T-72B Series, CIS

T-72 A, G and Ml Series CIS

The T-72A/T-72M1 were the result of a mid-seventies redesign of the basic T-72 model. This redesign was based around the availability of a new form of special armour that used ceramic elements in a laminated structure. The former Warsaw Pact allies, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and the Slovakian Republic) and Poland have produced their own versions of the T-72A. A number of T-72 A variants have been identified: T-72A - first production model that also has the unofficial nickname of 'Dolly Parton'. The main differences from the earlier models are the incorporation of a gunner's sight with integral laser rangefinder, upgraded fire-control system, the use of plastic armour side skirts and redesign of the cast steel turret that incorporates additional special laminate armour inserts in cavities either side of the 2A46 main gun. External mounted radiation liners are also carried on turret top, sides and rear. T-72G - Russian export version of T-72A. Built by Poland and Czechoslovakia under designation T-72M. T-72AV- T-72A with explosive reactive armour package on turret, hull front and side skirts. T-72AK- command tank version of T-72A with additional radio, second antenna and land navigation system. T-72M1 - very similar to the T-72A in appearance but with no external turret radiation liners and slightly different glacis plate armour features. Also exported to a number of countries and license built by Poland, the former Czechoslovakia and India. T-72M1K - command tank version of T-72M1 with additional radio, second antenna and land navigation system. Also built by Poland and Czechoslovakia. PT-91 - the Polish Zaklady Mecaniczne Burmar-Labedy SA plant PT-91 Twardy (Hard) medium tank has been developed for the Polish Army and export market. See separate entry.

The Slovak firm ZTS Dubrica has brought to the prototype stage a number of T-72 upgrades. The latest is the T-72M2 Modema which features extra armour, an upgraded 850 hp engine, new improved turret/weapon stabilisation, western radios and fire control system and two 20 mm Oerlikon KAA-001 cannon mounted either side of the turret for antiaircraft/helicopter use.

Specification:

First prototype: T-72A early 1970s; PT-91 1992 First production: former Soviet Union mid-seventies-current; Slovakian Republic (export T-72M/T-72M1) 1981-current; India (export T-72M1) 1987-current; Poland (export T-72M/T-72M1) 1981current (1400 plus built) Current users: Algeria (T-72G), Bulgaria (T-72G), CIS States, Cuba (T-72G),Czech Republic (T-72M/T-72M1), Finland (T-72G), Hungary (T-72G), India (T-72G/ T-72M1), Iran (T-72M1), Iraq (T-72G/ T-72M1), Libya (T-72G), Poland (T-72M/ T-72M1), Russia, Serbia (T-72G), Slovakian Republic (T-72M/T-72M1), Syria (T-72G/ T-72M1)

Crew: 3

Combat weight: T-72A 44 000 kg T-72M2 45 500 kg Ground pressure: n/av

Length, gun forwards: 9.53 m Width: 3.59 m

Height (without AA gun): 2.19m

Ground clearance: 0.43 m

Max. road speed: 60 km/h

Maximum range (with external tanks):

700km Fording: unprepared 1.2m; prepared 5.5m Gradient: 60% Side slope: 40%

Vertical obstacle: 0.8 m Trench: 2.8m

Powerpack: Multi-fuel V-46V-12 diesel developing 780 hp and coupled to a manual transmission Armament: (main) 1 x 125 mm gun (39rounds); (coaxial) 1 x 7.62 mmMG; (anti-aircraft) 1 x 12.7 mmMG; (smoke dischargers) 12-single