T-72B3M, also referred to as T-72B4, is an upgraded variant of the T-72B3 main battle tank (MBT) developed by Uralvagonzavod Research and Production Corporation. The T-72B3M tank was exhibited for the first time to the public during the 2014 Tank Biathlon World Championship held in October 2014. The first batch of 20 upgraded tanks entered service with the Western Military District of the Russian Army in February 2017. The first T-72B3M tank was inducted into service by the Belarusian Armed Forces in June 2017.
T-72B3M design and features
The layout of the T-72B3M is identical to that of the standard T-72 with driver’s cab at forward hull, fighting compartment in the centre and the power-pack at the rear. The tank is manned by a crew of three, including a driver, a commander and a gunner. The middle section of the forward hull houses the driver, while the turret accommodates the other two crew members. The MBT features an advanced fire control system and a new thermal sight. The mobility and combat characteristics of the tank have also been improved to compete with the most advanced tanks worldwide. The T-72B3M tank is equipped with radio systems for encrypted digital voice and data transfer, snorkels for deep fording, and a built-in blade for self-entrenching. It also features a rear-view camera and a mechanical drive display system.
T72-B3M armament
The T72B3M is armed with a 2A46M5 125mm smoothbore gun, which is an advanced version of the 2A46M cannon. It can fire a range of ammunition, including armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS), high-explosive fragmentation (HEF) and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), as well as 9M119 Refleks (NATO codename: AT-11 Sniper) guided anti-tank missiles. The projectiles and missiles are loaded by an auto-loader.The AT-11 Sniper missile has a maximum range of 4,000m and can engage tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour. The secondary armament includes a co-axial 7.62mm PKTM machine gun and a roof-mounted 12.7mm NSV heavy machine gun. The turret is also mounted with a bank of eight smoke grenade dischargers. The guided missiles fitted to the modernised MBT can destroy static and mobile targets during day and night at ranges up to 5,000m.
Observation and fire control
The commander is provided with a new panoramic sight with thermal vision. The sight includes a day channel, a laser range finder and an image intensifier to observe the battlefield, search for targets and assign them to the gunner and direct the turret.The fire control system is interfaced with Sosna-U sighting system and a digital ballistic computer that automates the shot preparation process and improves firing accuracy significantly. The Sosna-U sight includes a second-generation thermal imaging camera, laser range finder and a channel for missile guidance.
Self-protection features of T-72B3M
The T-72B3M MBT is mounted with the new Relikt explosive reactive armour (ERA) replacing the previous Kontakt-5 second-generation ERA. The new armour offers superior protection against shaped charges, tandem warheads, armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds, anti-tank guided missiles, as well as low-velocity and high-velocity missiles. The side skirts are hinged with large flat ERA modules. The tank is also equipped with an overpressure-type nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system.
Engine and mobility
The T-72B3M MBT is powered by a new V-92S2F engine in place of the old 780hp diesel engine.Manufactured by ChTZ-URALTRAK, the new engine is coupled to an automatic transmission system and improved drivetrain.It develops a maximum power output of 1,130hp. The power-plant provides a maximum road speed of 60km/h and a maximum range of 550km. The tank features torsion bar suspension and running gear on either side of the hull, with six road wheels with the idler at forward and drive sprocket at the rear. The inside of the track is supported by three return rollers. The first, second and sixth road wheel stations are installed with shock-absorbers, while the upper parts of the suspension are protected by rubber skirts. The vehicle can negotiate a gradient of 60% and side slope of 40% and can ford at a maximum depth of 5m with preparation.
Orders and deliveries
Uralvagonzavod delivered a batch of upgraded T-72B3 tanks to the Russian Ministry of Defence in November 2020, within the framework of a state order. The Russian Ministry of Defence received a batch of T-72B3M tanks in December 2021, under a state order to upgrade the T-72B tanks to the level of the T-72B3M. The tanks underwent a comprehensive testing before delivery. The company delivered more than 30 T-72B3 tanks with enhanced protection to the Russian Army in 2021. Another batch of modernised T-72B3 tanks were delivered to the Ministry of Defence in January 2022.
