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). 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.

Operators

T-72 operators in blue with former operators in red.

Indian T-72M tanks in UN colours during enforcement operations in Somalia.

Current operators

•  Algeria – 500 T-72, T-72M, T-72M1 and T-72AG ( last generation)
•  Angola – 22 T-72M1 bought from Belarus in 1999^[1]
•  Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh Republic – About 250 in Armenia and over 500 with NKR T-72B, T-72A, AV
•  Azerbaijan ~ 400 T-72A, T-72B and T-72 SIM2
•  Belarus – 1,465 T-72B^[2][3]
•  Bulgaria – 80 T-72M2 and a large number (some 350) in reserve^[4]
•  Czech Republic – 543 inherited from former Czechoslovakia in 1993. 30 modernised T-72M4CZ main battle tanks in service as of 1 January 2016, 93 T-72 in storage.
•  Djibouti – 42 bought from Yemen
•  Ethiopia – 50 bought from Yemen, 171 T-72UA1 vehicles reportedly ordered from Ukraine in 2011.^[5]
•  Georgia – 50 T-72A and T-72M1 in 2004. 140 T-72A, T-72M1 and T-72B in 2005. 170 T-72M1, T-72B and T-72Sim1 in 2007. Approximately 200 T-72B1 and T-72Sim1 in 2008, 169 T-72B1 and T-72Sim1 in 2009 and 180 T-72B and T-72Sim1 as of 2011^[6]
•  Hungary – 195 T-72M and T-72M1 in 2009.^[7] 15 in active service, 113 in reserve, 77 donated to New Iraqi Army
•  India – 1,900 T-72M and T-72M1 as of 2008^[8]
•  Iran – 480 T-72M1 and T-72S since 2002
•  Iraq – 1,000 T-72s, T-72Ms, T-72M1s, Lion of Babylon and Saddam tanks were in service with Iraqi Army in 1990. 375 T-72s, T-72Ms, T-72M1s, 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.
• Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – operates numbers captured from Syrian army stocks^[9]
•  Kazakhstan – 980^[10]
•  Kenya – 77 T-72AV from Ukraine in 2007. 33 delivered in Feb 2009 may bring total to 110.
• Kyrgyzstan – 215^[11]
•  Libya – 150 in 2003^[7]
• Macedonia – 30 T-72A and 1 T-72AK from Ukraine.
•  Morocco – 136 T-72B and 12 T-72BK from Belarus^[12][13]
•  Mongolia – 85^[14][15]
•  Myanmar – 139 T-72S.
•  Nicaragua – 50 T-72B tanks.^[16][17] Initial photographs suggest the tanks are substantially upgraded with elements from the T-72B3M program as well as numerous other improvements.
•  Nigeria – Nigeria army: 16 T-72AV
•  Pakistan – Some T-72 were transferred from Iraq to Pakistan after the Gulf War.
•  North Korea – Probably a T-72S was sold to the North Koreans in the early 1980s^[18]
•  Poland – 586 T-72M1 and T-72M1D^[19] (2006, 2007 – 597,^[20] 2005 – 644, 2004 – 649^[21]) and 135 T-72M1Z^[19][22] (T-72M1 upgraded to PT-91 standard) (Also 98 PT-91 in service) Plans to withdraw the T-72M1 in 2018.
•  Russia – (active): ~ 2284, 155 T-72BM "Rogatka", 8,000 in reserve.^[23] Obtained in 2013 270 T-72B3 (gunner's sight is replaced by the 4-channel's Sosna-U), gun is replaced by the 2A46M-5 (Can use the new ammo).^[24] Additional 143 units were delivered as of October 2014.^[25][26] 300 were delivered during the year.^[27] Planned to continue purchases.^[28] Unto 2015 596 upgrades up to T-72B3 + more than 70^[29] in 2015. 30 more as of May 2016.^[30] About 1000 tanks have been modernized as of September 2016,^[31] +300 (>1300 up to 2017).^[32][33] 40 tanks were delivered in September 2016.^[34]
•  Slovakia – 33 T-72M1 to be retired at end of 2011^[35]
•  Transnistria – at least 20
•  South Sudan – 32 T-72s from the MV Faina as well as 67 T-72s from previous arms shipments^[36][37]
•  Sudan – 400 T-72AV which 250 of them were bought from Ukraine and Belarus .. most of them are second-hand, the rest are produced locally under license at MIC (Military Industry Corporation). An additional 170 surplus T-72s were ordered on 20 September 2016.^[38]
•  Syria – 1,600^[39]
•  Tajikistan – 44^[40]
•  Turkmenistan – 702^[41]
•  Uganda
•  Ukraine – 1,180^[42] Most retired in favor of T-64, some in reserve
•  Uzbekistan – 70^[43]
•  Venezuela – 92 T-72B1. Delivered in 2009–2012, from Russia.^[44] In June 2012, Russia and Venezuela agreed on deal for 100 more T-72s.^[45]
•  Vietnam – 150 T-72M1. Delivered in 2005 from Poland
•  Yemen – 39 in 2003^[7]

