T-72, A, B (export) and M series Developed in the late sixties the T-72 was the standard tank successor to the T-55 MET and by 1981 had largely replaced it on the Soviet tank factory production lines, It offers comparable protection and firepower capabilities to the T-64/80 models but is slower and less agile. The fully stabilised 125 mm 2A26M smoothbore gun uses a 22-round carousel-type autoloader that places the projectile and charge in the breech in a single movement. The system is difficult to reload and almost impossible to fire manually if it fails. A total of 39 main armament rounds are carried. A number of early T-72 models have been noted. T-72 (pre-production) - the pre-
production model with T-64A 125 mm 2A26 gun/autoloader system. Most rebuilt with some of the later T-72M features. T-72 - standard model built in several series. The T-72 has an optical coincidence rangefinder sight assembly on right of turret. T-72A - export version of T-72. Not to be confused with later Former Soviet Army T-72A model. T-72B - export version of late model T-72. Not to be confused with later Former Soviet Army T-72B model. T-72K - command tank version of the T-72B with extra radio, second antenna on turret roof and land navigation system. T-72M - upgraded T-72 with laser rangefinder assembly replacing coincidence rangefinder and increased main gun
CIS ammunition supply. Support vehicles - A total of three support vehicles have been based on the T-72 chassis: the three-man 35 000 kg BREM-1 armoured recovery vehicle with a large hydraulic crane mounted on the left-hand side of the vehicle, a full-width dozer blade at the front and large cargo platform on the rear of the hull just behind the crew positions; 44 500 kg IMR-2, IMR-2M CEVs with front mounted variable shape dozer blade and centrally mounted hydraulically operated crane on the rear of the hull with various tool attachments; and the two-man 40 000 kg MTU-72 armoured bridgelayer with a 20 m span foldable bridge.
