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T-72 operators and variants

The T-72 is a 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).[citation needed] In front-line Russian service, T-72s are being upgraded or augmented by the T-90, itself a modernized version of the T-72B. The T-72 has been exported and produced in many countries.

T-72
A T-72 upgraded by India featuring added ERA bricks, modern sights and more.
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1973–present
Production history
DesignerKartsev-Venediktov
Designed1967–73
ManufacturerUralvagonzavod
Produced1971–present
No. builtapprox. 25,000[1][2]

Operators edit

 
T-72 operators in blue with former operators in red.
 
T-72 CI-Ajeya tank of Indian Army during an army parade.
 
T-72S main battle tank of the Myanmar Army.
 
Armenian Army T-72B during a military parade in Yerevan

Current operators edit

Evaluation / aggressor training edit

 
T-72M1 used by the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 1st Marine Division of US Marines at Camp Pendleton during Kernel Blitz 1997 exercise
  •   Australia – 1 donated by Germany to Australian Army for evaluation
  •   Canada – Former East German tanks received at the end of the Cold War for OPFOR training. Out of service by 2000.
  •   Pakistan – Some transferred from Iraq to Pakistan after the Persian Gulf War.
  •   South Korea – Used for aggressor training. Its presence was considered classified but released into public after army's invitation events.[71][72]
  •   Sweden – Acquired 8 former East German T-72s in 1991 primarily to evaluate Soviet armour. One has been preserved, while others are used as targets.
  •   United States – 90[citation needed]
  •   People's Republic of China - 1 obtained from the exchange of industrial machinery in Romania for scientific research, which is called "Type 64".[73]

Former operators edit

 
Ex-Romanian T-72M.
a)   Czech Republic – 543
b)   Slovakia – 272
  •   East Germany – 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[76]
a)   Germany – 549 tanks taken from the GDR's army, all scrapped, sold to other countries or given to museums.
  •   Finland – 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 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.[77]
  •   Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant – Several were captured from the Syrian army.[78]
  •   Romania – 31 T-72Ms were bought from the USSR, and received between 1978 and 1979.[79] Withdrawn from service (in long-term storage), 28 tanks are for sale (23 of them need repairs and five are operational).[80] In 2022 it was reported that Romania transferred their fleet of T-72s to Ukraine in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[81]
  •   Sierra Leone – 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).[82]
  •   Soviet Union – Passed on to successor states:
a)   Russia – 10,284
b)   Belarus – 1,797
c)   Ukraine – 1,044[83][84]
d)   Turkmenistan – 702
e)   Kazakhstan – 700
f)   Azerbaijan – 325[84]
g)   Armenia – 246[84]
h)   Georgia – 219[84]
i)   Kyrgyzstan – 150
j)   Uzbekistan – 70
k)   Tajikistan – 44
l)   Lithuania – 398,[84] all units transferred to Russia in 1993[citation needed]
m)   Latvia – 114,[84] all units transferred to Russia in 1994[citation needed]
n)   Moldova – 0,[84] no Soviet divisions stationed in Moldova fielded T-72s
  •   Yugoslavia – Bought approximately 18 T-72Ms from the USSR and 72 from Czechoslovakia, later developed the improved M-84.[85]

Variants edit

Soviet Union and Russia edit

 
Early T-72 in profile.
 
Early upgrade of T-72 Ural

The T-72 was designed and first built in the Soviet Union.

  • T-72 "Ural" (Ob'yekt 172M) (1973):[86] 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 optical sight protruding from its turret.[87][88][89]
  • 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.[87][89]
  • Robot-2: Remote controlled T-72 "Ural".[87]
  • 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 dischargers (SGDs), engine power boosted to 840 hp (630 kW).[89]
  • T-72 "Ural-1" (Ob'yekt 172M1) (1976):[86] new 2A46 main gun, new armour on the turret.[89]
  • T-72V: ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive) unofficial designation for tanks fitted with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to the hull front and turret.[87]
  • T-72A (Ob'yekt 176) (1979):[86] An improved version of the basic T-72 "Ural". Large numbers of early-production T-72 "Ural" models were modernized in the 1980s. Searchlight has been placed on the right-hand side of turret, blanking off the TPD-2-49 coincidence optical rangefinder and replaced by the TPD-K1 laser rangefinder, 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, MB smoke grenade launchers, flipper armour mount on front mudguards, internal changes, and a slight weight increase.[87][86][89][90]
 
T-72A
  • 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.[87][86][89]
  •  
    T-72AV
    T-72AV: ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive) model with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret.[87]
  • 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 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.[88][89] and Czechoslovakia.[87][91]

  • 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.[87]
  • T-72M-E (Ob'yekt 172M-E): Soviet export version armed with the 125 mm D-81T smoothbore tank gun with 44 rounds.
  • T-72M fitted with a French 155 mm F1 turret for trials in India.[87]
  • T-72M fitted with a British 155 mm Vickers T6 turret for trials in India.[87]
 
T-72M1

  • 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.[91]
  • T-72M1K: Commander's variant with additional radios.[90]
  • T-72M1V: T-72M1 with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive).[90]

  • T-72M1M (Ob'yekt 172M-E8): Soviet export version. It's a T-72M1 upgraded to T-72B standard.[90]
 
T-72BV with ERA bricks

  • T-72S "Shilden" (T-72M1M1,[88] Ob'yekt 172M-E8): Export version of the T-72B with only 155 ERA bricks, simplified NBC system, no anti-radiation lining etc.
  • T-72B (Ob'yekt 184) (NATO code: SMT M1988):[90] (1985)[86] (SMT – Soviet Medium Tank)  There is new 2A46M main gun with new 2E42-2 stabilisation system. Much improved version of 1A40-1 fire control system, 1K13-49 gunner's sight for the use of 9M119 Svir anti-tank guided missile through gun barrel. Thicker armour, 20 mm of appliqué armour on the front of the hull[citation needed], front and top of the turret were heavily reinforced with composite armour better known by its US codename "Super Dolly Parton". New V-84-1 engine with 840 hp (626 kW).[92] 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.

  • 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.[87][89]
  • T-72BV: ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive) model with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret.
 
T-72AV with 2 T-72B and a T-72B3 in the background
  • T-72BA (Ob'yekt 184A/A1): this designation is used to refer to several models of late T-72B, stripped down, refurbished and upgraded with certain core components at Uralvagonzavod between 1998 and 2005. There are several features common to all upgraded T-72BA models; front of the turret and front of the hull reinforced with Kontakt-5 ERA, the frontal floor plate 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. 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.[93][94]
 
T-72BA with Kontakt-5 ERA.

