as some large land vehicles. Aircraft APUs generally produce 115&n ...
is added. The electronics are heavily upgraded, including a rear camera for the driver, a GPS/GLONASS navigation system, a "Falcon's Eye" third generation panoramic
thermal sight
A thermographic weapon sight, thermal imagery scope or thermal weapon sight is a Sight (device), sighting device combining a compact thermographic camera and an aiming reticle. They can be mounted on a variety of small arms as well as some heavier ...
for the commander, a Sosna-U thermal gunner sight, an automatic target-tracking system, a chassis management system, a meteorological mast, and the capability to use
9M119 Svir/Refleks
The 9M119 ''Svir'', 9M119M ''Refleks'' (NATO reporting name AT-11 ''Sniper'') are laser beam riding, guided anti-tank missiles developed in the former Soviet Union. The two missiles are similar, but vary in range and launch platform. Both are desi ...
barrel-launched ATGMs. Lastly, a
Kord remotely controlled AA machine gun is added. These improvements increase the weight from 44.1 to 47.3 tonnes. Currently (2019) in service with Laos, Nicaragua, Serbia and
Vietnam
Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making i ...
.
![T-72B M1989](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/T-72B_M1989.jpg)
:* T-72B obr.1989g: T-72B equipped with advanced
Kontakt-5
Kontakt-5 is a type of second-generation explosive reactive armour (ERA) originating in the Soviet Union. It is the first type of ERA that is able to significantly decrease the penetration of armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFS ...
explosive reactive armour, composite armour in sides of turret as well. Often called T-72BM or T-72B(M) but this is not correct. NATO code: SMT M1990.
:* T-72B obr.1990g: Additionally fitted with new
FCS,
crosswind
A crosswind is any wind that has a perpendicular component to the line or direction of travel. This affects the aerodynamics of many forms of transport. Moving non-parallel to the wind's direction creates a crosswind component on the object and th ...
sensor and sometimes V-92S2 engine.
::* T-72B obr.1990g with an improved commander's cupola with a larger sight.
:::*
T-90
The T-90 is a third-generation Russian main battle tank. It uses a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore main gun, the 1A45T fire-control system, an upgraded engine, and gunner's thermal sight. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel and compos ...
(Ob'yekt 188
) – A further development of the T-72, incorporating many features of the heavier, more complex T-80. It was first called T-72BU.
![T-72BA1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/T-72BA1.jpg)
:* T-72BA (Ob'yekt 184A/A1): this designation is used to refer to several models of late-model T-72B, stripped down, refurbished and upgraded with certain core components at
Uralvagonzavod
UralVagonZavod (russian: ОАО «Научно-производственная корпорация «УралВагонЗавод», , Open Joint Stock Company "Research and Production Corporation Uralvagonzavod") is a Russian machine-buildin ...
between 1998 and 2005. Because the upgrade was performed on various vintages of T-72B with varying levels of ERA protection, there is significant variation between T-72BA vehicles. There are however several features common to all upgraded T-72BA models; the frontal hull floor plate was reinforced against mines, the driver's seat is now suspended from the ceiling instead of being fixed to the floor and the driver's station has a new steering system as well as a new TVN-5
night sight
A night-vision device (NVD), also known as a night optical/observation device (NOD), night-vision goggle (NVG), is an optoelectronic device that allows visualization of images in low levels of light, improving the user's night vision. The dev ...
. These tanks are equipped with the V-84MS engine using an upgraded exhaust system and newly developed twin-pin tracks (used on the T-90A). The upgrade also included the integration of a DWE-BS wind sensor whose mast is located on the rear, left part of turret and which feeds information into the 1A40 fire control system automatically. Tanks upgraded after the year 2000 received an improved 1A40-01M fire control system which makes use of a TBV digital ballistic computer. The tanks can also fire the
9M119M Refleks laser-guided anti-tank missile through the use of a 1K13-19 sight. The most recent T-72BA tanks made in 2005 feature the latest iteration of the 1A40 FCS, designated 1A40-M2. While the upgraded tanks retained the original 2A46M main gun, more importantly, they received a much improved 2E42-4 stabilization system which significantly improved accuracy – especially during firing on the move. Approximately 750 tanks were upgraded to the T-72BA standard.
:* T-72B2 ''Rogatka'' obr.2006g (Ob'yekt 184M) (also referred to as T-72BM in documents
): T-72B upgrade proposal code-named ''Rogatka''. First shown at the 2006 Russian Arms Expo, it was equipped with a new fire-control system including a Sosna-U thermal sight, and a new 125 mm 2A46M-5 main gun. The autoloader was replaced with the model found on the T-90A, and allowed for the use of longer, more modern ammunition. A new V-92S2 1,000 hp diesel engine was added. The new ''Relikt'' third-generation ERA replaced the Kontakt-5 ERA on the front of the tank, while
slat armour
Slat armor (or slat armour in British English), also known as bar armor, cage armor, and standoff armor, is a type of vehicle armor designed to protect against high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) attacks, as used by anti-tank guided missiles (A ...
was added on the flanks. TShU-1-11
laser warning receiver
A laser warning receiver is a type of warning system used as a passive military defence. It detects, analyzes, and locates directions of laser emissionsPDF version4.53 MB) from laser guidance systems and laser rangefinders. Then it alerts the cre ...
s were placed on the turret front. The prototype was shown equipped with the
Nakidka Nakidka is a Russian radar-absorbent material (RAM) camouflage that "eliminates the use of precision-guided weapons". Nakidka reduces the infrared, thermal, and radar band signatures of an object. It can be mounted on armored fighting vehicles, f ...
camouflage kit. The price of this modernisation was deemed too high, and it was not serially produced. However, some of its features were used in the
T-72B3
The T-72 is a Soviet Union, Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1971. It replaced the T-54/55 series as the workhorse of Soviet tank forces (while the T-64 and T-80 served as the Soviet high-technology tanks). In front- ...
modernisation package.
