T-72B3M / T-72B4 Medium Tank

T-72B3M / T-72B4 Medium Tank

With the T-72B3M (also referred to as T-72B4) the main difference is the engine B-93 power 1130 hp. With the mass of the tank 44.5 m power density is 25.39 hp / ton. This engine is also set to export T-90cm weight of 46.5 tons. In addition, the tanks are equipped with advanced 2A46M5 gun that has a better performance than the gun mounted on the previous T-72B. T-72B3M / B4 is a variant of modernization of the T-72B3 specifically for tank biathlon. Characterized by the presence of panoramic thermal imaging device commander, increased power of the engine, automatic gear change and motion control system with voice informer critical modes of operation of the units.

The cost of alterations in the T-72B4 conventional T-72B is about 60 000 000 rubles. The cost of bringing the T-72B3 to standard T-72B4 no more than 8 000 000. In this case, for security and survivability of the T-72B4 is the best tank in the world by a wide margin from the nearest competitor.

Compared with previous versions of th T-72, the new version of the T-72 is characterized, first and foremost, by enhanced protection. Engine-transmission compartment and the rear part of the turret is covered with protivokumulyativnymi [anti-cumulative - ie, anti shaped charge] latticed screen and additional blocks of the "relic" dynamic protection system. Also, the T-72B3M equipped with a diesel engine capacity of 1130 hp, automatic control system, informing the driver-mechanic faults, the new radio station, commander panoramic sight and automatic target tracking. Strengthened anti-mine protection, and automatic loader modified by the use of new ammunition.

Compared with T-72B3M other commands act on the T-72BV weighing 44.5 tonnes equipped V-84 engine with capacity of 840 hp Specific power is only 18.88 hp / ton. Chinese tank Type 96A has a mass of 43.7 tons and equipped with an engine capacity of 800 hp 12V150ZAL, power density is only 18.30 hp / t, ie, less than even the T-72BV (according to other sources, the weight of the tank is 50 m, engine power 1,000 hp, giving a specific power of 20 hp / t - approx. "VP"). Thus, T-72B3M has a specific capacity exceeding 40% that of the opponent tank.

Although, of course, itself a modification of the T-72B3 many military experts believe is very imperfect. Therefore, with such joy would counter the emergence of a new version of the T-72, which, according to some sources, called T-72B3M, on the other - has a T-72B4. Russian tank commander now has the ability to detect and engage targets at the level of the world's best models of arms, day and night, in bad weather. Engine power hp -1130 Another new feature is the automatic gear change and motion control system. According to experts, shifting is smooth, very precise machine keeps turning radius.

The T-72B3M would be equipped with an independent panoramic sight for the tank’s commander, with its own thermal imaging device. The tanks would also get the new Relikt explosive reactive armor. It would replace the old Kontakt-5 system and is expected to be two times more effective. It’s not clear if the Russians are modifying the vehicle’s passive armor package — but it would make sense it they did. Further, while some sources suggest that the T-73B3M might be equipped with the Arena-E active protection system, it’s not clear that the production variant does.

The upgraded version would be powered with the new V-92S2F engine and deliver 1,130 hp, which makes the tank very mobile. It would replace the old 780-hp diesel engine. The new engine is paired with an automatic transmission system and improved drive train to improve the tank’s mobility. For example, the new digital ballistic computer allows several times to reduce the time made calculations and improve their performance.

The T-72B3M tank is equipped with a new propulsion system, a complex of built-in passive and active protection, as well as an Akveduk communication system and a multi-channel Sosna-U sight with a thermal imager. In addition, the tank's combat compartment was modernized: a 125-mm gun with improved ballistics and a shot resource, a digital ballistic computer and a panoramic sight of the commander of the combat vehicle were installed. Equipping the tank with these systems allows the crew to detect and destroy targets faster.

The T-72B3M is a deeply modernized version of the T-72 main battle tank. The T-72B3 is equipped with more powerful B-92S2F engines with a power of 1130 hp. and an automatic transmission, an improved fire control system with a digital ballistic computer, a sight with a laser rangefinder and an anti-tank missile control system, digital communications of the latest generation. In addition, to facilitate reversing, tanks are equipped with a rear-view camera. More reliable caterpillar tracks were installed.