  • T-72B1 (Ob'yekt 184-1): T-72B without the 9K120 missile system.[92]
  • T-72B1K (Ob'yekt 184K-1): Command version of the T-72B1.[89]
 
Serbian T-72B1MS "White Eagle"
 
T-72B1MS "White Eagle" technology demonstrator; clearly visible are "Eagle's Eye" panoramic sight and Sosna-U gunner sight.
  • T-72B1MS "White Eagle"(Ob'yekt 184-1MS): T-72B1 modernized by the 61st armour repair factory (today part of the Uralvagonzavod 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 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 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 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 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 and Serbia[39][95]
  • T-72B obr.1989g: T-72B equipped with advanced Kontakt-5 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.[87][89]
  • T-72B obr.1990g: Additionally fitted with new FCS, crosswind sensor and sometimes V-92S2 engine.
  • T-72B obr.1990g with an improved commander's cupola with a larger sight.[87]

  • T-72B2 Rogatka obr.2006g (Ob'yekt 184M) (also referred to as T-72BM in documents[94]): T-72B upgrade proposal code-named Rogatka. First shown at the 2006 Russian Arms Expo,[citation needed] 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 was added on the flanks. TShU-1-11 laser warning receivers were placed on the turret front. The prototype was shown equipped with the Nakidka 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 modernisation package.[92]
  • T-90 (Ob'yekt 188[89]) – A further development of the T-72, incorporating many features of the heavier, more complex T-80. It was first called T-72BU.
 
The recent T-72B3 in Russian service. Most obvious is the new Sosna-U multi-spectral panoramic sight.
  • T-72B3 (Ob'yekt 184-M3): this upgrade was initiated in 2010 using old stocks of T-72B tanks held in reserve. The purpose was to upgrade old T-72s to use the same gun, ammunition, ATGM, ERA etc. as the new T-90A tanks to simplify supply lines. In addition to performing a general overhaul of every vehicle, all tanks were equipped with the more powerful V-92S2 engines and 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 mainly on the implementation of a new fire control system. 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. The commander also has a separate monitor that displays thermal imagery from the gunner's main sight, and a new turret control panel. The gunner has the new PNM Sosna-U panoramic multi-spectral sensor, which replaced the 1K13 night vision in its mounting; the 1A40-4 FCS with TPD-K1 sight is retained, but as part of the auxiliary sighting system to complement the newer system. 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 main advantage of the Sosna-U is the Thales Catherine-FC thermal imager which extends the detection range of a tank-sized target to 10,500 m and the identification range to 3,300 m in both day and night conditions and all weathers. The T-72B3 series vehicles also received the new 2A46M-2 main gun which is reportedly equivalent to the Rheinmetall Rh120 L/44 cannon. The gun-laying and stabilization drives were also replaced by the new 2E42-4 system, and the AZ ammunition auto-loader was modified to accommodate newer generations of 125 mm smoothbore anti-tank ammunition: Vant (depleted uranium) and Mango (tungsten) rounds. There is also a new 9K119 Refleks system, used to launch 9M119 Refleks ATGM through the gun barrel. The B3 upgrade includes a new explosion- and fire-suppression system and an advanced VHF radio system designated R-168-25U-2 AKVEDUK. The variant entered service on 19 October 2012. It was first delivered to the 20th Field Army in summer 2013, and to its Armored Guards Brigade in October 2013. About 2,000 such tanks were in service as of 2020.[96][97][98][99][100][101][102] The cost to upgrade a T-72 to the T-72B3 standard was around 52 million rubles in 2013.[103]
  • T-72B3 obr.2014: a special version of the T-72B3, first seen during the 2014 edition of the Tank Biathlon 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.[92]
 
T-72B3M obr.2016
  • T-72B3M obr.2016: a further upgrade of the T-72B3, produced since 2016 by overhauling and upgrading old T-72B tanks from storage.[104] The purpose was to use the same gun, ammunition, ATGM, ERA etc. as the T-90 M tank to simplify supply lines. There is a new gun 2A46M-5 with new anti-tank ammunition Svinets-1 (tungsten) and Svinets-2 (depleted uranium). New 2E58 gun stabilizer is responsible for improved aiming time. 9K119M Refleks-M system is used to launch 9M119M Invar (also called Reflex-M) ATGM through gun barrel. New PK-PAN panoramic commander sight with thermal vision only seen on a limited number of vehicles while all the rest are using older TKN-3MK commander`s sight.[105] [106]Retained Sosna-U gunner`s sight and crosswind sensor. New Kalina fire control system, although in simplified form.[107][108][unreliable source?] There is new radio communication equipment as well as GLONASS satellite navigation. Driver is using older TVN-5 periscope with additional display from rear view camera. The automotive performance of the tank was improved with a more powerful V-92S2F engine rated at 1,130 hp (830 kW) coupled to an automatic transmission system and improved drivetrain.[109] Protection is improved by Relikt new generation ERA mounted on sides of both hull and turret, while cage armor was added to the rear. Kontakt-5 ERA is retained over the frontal arc and turret top. There is also increased protection against AT land mines. The Russian Defense Ministry ordered several hundred T-72B3M tanks, and received the first twenty in early 2017.[110][111][112][113] The cost to upgrade a T-72 to the T-72B3 obr.2016 standard was around 78.9 million rubles in 2016.[103]
  • Unmanned version of T-72B3M is (as of December 2018) under development.[114]
  • T-72B3M obr.2022: It is the most recent upgrade of the T-72B3, based on combat experience gained during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. New TKN-3TP commander`s sight with thermal vision (range 3000 m) is installed. New TVK-2 driver's dual channel sight (night vision 250 m). The tank is fitted with the same armament as the previous obr. 2016 model, however its protection has been enhanced. Previously, the back of the turret was without any additional protection and now there are metal boxes with Relikt explosive reactive armour (ERA). Lower parts of the turret are covered by a metal net designed to improve protection against rocket-propelled grenades, similar to that of the T-90M. Additional Kontakt-5 blocks installed right and left of the gun mantlet as well as on the turret top. The void in ERA coverage caused by the smoke grenade dischargers on the turret is now protected by Kontakt-1 ERA. Lower frontal hull plate is now covered with Kontakt-1 ERA. Relikt ERA plates are covering entire length of the chassis, fender/idler area and also attached to cage armor over engine compartment. Mechanism to open the armored protection panel for the Sosna-U sighting system is added, replacing the previous configuration which used bolts that had to be unscrewed manually before combat.[115][116]
  • T-72BM (2023): mobilization model, produced by overhauling and upgrading existing T-72BV and T-72BA tanks during regular maintenance in armor repair plants. The purpose was to unify different models in order to simplify supply lines. There is brand new dual channel TKN-3TP commander`s sight (day channel, thermal vision range 3000 m). New 1PN96MT-02 gunner`s sight (thermal vision range 3500 m, laser rangefinder, ballistic computer) coupled with the old TPD-K1 sight (day channel, ATGM guidance, laser rangefinder 4000 m). Combination of Kontakt-5 (front), 4S24 and Relikt ERA all-around vehicle copied from T-72B3M obr.2022. Anti-RPG net below turret. These vehicles were made without crosswind sensor and without Sosna-U sight cause of increased production during the war. Everything else is the same as on T-72B3 (main gun 2A46M-2, gun stabilizer 2E42-4, fire control system 1A40-4, driver's sight TVN-5, steering system, twin-pin tracks, 1000 hp engine, frontal floor plate reinforced against mines).[117]
 