![T-72B3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/T-72B3.jpg)
:* (Ob'yekt 184-M3): this upgrade was initiated in 2010 using old stocks of T-72B tanks held in reserve. In addition to performing a general overhaul of every vehicle, certain tanks were equipped with the more powerful V-92S2 engines, a new steering system in the driver's compartment and older tracks were replaced with the new universal, twin-pin design. The upgrade program focuses instead on improving the tank's firepower, mainly through the implementation of the Kalina fire control system, albeit in a simplified form. The tank commander retains an upgraded version of the legacy TKN-3MK sight, which is a passive device with a range of only 600 m at night, but is augmented with a monitor that displays thermal imagery from the gunner's main sight. The commander also has a new turret control panel. The gunner still has the 1A40-4 FCS with 1K13-49 sight, but these are now part of the auxiliary sighting system to complement the new PNM Sosna-U panoramic multi-spectral sensor, which replaced the TPN-3-49 in its mounting. The Sosna-U is a multi-channel, panoramic sight stabilized in both vertical and horizontal axes with a built-in laser rangefinder and command guidance module used with 9M119M missiles. The most advantageous aspect of the Sosna-U is the Thales Catherine-FC thermal imager which extends the detection and identification range of a tank-sized target to 10,500 m and 3,300 m respectively, at night/day and in all weather combat conditions. The T-72B3 series vehicles also received the new 2A46M5 main gun which has a dispersion value significantly lower than previous generations, and reportedly equivalent to the
Rheinmetall Rh120 L/44 cannon. The gun laying and stabilization drives were also replaced with the new 2E42-4 system and the AZ ammunition auto-loader was appropriately modified to accommodate newer generations of long-rod (up to 730 mm) saboted kinetic energy anti-tank ammunition: the Svinets-1 (using a depleted uranium penetrator) and Svinets-2 (
sintered
Clinker nodules produced by sintering
Sintering or frittage is the process of compacting and forming a solid mass of material by pressure or heat without melting it to the point of liquefaction.
Sintering happens as part of a manufacturing ...
tungsten alloy) rounds, which were fielded in 2002 and reportedly capable of defeating 740–800 mm and 660–740 mm of RHA at 2,000 m respectively. Only the most recent T-72B3 tanks however feature this capability. Furthermore, the B3 upgrade includes a new explosion and fire suppression system, as well as an advanced VHF radio system designated R-168-25U-2 AKVEDUK. Entered service on 19 October 2012. First delivered to the 20th Field Army in summer 2013 and its Armored Guards Brigade in October 2013. About 2,000 such tanks are currently in service.
Gun 2A46M-5 (2005) for the T-72B3 (2012). Artillery range 9.6 km (normal max), 7.5 km its own sight, the missile 5 km, APFSDS 4 km. Accuracy of + 20%. Unmanned version of T-72B3 is (as of December 2018) under development.
:*T-72B3 obr.2014: also called T-72B3M, it's a special version of the T-72B3, first seen during the 2014 edition of the
Tank Biathlon
The tank biathlon is a mechanized military sport event held by the Russian military as part of the annual International Army Games. Inspired by the winter sport of biathlon, the sport emphasizes the complex training of tank crews including t ...
competition. The most notable upgrades are the stabilized, panoramic, independent PK-PAN commander sight with integrated thermal viewer and a V-92S2 1,000 hp engine.
Russia lost three T-72B3 obr.2014 in September 2022 during the
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
near the village of
Bohorodychne in
Donetsk region
The Donetsk Oblast ( ukr, Донецька область, Donetska oblast, ), also referred to as Donechchyna ( ukr, Донеччина, links=no), is an oblast of eastern Ukraine. It is Ukraine's most populous province, with around 4.1 mill ...
- two were destroyed and one was captured.
![T-72 B3 (27053439397)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/T-72_B3_%2827053439397%29.jpg)
:*T-72B3 obr.2016: also called T-72B3M, it is a further upgrade of the T-72B3, produced since 2016. New radio communication. New panoramic sight. Increased protection against mines. A new fire control system. The automotive performance of the tank was also improved with a more powerful V-92S2F engine rated at 1,130 hp (830 kW) coupled to an automatic transmission system and improved drivetrain. Protection is improved by Relikt new generation ERA mounted on sides of both hull and turret, while rear saw the addition of cage armor. Kontakt-5 ERA is retained over the frontal arc and turret top. The Russian Defense Ministry has ordered several hundred T-72B3M tanks and received the first 20 in early 2017.
:*T-72B3 obr.2022: also called T-72B3M. It is the most recent upgrade of the T-72B3, based on combat experience gained during the
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. It has caused Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. An ...
. The tank is fitted with the same armament as the previous obr. 2016 model, however its protection has been enhanced. The turret is fitted with new
explosive reactive armour
Reactive armour is a type of vehicle armour that reacts in some way to the impact of a weapon to reduce the damage done to the vehicle being protected. It is most effective in protecting against shaped charges and specially hardened kinetic ener ...
, and its lower parts are covered by a metal net designed to improve protection against
rocket-propelled grenade
A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) is a shoulder-fired missile weapon that launches rockets equipped with an explosive warhead. Most RPGs can be carried by an individual soldier, and are frequently used as anti-tank weapons. These warheads are a ...
s, similar to that of the
T-90
The T-90 is a third-generation Russian main battle tank. It uses a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore main gun, the 1A45T fire-control system, an upgraded engine, and gunner's thermal sight. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel and compos ...
M. The void in ERA coverage caused by the smoke grenade dischargers on the right side of the turret is now protected by Kontakt-1 ERA. The gun mantlet is also protected by Kontakt-1 ERA, and a mechanism to open the armoured protection panels for the Sosna-U sighting system is added, replacing the previous configuration which used bolts that had to be unscrewed manually before combat.
![Russia Arms Expo 2013 (531-10)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Russia_Arms_Expo_2013_%28531-10%29.jpg)
* (''Boyevaya Mashina Ognemyochikov'') – A transport vehicle for flamethrower-squads armed with RPO launcher.
Entered service in 2001.
*
BMPT (Ob'yekt 199) – Heavy convoy and close tank support vehicle (''Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov''). All new turret armed with 2 30 mm 2A42 autocannons (500 rounds), 1 boxed 9M133
Kornet
The 9M133 Kornet (russian: Корнет; "Cornet", NATO reporting name AT-14 Spriggan, export designation Kornet-E) is a Russian man-portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) intended for use against main battle tanks. It was first introduced ...
ATGM launcher on left-hand-side of weapons mount (4 rounds), AGS-17/30 30 mm grenade launchers and a 7.62 mm PKT MG (2,000 rounds). It be also fitted with either 2 7.62 mm PKT MGs or 30 mm AGS-17/30 as bow weapons and a 902A "Tucha" 81 mm smoke grenade launcher array. Features new fire control system with thermal sights and a ballistic computer and 3rd generation "Relikt" explosive reactive armour and "Kaktus" modular armour. It is equipped with Agat-MR passive and thermal night vision devices, an NBC detection and protection system, a crosswind sensor and parts of the KAZ "Shtora" active protection system. The vehicle can be fitted with either the KMT-8 or the EMT mine clearing system. It also has the engine from T-90A.
The term BMP-T that is very often found is not correct.
*
TOS-1
TOS-1 (russian: тяжёлая огнемётная система ОС-1}, Heavy Flamethrower System) is a Soviet 220 mm 30-barrel (original system, Object 634 or TOS-1M) or 24-barrel (Object 634B or TOS-1A) multiple rocket launcher capab ...
– Large box-type multi-barrel rocket launcher with 30 tubes that replaces turret.
* TZM-T – Reloading vehicle for the TOS-1 mobile multi-barrel rocket launcher.