T-72B3M is one of the most famous and successful tanks in Russia, which has gone through many modifications and upgrades. The T-72B3M is a development of the T-72 family of tanks, which were developed in the USSR in the early 1970s. The first T-72 models were produced in 1973 and immediately established themselves as reliable and efficient combat vehicles. Since then, the T-72 tank has undergone many upgrades, among which the most significant are the T-72B, T-72B3 and, finally, the T-72B3M.

T-72B3M has a number of improved technical characteristics compared to previous versions of the tank:

• Armament: the tank is equipped with a 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun with automatic loading. The tank's arsenal includes various types of projectiles, such as armor-piercing, cumulative, high-explosive and guided missiles. In addition, a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun and a 12.7 mm Kord machine gun are mounted on the turret.
• Engine: The T-72B3M is equipped with a V-92S2F diesel engine with a power of 1130 hp, which ensures high maneuverability and speed of the tank. The maximum speed on the highway is 60 km / h, and the cruising range is 550 km.
• Armor: The hull of the tank is made of welded steel, and the turret is made of cast steel. Additional rubber-fabric armor is installed on the sides of the hull, and the turret is protected by Relikt dynamic armor, which significantly increases the level of protection against anti-tank weapons.
• Control and guidance systems: The T-72B3M is equipped with the Sosna-U multifunctional aiming and guidance system, which makes it possible to fire effectively at various distances and under various conditions. The tank also has a modern communication and navigation system on board, which ensures operational interaction with other units on the battlefield.

In recent years, the T-72B3M has undergone a number of significant upgrades that allow it to remain relevant and competitive on the modern battlefield:

• Improved power plant: installation of the V-92S2F engine with an HP 1130 power. allowed to increase the power of the tank and improve its maneuverability.
• Improving the protection system: the tank's turret is equipped with "Relikt" dynamic armor, which provides effective protection against modern anti-tank missiles and shells. In addition, the sides of the hull are reinforced with additional rubber-fabric armor.
• Weapon upgrades: an improved 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun with automatic loading improves accuracy and firing range.
• Improving the control and guidance system: thanks to the Sosna-U multifunctional aiming and guidance system and the communications and navigation system, the T-72B3M is able to quickly and accurately respond to changes on the battlefield, effectively coordinate its actions with other combat vehicles and units.
• Adaptation to various combat conditions: The T-72B3M can be equipped with additional modules and systems that allow the tank to adapt to various conditions and features of combat operations. For example, the installation of the "Thermal Imager" module makes it possible to conduct combat operations at night or in conditions of poor visibility, and the complex of protection against weapons of mass destruction protects the crew and systems of the tank from chemical, biological and radiation threats.

The T-72B3M tank continues to be one of the key elements of the modern Russian armed forces. This legendary combat vehicle, with powerful weapons, reliable armor and high maneuverability, is able to successfully cope with a number of combat missions and provide a high degree of crew protection. The T-72B3 armor is reinforced with side screens with Relikt dynamic protection modules, mounted lattice screens, as well as new dynamic protection systems in a “soft” case. The new protection can significantly increase the survivability and effectiveness of the use of armored vehicles not only in combined arms combat, but also in the course of hostilities with the massive use of anti-tank weapons.

Russian tanks were modified by installing dynamic protection units on the rear side of the turrets, since loitering ammunition that has the ability to hit this part of the armored vehicles has become widely used in combat operations. This was told to TASS by an expert in the field of armored vehicles, candidate of military sciences, reserve colonel Sergei Suvorov. Uralvagonzavod published footage showing T-72B3M tanks with additional protection units installed on the back of the turret. In addition, the machines modified in this way were demonstrated to the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev during a visit to the Totsky training ground in the Orenburg region, he published the corresponding video on 14 July 2023.

Suvorov explained that usually a set of spare parts, tools and tank accessories were placed in boxes on the back of the tank. “If earlier it was believed that we were substituting a frontal projection and a little side of the tank, now, when attacks from loitering ammunition can be expected from all sides, we have hung up dynamic protection from the back. It just works well against them,” Suvorov explained.

