Basic Information

Name

T-72B3 Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

T-72B3

Alternate Designation

T-72B3

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

Uralvagonzavod

Date of Introduction

2013

Description

The T-72B3 is a development of the standard Russian-made T-72B series currently in service in the Russian army. The T-72B3 version was introduced in 2010 and is considered as a third-generation of Russian main battle tank. The T-72B3 has significantly improved its combat characteristics with more firepower, protection, mobility, and command controllability. Besides the improved armor and targeting systems, it kept all the good features of previous versions of T-72. The modernized version of the T-72, which was a main second-generation battle tank produced in the Soviet Union since the 1970s, is equipped with new-generation communications and firing systems and a ballistic data computer. The T-72B3 contract was performed by the Russian Defense Company "Uralvagonzavod". The T-72B3 along with the T-72BM have become the backbone of the Russian Army.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Engine Four stroke, liquid cooled diesel engine with a centrifugal supercharger. (1130 hp)

Active Protection ZETS11-3 Control System

Range 500.0 km

Variants

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

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 an electronic mine spoofing system. Fire control system upgrades include new sights, guns, 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 T-72B3

Type Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer Uralvagonzavod

In Service 2013-present

Family INA

Crew 3 ea

Maximum Effective Range 500 m

Note The T-72B3 can be distinguished from it's predecessors by the additional panoramic sight on the left of the turret and the wind sensor mast at the rear of the turret.

Dimensions

Length (Gun Forward) 9.53 m

Length (Hull) 6.95 m

Width 3.59 m

Height 2.23 m

Weight, Combat 45 tons

Ground Pressure 0.898 kgf/cm2

Note The T-72B3 is much heavier than its predecessors due to the additional Armor and ERA.

Automotive

Engine Name V-92S2F

Engine Type Four stroke, liquid cooled diesel engine with a centrifugal supercharger.

Engine Power 1,130 hp

Power to Weight Ratio 18.9 hp/ton

Fuel Capacity 1,200 liters

Range 500 km

Speed, Maximum Road 70 km/h

Speed, Maximum Off-Road 35-45 km/h

Acceleration Speed (0-32 km/h 18 sec

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.85 m

Trench 2.8 m

Fording Depth 1.2 m

Fording (with Preparation) 5.0 m

Fording Kit OPVT deep water fording kit

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

Suspension Torsion bar

Ground Clearance 0.49 m

Gyrocompass GPK-59 gyrocompass

Rechargeable Batteries four 12ST-85R 34 AMP rechargeable batteries

Starter Generator SG-10-1S

Communications

Radio #1 R-173 (Standard Radio for Russian Tanks)

R-173 Range 0-20 km

Radio #2 R-168-25VE Tactical Radio

R-168-25VE Frequency Range 30 to 107,975 MHz

R-168-25VE Range 0-35 km

Antenna R-168BBMA antenna

Main Gun

System

Name 1 x 2A46M-5

Type Smoothbore Gun

Caliber 125 mm

Max Rate of Fire 8 rds/min

Manually Load Time 1-2 rds/min

Barrel Life 1,200 rounds

Sustain Rate of Fire INA

Thermal Sleeve Yes, alloy thermal sleeve

Bore Type Central Bore Evacuator

Breech Type semi-automatic horizontal sliding breech block via an interrupted screw thread.

Autoloader Yes, electromechanical carousel autoloader

Time to reload the Autoloader 4-5 min

Fire on the Move Yes, Main Gun

Maximum Elevation -6 deg

Minimum Elevation +14 deg

Traverse Range 360 deg

Traverse Right 180 deg

Traverse Left 180 deg

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name 3VBM23 Svinets-2

Type Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS)

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 2,050 m/s

Effective Range 2,000-3,000 m

Armor Penetration penetrate up to 500 mm of RHA at 2,000 m

Muzzle Energy 15-24 MJ

Projectile Dimension 900 mm

Projectile Weight 11 kg

Basic Load 45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type High Explosives (HE)

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

Caliber 125 mm

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% aluminum powder, phlegmatized with 4% wax) 3.0 kg

Projectile Weight 23 kg

Round Weight 33 kg

Basic Load 45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles

Ammunition (Option 3)

Name 3VBK27/3BK31 "Start"

Type High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)

Caliber 125 mm

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

Basic Load 45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles

Anti-Tank Guided Missile

System

Note The 9K120 gun-launched missile complex is a two piece guided missile that is loaded and fired from the main gun in the same way as an ordinary round.

ATGM System Name 9K120 gun-launched missile complex

Missile Name 9K119 SVIR / AT-11

Type Laser Guided Anti-tank guided missile launcher

Manufacturer KBP Instrument Design Bureau

Caliber 125 mm

Round Type 3UBK20 round

Guidance System 9M119M Laser Guided Missile

Voltage Converter 9S831 voltage converter.

Tracking System IK13 tracker

Onboard Guidance System Yes

Sight Assembly coded laser guidance beam 1K13-49

Gunner's Night Sight TPN-1-49 secondary night sight.