* (''Bronirovannaya Remonto-Evakuatsionna Mashina'') – Armoured recovery vehicle with a hydraulic crane with capacity of 12 tonnes mounted at the front of the hull on the left side. It also has a main winch with capacity of 25 tons which can be increased to 100 tonnes, auxiliary winch, hydraulically operated dozer/stabilizing blade at the front of the hull, towing equipment and a complete range of tools and recovery equipment.
*
IMR-2 (''Inzhenernaya Mashina Razgrashdeniya'') –
Combat engineering vehicle
A military engineering vehicle is a vehicle built for construction work or for the transportation of combat engineering, combat engineers on the battlefield. These vehicles may be modified civilian equipment (such as the Armored bulldozer, armou ...
(CEV). It has a telescoping crane arm which can lift between 5 and 11 metric tons and utilizes a pincers for uprooting trees. Pivoted at the front of the vehicle is a dozer blade that can be used in a V-configuration or as a straight dozer blade. When not required it is raised clear of the ground.
On the vehicle's rear, a mine-clearing system is mounted.
:* IMR-2M1 – Simplified model without the mine-clearing system. Entered service in 1987.
:* IMR-2M2 – Improved version that is better suited for operations in dangerous situations, for example in contaminated areas. It entered service in 1990 and has a modified crane arm with bucket instead off the pincers.
:* IMR-2MA – Latest version with bigger operator's cabin armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun NSV.
::* Klin-1 – Remote controlled IMR-2.
* MTU-72 (Ob'yekt 632) (''Tankovyj Mostoukladchik'') – bridge layer based on T-72 chassis. The overall layout and operating method of the system are similar to those of the MTU-20 and MTU bridgelayers. The bridge, when laid, has an overall length of 20 meters. The bridge has a maximum capacity of 50,000 kg, is 3.3 meters wide, and can span a gap of 18 m. By itself, the bridge weighs 6400 kg. The time required to lay the bridge is 3 minutes, and 8 minutes for retrieval.
* BMR-3 (''Bronirovannaja Mashina Razminirovanija'') – Mine clearing vehicle.
* RKhM-7 "Berloga-1" (''Razvedivatel'naya Khimicheskaya Mashina'') – NBC reconnaissance vehicle without turret and with fixed superstructure.
* Ob'yekt 327 – Self-propelled 152 mm gun. Prototype only.
Belarus
* T-72BM2 - Modernization of the T-72B.
Bulgaria
![T-72M1 Mod](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/T-72M1_Mod._2022.png)
* T-72M2 – Indigenous tank design, based on the Russian T-72M1, with new night vision and thermal devices, improved armour (up to 650 mm) and anti-radiation cladding, rubber side skirts,
C4I
Command and control (abbr. C2) is a "set of organizational and technical attributes and processes ... hatemploys human, physical, and information resources to solve problems and accomplish missions" to achieve the goals of an organization or en ...
and IR suppression coating.
* T-72M1 Mod. 2022 – T-72M1 modernised with Elbit's Thermal Imaging Fire Control System, giving the gunner 3rd generation+ thermal imaging capabilities along with a new laser range finder capable of lasing up to 9 km away. The system also includes a
battlefield management system A battlefield management system (BMS) is a system meant to integrate information acquisition and processing to enhance command and control of a military unit.
France
The French Army is using SICS (Système d'Information du Combat de SCORPION - SCO ...
, four laser warning receives, a new fire control system with a metrological sensor, new thermal sleeve for the
2A46 125 mm gun
The 2A46 (also called D-81TM) is a 125 mm/L48 smoothbore cannon of Soviet origin used in several main battle tanks. It was designed by OKB-9 (Artillery Plant No. 9) in Yekaterinburg.
Description
It was developed by the Spetstekhnika Design ...
, and thermal night time cameras for the driver. The T-72M1 Mod. 2022 is also one of the few T-72s to receive an
auxiliary power unit
An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft and naval ships as well as some large land vehicles. Aircraft APUs generally produce 115&n ...
(APU) that allows the tank to have a "silent watch" capability, allowing it to operate all its system with the engine turned off to save fuel and reduce the tank's thermal emissions and acoustic signature. The tank was modernised locally at "Terem - Khan Krum" EOOD in Targovishte.
Croatia
![Degman 041](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Degman_041.jpg)
*
M-84A – The M-84 is a Yugoslav third generation main battle tank, based on the Soviet T-72, produced in Croatian Đuro Đaković specijalna vozila.
*
M-84D
The Croatian M-84D also known as M-84A5 (D) is an upgraded variant of existing M-84 tanks, originally developed in Yugoslavia, with improvements to engine, armor, armament and electronics.
Description
The M-84D is equipped with a new 1,200&nb ...
– Modern upgrade of the M-84A4 with technology developed for M-95 Degman prototype.
*
M-95 Degman – 3rd generation prototype tank based on the Yugoslav M-91 Vihor prototype.
Czech Republic
![T-72M4CZ 000](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/T-72M4CZ_000.JPG)
*
T-72M4CZ
The T-72M4 CZ is an upgraded Czech version of the Soviet-designed, Czechoslovakia made main battle tank T-72. The only user of this tank is the Czech Army. Between 2003 and 2006, 30 tanks were produced. The main armament is a 125 mm gun 2A46 ...
– the Czech T72M4 CZ is a main battle tank with a comprehensive upgrade of every aspect of the T-72M1 resulting in a tank that only superficially resembles the precursor, introduced in 2003. The automotive performance was enhanced with a
Perkins
Perkins is a surname derived from the Anglo-Saxon corruption of the kin of Pierre (from Pierre kin to Pierrekin to Perkins), introduced into England by the Norman Conquest. It is found throughout mid- and southern England.
Another derivation com ...
CV12-1000 1,000 hp (740 kW) water-cooled diesel engine coupled to a Nimda XTG-411-6 automatic transmission. All drive train work was done by the Israeli firm Nimda and involved minor modifications of the tank's hull and the driver's compartment. The upgrade added new Czech-manufactured Dyna-72 ERA for protection against HEAT and kinetic rounds impacting the frontal aspects of the turret and hull, and against top-attack ATGMs and sub-munitions with ERA tiles covering the turret roof. Survivability is enhanced with the Polish-made Obra laser warning system integrated with a series of DGO-1 smoke grenade dischargers on each side of turret, a Deugra fire suppression system, REDA NBC suite and electromagnetic mine plow. The most important improvement in firepower comes from the use of the Galileo Avionica TURMS-T computerized FCS (similar to that used on the
C1 Ariete
The C1 Ariete ( en, battering ram) is the main battle tank of the Italian Army, developed by Consorzio Iveco Oto Melara (CIO), a consortium formed by IVECO and Oto Melara, OTO Melara. The chassis and engine were produced by Iveco, while the turre ...