Former operators

Ex-Romanian T-72M.

•  Czechoslovakia – About 1,700 T-72/T-72M/T-72M1 were produced between 1981 and 1990. The Czechoslovak army had 815 T-72 in 1991. All were passed on to the successor states
•  East Germany – 35 T-72 (from USSR), 219 T-72 (from Poland and Czechoslovakia), 31 T-72M (from USSR), 162 T-72M (from Poland and Czechoslovakia) and 136 T-72M1. 75 T-72s were fitted with additional hull armour. Passed on to the unified German state^[46]
•  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 tanks are now withdrawn from service and almost all have been scrapped in Jyväskylä or sold as spares to the Czech Republic. One working T-72 tank is still in Parola tank museum Finland. This tank's hatches are open to customers.^[47]
•  Germany – 549 tanks taken from GDR's army, all scrapped, sold to other countries or given to the museums
•  Soviet Union – Passed on to successor states
•  Romania – 30 T-72M were bought in 1978 from USSR and delivered in 1979. Withdrawn from service (in long term storage), 28 tanks are for sale (23 of them need repairs and 5 are operational)^[48]
•  Yugoslavia – Bought approximately 70 T-72s from the USSR, later developed the improved M-84

Variants

Soviet Union and Russian Federation

The original configuration of the T-72 (Object 172M). Notable is the square-shaped coincidence range finder housing cast into the turret roof.

The same early T-72 in profile.

The T-72A represents the first significant upgrade of the tank, first fielded in 1979.

A Georgian T-72B, covered in the first generation of Soviet reactive armour (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the T-72BV).

