Combat vehicles / Main battle tanks / T-72

T-72

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Main battle tank

  • ORIGIN
    USSR

  • NICKNAMES
    Ajeya (Indian production T-72M1)
    Ural (nickname for original T-72)
    Shilden (nickname for T-72S)
    SMT M1988 (NATO designation for T-72B)
    SMT M1990 (NATO designation for T-72BM)

  • DESIGNED
    1967 - 1973

  • DESIGNER
    Kartsev & Venediktov

  • PRODUCTION
    1973 - early 1990's

  • PRODUCERS
    - Czechoslovakia - ZTS Martin
    India - Avadi
    Poland - Bumar Labedy
    USSR - Uralvagonzavod

  • QUANTITY
    Over 25.000 produced

  • UNIT COST
    $ 1 to 2 million in 2009

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Powerful armament
    Good mobility
    Low production costs
    Small silhouette
    Rugged and reliable
    Average level of protection
    Limited crew comfort
    Limited reliability autoloader

Introduction

The T-72 is a main battle tank of Soviet origin. It was developed in the early 1970's to replace the earlier T-55 and T-62 as the main battle tank in Soviet service. The T-72 is a further development of the T-62 that uses many of the technology designed for the contemporary T-64 alongside which it was to serve. The introduction of the T-72 provided the USSR with such a boost in capabilities that it spurred the development of newer NATO tanks such as the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 and Challenger 1. The Russian T-90 tank currently in production is a further development of the T-72.

Layout

The T-72 is a medium sized tank with a layout similar to other modern Soviet tanks. The driver is seated in the middle of the hull, just in front of the turret. The turret houses the commander and gunner and since the 125mm cannon is connected to an autoloader no additional crew is needed to load the gun. The diesel engine and drivetrain are located in the rear. A large number of variants was produced which subsequently improved the performance of the design. For export less capable and cheaper versions were produced.

Firepower

The T-72 is armed with the powerful 125mm D-81TM smoothbore cannon that is connected to an automatic loader. The 125mm cannon provides a massive increase in firepower and is effective against all contemporary tanks. The effective range is about 2 km against tanks and 4 km with high explosive shells. The autoloader allows a rate of fire of about 7 rpm and proved to have a mediocre reliability. A 7.62mm PKT machine gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon. Self-protection is provided by a 12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun on the turret roof.

Protection

The T-72 has a much higher level of protection than the previous T-55 and T-62. The latest 105mm APFSDS rounds have the ability to pierce the armor of the T-72B, but 120mm cannon are considered the only effective means of engaging the T-72. When fitted with ERA the protection level against anti-tank rockets and guided missiles is increased significantly. This advantage has been negated with the introduction of dual charge warheads. When the armor is pierced setting of the T-72's own ammunition is likely and has dramatic results. An NBC system and smoke grenade dischargers are common on most T-72's.

Mobility

The T-72 has better mobility than the previous T-55 and T-62 series, both on and off road. A 780 hp diesel engine provides propulsion, allowing for speeds up to 60 km/h. Ride comfort and power to weight ratio are limited compared to other contemporary tanks. With a snorkel water barriers of up to 5 m can be traversed.

Users

The main user of the T-72 was the USSR. Unlike the T-64 and T-80 the T-72 was exported in large quantities, although most export versions have reduced capabilities. Even though the production has switched to the T-90 the T-72 remains one of the most common tanks in the world. Besides Russia they are commonly foun in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Variants

T-72

The original T-72 was introduced in 1973 and was nicknamed Ural. The early T-72's are the most basic models and can be identified by having the infrared searchlight position on the left side of the gun. In 1976 it was upgraded with a new main gun and improved turret armor. Many original T-72 were retrofitted with a more power engine, smoke grenade launchers and rubber skirts instead of the early metal ones.

T-72: The original T-72 model as described above. The same designation includes an export model with reduced capabilities.
T-72K: Command version of the T-72 with additional radious and less main gun ammunition.
T-72V: Unofficial designation for T-72 models that have been fitted with Kontakt-1 ERA.

  • Specifications:
  • T-72
TypeMain battle tank
Crew3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Length7 m (hull), 9.5 m (gun forward
Width3.6 m
Height2.2 m (turret roof)
Ground clearance0.5 m
Weight41.5 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseTracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, idler front, drive sprocket rear, 4.28 m length, 0.58 m width
Turn radius?
EngineV-46-6 V12 diesel engine, 780 hp
Power ratio18.8 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 7 forward, 1 reverse
Speed60 km/h on road
Fuel?
Range?
Wall0.85 m
Trench2.8 m
Gradient60% gradient, 40% slope
Fording1.2 m unprepared, 5 m with snorkel
ArmorSteel
NBC equipmentYes
Night visionYes
SmokeLater retrofitted with 2x4 81mm smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks-
Armament125mm D-81TM cannon
7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
Weapon1125mm 2A46 cannon in turret
45 rounds, 24 ready to fire
-6 to +14° elevation, powered
360° traverse, powered
stabilized in both axis
Weapon27.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
2.000 rounds, 250 ready to fire
traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon312.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
300 rounds
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

T-72A

The T-72A is an improved version of the original T-72 with a much higher protection level due to the use of composite armor and rubber track skirts. The fire control systems has been improved, a laser range finder is added and smoke grenade launchers are mounted on the turret. Subsequent improvements include additional armor on the glacis plate since 1979 and a radiation liner since 1984.