) which enables a "hunter-killer" mode of operation; the commander has a panoramic day/night sight with built-in laser rangefinder and Attila thermal camera and can engage targets independently, while the gunner has his own primary sight with thermal channel. The FCS has sensors that correct for thermal distortion of the barrel, the temperature of the ammunition propellant, meteorological conditions, totaling 22 sensor clusters installed at several points on the turret. A new 125/EPpSV-97 APFSDS round was developed for use with the new tank which can defeat 540 mm of RHA at 2,000 m. The Czech tanks were also equipped with a rear-view camera, a new intercom, navigational system, the DITA 72/97B auto-diagnostic system and improvements to the suspension due to the increase in the weight of the T-72M4 CZ by 4 tonnes. Curiously, the obsolete 2A46 main gun was retained as was the original 2E28M stabilization system, which was modestly upgraded with new hydraulic drives and gyroscopic sensors, resulting in only marginal improvements in first-hit probability despite the sophisticated and expensive TURMS-T FCS. The published probability of hitting a stationary target on the move is said to be between 65-75% with the first fired round. In comparison, the
Leopard 2A4
The Leopard 2 is a 3rd generation main battle tank originally developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s for the West German army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the West Germ ...
from the mid-1980s can achieve a first round hit probability on the move of 75-85% at 2,000 m and as high as 90% with a skilled crew. The original tender called for an order of 350 tanks, which was downgraded to 140 in the face of dwindling defense budgets and finally amounted to a commitment for only 35 tanks to be upgraded to the T-72M4 CZ standard. One of the reasons for this drastic reduction was due to the escalating unit cost of the upgrade — from an initial estimate of 3.7M—and closing on a final cost of US$5.2M per tank.
:* – Modernized VT-72 (BREM-72) ARV with T-72M4CZ upgrades including the power pack and communications upgrades.
* , also known as – modernization of the T-72M1 by Czech company Excalibur Army, introduced in 2019. This version offers several modernization packages depending on buyer's preferences. These include increased armour protection, better power pack, better protection against WMDs, modern optical and targeting systems, remote control of the external 12,7mm machine gun, new fire-control system, modern communications system, new fire protection system and more.
* - modernization of the T-72M1 to 3rd gen standard by Czech company Excalibur Army, introduced in 2022. Includes most of the ''Scarab'' modernization and more. Addition of 196 reactive armour segments that add equivalent of 400mm steel protection. New optical and electronical targeting system, modernized night vision
Optistrade for all three crew members. New laser rangefinder and improved commander's and driver's sight. Night vision system that works in full passive mode without using infrared light. Improved thermal sight with ballistic computer. Periscopical sights with anti-laser protection. Modernized powerpack with increased power (840 HP). Complete modernization of driver's position including digital interface. New internal and external system of communication, digital radio enabling encrypted communication. New fire protection system.
East Germany
![T-72 Fahrschulpanzer 1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/T-72_Fahrschulpanzer_1.jpg)
* T-72M – This designator was not only used for the standard T-72M, but also for 75 basic T-72s that were upgraded by RWN in 1986. These tanks (''Kampfpanzer'') were fitted with rubber side skirts, smoke grenade launchers "Tucha" and the additional 16 mm steel plate on the upper glacis plate.
[Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge, page 559]
* T-72M "Übergangsversion" – East-German army designator for 23 late-production T-72Ms from Poland, fitted with the additional hull armour. Delivered in 1986.
* T-72(K) and T-72(K1) – East-German army designators for command tanks (''Führungspanzer'').
* T-72TK – East German designation for VT-72B (BRAM-72B). The vehicle was planned to enter service with
NVA in 1990, but only one was actually handed over to IB-9 (''Instandsetzungsbatallion 9'') at Drögeheide (Torgelow). Two others were still in Grossenhain (Central tank workshop near Dresden) on 3 October 1990. At this place the tanks got fitted with relevant NVA kit and the cranes were tested/certified.
* BLP 72 (''Brückenlegepanzer'') – The East-German army had plans to develop a new bridgelayer tank that should have been ready for series production from 1987 but after several difficulties the project was canceled.
* FAB 172M or FAP 172U (''Fahrausbildungspanzer'') – Driver training vehicle. Three vehicles were made by using the chassis of the cancelled BLP 72 project.
Czechoslovakia
![Milovice, vyprošťovací tank](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Milovice%2C_vypro%C5%A1%C5%A5ovac%C3%AD_tank.jpg)
* T-72 Avenger - This crowd funded model is based on the Czech inventory of Soviet T-72M1s and will be exported to Ukraine. It features improved firepower, reactive armor protection, night vision and communication system.
* T-72M (Ob'yekt 172M-E3) – This model was built under licence by
ZTS Martin
HK Martin is a professional ice hockey team playing in the second highest league (Slovak 1. Liga) in Slovakia.
History
The club was established in 1932 as Slávia Martin. Later the name was changed to Sokol, ŠK, ZŤS, Hutník, Martimex ZŤS, Mar ...
. In Western sources it is often referred to as T-72G which might be the designator for the version exported to the Middle East. In the late 1980s the tanks produced for the Czechoslovak army and for export as well were fitted with some improvements from the Soviet T-72A programme, including rubber side skirts (instead of "gill armour") and 902B "Tucha" smoke grenade launchers.
* T-72M1 (Ob'yekt 172M-E5) – This export version of the T-72A was also built by Martin. An external difference with the Soviet original is the reduced number of KMT mounts on the lower glacis plate.
* () (''vyprošťovací tank'') – Czechoslovak armoured recovery vehicle based on T-72 chassis.
:* () – Czechoslovak
ARV based on BREM-1 with dozer blade with prominent rams mounted on the front of the vehicle, hydraulic crane on the right side of vehicle and a large built-up superstructure at the front of the hull with a large tackle block in front of it.
Georgia
![Georgian T-72Sim1 03](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Georgian_T-72Sim1_03.jpg)
* T-72 SIM-1 – Increased implementation of K-1 reactive and K-5 passive armor. New FALCON command and control system, GPS navigation system and Polish SKO-1T DRAWA-T fire control system with thermal imager and laser rangefinder (from
PT-91 Twardy
The PT-91 Twardy (, en, Tough, link=no) is a Polish main battle tank. A development of the T-72M1, it entered service in 1995. The PT-91 was designed at the OBRUM (''Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych'', or ''Research an ...
). It has also a
friend-or-foe recognition system.
India
![Indian Army T-72 image1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Indian_Army_T-72_image1.jpg)
By the late 1970s,
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four- ...
HQ had decided to acquire new-generation replacements for its UK-origin fleet of
Royal Ordnance Factories
Royal Ordnance Factories (ROFs) was the collective name of the UK government's munitions factories during and after the Second World War. Until privatisation, in 1987, they were the responsibility of the Ministry of Supply, and later the Ministr ...