BMO-T
 
BREM-1
 
MTU-72
 
BMR-3M
  • BMO-T (Boyevaya Mashina Ognemyochikov) – A transport vehicle for flamethrower-squads armed with RPO launcher.[87] Entered service in 2001.[118][119]
  • BMPT (Ob'yekt 199) – Heavy convoy and close tank support vehicle (Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov). All new turret armed with 2x 30 mm 2A42 autocannons (500 rounds), 4x 9M1201 Ataka-T ATGM and 7.62 mm PKT MG (2,000 rounds). It can be also fitted with 2x AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers. Features new fire control system with thermal sights and a ballistic computer. Reinforced with 3rd generation "Relikt" ERA on the frontal armor and both sides of hull and turret, slat (cage) armor in the rear. It is equipped with Agat-MR night vision devices, an NBC detection and protection system. There is 902A "Tucha" 81 mm smoke grenade launcher array on each side of the turret and "Shtora-1" active protection system. When the screening system warns the crew of laser tracking, a smoke screen is created by the launch of grenades. The vehicle can be fitted with either the KMT-8 or the EMT mine clearing system.[87] The term BMP-T that is very often found is not correct.
  • TOS-1 – Large box-type multi-barrel rocket launcher with 30 tubes that replaces turret.[87]
  • TZM-T – Reloading vehicle for the TOS-1 mobile multi-barrel rocket launcher.[87]
  • BREM-1 (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.[87][120]
  • IMR-2 (Inzhenernaya Mashina Razgrashdeniya) – Combat engineering vehicle (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.[87] 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.[87]

  • 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.[87]
  • 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 edit

  • T-72BM2 - Modernization of the T-72B.[121]

Bulgaria edit

 
T-72M1 Mod. 2022 is a Bulgarian modernisation of the T-72M1.
  • T-72M2 – New night vision and thermal devices, anti-radiation cladding, rubber side skirts, C4I and IR suppression coating.[122]
  • 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, four laser warning receives, a new fire control system with a metrological sensor, new thermal sleeve for the 2A46 125 mm gun, 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 (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.[123]

Croatia edit

 
A Croatian Army M-95 Degman
  • 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 – 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.

Czechoslovakia edit

 
VT-72B in firefighting services

  • T-72M (Ob'yekt 172M-E3) (1985) – This model was built under licence by ZŤS Martin (nowadays Slovakia). 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) (1986) – This export version of the T-72A was also built by ZŤS. An external difference with the Soviet original is the reduced number of KMT mounts on the lower glacis plate.
  • VT-72 (BRAM-72) (vyprošťovací tank) – Czechoslovak armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) based on T-72 chassis.[124]
  • VT-72B (BRAM-72B) – 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.[87]

Czech Republic edit

 
T-72M4 CZ
 
The Czech upgrade features the TURMS-T fire-control system which provides full "hunter-killer" capability.

These variants are not new builds, but upgrades of a large number of otherwise obsolete T-72 version hulls.

  • T-72M4 CZ (2003) – Comprehensive upgrade of every aspect of the T-72M1 resulting in a tank that only superficially resembles the precursor, intended to remedy T-72's failures learned during the Gulf War. The automotive performance was enhanced with a Perkins 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) 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 and 75% with the first fired round. In comparison, the Leopard 2A4 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 US$3.7M—and closing on a final cost of US$5.2M per tank.[125]
  • VT-72M4 – Modernized VT-72 (BREM-72) ARV with T-72M4CZ upgrades including the power pack and communications upgrades.[87]
  • T-72 Scarab, also known as T-72-4 (2017) – 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.[126]
  • T-72 Avenger, also known as T-72EA (2022) – modernization of the T-72 (various versions) to 3rd-generation standard by Excalibur Army [cs] which includes:[127] [128] [129]
    • New opto-electronic devices and an upgraded night vision block for all three crew members from company Optics trade, which significantly improve night vision capabilities and resolution. It uses a laser rangefinder to increase the probability of a first round hit, an improved thermal sight with ballistic computer, an upgraded commander's sight and an upgraded driver's sight. The night vision systems operate fully in passive mode without the use of infrared lights.
    • Increased ballistic protection with most vulnerable parts covered with reactive armour, significantly increasing the tank's protection against RPGs and HEAT ammunition. The reactive armour added to the tank is the equivalent of 400 millimetres of rolled armour when hit by a warhead. In total, the tank is equipped with 196 boxes of reactive armour.
    • Significantly improved mobility due to an upgraded power pack with increased engine power to 840 hp and increased acceleration dynamics.
    • Complete modernization of driver's position with a new digital dashboard. New internal and external communication systems, digital radio enabling encrypted communication. New fire protection system. Periscopic sights with anti-laser protection.

East Germany edit

 
T-72Ms on parade in East Berlin, 1988
 
FAB 172M driver training vehicle
  • 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.[76]
  • 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.[87]
  • 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.[130]
  • FAB 172M or FAP 172U (Fahrausbildungspanzer) – Driver training vehicle. Three vehicles were made by using the chassis of the cancelled BLP 72 project.

Georgia edit

 
A Georgian T-72 SIM-1
  • 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).[131] It has also a friend-or-foe recognition system.

India edit

 
Ajeya MK2

By the late 1970s, Indian Army HQ had decided to acquire new-generation replacements for its UK-origin fleet of Royal Ordnance Factories-built Centurion and Vijayanta MBTs, which are based on the licensed production of the Vickers MBT, and consequently, paper evaluations concerning the firepower and mobility characteristics of the two principal contenders being offered for full in-country production—AMX-40 developed by GIAT Industries of France, and the Chieftain 800 (which later evolved into the Challenger 1 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 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 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 State Corp) made a formal offer to India's Ministry of Defence (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. By early 1981, two T-72Ms—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.[132]

  • Ajeya MK1 (Unconquerable) [133] – 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.[87]
  • 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), DRDO explosive reactive armour, 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 1,000 hp (750 kW) S-1000 engine made by the Polish firm PZL-Wola (also from PT-91 Twardy). 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.[87]
  • Tank EX – 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 edit

Iraq edit

 
T-72 Asad Babil abandoned near Baghdad, April 2003
  • T-72 Saddam – T-72M modified by Iraq to suit local conditions. Some of the suspension shock absorbers were removed and a searchlight on the right-hand-side of the main armament was added.[87]
  • Lion of Babylon (Asad Babil) – Iraqi-assembled version of the T-72M1.

Poland edit

  • 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 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 16 mm (0.63 in) High Hardness Steel appliqué armor on upper glacis.
  • T-72M1D – Polish designation for T-72M1K.[86]
  • 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.[87]
  • 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.
 