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

• T-72 "Ural" (Object 172M) (1973):^[49] Original version, armed with 125 mm D-81TM smoothbore tank gun. Unlike the later versions it had the searchlight mounted on left. It also has flipper type armour panels. It had the TPD-2-49 coincidence optical rangefinder sight protruding from its turret.^[1][50][51]
  • T-72K: Command version of T-72 "Ural" with an additional R-130M radio. Company command versions were fitted with two R123M/R-173 additional radios and also carried a 10 m telescopic mast. Battalion and regiment command versions were fitted with two R123M/R-173 additional radios and the R-130M that uses the 10 m mast when its erected. In NATO code 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.^[1][51]
  • T-72 (Object 172M-E, Object 172M-E1): Soviet export version armed with 125 mm D-81T smoothbore tank gun with 44 rounds. It was sold to Iraq and Syria and was also built in Poland by "Bumar-Łabędy".^[50][51]
    • T-72 fitted with a French 155 mm F1 turret for trails in India.^[1]
    • T-72 fitted with a British 155 mm Vickers T6 turret for trails in India.^[1]
  • Robot-2: Remote controlled T-72 "Ural".^[1]
  • Object 172-2M "Buffalo": Modernization of T-72 made in 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, ammo storage was increased to 45 rounds, modified suspension, added smoke grenade dischargers (SGDs), engine's power was boosted to 840 hp (630 kW).^[51]
  • T-72 "Ural-1" (Object 172M1) (1976):^[49] new 2A46 main gun, new armour on the turret.^[51]
  • T-72V: ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive) unofficial designator for tanks, fitted with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret.^[1]
  • T-72 "Ural" modernization. Large numbers of early T-72 production models were modernized in 1980s. The modernization included placing the search light on the right-hand-side of main armament, blanking off the TPD-2-49 coincidence optical rangefinder and fitting of rubber skirts protecting the tracks instead of the flipper type armor panels.^[1]
  • T-72A (Ob'yekt 176) (1979):^[49] An improved version of the basic T-72 "Ural". Overall, its offensive capabilities are similar to the basic T-72 "Ural", but it is much better protected. The differences between T-72 "Ural" and T-72A include the searchlight being placed on the right hand side of turret, the TPD-2-49 coincidence optical rangefinder being replaced by the TPD-K1 laser rangefinder, 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 in 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.^{[1][1][49][51][52]}
    • 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 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.^[1][49][51]
    • T-72AV: ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive) model with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret.^[1]
    • T-72M (Ob'yekt 172M-E2, Ob'yekt 172M-E3, Ob'yekt 172M-E4): Soviet export version, similar to T-72A but with thinner armour and downgraded weapon systems. Also built in Poland and Czechoslovakia^[1][53]
      • 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 round for the 125 mm tank gun had to be lowered from 44 to 38. In NATO code 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.^[1]
      • 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. (built also in Poland and ex-Czechoslovakia).^[53]
        • T-72M1K: Commander's variant with additional radios.^[52]
        • T-72M1V: T-72M1 with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive).^[52]
        • T-72M1M (Object 172M-E8): Soviet export version. It's a T-72M1 upgraded to T-72B standard.^[52] It has the Arena Active Protection System.^[53]
• T-72B (Object 184) (NATO code: SMT M1988):^[52] {1985}^[49] (SMT – Soviet Medium Tank)  Much improved version with 1A40-1 fire control system, thicker armour, turret front and top was heavily reinforced with composite armour better known by its US codename "Super Dolly Parton", 20 mm of appliqué armour in the front of hull, 9K120 system which gives T-72B 9M119 "Svir" (NATO code: AT-11 Sniper) laser-guided antitank missile capability, new 2A46M main gun, 1K13-49 sight, stabilization system, and a new V-84-1 engine with 840 hp (626 kW). On early models the smoke dischargers were mounted on the turret front (as per T-72A), later they were grouped on the left side of the turret to prepare for the installation of ERA bricks.
  • T-72BA ERA: fitted with 227 "Kontakt-1" ERA bricks to the hull and turret. The glacis plate and turret is covered with a layer of single ERA blocks and the turret's bottom row is mounted horizontally. There's also an ERA array on the sideskirts. They're often incorrectly called T-72BV.^[1]
  • T-72BK (Object 184K): Command version of T-72B, recognizable by having multiple radio antennas and a radio mast stowage under rear turret bin.^[1][51]
  • T-72BV: ("V" for vzryvnoi – explosive) model with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armour fitted to hull front and turret.
  • T-72S "Shilden" (T-72M1M1,^[50] Object 172M-E8): Export version of T-72B with only 155 ERA bricks, simplified NBC system, no anti-radiation lining etc.
  • T-72B1 (Object 184-1): T-72B without ATGM capability and with the T-72A's optics.
    • T-72B1 fitted with "Kontakt-1" ERA. It has eight SGD on left-hand-side of the turret and explosive reactive armour on turret and hull front.
    • T-72B1K (Object 184K-1): Command version of T-72B1.^[51]

Late model T-72B with Kontakt-5 ERA.

• • 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.^[1][51]
  • T-72B obr.1990g: Additionally fitted with new FCS, cross-wind sensor and sometimes V-92S2 engine.
    • T-72B obr.1990g with an improved commander's cupola with a larger sight.^[1]
      • T-90 (Object 188^[51]) – This is a further development of the T-72, incorporating many features of the heavier, more complex T-80. It was first called T-72BU.

The limited upgraded variant known as the T-72BA1. The vehicle features new digital components in the fire control system but lacks any sophisticated night fighting equipment - most of the sights are Soviet-vintage active/passive devices.

• • T-72BA (Object 184A/A1): this designation is used to refer to several models of late model T-72B, stripped-down, refurbished and upgraded with certain core components at Uralvagonzavod between 1998-2005. Because the upgrade was performed on various vintages of T-72B with varying levels of ERA protection, there is significant variation between T-72BA vehicles. There are however several features common to all upgraded T-72BA models; the frontal hull floor plate was reinforced against mines, the driver's seat is now suspended from the ceiling instead of being fixed to the floor and the driver's station has a new steering system as well as a new TVN-5 night sight. 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.^[54][55]
  • T-72B2 Rogatka obr.2006g (Object 184M) (also referred to as T-72BM in documents^[55]): T-72B upgrade proposal code-named Rogatka. First shown at the 2006 Russian Arms Expo, it is equipped with a new fire control system including a gunner's thermal sight, Nakidka camouflage kit, a new 125 mm 2A46M-5 main gun with muzzle reference system, V-92S2 1,000 hp diesel engine and the new Relikt 3rd generation ERA which is claimed to be twice as effective as Kontakt-5.