-built
Centurion
A centurion (; la, centurio , . la, centuriones, label=none; grc-gre, κεντυρίων, kentyríōn, or ) was a position in the Roman army during classical antiquity, nominally the commander of a century (), a military unit of around 80 ...
and
Vijayanta
The ''Vijayanta'' (en: "Victorious") was a main battle tank built in India based on a licensed design of the Vickers Mk.1. The Vijayanta was the first indigenous tank of the Indian Army.
The prototype was completed in 1963 and the tank entered ...
MBTs, which are based on the licensed production of the
Vickers MBT
The Vickers MBT is a series of main battle tanks (MBTs) developed as a private venture by British company Vickers-Armstrongs for export. The design makes use of proven components, such as the L7 gun of the Centurion, the Leyland L60 multi-fuel e ...
, and consequently, paper evaluations concerning the firepower and mobility characteristics of the two principal contenders being offered for full in-country production—
AMX-40
The AMX-40 was a French main battle tank developed by GIAT during the latter stages of the Cold War as an export tank to replace the earlier AMX-32. Designed to be an inexpensive tank orientated towards militaries with smaller defence budgets, ...
developed by
GIAT Industries
Nexter Systems (formerly known as GIAT Industries or ''Groupement des Industries de l'Armée de Terre'', Army Industries Group) is a French government-owned weapons manufacturer, based in Roanne, Loire.
Group organization
The Nexter group is ...
of France, and the
Chieftain 800
A tribal chief or chieftain is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom.
Tribe
The concept of tribe is a broadly applied concept, based on tribal concepts of societies of western Afroeurasia.
Tribal societies are sometimes categorized as ...
(which later evolved into the
Challenger 1
The FV4030/4 Challenger 1 is a British main battle tank (MBT) used by the British Army from 1983 to 2001, when it was superseded by the Challenger 2. It is also currently used by the Royal Jordanian Army as its main battle tank, after heavy m ...
from Royal Ordnance Factories (then owned by British Aerospace PLC)—were conducted by the Indian Army. Between these two contenders, the Army had by early 1980 zeroed in on the 43-tonne AMX-40 MBT, which was still on the drawing boards and was meant to be powered by a 1,100 hp
Poyaud V12X 12-cylinder diesel engine coupled with a LSG-3000 automatic power shift transmission built by
RENK
The RENK Group (stylised as RENK Group) is a German company and ranked among the top ten companies in the German defense industry in terms of sales in 2010. Its main production sites are located in Augsburg, Rheine, Hanover and Winterthur (Swit ...
Aktiengesellschaft of Germany (offering a power-to-weight ratio of 25.6 hp/tonne, and armed with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon. However, AMX-40 had only marginal protection by the standards of 1980's. After coming back to power, the Indian Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (; Given name, ''née'' Nehru; 19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She was elected as third prime minister of India in 1966 ...
requested additional evaluation, including MBTs from the USSR, following which the Soviet Union's Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations (which after 1991 morphed into Oboronexport, then Rosoboronservice and ultimately
Rosoboronexport
JSC Rosoboronexport (russian: AO Рособоронэкспорт, ''Rosoboroneksport'') is the sole state intermediary agency for Russia's exports/imports of defense-related and dual use products, technologies and services. The Rosoboronexport F ...
State Corp) made a formal offer to India's
Ministry of Defence
{{unsourced, date=February 2021
A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is an often-used name for the part of a government responsible for matters of defence, found in states ...
(MoD) for supplying the 37-tonne T-72M Ob'yekt 172M-E4 MBT off-the-shelf, and according an approval for licensed-production of the 41.5-tonne T-72M-1982 Ob'yekt 172M-E6 to the MoD-owned Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in
Avadi
Avadi () is a suburb of Chennai within Chennai Metropolitan Area limit, located in the Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a municipal corporation west of Chennai, about from Chennai Central Railway Station. It is surrounded by majo ...
. By early 1981, two
T-72
The T-72 is a family of Soviet/Russian main battle tanks that entered production in 1969. The T-72 was a development of the T-64, which was troubled by high costs and its reliance on immature developmental technology. About 25,000 T-72 tanks ha ...
Ms—powered by a 780 hp diesel engine, armed with 125 mm
2A46M smoothbore gun and offering a power-to-weight ratio of 20 hp/tonne, were subjected to an exhaustive series of in-country firepower and mobility trials by the Army. After review of trial results, T-72M and T-72-1982 (powered by a Model V-84MS four-stroke 12-cylinder multi-fuel engine developing 840 hp and offering a power-to-weight ratio of 18.8 hp/tone) were selected as Army's future MBTs, and a procurement contract for 2,418 T-72s was subsequently inked.
* Ajeya MK1 – Indian version of the T-72M1. In parallel with buying various T-72M off-the-shelf from the Soviet Union, India also launched its domestic production at
Heavy Vehicles Factory
The Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) located at Avadi in Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is a armoured vehicle and battle tank manufacturing factory of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited.
HVF was set up in 1961 by the Ordnance Factory Bo ...
.
* Ajeya MK2 – Indian version of the T-72M1 with ERA and banks of 6 smoke grenade-launchers on each side.
* Combat Improved Ajeya (Not to be confused with Ajeya MK2) - For a rather long time the Indian Army did not intend to modernize its T-72 tanks since it was relying on their own tank project the Arjun. However, the Arjun program had been undergoing difficulties. As a result, they adopted the Operation Rhino plan aimed at re-equipping 1,500 T-72M1 tanks. The upgrade program provides for installation of a Polish SKO-1T DRAWA-T fire control system/thermal imager supplied by the Polish PCO/Cenzin (from
PT-91 Twardy
The PT-91 Twardy (, en, Tough, link=no) is a Polish main battle tank. A development of the T-72M1, it entered service in 1995. The PT-91 was designed at the OBRUM (''Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych'', or ''Research an ...
),
DRDO
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (IAST: ''Raksā Anūsandhān Evam Vikās Sangaṭhan'') is the premier agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, ...
explosive reactive armour
Reactive armour is a type of vehicle armour that reacts in some way to the impact of a weapon to reduce the damage done to the vehicle being protected. It is most effective in protecting against shaped charges and specially hardened kinetic ener ...
, a navigation system from Israel's Tamam, German Litef or South African RDI, a locally developed laser illumination warning system, new radios manufactured by Tadiran or GES Marconi and an improved NBC protection system will be fitted. The tank is planned to be powered by a S-1000 engine made by the Polish firm PZL-Wola (also from
PT-91 Twardy
The PT-91 Twardy (, en, Tough, link=no) is a Polish main battle tank. A development of the T-72M1, it entered service in 1995. The PT-91 was designed at the OBRUM (''Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych'', or ''Research an ...
). It is also upgraded with new fire detection and suppression systems and laser warning systems on either side of the turret. Indian sources often say that 1,800–2,000 T-72M1 tanks will be upgraded top to bottom while the rest will undergo only partial improvement.