PT-91 Twardy in Polish service.
  • PT-91 Twardy – 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.
    •  
      Malaysian PT-91M Pendekar
      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 Pendekar vehicles produced 2007–2009.
  • WZT-3ARV 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.[87]
 
WZT-3M ARV
  • 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 – SPAAG prototype based on the T-72 chassis.[87]

Romania edit

  • TR-125 – 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 edit

 
Serbian modernized tank M-84AS
 
Serbian upgraded T-72 featuring reactive armour
  • Yugoimport T-72 modernization package – Upgraded engine, communication gear and ERA.
  • M-84AS – Is a prototype tank using an M-84A tank modernized to T-90 level by Yugoimport SDPR.
  • M-84AS1 – Is a substantially modernized version of the M-84 main battle tank
  • M-84AIArmoured recovery vehicle 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 edit

 
Slovak T-72M2
  • T-72M1A – 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.[87]
  • 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.[87]
  • 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.[87]
  • 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.[87]

South Africa edit

  • T-72 "Tiger" – The modernization package from LIW includes two large sights installed on the front of the turret.[87] South Africa also offers a self-propelled artillery conversion for existing T-72s, rearming the chassis with a turret adopted from the G6 howitzer.[136]

Syria edit

  • 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 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.[137]
  • Golan-1000 – A 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 rocket system has been in use with the Syrian Army since May 2018.[138]

Ukraine edit

 
T-72AMT of the Ukrainian Army.

During the Russo-Ukrainian War's invasion by Russia phase from 2022 onward Ukrainian forces have used captured Russian tanks, including T-72s.[139]

  • 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.[87][90]
  • T-72AGKharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (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.[140][141]
  • T-72MP – This modernization package was unveiled in 1997 by KMDB and includes an improved 6TD-1 engine, Kontakt-5 or Nizh 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.[142]
  • T-72-120 – 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 and capable of firing NATO-standard ammunition or ATGMs. 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.[143]
  • T-72UA1 – 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 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 Nizh ERA tiles on the turret while retaining the Kontakt-1 tiles on the hull (however Nizh 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 became a customer in 2014 in response to an immediate need following the eruption of the War in Donbass. It is believed that less than 30 vehicles were ordered.
  • T-72E – 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 Nizh 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.
  • BMT-72 – 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.[87][144]
  • BTS-5B – Ukrainian version of the BREM-1.
  • T-72AMT – Adapted to fire Kombat [uk; ru] laser-guided missiles from its main gun, as well as several other survivability and lethality enhancements.[145][146]
  • T-72EA The Czech Republic supplied the 2022 T-72 Avenger or T-72EA to Ukraine during the Russian invasion that started in 2022.[129] Details of this variant are in the Czech Republic section. Other countries also supplied T-72 and variant tanks.

Yugoslavia edit

  • M-84 – 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, including the DNNS-2 gunner's day/night sight, with independent stabilization in two planes and integral Laser rangefinder. 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.

Notes edit

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References edit

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Utländska försöksfordon i Sverige | SPHF När fienden kom till Sverige

