T-72
In service 1973 - in service today
A compact, autoloaded, heavily exported main battle tank that remains the most widely used MBT in the world.
Built byUralvagonzavod
Development history
The T-72 was the cheap mass-production companion to the sophisticated T-64, using a simpler engine and the carousel autoloader that cut the crew to three and the silhouette to little over two metres. Export models supplied to Iraq and Syria performed poorly against Western tanks and munitions, a gap often mistaken for a flaw in the base design. Its exposed ammunition carousel and turret-ejection failures have been documented extensively in recent conflicts, while upgraded B3 and M1 versions remain in frontline service.
Variants
One canonical record, 5 recorded variants.
T-72 Ural
1973Original model; coincidence rangefinder, no laser.
T-72A
1979Laser rangefinder, thicker glacis, side skirts, smoke grenade launchers.
T-72B
1985Super Dolly Parton composite turret armour, Kontakt-1 ERA, missile capability.
T-72B3
2013New sights, Sosna-U thermal, uprated engine and communications.
PT-91 Twardy
1995Polish development with ERAWA reactive armour and new fire control.
Related vehicles
Separate records that derive from this vehicle, grouped by how they relate to it.
Licensed production of this vehicle
Derived from this vehicle
Notable actions
- Lebanon War (1982)
- Iran-Iraq War (1980-88)
- Gulf War (1991)
- Chechen Wars (1994-2000)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2014-)