Fire Control System 1A40-1

Hit Probability 80 %

Penetration up to 700mm of armor

Warhead Weight (HEAT) 4.2 kg

Warhead Type 9N142 shaped charge warhead

Laser Emitter 1K13 sight's laser

Maximum Effective Range 4,000 m

Minimum Effective Range 100 m

Elevation Range (Super Elevation) -7 to +20 deg

Elevation Range (Standard Elevation) -5 to +15 deg

Basic Load 6 x 9K119 SVIR / AT-11 Missiles

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x PKT (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun) 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 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 650-750 rds/min

Effective Rate of Fire 250 rds/min

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 Iron Sights

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.60 mm mm

Cartridge 7.62×54mmR

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Effective Range (Iron Sights) 1,000 m

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

Maximum Firing Range 3,800 m

Basic Load 2,000 ea

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 1 x NSV (Russian НСВ Никитина-Соколова-Волкова)

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7 mm

Proliferation over 1 Million

Manufacturer "Metallist", Uralsk, Kazakh SSR, Crvena ZastavaSerbia

Weight (Gun Only) 25 kg

Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s

Length (Total) 1,560 mm

Max Rate of Fire 700-800 rds/min

Weight (On Tripod) 41 kg

Weight (50-Round Belt) 11 kg

Action Gas Operated

Maximum Elevation +75 deg

Minimum Elevation -4 deg

Feed System 50-Round Belt

Sights Iron Sights

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 12.7 mm

Caliber 12.7x108mm

Muzzle Velocity 845 m/s

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

Effective Firing Range (vs. Air Targets) 1,500 m

Effective Firing Range (vs. Ground Targets) 2,000 m

Basic Load 300 ea

Fire Control

Name 1A40-4

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Tank Commander Sosna-U thermal sight and the TKN-3MK sight

Thermal Sight Gunner Sosna-U thermal sight

Main Gun Stabilization 2E42-2 (Upgrade)

Range, Day Sight 5,000 m

Range, Thermal Sight 1,000 m

Infrared Yes

Gyrocompass GPK-59 gyrocompass

Collimator Sight K10T collimator sight

Periscopes two TNPO-160 prismatic periscopes

Battle Management System Andromeda-D

Note The Gunner, using the 1A40-1 sight can designate and engage targets out to a mazimum distance of 4,000 meters with APFSDS and HEAR rounds.

Protection

Hull Armor Steel and composite armor with additional plates that provide protection equivalent to 950mm of steel against HEAT projectiles, 440mm resistance to KE rounds, and 500mm against shaped charges. The T-72BM also has a additional twelve separate charges of ERA compared to the T-72B.

Turret Armor Steel and composite armor with ERA, 950 mm against HEAT weapons. The Turret has additional Ceramic or silica inserts to add to the protection level of the T-72BM. Additionally, the T-72BM has arrow-shaped arrays of ERA added to the turret front

Applique Armor Available, Turret top and track skirts

Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) Yes, Kontakt-5 (UPGRADE). Additional ERA is added to the Turret, Glacis, and sides of the hull.

ERA Explosive Element 4S22

ERA 4S22 Elements (Plates) 240 ea

Armor Cassette Type 4S22 cassette that is filled with an explosive element and steel armoured plate.

Number of total Armor Cassettes 200-300 ea

NBC Protection Yes, System Sensor Radiation Device and chemical intelligence (PRRM).

Active Protection System Yes, ZETS11-3 Control System

Self-Entrenching Blade Yes, built in Dozer Blade

Mine Clearing The KMT-5 mine clearing plow-roller set consists of two plows and two roller sections of three rollers each. This combination is attached to the front of a tank hull. Stretched between the roller sections is a "dogbone" assembly which consists of a light chain and small roller weights. Using a dragging motion, the "dogbone" covers the exposed area between tank tracks, thus exploding tilt-rod mines. The flexibility of the KMT-5 allows the use of plows or rollers depending on the terrain, type of soil and fuse types encountered. The KMT-5 can be used with the T-54/55, T-62, T-64, and T-72 tanks. The system can withstand approximately nine explosions that have a capacity of five to six kg. It is fitted with a quick-release disconnect unit to allow the tank driver to release the set rapidly. One other capability is that the KMT-5 may be used during night operation, using the luminous lane-marking device (PSK equipment) which marks the clear lane at night with a luminous substance.

Grenade Launcher Yes, twelve 81 mm Toucha 902B grenade launchers that fire the ZD-6 smoke grenade.

Grenade Maximum Effective Range 200-300 m

Grenade Smoke Screen Size 30 m wide and 10 m high for 60 seconds per grenade.

Engine Smoke Screen Capable Yes

IR Signature INA

Automatic Fire Extinguishing Equipment. Yes

Cage Armor Yes

Tank Skirts Available

Note The additional added armor cassettes reduce penetration by as much as 95%.

Image Sources

Notes https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/russian-t72-evolution-2020s; https://www.huffpost.com/entry/manufacturing-crisis-cuba_b_8392456; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:T-72B3_-_Parad2014NN-08.jpg;