*
Tank EX
Tank Ex, or Karna Tank, was the code name of the prototype main battle tank developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 2002 as a upgrade of the T-72 based Ajeya. Tank Ex was developed as an attempt of the devel ...
– Indian integration of the
Arjun turret onto the T-72 hull, Prototype only. Did not enter production as it was rejected by the Indian Army.
Iran
*T-72M Rakhsh - Iranian T-72M upgrade, equipped with a variant of
Kontakt-5
Kontakt-5 is a type of second-generation explosive reactive armour (ERA) originating in the Soviet Union. It is the first type of ERA that is able to significantly decrease the penetration of armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFS ...
ERA among many upgrades.
Iraq
![DerelictAsadBabil](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/DerelictAsadBabil.JPEG)
*T-72 Saddam – T-72M modified by Iraq to suit local conditions. Some of the suspension shock absorbers were removed and a searchlight on right-hand-side of main armament was added.
*
Lion of Babylon
The Lion of Babylon is an ancient Babylonian symbol.
History
Antiquity
The Lion of Babylon symbolically represented the King of Babylon.Benjamin Sass, Joachim Marzahn. Aramaic and figural stamp impressions on bricks of the sixth century B. ...
(Asad Babil) – Iraqi-assembled version of the T-72M1
Syria
*
T-72 "Adra" – Syrian upgrade featuring slat and spaced armour as extra protection against HEAT.
* T-72M1S – Syrian-Italian upgrade with the addition of the Galileo Avionica TURMS-T computerised FCS, including infrared cameras, improved gun stabilisation, stabilised sights for the gunner and the commander, and capability to launch
9M119 Refleks
The 9M119 ''Svir'', 9M119M ''Refleks'' (NATO reporting name AT-11 ''Sniper'') are laser beam riding, guided anti-tank missiles developed in the former Soviet Union. The two missiles are similar, but vary in range and launch platform. Both are desi ...
ATGMs. 124 T-72M1s and T-72AVs were upgraded to this standard between 1998 and 2000. Very few of the upgraded T-72AVs retained their explosive reactive armour after being upgraded.
* Golan-1000 – Syrian new rocket system which carries three massive 500 mm rounds, each packed with 500 kg of high-explosive fragmentation ammunition. Built on a T-72 tank chassis, the new rocket system has already been put into service with the Syrian Army as of May 2018.
Poland
* T-72M/T-72M1 –Licensed, standard T-72 models produced in Poland
:* T-72M (Ob'yekt 172M-E3) – This export version of the T-72 was built under licence by Bumar-Łabędy in
Gliwice
Gliwice (; german: Gleiwitz) is a city in Upper Silesia, in southern Poland. The city is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Kłodnica river (a tributary of the Oder). It lies approximately 25 km west from Katowice, the regional cap ...
starting in 1982. Like Soviet tanks, the Polish T-72M was initially fitted with "gill" armour; later the tanks were upgraded with rubber side skirts and 902W ''Tucha'' smoke grenade launchers. Late production models have an additional 16 mm steel plate welded on the upper glacis plate, like in the T-72M1.
:* T-72M1 (Ob'yekt 172M-E5) – This export version of the T-72A was also built under licence in Poland since 1983. The most obvious external difference relative to Soviet analogs is the reduced number of KMT mounting points on the lower hull glacis plate. It is the first version to feature ceramic sand bars "kwartz" rods in the turret cavity and High Hardness Steel appliqué armor on upper glacis.
:* T-72M1D – Polish designation for T-72M1K.
["War Technology"](_blank)
:* T-72M1R – Modification of T-72M1.
:* ''Jaguar'': When Polish production of the T-72 started in 1982, the Poles considered upgrading them and the first domestic T-72 upgrade program was launched by the Institute of Armament and Equipment of the Polish Army. The project was code-named ''Jaguar'' since that was the designation under which the Soviet Union transferred the technical data package for the T-72. The ''Jaguar'' was never more than a concept.
:* ''Wilk'': Beginning in 1986, the Polish T-72 ''Wilk'' project was instituted to allow tank repair plants to upgrade T-72 tanks within their own facilities. In particular, it was proposed that the Soviet-made Volna fire control system be replaced by the Czechoslovak-made Kladivo FCS or by the Polish SKO-1 Mérida, which was originally designed for T-55AM "Merida". Besides the new FCS, the Radomka passive night vision devices were installed in the driver's compartment, as was the Liswarta night sight, Obra laser illumination warning system, Tellur anti-laser smoke grenade launchers, solid or modular metal side skirts and the Polish-developed Erawa-1 or Erawa-2 explosive reactive armour was also fitted. This program was further developed and led to the PT-91.
![PT91 Twardy MSPO09](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/PT91_Twardy_MSPO09.jpg)
*
PT-91 Twardy
The PT-91 Twardy (, en, Tough, link=no) is a Polish main battle tank. A development of the T-72M1, it entered service in 1995. The PT-91 was designed at the OBRUM (''Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych'', or ''Research an ...
– A Polish main battle tank based on T-72M1 developed sometime between the late 1980s and early 1990s and involving use of a new digital fire-control system, newly developed ERA and an uprated powerplant. This formed the basis for a whole line of derivative vehicles. PT-91 was a result of previous T-72 upgrade programs.
**
![PT-91M ( MyLifeStory)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/PT-91M_%28_MyLifeStory%29.jpg)
PT-91M Pendekar – Production export variant for Malaysia with Sagem Savan-15 fire control system, a new 1,000 hp powerpack with Renk automatic transmission bringing its top speed to 70 km/h. Its main gun have been changed to a ZTS 2A46MS 125 mm gun, a 7.62 mm FN MAG coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm FN Browning M2 HB AA machine gun. This variant is also equipped with Sagem panoramic sight, a Sagem laser gyro inertial navigation system, turret stabilisation system, Obra-3 laser-warning system, integrated with 81 mm smoke grenade launchers, CBRN warning and protection system, Thales communication systems. ERAWA 2 Explosive Reactive Armour, and German-made tank tracks (Diehl Defence). Two prototypes made (renamed PT-91E and PT-91Ex), 48 serial PT-91M Malaj vehicles produced 2007–2009.
*
WZT-3 –
ARV based on the T-72M. It is armed with a 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in) machine-gun fitted to the commander's hatch. Standard equipment includes: crane with telescopic jib that can lift a maximum load of fifteen tonnes, front-mounted stabilizing dozer blade, main and secondary winches.
![POL Warsaw WZT-3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/POL_Warsaw_WZT-3.jpg)
:* WZT-3M – A PT-91 based variant for Polish Army
:* M-84AI – A M-84A based variant, made on licence in Yugoslavia – 15 vehicles for Kuwait
:* ARV-3 – A T-72 based variant for Indian Army – 352 vehicles made
* MID Bizon-S – engineering tank based on the PT-91 tank hull
:* MID-M – A PT-91M based variant for Malaysian Army
:* WZT-4 – Armoured recovery vehicle, PT-91M based variant for Malaysian Army (technically this vehicle is closely related to MID-M, not the WZT-3)
* SJ-09 – Polish driver training vehicle. The turret has been replaced by a flat-plate cabin with dummy gun barrel. Polish army uses T-72 based vehicles, Malaysian Army has one based on PT-91M.