T-72A: Original T-72A model as described above. T-72AK is the command model with additional radios and less ammunition.
T-72AV: T-72A fitted with Kontakt-1 ERA on the turret, glacis plate and skirts.
T-72M: Export model of the T-72A with a reduced armor package and less capable fire control systems.
T-72M1: T-72M with increased armor on the glacis plate and fitted with smoke grenade launchers on the turret. The T-72M1K is a command version with additional radios and less ammunition and the T-72M1V adds Kontakt-1 ERA.

T-72B

The T-72B model is a much improved T-72A. The armor package has been substantially improved and includes appliqué armor on the glacis plate. Due to the new fire control system, improved stabilization and new 2A46M cannon it is possible to launch the 9M119 Svir (AT-11 Sniper) guided missile from the gun barrel. The more powerful 840 hp V-84-1 engine provides propulsion.

T-72B: Baseline T-72B model. The command version with additional radios and less ammunition is known as the T-72BK.
T-72B1: Simpler variant of T-72B with fire control and optics from the T-72A and thus removing the ability to launch the 9M119 missile. Some are fitted with Kontakt-1 ERA.
T-72BV: T-72B fitted with Kontakt-1 ERA on the turret, glacis plate and skirts.
T-72BM: Improved T-72B introduced in 1989 with Kontakt-5 ERA and improved composite armor. In 1990 a new fire control system was added.
T-72S: Export version of T-72B with less ERA blocks, simpler NBC system and no radiation liner.

TypeMain battle tank
Crew3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Length6.95 m (hull), 9.53 m (gun forward)
Width3.59 m
Height2.23 m (without roof mg)
Ground clearance0.49 m
Weight46.5 t combat load
Ground pressure0.90 kg/cm2
WheelbaseTracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, idler front, drive sprocket rear, 4.28 m length, 0.58 m width
Turn radius?
EngineV-84MS V12 diesel engine, 840 hp at 2.000 rpm
Power ratio18.1 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 7 forward, 1 reverse
Speed60 km/h on road
Fuel1.000 L
Range480 km on road, 550 km on road incl aux fuel
Wall0.85 m
Trench2.8 m
Gradient60% gradient, 40% slope
Fording1.8 m unprepared, 5 m with snorkel
ArmorSteel, 155 Kontakt-1 ERA boxes
NBC equipmentYes
Night visionYes
Smoke2x4 81mm smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks-
Armament125mm 2A46 cannon
7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
Weapon1125mm 2A46 cannon in turret
45 rounds incl 6 missiles, 24 ready to fire
-6 to +14° elevation, powered
360° traverse, powered
stabilized in both axis
Weapon27.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
2.000 rounds, 250 ready to fire
traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon312.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
300 rounds
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

T-72AG

The 1991 Gulf War showed that the basic versions of the T-72 were no match for modern main battle tanks. A series of upgrade packages has been developed by various companies.

T-72AG: Ukrainian upgrade package for older T-72's with components from the T-80UD including Kontakt-5 ERA, 6TD-1 diesel engine, fire control system and main gun.
T-72MP: Ukrainian upgrade package that includes Kontakt-1 or Kontakt-5 ERA, 6TD-1 or 6TD-2 diesel engine and additional smoke grenade launchers.

TypeMain battle tank
Crew3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Length7 m (hull), 9.5 m (gun forward
Width3.6 m
Height2.2 m (turret roof)
Ground clearance0.5 m
Weight45.5 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseTracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, idler front, drive sprocket rear, 4.28 m length, 0.58 m width
Turn radius?
Engine6TD-1 diesel engine, 1.000 hp
Power ratio22.0 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 7 forward, 1 reverse
Speed65 km/h on road
Fuel?
Rangeover 500 km
Wall0.85 m
Trench2.8 m
Gradient60% gradient, 40% slope
Fording1.8 m unprepared, 5 m with snorkel
ArmorSteel, Kontakt-5 ERA
NBC equipmentYes
Night visionYes
Smoke2x4 81mm smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks-
Armament125mm 2A46M-1 cannon
7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
Weapon1125mm 2A46 cannon in turret
45 rounds incl 6 missiles, 24 ready to fire
-6 to +14° elevation, powered
360° traverse, powered
stabilized in both axis
Weapon27.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
2.000 rounds, 250 ready to fire
traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon312.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
300 rounds
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeMain battle tank
Crew3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Length7 m (hull), 9.5 m (gun forward
Width3.6 m
Height2.2 m (turret roof)
Ground clearance0.5 m
Weight45.5 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseTracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, idler front, drive sprocket rear, 4.28 m length, 0.58 m width
Turn radius?
Engine6TD-1 diesel engine, 1.000 hp
Power ratio22.0 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 7 forward, 1 reverse
Speed65 km/h on road
Fuel?
Rangeover 500 km
Wall0.85 m
Trench2.8 m
Gradient60% gradient, 40% slope
Fording1.8 m unprepared, 5 m with snorkel
ArmorSteel, Kontakt-5 ERA
NBC equipmentYes
Night visionYes
Smoke2x4 81mm smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks-
Armament125mm D-81TM cannon
7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
Weapon1125mm 2A46 cannon in turret
45 rounds, 24 ready to fire
-6 to +14° elevation, powered
360° traverse, powered
stabilized in both axis
Weapon27.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
2.000 rounds, 250 ready to fire
traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon312.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
300 rounds
manual traverse and elevation
non-stabilized
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

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