The recent T-72B3 in Russian service. Most obvious is the new Sosna-U multi-spectral panoramic sight.

• • T-72B3 (Object 184-M3): this upgrade was initiated in 2010 using old stocks of T-72B tanks held in reserve. In addition to performing a general overhaul of every vehicle, certain tanks were equipped with the more powerful V-92S2 engines, a new steering system in the driver's compartment and older tracks were replaced with the new universal, twin-pin design. The upgrade program focuses instead on improving the tank's firepower, mainly through the implementation of the Kalina fire control system, albeit in a simplified form. The tank commander retains an upgraded version of the legacy TKN-3MK sight, which is a passive device with a range of only 600 m at night, but is augmented with a monitor that displays thermal imagery from the gunner's main sight. The commander also has a new turret control panel. The gunner still has the 1A40-4 FCS with 1K13-49 sight, but these are now part of the auxiliary sighting system to complement the new PNM Sosna-U panoramic multi-spectral sensor, which replaced the TPN-3-49 in its mounting. The Sosna-U is a multi-channel, panoramic sight stabilized in both vertical and horizontal axes with a built-in laser rangefinder and command guidance module used with 9M119M missiles. The most advantageous aspect of the Sosna-U is the Thales Catherine-FC thermal imager which extends the detection and identification range of a tank-sized target to 10,500 m and 2,200 m respectively, at night/day and in all weather combat conditions. The T-72B3 series vehicles also received the new 2A46M5 main gun which has a dispersion value significantly lower than previous generations, and reportedly equivalent to the Rheinmetall Rh120 L/44 cannon. The gun laying and stabilization drives were also replaced with the new 2E42-4 system and the AZ ammunition auto-loader was appropriately modified to accommodate newer generations of long-rod (up to 730 mm) saboted kinetic energy anti-tank ammunition: the Svinets-1 (using a depleted uranium penetrator) and Svinets-2 (sintered tungsten alloy) rounds, which were fielded in 2002 and reportedly capable of defeating 740–800 mm and 660–740 mm of RHA at 2,000 m respectively. Only the most recent T-72B3 tanks however feature this capability. Furthermore, the B3 upgrade includes a new explosion and fire suppression system, as well as an advanced VHF radio system designated R-168-25U-2 AKVEDUK. First delivered to the 20th Field Army in summer 2013 and its Armored Guards Brigade in October 2013. More than 1000 such tanks are currently in service.^{[28][56][57][58][59]}
  • T-72B3M: this is the newest variant of the T-72 currently being fielded by the Russian army. The most notable upgrade is the stabilized, panoramic, independent commander's PK PAN sight with integrated thermal viewer, thought to have similar specifications to the Sosna-U. This gives the tank the ability to engage targets in the "hunter-killer" mode. The automotive performance of the tank was also improved with a more powerful V-92S2 engine rated at 1130 hp (830 kW) coupled to an automatic transmission system and improved drivetrain.^[60][61] The Russian Defense Ministry has purchased several hundred T-72B3M tanks.^[62]
• BMO-T (Boyevaya Mashina Ognemyochikov) – This is a transport vehicle for flamethrower-squads armed with RPO launcher.^[1]
• BMPT (Ob'yekt 199) – Heavy convoy and close tank support vehicle (Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov). All new turret armed with 2 30 mm 2A42 autocannons (500 rounds), 1 boxed 9M133 Kornet ATGM launcher on left-hand-side of weapons mount (4 rounds), AGS-17/30 30 mm grenade launchers and a 7.62 mm PKT MG (2,000 rounds). It be also fitted with either 2 7.62 mm PKT MGs or 30 mm AGS-17/30 as bow weapons and a 902A "Tucha" 81 mm smoke grenade launcher array. Features new fire control system with thermal sights and a ballistic computer and 3rd generation "Relikt" explosive reactive armour and "Kaktus" modular armour. It is equipped with Agat-MR passive and thermal night vision devices, an NBC detection and protection system, a crosswind sensor and parts of the KAZ "Shtora" active protection system. The vehicle can be fitted with either the KMT-8 or the EMT mine clearing system. It also has the engine from T-90A.^[1] 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.^[1]
• TZM-T – Reloading vehicle for the TOS-1 mobile multi-barrel rocket launcher.^[1]
• 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.^[1]
  • BREM-1M – improved version fitted with one-piece side bin, a more powerful crane and improved recovery tools. The crew can remain inside the vehicle for recovery operations.
• 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.^[1] 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.^[1]
• 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.^[1]
• 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.