operators, variants, main, article, soviet, designed, main, battle, tank, that, entered, production, 1971, replaced, series, workhorse, soviet, tank, forces, while, served, soviet, high, technology, tanks, citation, needed, front, line, russian, service, being. Main article T 72 The T 72 is a 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 citation needed In front line Russian service T 72s are being upgraded or augmented by the T 90 itself a modernized version of the T 72B The T 72 has been exported and produced in many countries T 72A T 72 upgraded by India featuring added ERA bricks modern sights and more TypeMain battle tankPlace of originSoviet UnionService historyIn service1973 presentProduction historyDesignerKartsev VenediktovDesigned1967 73ManufacturerUralvagonzavodProduced1971 presentNo builtapprox 25 000 1 2 Contents 1 Operators 1 1 Current operators 1 2 Evaluation aggressor training 1 3 Former operators 2 Variants 2 1 Soviet Union and Russia 2 2 Belarus 2 3 Bulgaria 2 4 Croatia 2 5 Czechoslovakia 2 6 Czech Republic 2 7 East Germany 2 8 Georgia 2 9 India 2 10 Iran 2 11 Iraq 2 12 Poland 2 13 Romania 2 14 Serbia 2 15 Slovakia 2 16 South Africa 2 17 Syria 2 18 Ukraine 2 19 Yugoslavia 3 Notes 4 ReferencesOperators edit nbsp T 72 operators in blue with former operators in red nbsp T 72 CI Ajeya tank of Indian Army during an army parade nbsp T 72S main battle tank of the Myanmar Army nbsp Armenian Army T 72B during a military parade in YerevanCurrent operators edit nbsp Algeria 325 T 72M1 M1M as of 2023 3 nbsp Angola 4 50 T 72M1 as of 2023 5 nbsp Armenia 100 T 72A T 72B as of 2023 6 nbsp Azerbaijan 404 T 72A T 72AV T 72B and T 72SIM2 as of 2023 7 nbsp Belarus 477 T 72B and 20 T 72B3 mod 2016 as of 2023 8 Various T 72 modifications in reserve 9 nbsp Bulgaria 90 T 72M1 M in service as of 2022 10 nbsp Canada 1 operated by the 4 Intelligence Company nbsp Czech Republic 30 T 72M4CZ in service up to 89 T 72M1 in reserve as of 2022 10 50 T 72M1s were donated to Ukraine between 2022 and 2023 11 12 nbsp Democratic Republic of the Congo 100 T 72AV delivered by Ukraine in 2010 13 nbsp Ethiopia 50 bought from Yemen 171 T 72UA1 vehicles reportedly ordered from Ukraine in 2011 14 Tigray Defense Forces 15 nbsp Georgia 143 T 72B SIM1 in 2018 Upgraded T 72 SIMs were upgraded in Georgia with assistance of Israel 16 nbsp Hungary 44 T 72M1 in service as of 2022 10 77 T 72s were donated to the new Iraqi Army 17 Hungary announced it ordered 44 Leopard 2A7 tanks from Germany which are to replace the T 72 in the 2020s 18 19 nbsp India 2 418 T 72M1 156 VT 72B and some bridgelayer vehicles as of 2023 20 nbsp Iran 480 T 72S as of 2023 21 nbsp Iraq 1 000 T 72 Ural 1973 T 72 Ural modernization T 72M T 72M1 and Saddam tanks were in service with Iraqi Army 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 Some T 72S MBTs in service with the PMF 22 Some T 72s have been upgraded and modernized by Iran with Rakhsh kits 23 nbsp Kurdistan 30 T 72 Captured From The Iraqi Army During The 2003 Iraq War 24 nbsp Kazakhstan 350 T 72BA as of 2023 25 nbsp Kenya 33 T 72M1 possibly ordered by South Sudan from Ukraine but seized by Kenya after being held ransom en route by Somali pirates in 2008 26 nbsp Kyrgyzstan 150 as of 2023 27 nbsp Laos T 72B1 28 29 30 31 nbsp Libya 150 in 2003 32 nbsp Malaysia 48 PT 91M delivered by Poland improved Polish PT 91 which is itself an improved variant of the T 72M1 33 nbsp Morocco 40 T 72B 60 in storage as of 2023 34 nbsp Mongolia 100 delivered 26 50 T 72A in service as of 2023 35 nbsp Myanmar 139 T 72S 36 nbsp Nicaragua 50 T 72B1MS tanks 37 38 39 nbsp Nigeria 4 10 T 72AV and 31 T 72M1 as of 2023 40 nbsp North Korea 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 tanks 41 nbsp North Macedonia 30 T 72A and 1 T 72AK delivered from Ukraine in 1999 42 Unspecified amount returned to Ukraine after their handover in July 2022 43 44 nbsp Poland 130 T 72A T 72M1 M1R in active service as of 2022 45 2008 586 46 2006 2007 597 47 2005 644 2004 649 48 and 135 T 72M1Z 46 49 T 72M1 upgraded to PT 91 standard Also 232 PT 91 in service More than 260 T 72s have been donated to Ukraine in 2022 nbsp Russia 1100 T 72B3 550 T 72B3M and more than 1000 T 72B in operation in 2022 4400 variantes of the T 72B in total 50 As of February 2023 the Russian Army operates 400 T 72B BA 500 T 72B3 and 250 T 72B3M tanks the Russian Naval Infantry operates 170 T 72B B3 B3Ms the Russian Airborne Forces operates 50 T 72B3 B3M while the 1st Army Corps and 2nd Army Corps operates some T 72A and T 72B tanks 51 Between 10 000 and 8 000 in reserve mostly T 72B and T 72A mostly in poor and deplorable condition nbsp Slovakia 20 T 72M1 still in service at the end of 2018 Another 10 in storage 52 nbsp Serbia 30 T 72B1MS and 64 T 72M in reserve 53 54 55 nbsp South Sudan 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 56 57 2 T 72 tanks were destroyed during the Heglig Crisis 58 80 T 72AV in service as of 2023 59 nbsp Sudan 70 T 72AV as of 2023 60 nbsp Syria 650 61 T 72AV T 72M1 and T 72 Adra a domestically improved version of the T 72M1 featuring slat and spaced armor with later versions also including the Sarab active protection system Syrian Democratic Forces Reported 62 nbsp Tajikistan 28 T 72 Ural A AV B and 3 T 72B1 as of 2023 63 nbsp Turkmenistan 650 T 72 and T 72UMG as of 2023 64 nbsp Uganda 40 T 72A and 10 T 72B1 as of 2023 65 nbsp Ukraine 603 during the years prior to the War in Donbas 2014 2022 they were being retired in favor of T 64 Many have been restored to active service since then captured during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and others were donated by former Warsaw Pact NATO members 66 Russian separatist forces in Donbas 67 nbsp Uzbekistan 70 as of 2023 68 nbsp Venezuela 92 T 72B1 delivered in 2009 2012 from Russia 69 In June 2012 Russia and Venezuela agreed on deal for 100 more T 72 citation needed nbsp Yemen 39 in 2003 32 nbsp Houthis 70 Evaluation aggressor training edit nbsp T 72M1 used by the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion 1st Marine Division of US Marines at Camp Pendleton during Kernel Blitz 1997 exercise nbsp Australia 1 donated by Germany to Australian Army for evaluation nbsp Canada Former East German tanks received at the end of the Cold War for OPFOR training Out of service by 2000 nbsp Pakistan Some transferred from Iraq to Pakistan after the Persian Gulf War nbsp South Korea Used for aggressor training Its presence was considered classified but released into public after army s invitation events 71 72 nbsp Sweden Acquired 8 former East German T 72s in 1991 primarily to evaluate Soviet armour One has been preserved while others are used as targets nbsp United States 90 citation needed nbsp People s Republic of China 1 obtained from the exchange of industrial machinery in Romania for scientific research which is called Type 64 73 Former operators edit nbsp Ex Romanian T 72M nbsp Republic of Artsakh 20 T 72AV B and 1 T 72SIM2 as of February 2023 74 seized by Azeri forces following the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno Karabakh 75 nbsp Czechoslovakia 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 nbsp Czech Republic 543 b nbsp Slovakia 272 nbsp East Germany 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 76 a nbsp Germany 549 tanks taken from the GDR s army all scrapped sold to other countries or given to museums nbsp Finland 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 Jyvaskyla 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 77 nbsp Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Several were captured from the Syrian army 78 nbsp Romania 31 T 72Ms were bought from the USSR and received between 1978 and 1979 79 Withdrawn from service in long term storage 28 tanks are for sale 23 of them need repairs and five are operational 80 In 2022 it was reported that Romania transferred their fleet of T 72s to Ukraine in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine 81 nbsp Sierra Leone 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 82 nbsp Soviet Union Passed on to successor states a nbsp Russia 10 284 b nbsp Belarus 1 797 c nbsp Ukraine 1 044 83 84 d nbsp Turkmenistan 702 e nbsp Kazakhstan 700 f nbsp Azerbaijan 325 84 g nbsp Armenia 246 84 h nbsp Georgia 219 84 i nbsp Kyrgyzstan 150 j nbsp Uzbekistan 70 k nbsp Tajikistan 44 l nbsp Lithuania 398 84 all units transferred to Russia in 1993 citation needed m nbsp Latvia 114 84 all units transferred to Russia in 1994 citation needed n nbsp Moldova 0 84 no Soviet divisions stationed in Moldova fielded T 72s nbsp Yugoslavia Bought approximately 18 T 72Ms from the USSR and 72 from Czechoslovakia later developed the improved M 84 85 Variants editSoviet Union and Russia edit nbsp Early T 72 in profile nbsp Early upgrade of T 72 UralThe T 72 was designed and first built in the Soviet Union T 72 Ural Ob yekt 172M 1973 86 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 optical sight protruding from its