The T-72B3M tank is equipped with modules of the Relikt complex with elements of dynamic protection (EDZ) 4S23. The complex is distinguished by high maintainability, which is achieved by a modular design. The use of a new explosive composition in the EDZ 4S23 made it possible to increase the efficiency and reliability of the DZ complex against armor-piercing piercing feathered projectiles, including low-velocity ones, against which the outdated Kontakt-5 protection worked unstably.

Moscow continued modernization of its military forces with full force. The Russian Ministry of Defense refused to purchase of T-90, and in anticipation of the completion of the new Armata combat vehicle by Uralvagonzavod, the Defense Ministry intended to maintain the combat capability of armored forces by a deep modernization of the "best tank of the second half of the twentieth century" - the T-72. So far, the Russian Defense Ministry has signed with "Uralvagonzavod" contract to upgrade 170 T-72 main battle tanks in excess of six billion rubles.

Russia planned to modernize its 150 T-72 main battle tanks to the T-72B3M version. The upgraded vehicles would be comparable to the more advanced T-90, but with much lower costs. As of 2016, there were 500 T-90A and T-90AM tanks in service with the Russian Armed Forces. But the bulk of the Ground Forces rely on the Soviet-era T-72 and its numerous modifications.

Since 2016, T-72s have been upgraded to T-72B3M standard with improved automatic loading, improved Relikt ERA, and a 1,000 hp engine. By 2020, nearly 70 percent of T-72 tanks had been upgraded to T-72B3/B3M standards. Modernized party tanks T-72B3M entered service with the Russian army. Shipment of armored vehicles was made at the Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil, where the main production of tanks is carried out. The modernization of T-72B tanks to the level of T-72B3M was carried out as part of the state defense order, a set of works to improve the tank was developed by design engineers of the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (as part of UVZ). The number of transferred armored vehicles is not reported, the tanks have already been sent to the customer.

The first shipment of 32 tanks was delivered to the military in 2016. As of 2016, the ground forces had over 500 less capable T-72B3s in service. According to the newspaper, each tank was planned for an investment of up to 79 million rubles [about a million dollars]. This amount was to cover the cost of replacing tools, engine, sighting systems, as well as enhanced protection against armor-piercing shells and cumulative.

"The proposed modernization of the T-72B to the level of the T-72B3" pulls "the tank is not easy to match" modern requirements", but actually makes the T-72 equal to "the latest T-90S, but for much less money," - noted Izvestia. According to the publication, the decision on a large-scale upgrade of armored fleet was made on the basis of the annual sports and technical games "Tank biathlon 2015", where the experimental T-72B3 surassed its Chinese analogue of Type 96A.

According to some reports, the former leadership of the Ministry of Defence until 2015 had no intention at all to buy new tanks for the army. The plan was allegedly only carry out routine repairs. But later still, it was decided early modernization in Nizhny Tagil and Omsk T-72 tanks to the level of T-72B3, which differs from the basic sample a new sight gunner with thermal channel, the upgraded gun, communications and others. These tanks in the army began to replace the T-80BV. And if before the tanks with thermal sight were relatively few, now the Russian army, perhaps, one of the first in Europe on this indicator.

At the beginning of 2022, the Ministry of Defense announced the delivery of armored vehicles to the troops, including the T-72B3M, T-80BVM and T-90M Proryv tanks. According to the announcement, about 200 new and modernized tanks should be delivered to the troops by the end of the year. Whether changes were made to the plan in connection with the ongoing SVO is unknown.

By July 2023 Uralvagonzavod had already dispatched the scheduled batch of produced T90M and T-72B3M tanks. The plant has accelerated production in the past year, boosting its capacity by more than 200 percent. The armoured vehicles it produces is very much needed in the special military operation. "Enterprises of the military-industrial complex promptly meet the needs of our armed forces in modern and reliable equipment. This work is controlled by the Coordinating Council under the government of the Russian Federation. The enterprises have gained a good pace, in particular, Uralvagonzavod has increased production rates over the past year by more than three times, and has now delivered another batch of T-90M Proryv tanks and modernized T-72B3M to the Russian troops. At the same time, such armored vehicles are especially in demand when performing NMD tasks," - the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.

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