Basic Information

Name

JRTC VISMOD: T-72 Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

NA

Alternate Designation

NA

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

Uralvagonzavod

Date of Introduction

1973

Description

The T-72 is a family of Soviet main battle tanks that first entered production in 1971. About 20,000 T-72 tanks were built,making it one of the most widely produced post-World War II tanks, second only to the T-54/55 family. The T-72A version introduced in 1979 is considered a second-generation main battle tank. It was widely exported and saw service in 40 countries and in numerous conflicts. The T-72B3 version introduced in 2010 is considered a third-generation main battle tank.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Engine V-12 diesel (780 hp)

Active Protection Arena

NBC Protection Yes

Variants

T-72B Second Russian main variant of the T-72 after the T-72A.

T-72B1 In 1986, a limited production variant without an ATGM launch capability. Some do not have ERA.

T-72BK The Commander's variant with additional radios.

T-72BM Russian T-72B upgrade with 2nd gen ERA. The system is fielded, available for export, and upgraded. Tier 2 and some Tier 3 tanks can challenge US forces under favorable conditions when using modern ammunition and employed by well-trained units with sound tactics. A variety of upgrades are available for the T-72B. They include protection upgrades, such as improved ERA, APS, defensive aids suites with IR jammers, plate armor, welded turret, and grill armor around tracks and grill. Mobility upgrades include a new power train, improved steering, improved mine plows and rollers, and electronic mine spoofing system. Fire control system upgrades include new sights, gun, ammunition, and improved stabilization. With the expanding number of upgrades offered by former Warsaw Pact, Asian, Israeli, and other firms, most T-72-type tanks have some level of upgrade from the basic T-72 MBT. The more affordable upgrade approach for most countries is to execute specific upgrades during maintenance work. But this approach may result in only partially modernized tanks at any one point in the life of the vehicle, and which are not as modern as more recent competitors. An alternative is to produce modernized tanks in small numbers, resulting in high per-unit production costs.

T-72BU Upgrade variant with the fire control system from the T-80U as well as well as a variety of other changes.

T-72BU renamed T-90 With the limited market for new tanks, the world tank industry has developed upgrades and whole vehicle upgrade packages to tap into the market. Older T-72 tanks can be brought up to the T-72B standard. Some approach the T-90 standard. Most T-72-type tanks fielded reflect some level of upgrade. Upgrade options are expanding from former Warsaw Pact, Asian, Israeli, and other international firms.

T-72S / Shilden Russian export T-72A upgraded to the T-72B standard. Although visually similar to T-72B, it has slightly less chassis and turret protection. Former Warsaw Pact countries such as Slovakia and Middle Eastern countries like Iran have upgraded their tanks to the T-72S standard.

M-84AB1 Yugoslav upgrade to the M-84, bringing it close to the T-90, and the latest T-72B improved tanks.

M-95 Degman Croatian M-84 upgrade with box composite armor, ERA, 1200hp and thermal FCS. An export upgrade conversion, AKA M-84D, is offered for Kuwaiti M-84A tanks.

PT-91 Polish upgrade tanks with ERA, Drawa improved FCS, Savan-5 thermal sight, improved gun stabilization, and countermeasures.

PT-91M Has a 1000hp engine, new guns and FCS, armor changes, and other improvements. PT-91M exported to Singapore. PT-91P is designed for export to Peru.

T-72M1 Demonstrator with 2nd generation ERA and other upgrades were displayed at military shows.

T-72M1M Includes 3rd generation Relikt ERA and optional Arena Active Protection System (APS). Alternative designations: Rogata and SMT M1988. It is almost the same as the T-72S (Export), except more ERA on the side skirts.

AJEYA MK 2 India is upgrading T-72A tanks close to a Bhishma (T-90S) standard.

System

Alternative Designation NA

Manufacturer Uralvagonzavod

Type Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Crew 3 ea

Passenger Capacity INA

Maximum Effective Range 500 m

Note #1 The T-72 Ural main battle tank was developed as a cheaper and more reliable, however less capable alternative to the T-64.

Note #2 25,000+, one of the most widely produced post-World War II tanks, second only to the T-54/55 family. The T-72 was exported to around 30 countries.

Dimensions

Length (Gun Forward) 9.53 m

Length (Hull) 6.95 m

Width 3.59 m

Height 2.23 m

Weight, Combat 44.5 tons

Ground Pressure INA

Automotive

Engine Name V-92S2F

Engine Type V-12 diesel

Engine Power 780 hp

Power to Weight Ratio 18.8 hp/ton

Cruising Range 500 km

Speed, Maximum Road 60 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 45

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

Gradient 60 deg

Side Slope 40 deg

Vertical Step 0.85 m

Trench 2.8 m

Fording Depth 1.2 m

Fording (with Preparation) 5 m

Transmission Synchromesh, hydraulically assisted, with 7 forward and 1 reverse gears