Bulgaria

• T-72M2 – Indigenous tank design, based on the Russian T-72M1,^[63] with new night vision and thermal devices, improved armour (up to 650 mm) and anti-radiation cladding, rubber side skirts, C4I and IR suppression coating.^[1]

Croatia

A Croatian Army M-95 Degman

• M-84D – modern upgrade of the M-84A4 with technology developed for M-95 Degman.
• M-95 Degman – 3rd generation tank based on the Yugoslav M-91 Vihor prototype.
• M-84A4 -The M-84 is a Yugoslav third generation main battle tank, a variant of the Soviet T-72.

Cuba

• T-72 – A designation used for all unmodified T-72 main battle tanks in service with Cuba.^[64]
  • T-72M1 (Not to be confused with Soviet T-72M1) – T-72 equipped with a Chinese radio set instead of the Soviet one and better protection for it against humidity, heat and bumps.^[64]
  • T-72M2 (Not to be confused with Slovak T-72M2) – T-72 with steel protection shield in the front of the AA HMG.^[64]

Czech Republic

T-72M4 CZ

T-72M4 CZ

• T-72M4 CZ: the Czech T72M4 CZ is a comprehensive upgrade of every aspect of the T-72M1 resulting in a tank that only superficially resembles the precursor. The automotive performance was enhanced with a Perkins CV12-1000 1,000 hp (740 kW) water-cooled diesel engine coupled to an Allison XTG-411-6 automatic transmission. All drive train work was done by the Israeli firm NIMDA and involved extensive modification 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 (it is similar to that used in 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 65-75% 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. The reliance on foreign components and labour has also taken the original Czech contractor to the verge of bankruptcy, and the program is considered a failure by analysts according to cost-effectiveness metrics.^[65]
  • VT-72M4: Modernized VT-72 (BREM-72) ARV with T-72M4CZ upgrades including the power pack and communications upgrades.^[1]

Former East Germany

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.^[46]
• 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.^[1]
• 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.^[66]
• FAB 172M or FAP 172U (Fahrausbildungspanzer) – Driver training vehicle. Three vehicles were made by using the chassis of the cancelled BLP 72 project.

Former Czechoslovakia

VT-72B in firefighting services

• T-72M (Ob'yekt 172M-E3) – This model was built under licence by ZTS Martin. In Western sources it is often referred to as T-72G which might be the designator for the version exported to the Middle East. In the late 1980s the tanks produced for the Czechoslovak army and for export as well were fitted with some improvements from the Soviet T-72A programme, including rubber side skirts (instead of "gill armour") and 902B "Tucha" smoke grenade launchers.
• T-72M1 (Ob'yekt 172M-E5) – This export version of the T-72A was also built by Martin. An external difference with the Soviet original is the reduced number of KMT mounts on the lower glacis plate.
• VT-72 (BRAM-72) (Vyprošt'ovací Tank) – Czechoslovak armoured recovery vehicle based on T-72 chassis.^[67]
  • 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.^[1]

Georgia

• 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).^[68] It has also a friend-or-foe recognition system.

India

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 has 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.^[69]

• Ajeya MK1 – Indian version of the T-72M1. In parallel with buying various T-72M off-the-shelf from the Soviet Union, India also launched production at a domestic heavy engineering plant in Avadi.^[1]
• Ajeya MK2 – Indian version of the T-72M1 with ERA and banks of 6 smoke grenade-launchers on each side.
• Combat Improved Ajeya 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.^[1]
• 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.

T-72 Asad Babil abandoned near Baghdad, April 2003

Iraq

• T-72 Lion of Babylon (Asad Babil) – Iraqi-assembled version of the T-72M1
• Saddam – T-72M modified by Iraq to suit local conditions. Some of the suspension shock absorbers were removed and a searchlight on right-hand-side of main armament was added.^[1]

Syria

• T-72 "Adra" – Syrian domestic upgrade featuring slat and spaced armour as RPG protection.

Poland

PT-91 Twardy in Polish service.