turret 87 88 89 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 87 89 Robot 2 Remote controlled T 72 Ural 87 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 dischargers SGDs engine power boosted to 840 hp 630 kW 89 T 72 Ural 1 Ob yekt 172M1 1976 86 new 2A46 main gun new armour on the turret 89 T 72V V for vzryvnoi explosive unofficial designation for tanks fitted with Kontakt 1 explosive reactive armour fitted to the hull front and turret 87 T 72A Ob yekt 176 1979 86 An improved version of the basic T 72 Ural Large numbers of early production T 72 Ural models were modernized in the 1980s Searchlight has been placed on the right hand side of turret blanking off the TPD 2 49 coincidence optical rangefinder and replaced by the TPD K1 laser rangefinder 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 MB smoke grenade launchers flipper armour mount on front mudguards internal changes and a slight weight increase 87 86 89 90 nbsp T 72AT 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 87 86 89 nbsp T 72AVT 72AV V for vzryvnoi explosive model with Kontakt 1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret 87 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 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 Labedy 88 89 and Czechoslovakia 87 91 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 87 T 72M E Ob yekt 172M E Soviet export version armed with the 125 mm D 81T smoothbore tank gun with 44 rounds T 72M fitted with a French 155 mm F1 turret for trials in India 87 T 72M fitted with a British 155 mm Vickers T6 turret for trials in India 87 dd nbsp T 72M1 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 91 T 72M1K Commander s variant with additional radios 90 T 72M1V T 72M1 with Kontakt 1 explosive reactive armour V for vzryvnoi explosive 90 T 72M1M Ob yekt 172M E8 Soviet export version It s a T 72M1 upgraded to T 72B standard 90 nbsp T 72BV with ERA bricks T 72S Shilden T 72M1M1 88 Ob yekt 172M E8 Export version of the T 72B with only 155 ERA bricks simplified NBC system no anti radiation lining etc T 72B Ob yekt 184 NATO code SMT M1988 90 1985 86 SMT Soviet Medium Tank There is new 2A46M main gun with new 2E42 2 stabilisation system Much improved version of 1A40 1 fire control system 1K13 49 gunner s sight for the use of 9M119 Svir anti tank guided missile through gun barrel Thicker armour 20 mm of applique armour on the front of the hull citation needed front and top of the turret were heavily reinforced with composite armour better known by its US codename Super Dolly Parton New V 84 1 engine with 840 hp 626 kW 92 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 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 87 89 T 72BV V for vzryvnoi explosive model with Kontakt 1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret nbsp T 72AV with 2 T 72B and a T 72B3 in the backgroundT 72BA Ob yekt 184A A1 this designation is used to refer to several models of late T 72B stripped down refurbished and upgraded with certain core components at Uralvagonzavod between 1998 and 2005 There are several features common to all upgraded T 72BA models front of the turret and front of the hull reinforced with Kontakt 5 ERA the frontal floor plate 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 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 93 94 nbsp T 72BA with Kontakt 5 ERA T 72B1 Ob yekt 184 1 T 72B without the 9K120 missile system 92 T 72B1K Ob yekt 184K 1 Command version of the T 72B1 89 dd nbsp Serbian T 72B1MS White Eagle nbsp T 72B1MS White Eagle technology demonstrator clearly visible are Eagle s Eye panoramic sight and Sosna U gunner sight T 72B1MS White Eagle Ob yekt 184 1MS T 72B1 modernized by the 61st armour repair factory today part of the Uralvagonzavod 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 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 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 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 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 and Serbia 39 95 T 72B obr 1989g T 72B equipped with advanced Kontakt 5 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 87 89 T 72B obr 1990g Additionally fitted with new FCS crosswind sensor and sometimes V 92S2 engine T 72B obr 1990g with an improved commander s cupola with a larger sight 87 dd T 72B2 Rogatka obr 2006g Ob yekt 184M also referred to as T 72BM in documents 94 T 72B upgrade proposal code named Rogatka First shown at the 2006 Russian Arms Expo citation needed 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 was added on the flanks TShU 1 11 laser warning receivers were placed on the turret front The prototype was shown equipped with the Nakidka 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 modernisation package 92 T 90 Ob yekt 188 89 A further development of the T 72 incorporating many features of the heavier more complex T 80 It was first called T 72BU nbsp The recent T 72B3 in Russian service Most obvious is the new Sosna U multi spectral panoramic sight T 72B3 Ob yekt 184 M3 this upgrade was initiated in 2010 using old stocks of T 72B tanks held in reserve The purpose was to upgrade old T 72s to use the same gun ammunition ATGM ERA etc as the new T 90A tanks to simplify supply lines In addition to performing a general overhaul of every vehicle all tanks were equipped with the more powerful V 92S2 engines and 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 mainly on the implementation of a new fire control system 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 The commander also has a separate monitor that displays thermal imagery from the gunner s main sight and a new turret control panel The gunner has the new PNM Sosna U panoramic multi spectral sensor which replaced the 1K13 night vision in its mounting the 1A40 4 FCS with TPD K1 sight is retained but as part of the auxiliary sighting system to complement the newer system 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 main advantage of the Sosna U is the Thales Catherine FC thermal imager which extends the detection range of a tank sized target to 10 500 m and the identification range to 3 300 m in both day and night conditions and all weathers The T 72B3 series vehicles also received the new 2A46M 2 main gun which is reportedly equivalent to the Rheinmetall Rh120 L 44 cannon The gun laying and stabilization drives were also replaced by the new 2E42 4 system and the AZ ammunition auto loader was modified to accommodate newer generations of 125 mm smoothbore anti tank ammunition Vant depleted uranium and Mango tungsten rounds There is also a new 9K119 Refleks system used to launch 9M119 Refleks ATGM through the gun barrel The B3 upgrade includes a new explosion and fire suppression system and an advanced VHF radio system designated R 168 25U 2 AKVEDUK The variant entered service on 19 October 2012 It was first delivered to the 20th Field Army in summer 2013 and to its Armored Guards Brigade in October 2013 About 2 000 such tanks were in service as of 2020 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 The cost to upgrade a T 72 to the T 72B3 standard was around 52 million rubles in 2013 103 T 72B3 obr 2014 a special version of the T 72B3 first seen during the 2014 edition of the Tank Biathlon 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 92 nbsp T 72B3M obr 2016T 72B3M obr 2016 a further upgrade of the T 72B3 produced since 2016 by overhauling and upgrading old T 72B tanks from storage 104 The purpose was to use the same gun ammunition ATGM ERA etc as the T 90 M tank to simplify supply lines There is a new gun 2A46M 5 with new anti tank ammunition Svinets 1 tungsten and Svinets 2 depleted uranium New 2E58 gun stabilizer is responsible for improved aiming time 9K119M Refleks M system is used to launch 9M119M Invar also called Reflex M ATGM through gun barrel New PK PAN panoramic commander sight with thermal vision only seen on a limited number of vehicles while all the rest are using older TKN 3MK commander s sight 105 106 Retained Sosna U gunner s sight and crosswind sensor New Kalina fire control system although in simplified form 107 108 unreliable source There is new radio communication equipment as well as GLONASS satellite navigation Driver is using older TVN 5 periscope with additional display from rear view camera The automotive performance of the tank was improved with a more powerful V 92S2F engine rated at 1 130 hp 830 kW coupled to an automatic transmission system and improved drivetrain 109 Protection is improved by Relikt new generation ERA mounted on sides of both hull and turret while cage armor was added to the rear Kontakt 5 ERA is retained over the frontal arc and turret top There is also increased protection against AT land mines The Russian Defense Ministry ordered several hundred T 72B3M tanks and received the first twenty in early 2017 110 111 112 113 The cost to upgrade a T 72 to the T 72B3 obr 2016 standard was around 78 