T-72S Series, CIS

T-72B Series CIS

The T-72B and its variants was the main tank model used in the Soviet Central Group of Forces, The subsequent CFE talks revealed the following versions in use with the Russian and CIS armies. T-72B - essentially a further development of the T-72A model with a number of modifications that includes a more powerful engine, improved armour protection and an upgraded fire-control system to fire the AT-11 Sniper semi-laser guided ATGW. Radiation liners are fitted to the turret top, sides and rear. T-72BK - command version of T-72B with additional radio, second antenna and land navigation system. T-72B1 - identical to the T-72B but has no ATGW capability and is fitted with a different night sight in smaller armoured housing. T-72BM - (or Soviet Medium Tank (SMT) Ml990) is essentially an upgrading of the T-72B design with a new style explosive reactive armour (ERA) package of single (hull glacis and turret front), double (turret sides and top) and triple (turret sides, front and top) layers of ERA blocks; bolton Kevlar fabric armour pieces over the top, sides and back of the turret rear half and crew hatches; additional armour plate welded to the glacis; and an enlarged turret with two shallow depressions either side of the gun with cavities that have been filled with replaceable improved special laminate armour inserts. The size of the modified turret has meant that the bottom edge of the front turret lobes has had to be cut away in order to allow the turret to rotate freely. T-72S - See separate T-72S entry. T-72S1 - See separate T-72S entry.

The T-72B series carry the fully stabilised 125 mm gun with the same light alloy thermal sleeve, bore evacuator and 22-round carousel-type autoloader of the other T-72 variants but carries 45 main 125 mm rounds (including the 6 AT-11 ATGW) instead of the earlier variants smaller basic load of conventional rounds. There is, however, a commensurate drop in the number of basic load rounds for the 7.62 mm PKT coaxial and 12,7 mm NVST anti-aircraft machine guns. The latter, unlike on the

T-64 and T-80 MBTs, cannot be fired from under armour.

The T-72B models are also ec[uipped with a PAZ radiation detection system and have an integral anti-radiation liner which has a secondary function as an anti-spall screen when the tank is hit by a kinetic energy (KE) or HESH round.

A toothed dozer/plough is fitted below the glacis plate with which the tank can dig its own fighting position within 15-20 minutes. Like the T-64/T-80 and other T-62 variants the T-72B series can also be fitted with the KMT-5 mine roller set (three mine rollers and a central position plough) and/or the KMT-6 track mine plough assembly.

Specification:

First prototype: 1986-87 First production: 1988-current Current users: Russia and CIS States

Crew: 3

Combat weight: 46 000 kg (T-72BM 46 000 plus kg) Ground pressure: n/av

Length, gun forwards: 9.53 m Width: 3.65m Height (without AA gun): 2.19 m Ground clearance: 0 43 m

Max. road speed: 70 km/h

Maximum range (with external tanks):

640km

Fording: unprepared 1.8 m; prepared 5.5m

Gradient: 60%

Side slope: 40%

Vertical obstacle: 0.8 m Trench: 2.8m

Powerpack: Multi-fuel V-84 V-12 diesel developing 840 hp coupled to a manual transmission Armament: (main) 1 x 125 mm gun (39 rounds + 6 ATGW); (coaxial) 1 x 7.62 mmMG; (anti-aircraft) 1 x 12.7 mm MG; (smoke dischargers) 1 x 8