WZT-3M ARV

• T-72M (Object 172M-E3): this model 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 (Object 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. This is the 1st 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. The reason for introduction of T-72M1 with improved glacis and ceramic turret armor so soon after T-72M was put into production was the fact that the Soviets have learned in 1982 from the captured Israeli tank, that under certain condition the newest M111 "Hetz" 105mm APFSDS Ammunition could penetrate Soviet standard T-72A upper glacis armor but not the turret.
  • T-72M1D: Polish designation for T-72M1K.^[49]
  • T-72M1Z: ("Z" stands for Zmodernizowany or "modernized") T-72M1 upgraded to PT-91 standard.
• 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.^[1]
• T-72 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.
• PT-91 Twardy: an extensive Polish upgrade based on T-72M1 developed sometime between the late 1980s and early 1990s and involving use of a new digital fire-control system, proprietary ERA and an uprated powerplant. This formed the basis for a whole line of derivative vehicles.
  • PZA Loara: SPAAG prototype based on the T-72 chassis.^[1]
    • PZA Loara-A: SPAAG based on PT-91 chassis.^[1]
• SJ-09: Polish driver training vehicle. The turret has been replaced by a flat-plate cabin with dummy gun barrel.
• WZT-3: ARV based on the T-72M.^[1]
  • WZT-3M: WZT-3 ARV based on the chassis of the PT-91 Twardy.

Romania

• TR-125 – Romanian tank based on T-72 with extra armour, new FCS, new gun, modified suspension and more powerful diesel engine.

Serbia

Serbian upgraded T-72 featuring reactive armour

• M-84AS – An M-84A tank modernized to T-90 level by Yugoimport SDPR.
• 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.
• Yugoimport T-72 modernization package – Upgraded engine, communication gear and ERA.

Slovakia

T-72M1 of the Slovak Army.

• 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.^[1]
• T-72M2 – Slovak modernisation. Development was completed but without any order for tank fleet modernisation.
• 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.^[1]
• 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.^[1]
• 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.^[1]

Yugoslavia

• M-84 – Indigenous design 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.

South Africa

• T-72 "Tiger" – The modernization package from LIW includes two large sights installed on the front of the turret.^[1] South Africa also offers a self-propelled artillery conversion for existing T-72s, rearming the chassis with a turret adopted from the G6 howitzer.^[70]

Ukraine

• 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.^[1][52]
• 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 high performance 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 nights sights (the latter equipped with thermal viewer) which also enables firing 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—which is not in service anywhere outside of Russia and Ukraine—this variant has not had any export success.^[71][72]
• T-72MP: This modernization package was unveiled in 1997 by KMDB and includes an improved 6TD-1 engine, Kontakt-5 or Nozh ERA, a modern fire suppression system and an advanced Sagem SAVAN 15MP fire control system with the multi-channel thermal SAVAN 15MP (gunner) and panoramic SFIM VS580 (commander) sights. But the capabilities of the FCS were not fully utilized since the tank retained the obsolete 2E42-2 stabilization system and 2A46M main gun. The upgrade is offered jointly with Sagem of France, and PSP Bohemia of the Czech Republic.^[73]
• T-72-120: KMDB main armament package first offered in 1999 with the T-72AG or -MP 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.^[74]
• T-72UA1: this is 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 Nozh ERA tiles on the turret while retaining the Kontakt-1 tiles on the hull (however Nozh tiles are compatible with Kontakt-1 mounting points and can be retro-fitted). 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 boxes, while the turret front, sides (sides' frontal part) and top is homogeneously protected by Nozh armor. The engine is upgraded, it is an 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.^[1][75]
• BTS-5B – Ukrainian version of the BREM-1.

Notes

References

• Sewell, Stephen ‘Cookie’ (1998). "Why Three Tanks?" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-28.  in Armor vol. 108, no. 4, p. 21. Fort Knox, KY: US Army Armor Center. ISSN 0004-2420. (PDF format)
• Christopher. F. Foss, Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005-2006. ISBN 978-0-7106-2686-8.
• Leizin, Uri (2004) "Two myths of one battle: Syrian T-72's in 1982 Lebanon war"(in Russian)
• Zaloga, Steven J (1993) T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974-93, Osprey Publishing ISBN 1-85532-338-9.
• Ustyantsev, Sergej Viktorovich; Kolmakov Dmitrij Gennadevich "Boyeviye mashiny Uralvagonzavoda. Tank T-72"
• A.V. Karpenko (1996) "Obozreniye Bronetankovoj Tekhniki (1905-1995 gg.)" Nevskij Bastion
• Perrett, Bryan (1987). Soviet Armour Since 1945. London: Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-1735-1.