Suspension Torsion bar

Ground Clearance 0.49 m

Fuel Capacity 1,200 liters

Communications

R-168-100U

Name R-168-100U

Type VHF

Family AKVEDUK R-168 Series

Frequency 30-108 MHz

Capabilities FH, Voice, Data

Range 30-60 km

Mount Vehicle

Status In Service

Echelon DIV, BDE, BN

Automated Control and Communication Yes

Main Gun

System

Name 2A46M/2A46M-5

Type 125mm Smoothbore

Max Rate of Fire 8 rds/min

Manually Load Time 1-2 rds/min

Sustain Rate of Fire INA

Time the Max Rate of Fire can be Sustained INA

Autoloader Yes, Carousel-Type Autoloader

Fire on the Move Yes, Main Gun

Maximum Elevation -6 deg

Minimum Elevation +14 deg

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot

Type Smoothbore 125mm Projectile

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 2,050 m/s

Basic Load 39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles

Effective Range 2,000-3,000 m

Armor Penetration 1,000 mm

Muzzle Energy 15-24 MJ

Projectile Dimension 900 mm

Projectile Weight 11 kg

Variants 1.1 3VBM3/3BM9/10 1.2 3VBM6/3BM12/13 1.3 3VBM7/3BM15/16 1.4 3VBM8/3BM17/18 1.5 3VBM9/3BM22/23 1.6 3VBM10/3BM29/30 1.7 3VBM11/3BM26/27 1.8 3VBM13/3BM32/33 1.9 3VBM17/3BM42 (3BM44 "Mango") 1.10 3VBM19/3BM42M (3BM44M "Lekalo") 1.11 3VBM20/3BM46 (3BM48 "Svinets") 1.12 3VBM22/3BM59 (3BM59 "Svinets-1") 1.13 3VBM23/3BM60 (3BM60 "Svinets-2") 1.14 3VBM?/3BM69 "Vacuum-1" 1.15 3VBM?/3BM70 "Vacuum-2"

Note Entered service in 2005[5] Utilising a new sabot. Reported to be uranium alloy. For 2A82/2A82-1M cannon on T-80UM-2/T-14s.

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type High Explosives (HE)

Purpose High explosive fragmentation fin stabilised. General purpose rounds, for use against infantry, bunkers and light vehicles and other "soft" targets.

Caliber 125 mm

Basic Load 39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Max Dispersion 0.23 mrad

Maximum Range 5,000 m

Tungsten Rods 450 ea

Charge A-IX-2 (73% RDX, 23% aluminium powder, phlegmatized with 4% wax) 3.0 kg

Projectile Weight 23 kg

Round Weight 33 kg

Variants 3VOF22/3OF19, 3VOF36/3OF26, 3VOF128/3OF82

Ammunition (Option 3)

Type High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)

Name 3VBK27/3BK31 "Start"

Caliber 125 mm

Basic Load 39 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles

Muzzle Velocity 915 m/s

Max Dispersion INA

Maximum Range 3,000 m

Charge INA

Charge Weight 1.62 kg

Projectile Weight 18.4 kg

Armor Penetration Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT

Variants 3VBK7/3BK12, 3VBK10/3BK14, 3BK12M, 3BK14M, 3VBK16/3BK18, 3BK18M, 3VBK17/3BK21, 3BK21B, 3VBK21/3BK25, 3VBK25/3BK29 "Breyk", 3VBK25M/3BK29M

Tank Commander's Weapon System

System

Name Type 54 DShK Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun

Type 12.7 Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun

Proliferation over 1 Million

Length (Total) 1,625 mm

Length (Barrel) 1,070 mm

Weight (Gun Only) 34 kg

Weight (on Wheeled Mounting) 157 kg

Max Rate of Fire 600 rds/min

Range Finder Type Optical

Action Gas-Operated, Flapper Locking

Feed System 50 Round Belt

Sights Iron/Optical

Turret Single seat and placed at the rear of the vehicle roof. It is sharp-pointed at the front.

Variants DK, DShKM, DSHKS, Type 54 HMG

Fire on the Move Yes

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7x108 mm

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Basic Load 1,200 ea

Effective Range 2,500 m

Armor Penetration API: 21 at 500 m & 13 at 1000 m (RHA)

Loader's Weapon System

System

Name 7.62mm PK (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun)

Type 7.62 mm

Function In use as a front-line infantry and vehicle-mounted weapon with Russia's armed forces.

In Service 1961-present

Manufacturer Degtyaryov plant

Proliferation 1 Million +

Max Rate of Fire 650 rds/min

Range Finder Type INA

Time the Max Rate of Fire can be Sustained INA

Weight (Gun Only) 9 kg

Weight (Tripod Only) 7.7 kg

Length 1,203 mm

Length (Barrel) 605 mm

Action Gas-operated, open bolt

Feed System Non-disintegrating metal 50 round belts in 100 and 200/250 round ammunition boxes

Sights Tangent iron sights (default); Optical, Night-vision, Thermal and Radar sights

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.60 mm

Cartridge 7.62Ã54mmR

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Basic Load 1,500 ea

Effective Range (Iron Sights) 1,000 m

Effective Range (with Sight Adjustments) 100-1,500 m

Maximum Firing Range 3,800 m

Fire Control

Name 1A40-1

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Tank Commander Yes, Type INA

Thermal Sight Gunner 1K13-49

Main Gun Stabilization 2Eh42-2, 2-plane

Range, Day Sight 5,000 m

Range, Thermal Sight 1,000 m

Infrared Yes

Protection

Hull Armor Steel and composite armour with ERA, equivalent to 500-600 mm of Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA)

Turret Armor Steel and composite armour with ERA, equivalent to 500-600 mm of Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA)

Applique Armor Available, Turret top and track skirts

Explosive Reactive Armor Yes, Kontakt-5

Active Protection System Yes, Arena available

Mine Clearing Yes, Roller and plow (optional)

Self-Entrenching Blade Yes

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Yes, Grenade launcher 8x; VESS

IR Signature INA

Automatic Fire Extinguishing Equipment. Yes