9 million rubles in 2016 103 Unmanned version of T 72B3M is as of December 2018 under development 114 T 72B3M obr 2022 It is the most recent upgrade of the T 72B3 based on combat experience gained during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine New TKN 3TP commander s sight with thermal vision range 3000 m is installed New TVK 2 driver s dual channel sight night vision 250 m The tank is fitted with the same armament as the previous obr 2016 model however its protection has been enhanced Previously the back of the turret was without any additional protection and now there are metal boxes with Relikt explosive reactive armour ERA Lower parts of the turret are covered by a metal net designed to improve protection against rocket propelled grenades similar to that of the T 90M Additional Kontakt 5 blocks installed right and left of the gun mantlet as well as on the turret top The void in ERA coverage caused by the smoke grenade dischargers on the turret is now protected by Kontakt 1 ERA Lower frontal hull plate is now covered with Kontakt 1 ERA Relikt ERA plates are covering entire length of the chassis fender idler area and also attached to cage armor over engine compartment Mechanism to open the armored protection panel for the Sosna U sighting system is added replacing the previous configuration which used bolts that had to be unscrewed manually before combat 115 116 dd T 72BM 2023 mobilization model produced by overhauling and upgrading existing T 72BV and T 72BA tanks during regular maintenance in armor repair plants The purpose was to unify different models in order to simplify supply lines There is brand new dual channel TKN 3TP commander s sight day channel thermal vision range 3000 m New 1PN96MT 02 gunner s sight thermal vision range 3500 m laser rangefinder ballistic computer coupled with the old TPD K1 sight day channel ATGM guidance laser rangefinder 4000 m Combination of Kontakt 5 front 4S24 and Relikt ERA all around vehicle copied from T 72B3M obr 2022 Anti RPG net below turret These vehicles were made without crosswind sensor and without Sosna U sight cause of increased production during the war Everything else is the same as on T 72B3 main gun 2A46M 2 gun stabilizer 2E42 4 fire control system 1A40 4 driver s sight TVN 5 steering system twin pin tracks 1000 hp engine frontal floor plate reinforced against mines 117 nbsp BMO T nbsp BREM 1 nbsp MTU 72 nbsp BMR 3MBMO T Boyevaya Mashina Ognemyochikov A transport vehicle for flamethrower squads armed with RPO launcher 87 Entered service in 2001 118 119 BMPT Ob yekt 199 Heavy convoy and close tank support vehicle Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov All new turret armed with 2x 30 mm 2A42 autocannons 500 rounds 4x 9M1201 Ataka T ATGM and 7 62 mm PKT MG 2 000 rounds It can be also fitted with 2x AGS 30 automatic grenade launchers Features new fire control system with thermal sights and a ballistic computer Reinforced with 3rd generation Relikt ERA on the frontal armor and both sides of hull and turret slat cage armor in the rear It is equipped with Agat MR night vision devices an NBC detection and protection system There is 902A Tucha 81 mm smoke grenade launcher array on each side of the turret and Shtora 1 active protection system When the screening system warns the crew of laser tracking a smoke screen is created by the launch of grenades The vehicle can be fitted with either the KMT 8 or the EMT mine clearing system 87 The term BMP T that is very often found is not correct TOS 1 Large box type multi barrel rocket launcher with 30 tubes that replaces turret 87 TZM T Reloading vehicle for the TOS 1 mobile multi barrel rocket launcher 87 BREM 1 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 87 120 IMR 2 Inzhenernaya Mashina Razgrashdeniya Combat engineering vehicle 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 87 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 87 dd 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 87 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 edit T 72BM2 Modernization of the T 72B 121 Bulgaria edit nbsp T 72M1 Mod 2022 is a Bulgarian modernisation of the T 72M1 T 72M2 New night vision and thermal devices anti radiation cladding rubber side skirts C4I and IR suppression coating 122 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 four laser warning receives a new fire control system with a metrological sensor new thermal sleeve for the 2A46 125 mm gun 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 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 123 Croatia edit nbsp A Croatian Army M 95 DegmanM 84A The M 84 is a Yugoslav third generation main battle tank based on the Soviet T 72 produced in Croatian Đuro Đakovic specijalna vozila M 84D 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 Czechoslovakia edit nbsp VT 72B in firefighting services T 72M Ob yekt 172M E3 1985 This model was built under licence by ZTS Martin nowadays Slovakia 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 1986 This export version of the T 72A was also built by ZTS An external difference with the Soviet original is the reduced number of KMT mounts on the lower glacis plate VT 72 BRAM 72 vyprostovaci tank Czechoslovak armoured recovery vehicle ARV based on T 72 chassis 124 VT 72B BRAM 72B 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 87 Czech Republic edit nbsp T 72M4 CZ nbsp The Czech upgrade features the TURMS T fire control system which provides full hunter killer capability These variants are not new builds but upgrades of a large number of otherwise obsolete T 72 version hulls T 72M4 CZ 2003 Comprehensive upgrade of every aspect of the T 72M1 resulting in a tank that only superficially resembles the precursor intended to remedy T 72 s failures learned during the Gulf War The automotive performance was enhanced with a Perkins 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 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 and 75 with the first fired round In comparison the Leopard 2A4 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 US 3 7M and closing on a final cost of US 5 2M per tank 125 VT 72M4 Modernized VT 72 BREM 72 ARV with T 72M4CZ upgrades including the power pack and communications upgrades 87 T 72 Scarab also known as T 72 4 2017 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 126 T 72 Avenger also known as T 72EA 2022 modernization of the T 72 various versions to 3rd generation standard by Excalibur Army cs which includes 127 128 129 New opto electronic devices and an upgraded night vision block for all three crew members from company Optics trade which significantly improve night vision capabilities and resolution It uses a laser rangefinder to increase the probability of a first round hit an improved thermal sight with ballistic computer an upgraded commander s sight and an upgraded driver s sight The night vision systems operate fully in passive mode without the use of infrared lights Increased ballistic protection with most vulnerable parts covered with reactive armour significantly increasing the tank s protection against RPGs and HEAT ammunition The reactive armour added to the tank is the equivalent of 400 millimetres of rolled armour when hit by a warhead In total the tank is equipped with 196 boxes of reactive armour Significantly improved mobility due to an upgraded power pack with increased engine power to 840 hp and increased acceleration dynamics Complete modernization of driver s position with a new digital dashboard New internal and external communication systems digital radio enabling encrypted communication New fire protection system Periscopic sights with anti laser protection East Germany edit nbsp T 72Ms on parade in East Berlin 1988 nbsp FAB 172M driver training vehicleT 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 76 T 72M Ubergangsversion 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 Fuhrungspanzer 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 Drogeheide 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 87 BLP 72 Bruckenlegepanzer 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 130 FAB 172M or FAP 172U Fahrausbildungspanzer Driver training vehicle Three vehicles were made by using the chassis of the cancelled BLP 72 project Georgia edit nbsp A Georgian T 72 SIM 1T 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 131 It has also a friend or foe recognition system India edit nbsp Ajeya MK2By the late 1970s Indian Army HQ had decided to acquire new generation replacements for its UK origin fleet of Royal Ordnance Factories built Centurion and Vijayanta MBTs which are based on the licensed production of the Vickers MBT and consequently paper evaluations concerning the firepower and mobility characteristics of the two principal contenders being offered for full in country production AMX 40 developed by GIAT Industries of France and the Chieftain 800 which later evolved into the Challenger 1 