*
PZA Loara
The PZA Loara ( Polish: ''Przeciwlotniczy Zestaw Artyleryjski'' or "anti-aircraft artillery system") is a Polish armored radar-directed self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system. The original PZA Loara prototype was based on the chassis of the T-72 ...
– SPAAG prototype based on the T-72 chassis.
Romania
*
TR-125
The TR-125 (TR-125 stands for "Tanc Românesc 125" - Romanian Tank 125) prototype main battle tank is a redesigned T-72 made in Romania with Romanian components only. Number 125 in the designation stands for the 125 mm A555 smoothbore tank ...
– Romanian prototype tank based on T-72 with extra armour, new FCS, new gun, modified suspension and more powerful diesel engine. A reverse engineered vehicle, it was larger in dimensions than the T-72. Its name stands for ''Tanc Românesc 125'' ("Romanian Tank 125"), with "125" indicating the gun caliber of 125 mm.
Serbia
![SER mod T72](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/SER_mod_T72.jpg)
* Yugoimport T-72 modernization package – Upgraded engine, communication gear and ERA.
*
M-84AS The M-84AS prototype main battle tank is a modernized version of the M-84 produced by Yugoimport SDPR in Serbia. M-84AS is sometimes referred to as ''M-84AB1'' and ''M-2001'' and is based mostly on imported components.
Design
The modernization give ...
– Is a prototype tank using an M-84A tank modernized to T-90 level by
Yugoimport SDPR
Yugoimport–SDPR ( sr, Југоимпорт–СДПР, Jugoimport–SDPR) is a Serbian state-owned weapons manufacturer as well as intermediary company for the import and export of defense-related equipment. It is headquartered in Belgrade, w ...
.
*
M-84AS1
The M-84AS1 and M-84AS2 are substantially modernized versions of the M-84 main battle tank designed by the Military Technical Institute and produced by Technical Overhauling Institute "Čačak" in Serbia. The first version designated as M-84AS1 wa ...
– Is a substantially modernized version of the
M-84
The M-84 is a Yugoslav main battle tank, a variant of the Soviet T-72. The M-84 is still in service in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kuwait.
Development and production
Development
The M-84 is based on the Soviet T-72M (expo ...
main battle tank
A main battle tank (MBT), also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the role of armor-protected direct fire and maneuver in many modern armies. Cold War-era development of more powerful engines, better suspension sys ...
* M-84AI –
Armoured recovery vehicle
An armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) is typically a powerful tank or armoured personnel carrier (APC) chassis modified for use during combat for military vehicle recovery (towing) or repair of battle-damaged, stuck, and/or inoperable armoured f ...
created from the chassis of a M-84A. Completed with the help of Polish experts, resulting in a vehicle similar to the
WZT-3. Standard equipment includes: A TD-50 crane, front-mounted stabilizing dozer blade, main and secondary winches.
Slovakia
![T-72M2 009](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/T-72M2_009.jpg)
* – T-72M1 upgraded with suspension of the driver's seat from hull roof, DSM 16.1 engine monitoring system, ERA armour package around the turret with a flat front section, fire detection and suppression system, improved transmission, improved hull floor protection, laser Detection Warning System, modified electrical harness, PNK-72 driver's night sight, SGS-72A commanders stabilized passive sight, gunner's sight with a large head with two section door, S12U diesel engine, Slovenian EFCS3-72A fire control system and MB smoke grenade dischargers on the each side of the turret. It also has two external sensor rod mounts on turret roof.
* T-72M2 – Slovak modernization. Development was completed but without any order for tank fleet modernization.
* VT-72C – Improved VT-72B produced since 1999 for India. It is fitted with a more powerful Polish S-12U diesel engine and has a modified interior.
* VT-72Ž – Combat engineer tank. Similar to the VT-72B but with a modified telescopic arm with bucket.
* MT-72 – Slovakian scissors-type bridge based on T-72 chassis. When deployed the bridge is 20 m long and will span a gap of 18 m. It is capable of carrying loads of up to 50 tonnes.
*
ShKH 2000 "Zuzana" (Zuzanne) – A 155 mm (45 calibers) version (the first prototype of which was completed by ZTS in December 1992) of the Dana 152 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer installed on a modified T-72M1 chassis.
Yugoslavia
*
M-84
The M-84 is a Yugoslav main battle tank, a variant of the Soviet T-72. The M-84 is still in service in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kuwait.
Development and production
Development
The M-84 is based on the Soviet T-72M (expo ...
– Indigenous main battle tank based on the T-72M but with several upgrades.
* M-84A – Improved version based on the T-72M1, with new SUV-M-84 computerized
fire-control system
A fire-control system (FCS) is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a director, and radar, which is designed to assist a ranged weapon system to target, track, and hit a target. It performs the same task as a ...
, including the DNNS-2 gunner's day/night sight, with independent stabilization in two planes and integral
Laser rangefinder
A laser rangefinder, also known as a laser telemeter, is a rangefinder that uses a laser beam to determine the distance to an object. The most common form of laser rangefinder operates on the time of flight principle by sending a laser pulse in ...
. Other upgrades include a stronger 1,000 hp engine.
:* M-84AK – Command version of M-84A fitted with land navigation equipment.
* M-84AB – Export version of M-84A. About 150 were exported to Kuwait.
:* M-84ABK – Command version of M-84AB fitted with land navigation equipment.
:* M-84ABN – Navigation version of M-84AB fitted with extensive communication equipments, land navigation equipment, and a generator for the command role.
South Africa
* T-72 "Tiger" – The modernization package from LIW includes two large sights installed on the front of the turret.
South Africa also offers a self-propelled artillery conversion for existing T-72s, rearming the chassis with a turret adopted from the
G6 howitzer
The G6, sometimes denoted as the G6 ''Rhino'', is a South African mine-protected self-propelled howitzer. It was developed as a turreted, self-propelled variant of the G5 howitzer series, mating the gun to a six-wheeled armoured chassis. Des ...
.
[''Jane's Armour and Artillery, 2005–2006'', : p. 101.]
Ukraine
![T-72AMT, Kyiv 2018, 05](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/T-72AMT%2C_Kyiv_2018%2C_05.jpg)
* T-72AM "Banan"– unveiled in 1992, the first Ukrainian T-72A upgrade covered extensively with early-generation Kontakt-1 ERA tiles (V-shaped array around the sides of the turret and an array on side skirts). It is powered by the 6TD-1 or 6TD-2 diesel engine (1,250 hp) from the T-84 and features additional smoke grenade launchers.
