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T-72B


Third generation T-72 tank


Overview

T-72BV

Russian T-72BV main battle tank in the field in 2016.
Source: mil.ru - © CC BY 4.0

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Main battle tank
Entered service
1985
Status
In service
Development
Early 1980's
Developer
Soviet Union
Production
1985 - 1990's
Producer
Soviet Union - UVZ
Russia - UVZ
Number produced
About 9.000
Designations
Obyekt 184 (GABTU index for T-72B)
Olkha (T-72B design project)
SMT M1988 (NATO reporting name for T-72B)
SMT M1990 (NATO reporting name for T-72B obr 1989)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Russia
Iran

Description

Introduction

The T-72B is a late Cold War era main battle tank of Soviet origin. The T-72B was a modernization of the T-72 design with improvements in firepower and protection. All these upgrades bridge much of the capability gap towards the T-80B series. Costs have also risen significantly, but were still less than the T-80. After the T-72B production switched to the T-90, which is essentially a further upgraded T-72B.

Design

The T-72B has a new armor configuration with much improved frontal protection. A new main gun is installed and the stabilization and fire control are more capable. A new addition is the ability to fire anti-tank guided missiles from the gun barrel. This was previously only possible for T-64 and T-80 tanks.

Firepower

The T-72B is armed with the 2A46M main gun. This is connected to a carrousel autoloader. The stabilization system and fire control computer are much improved over older T-72s. Accuracy on the move is improved. The fire control computer allows the 9M119 Svir anti-tank guide missile to be launched from the barrel.

Protection

Protection on the T-72B was significantly improved. The cast turret has large cavities in the front which are filled with sandwiched layers of steel and laminate armor. The end result is the thickest turret armor of all Soviet main battle tanks. The glacis plate is also thicker with an additional 20mm layer of armor. Upon introduction there was no ERA fitted. Kontakt-1 ERA was subsequently (retro)fitted to most T-72B. The final production variant use Kontakt-5 ERA.

Mobility

The T-72B is fitted with a more powerful diesel engine. The V-84 produces 840 hp. The main reason for this upgrade was to keep the mobility on par with the earlier T-72 and T-72A. The power to weight ratio remains similar despite the T-72B being heavier. Maximum speed is 60 km/h on roads. Reverse speed remains abysmal at 5 km/h.

Users

The T-72B was adopted by the USSR and entered service in 1985. Export sales were limited due to the risen production costs and troubled years before the fall of the USSR. Still about 9.000 T-72B were produced. Most ended up in service with Russia and various other successor states to the USSR.

Variants

T-72S

T-72S main battle tanks on parade in Moscow in 1995.
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

List of T-72B variants

T-72B
Original version of the T-72B for Soviet domestic service. Introduced in 1985. Originally delivered without Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor.
T-72B1
Less costly variant of the T-72B that omits the 9K120 missile guidance system. This uses a TPN-3-49 Kristall-PA night sight instead of the 1K13. Also produced in a T-72B1K command version. Introduced in 1985.
T-72BK
Command version of the T-72B. Fitted with additional radios and reduced ammunition load. Features a radio mast stored at the back of the turret. Introduced in 1987.
T-72BV
T-72B built, or retrofitted with, 227 Kontakt-1 ERA tiles on both hull and turret. The hull has a better coverage compared to the T-72AV. The ERA tiles are fitted directly onto the turret and are not arranged in a V-shape. First introduced in 1988.
T-72B obr 1989
T-72B fitted with Kontakt-5 ERA on the turret and hull. Also known incorrectly as T-72BM.
T-72S
Export version of the T-72B. This has a reduced ERA coverage of 155 Kontakt-1 tiles. Other differences are a different NBC system with less focus on the nuclear battlefield. The ability to fire the 9M119 missile is retained. First offered in 1987.

Media

Details

Facts T-72B
General
Origin
Russia
Type
Main battle tank
Crew
3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Dimensions
Weight
44.5 t combat load
Length
9.53 m gun forward
6.86 m hull
Width
3.6 m
Height
2.26 m
Main armament
Type
125mm 2A45M smoothbore gun
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
Up to 39 shells, 22 in autoloader
Elevation
-5° to +13°, powered
Traverse
360°, powered
Rate of fire
8 rpm
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm PKT machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
2.000 rounds, 250 ready to fire
Traverse
Traverse and elevation as main armament
Stabilizer
Yes, both axis
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun
Mount
Commander's cupola
Ammunition
300 rounds, 50 ready to fire
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front and drive sprocket rear
Track width
0.58 m
Track on ground
4.27 m
Tread
2.79 m
Ground pressure
0.9 kg/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine model
ChTZ V-84-1
Engine type
V12 liquid-cooled diesel
Power output
840 hp
Transmission
Automatic
Fuel
1.200 L internal + 400 L external
Mobility
Speed
60 km/h on road
35 km/h off road
5 km/h reverse
Range
500 km on road
Turn radius
Pivot
Power to weight ratio
18.9 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.43 m
Wall
0.85 m
Trench
2.6 to 2.8 m
Gradient
30°
Fording
1.2 m unprepared
1.8 m prepared
5 m with snorkel
Protection
Armor type
Steel with laminate armor over frontal arc
Kontakt-1 ERA on turret and glacis plate
NBC system
Yes
Fire supression
Automatic
Smoke system
Type 902 Tucha smoke grenade dischargers
Exhaust diesel injection
Equipment
Night vision
Passive IR for driver
Thermal for commander and gunner
Fire control
1A40-1 fire control system
TPD-K1 gun sight and range finder
1K13-49 fire control for 9M119 missile
Radio
R-173

Armament

125mm 2A46M

The T-72B is armed with the 2A46M smoothbore gun.

Read more about 125mm 2A46

7.62mm PKT

A 7.62mm PKT is mounted as a coaxial machine gun.

Read more about PKT

12.7mm NSVT

A 12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun is mounted at the commander's position.

Read more about NSV Utes

Related articles

T-72A

The T-72B replaced the T-72A on the production line.

Read more about T-72A

T-72B3

A sizeable number of T-72B in Russian service have been upgraded to T-72B3 and B3M standard.

Read more about T-72B3