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 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 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 State Corp made a formal offer to India s Ministry of Defence 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 By early 1981 two T 72Ms 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 132 Ajeya MK1 Unconquerable 133 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 87 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 DRDO explosive reactive armour 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 1 000 hp 750 kW S 1000 engine made by the Polish firm PZL Wola also from PT 91 Twardy 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 87 Tank EX 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 edit Raad 2 Iranian 155 mm self propelled howitzer based on the T 72 hull 134 T 72M Rakhsh Iranian T 72M upgrade equipped with a variant of Kontakt 5 ERA among many upgrades 135 Iraq edit nbsp T 72 Asad Babil abandoned near Baghdad April 2003T 72 Saddam T 72M modified by Iraq to suit local conditions Some of the suspension shock absorbers were removed and a searchlight on the right hand side of the main armament was added 87 Lion of Babylon Asad Babil Iraqi assembled version of the T 72M1 Poland edit T 72M T 72M1 Licensed standard T 72 models produced in PolandT 72M Ob yekt 172M E3 This export version of the T 72 was built under licence by Bumar Labedy in Gliwice 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 16 mm 0 63 in High Hardness Steel applique armor on upper glacis T 72M1D Polish designation for T 72M1K 86 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 87 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 Merida 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 nbsp PT 91 Twardy in Polish service PT 91 Twardy 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 nbsp Malaysian PT 91M PendekarPT 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 Pendekar 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 87 nbsp WZT 3M ARVWZT 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 madeMID Bizon S engineering tank based on the PT 91 tank hullMID 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 SPAAG prototype based on the T 72 chassis 87 Romania edit TR 125 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 Romanesc 125 Romanian Tank 125 with 125 indicating the gun caliber of 125 mm Serbia edit nbsp Serbian modernized tank M 84AS nbsp Serbian upgraded T 72 featuring reactive armourYugoimport T 72 modernization package Upgraded engine communication gear and ERA M 84AS Is a prototype tank using an M 84A tank modernized to T 90 level by Yugoimport SDPR M 84AS1 Is a substantially modernized version of the M 84 main battle tank M 84AI Armoured recovery vehicle 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 edit nbsp Slovak T 72M2T 72M1A 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 87 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 87 VT 72Z 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 87 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 87 South Africa edit T 72 Tiger The modernization package from LIW includes two large sights installed on the front of the turret 87 South Africa also offers a self propelled artillery conversion for existing T 72s rearming the chassis with a turret adopted from the G6 howitzer 136 Syria edit 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 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 137 Golan 1000 A 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 rocket system has been in use with the Syrian Army since May 2018 138 Ukraine edit nbsp T 72AMT of the Ukrainian Army During the Russo Ukrainian War s invasion by Russia phase from 2022 onward Ukrainian forces have used captured Russian tanks including T 72s 139 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 87 90 T 72AG Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau 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 140 141 T 72MP This modernization package was unveiled in 1997 by KMDB and includes an improved 6TD 1 engine Kontakt 5 or Nizh 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 142 T 72 120 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 and capable of firing NATO standard ammunition or ATGMs 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 143 T 72UA1 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 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 Nizh ERA tiles on the turret while retaining the Kontakt 1 tiles on the hull however Nizh 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 became a customer in 2014 in response to an immediate need following the eruption of the War in Donbass It is believed that less than 30 vehicles were ordered T 72E 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 Nizh 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 BMT 72 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 87 144 BTS 5B Ukrainian version of the BREM 1 T 72AMT Adapted to fire Kombat uk ru laser guided missiles from its main gun as well as several other survivability and lethality enhancements 145 146 T 72EA The Czech Republic supplied the 2022 T 72 Avenger or T 72EA to Ukraine during the Russian invasion that started in 2022 129 Details of this variant are in the Czech Republic section Other countries also supplied T 72 and variant tanks Yugoslavia edit M 84 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 including the DNNS 2 gunner s day night sight with independent stabilization in two planes and integral Laser rangefinder 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 Notes edit T 72 total production no 1 Archived from the original on 9 July 2021 Retrieved 8 July 2021 T 72 total production no 2 Archived from the original on 9 July 2021 Retrieved 8 July 2021 The Military Balance 2023 p 315 a b Binnie Jeremy de Cherisey Erwan 2017 New model African armies PDF Jane s Archived from the original PDF on 22 June 2017 The Military Balance 2023 p 433 The Military Balance 2023 p 171 The Military Balance 2023 p 172 173 The Military Balance 2023 p 175 Belorusskij bronirovannyj kulak teryaet silu Armiya Belarusi Archived from the original on 5 September 2017 Retrieved 4 September 2017 a b c IISS 2022 pp 77 Cite error The named reference leo for reserve was invoked but never defined see the help page Armade loni rekordne ubylo techniky zrejme kvuli dodavkam zbrani Ukrajine CT24 Ceska televize Retrieved 30 March 2023 Ukraine to supply a total of 50 T 64BV1 main battle tanks to Democratic Republic of Congo Army Recognition 13 February 2014 Archived from the original on 3 March 2014 Retrieved 17 April 2017 Ukraine sells 200 tanks to Ethiopia KyivPost 9 June 2011 Archived from the original on 1 May 2012 Retrieved 13 November 2014 Oryx The Tigray Defence Forces Documenting Its Heavy Weaponry Oryx Blog Retrieved 3 September 2021 Military Balance 2018 IISS 2018 p 187 ISBN 978 1857439007 Hungarian armed forces upgrade ground troop equipment 17 October 2018 Archived from the original on 13 July 2019 Retrieved 14 July 2019 Braatz Kurt 19 December 2018 Krauss Maffei Wegmann unterstutzt ungarische Heeres Modernisierung PDF Krauss Maffei Wegmann in German Munich Archived PDF from the original on 20 December 2018 Retrieved 22 December 2018 Dunai Peter 20 December 2018 Update Hungary orders Leopard 2 MBTs and PzH 2000 SPHs IHS Jane s 360 Budapest Archived from the original on 21 December 2018 Retrieved 22 December 2018 The Military Balance 2023 pp 247 249 The Military Balance 2023 p 324 Iran Gave Upgraded Tanks to Its Iraqi Proxies 24 July 2021 Race 21st Century Asian Arms 24 July 2021 Iran Gave Upgraded Tanks To Its Iraqi Proxies 21st Century Asian Arms Race Retrieved 21 October 2021 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link shex ja3far 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Than 200 Tanks to Ukraine WSJ Jenzen Jones N R Ferguson Jonathan 18 November 2014 Raising Red Flags An Examination of Arms amp Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine PDF Report Armament Research Services Pty Ltd pp 65 67 ISBN 978 0 9924624 3 7 The Military Balance 2023 p 205 Rossiya zavershila postavku osnovnyh boevyh tankov T 72B1 dlya VS Venesuely armstrade org 11 April 2012 Archived from the original on 13 November 2014 Retrieved 13 November 2014 The Military Balance 2023 p 362 육군 기계화학교 견학 및 체험 육군 공식 블로그 아미누리 2 July 2007 Archived from the original on 1 May 2015 Retrieved 5 March 2015 마니아들 가슴 설레게 하는 레어급 전차 공개 월간 밀리터리 리뷰 장동민 기자 29 October 2008 Archived from the original on 5 March 2016 席亚洲 中俄坦克恩仇录 Archived from the original on 21 October 2016 Retrieved 21 October 2016 The Military Balance 2023 p 174 Armenian separatists start surrendering weapons in Karabakh Militarnyi Retrieved 3 October 2023 a b Deutsche Militarfahrzeuge page 559 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback 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