* –
Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau
Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau ( ua, Харківське Конструкторське Бюро з Машинобудування ім. О.О. Морозова, or ХКБМ, KhKBM), often simply called Morozov Design Bureau or a ...
(KMDB) modernization package aimed at improving the automotive and firepower capabilities of the tank with components mostly derived from the T-80UD program, including an improved 6TD-1 engine rated at 1,000 hp or 1,200 hp (881 kW) 6TD-2, new drivetrain components from the T-80UD, an improved engine cooling system, turbocharger and air filter. These upgrades improve upon the T-72B tank's mobility and bring the upgraded vehicle up to par with the T-80UD. Further improvements were made to the fire-control system, which is now an adaptation of the 1A45 ''Irtysh'' system, with 1G46 day sight, TKN-4S, TPN-4 or TPN-4 Buran-Catherine night sights (the latter equipped with thermal viewer) which also enables the use of
9M119M Invar laser-guided missiles launched from the main gun. The tank turret was covered in Kontakt-5 ERA tiles and the main gun was upgraded to the newer 2A46M1 variant, and coupled with a significantly more precise 2E42M main gun stabilization system. However, with most of the tank's components reliant upon the T-80UD, this variant has not had any export success.
* – This modernization package was unveiled in 1997 by KMDB and includes an improved 6TD-1 engine, Kontakt-5 or ''Nozh'' ERA, a modern fire suppression system and an advanced
Sagem SAVAN 15MP fire-control system with the multi-channel thermal SAVAN 15MP (gunner) and panoramic SFIM VS580 (commander) sights. But the capabilities of the FCS were not fully utilized since the tank retained the obsolete 2E42-2 stabilization system and 2A46M main gun. The upgrade is offered jointly with Sagem of France, and PSP Bohemia of the Czech Republic.
* – KMDB main armament package first offered in 1999 with the T-72AG and T-72MP upgrades, which includes an auto-loaded KBM-2 120 mm main gun, developed with the French-based
GIAT Industries
Nexter Systems (formerly known as GIAT Industries or ''Groupement des Industries de l'Armée de Terre'', Army Industries Group) is a French government-owned weapons manufacturer, based in Roanne, Loire.
Group organization
The Nexter group is ...
and capable of firing NATO-standard ammunition or
ATGM
An anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), anti-tank missile, anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily armored military vehicles. ATGMs range in size from shoulder ...
s. This upgrade includes a new 2E42-M stabilizer and a new auto-loader system housed in the redesigned turret bustle and similar to that used in the
Leclerc main battle tank with a capacity of 20 single fixed rounds and further 20 stored in the hull in place of the legacy AZ auto-loading mechanism. The high costs involved with such an extensive modification have thus far driven away potential buyers.
* – A relatively simple upgrade developed for smaller defense budgets of the nations of the developing world, but one that has seen commercial success. The original V-46 engine was replaced with a newer 5TDFMA two-stroke diesel making 1,050 hp (775 kW) and fitted with an enhanced cooling system for use in tropical environments, which allows the tank to be operated for extended periods at temperatures exceeding 55 °C. The tank was also equipped with an EA-10-2
APU
APU or Apu may refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Apu Trilogy'', a series of three Bengali films, directed by Satyajit Ray, with the fictional character Apu Roy, comprising:
** ''Pather Panchali'' (''Song of the Little Road'') (1955), the first ...
with an output of 10 kW, allowing the vehicle's systems to be fully powered when stationary without running the main engine, thus drastically reducing fuel consumption. An air conditioner remains optional. Protection is enhanced with the use of ''Nozh'' ERA tiles on the turret while retaining the Kontakt-1 tiles on the hull (however ''Nozh'' tiles are compatible with Kontakt-1 mounting points and can be retrofitted). The main gun, stabilizer and FCS remain unchanged compared to the T-72B. Ethiopia purchased the T-72UA1 with 72 tanks delivered in 2011 and 99 in 2012. The
Ukrainian army
The Ukrainian Ground Forces ( uk, Сухопу́тні військá Збрóйних сил Украї́ни), also known as the Ukrainian Army, are the land forces of Ukraine and one of the five branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They we ...
became a customer in 2014 in response to an immediate need following the eruption of the
War in Donbass
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular ...
. It is believed that less than 30 vehicles were ordered.
* – Upgraded version of the T-72B ("E" stands for "Export") showed at IDEX 2011 and developed together with the T-64E. The hull front and sides are protected by Kontakt-1 ERA tiles, while the turret front, sides (sides' frontal part) and top are homogeneously protected by ''Nozh'' armor. The engine is upgraded, it is a 5TDFMA-1 multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 1050 hp. The tank features also air conditioning, day-and-night sighting system with integrated laser rangefinder and ATGM capability. The weight is 42.7 t, giving the tank a power/weight ratio of 24,6 hp/t.
* – Ukrainian T-72 upgrade. The unique compact design of the Ukrainian-developed BMT-72 power pack, based on that of the T-84, made it possible not only to considerably increase the power capabilities of the vehicle, but also to introduce into the vehicle design a troop compartment. The troop compartment is located between the fighting compartment and the power pack compartment. In the troop compartment roof there is a set of three hatches in slightly raised portion of the hull roof behind turret that allow the troops to get in or dismount the vehicle. There are also steps on the end of each catwalk at rear of vehicle. The main visual difference between BMT-72 and T-72 is a seventh pair of roadwheels.
* BTS-5B – Ukrainian version of the BREM-1.
* T-72AMT – Adapted to fire laser-guided missiles from its main gun, as well as several other survivability and lethality enhancements.
Notes
References
* Sewell, Stephen 'Cookie' (1998). in ''Armor'' vol. 108, no. 4, p. 21. Fort Knox, KY: US Army Armor Center. ISSN 0004-2420. (PDF format)
* Christopher. F. Foss, Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005-2006. .
* Leizin, Uri (2004
"Two myths of one battle: Syrian T-72's in 1982 Lebanon war"in Russian)
* Zaloga, Steven J (1993) T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974-93, Osprey Publishing .
* Ustyantsev, Sergej Viktorovich; Kolmakov Dmitrij Gennadevich "Boyeviye mashiny Uralvagonzavoda. Tank T-72"
* A.V. Karpenko (1996) "Obozreniye Bronetankovoj Tekhniki (1905-1995 gg.)" Nevskij Bastion
*
Utländska försöksfordon i Sverige , SPHF
{{DEFAULTSORT:T-72 Operators And Variants
Main battle tanks of the Cold War
Cold War tanks of the Soviet Union
Tanks of Finland
Czechoslovakia–Soviet Union relations
Poland–Soviet Union relations
Tanks of Czechoslovakia
Main battle tanks of Poland
Main battle tanks of Slovakia
Main battle tanks of Iraq
T-72
Vehicle operators by vehicle type