T-72 ΜΒΤ modernisation and variants

Sosna-U on B3

Seems auto tracking was solved by locking it on the highest contrast detail on targets hull, which could end up as an issue in some cases.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The first batch of Russian T-72B3 battle tanks of the latest upgrade will enter service with the First Guards Tank Army divisions deployed in the Moscow Region, Col. Igor Muginov, a spokesman for the Western Military District, said Tuesday.

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/military/201701101049444076-russia-tanks-modernization-upgrade/

Russian T-72B tank crews launched a training in Armenia

T-72B tank crews of the Russian military base in Armenia have launched gunnery training in the harsh environment of the Alagyaz Training Area situated more than 2,000 m above sea level. Over 100 troops have taken part in the drills, according to the press office of the Southern Military District.


The tankers are training to fire the T-72’s weapons at the halt and on the move on targets sitting 500-2,000 m away. The training involves unmanned aerial vehicles [UAV], which operators monitor the state of the targets, designate targets for the tank crews and adjust their fires," the press office says in a news release.

In addition, the troops are to take physical fitness and combat vehicle proficiency tests. The gunnery involves more than 30 examples of materiel.

Source: http://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2017_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/russian_t72-b_tank_crews_launched_a_training_in_armenia_tass_81302171.html

Tanks T-72B3 with additional protection in the troops

The Reuters agency distributed a videotape showing the unloading on March 24, 2017 in Pokrovsky (Rostov region) north of Taganrog near the Ukrainian border with the Russian Army echelon with upgraded T-72B3 tanks in a new version ("with additional protection"), supplied to the Russian Defense Ministry in 2016.



http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2509153.html

http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=47.417141&lon=39.257927&z=17&m=b&tag=516

Probably headed to this training range.

T-72B3 tanks with additional protection will take part in the Victory Parade on May 9, 2017 in Moscow

At the first rehearsal of the Moscow Victory Parade in 2017, held on April 5 in the Moscow region of Alabino, the upgraded T-72B3 tanks with additional protection, which will be publicly demonstrated for the first time at the Parade, took part. On the ceremonial tanks, a complete set of additional protection is installed. Vitaliy Kuzmin made the first photos of these tanks during the rehearsal of the parade in Alabino.





According to the previously published tender documents, the modification of the T-727B3 with additional protection should include:

Installation of the Sosna-U sight; The target tracking machine; Radio station R-168-25U-2 and a complex of software and hardware AVSKU; Guns of type 2А46М-5-01; Engine V-92S2F (1130 hp) with systems that ensure its operation; The display complex of the driver-mechanic and the rear-view television camera; Caterpillar belts with oblique grooves and driving wheels with improved cleanability; Onboard screens of the hull with integrated modules of dynamic protection of the "Relict" type and screened screens of the projection of the MTO hull; The recruitment of a single spare set of the kit's tank: additional dynamic protection modules in the "soft" casing, increasing the durability of the onboard projection of the hull to anti-tank cumulative means, with the possibility of their equipment and hinge under operating conditions; Dynamic protection modules and trellis screens of the tower, increasing its resistance to anti-tank cumulative means and installed instead of boxes of spare parts for the tower depending on the nature of the task; Refinement of the AZ providing use with products С-1 and С-2; Improvement of the Products in terms of providing anti-mine resistance, at which the specified activity is not performed.

Let us recall that the main designer of the NPK Uralvagonzavod Andrei Terlikov announced in June 2015 at the forum "Army-2015" about the creation of the T-72B3 variant with enhanced protection. "A new set of additional protection has been prepared for the new modification of the T-72B3," Terlikov said. - In the near future, this modification is planned to be launched into batch production. " According to Terlikov, the new modification of the T-72B3 also received a tank diesel engine with a capacity of 1130 hp. "The driver-mechanic received an automated control system that independently warns about injuries and accidents, and the commander's workplace is equipped with a panoramic sight," the representative of Uralvagonzavod added [in fact, the installation of a panoramic sight is not implemented on mass-modernized tanks. - bmpd]. "This modification proved itself from the best side," Terlikov stressed.

According to the information published in the open press, in 2015, NPK Uralvagonzavod received the first contract of the Russian Defense Ministry for major repairs with the modernization of 154 tanks of the T-72B type with reduction to the T-72BZ type with additional protection, with performance of works in 2015 -2017 years. The published documentation indicated that the contractor began to actually perform the work from October 1, 2015. According to the known information, the upgraded T-72BZ tanks with additional protection were started by surrender at the end of 2016.

On March 24, 2017, Reuters released a videotape showing the unloading in Pokrovsky (Rostov region) north of Taganrog near the Ukrainian border with the Russian Army echelon with upgraded T-72B3 tanks with additional protection."

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2533332.html

As the rehearsals for Russia’s Victory Day Parade at the Alabino training ground near Moscow comes full throttle, the newest modification of a Russian tank caught the attention of some.

The latest modification of the T-72B3M tank is due to take part in the upcoming parade.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201704061052370925-russian-modified-tank/

On VPk.name, there was a lot of complaining about this tank. Essentially, because it is still using kontact 5 ERA instead if Relict. The main complaint behind that is that Kontact 5 is obsolete compared to Relict and that it costs about 75M rubles per tank while new T-90MS was slated at around 130M rubles per tank, which has Relict ERA.

I understand the complaint. Why have they not added Relict?

miketheterrible wrote:On VPk.name, there was a lot of complaining about this tank. Essentially, because it is still using kontact 5 ERA instead if Relict. The main complaint behind that is that Kontact 5 is obsolete compared to Relict and that it costs about 75M rubles per tank while new T-90MS was slated at around 130M rubles per tank, which has Relict ERA.

I understand the complaint. Why have they not added Relict?

It does have Relikt. Front ERA has the 2S23 explosive element.

PapaDragon wrote:

miketheterrible wrote:On VPk.name, there was a lot of complaining about this tank. Essentially, because it is still using kontact 5 ERA instead if Relict. The main complaint behind that is that Kontact 5 is obsolete compared to Relict and that it costs about 75M rubles per tank while new T-90MS was slated at around 130M rubles per tank, which has Relict ERA.

I understand the complaint. Why have they not added Relict?

It does have Relikt. Front ERA has the 2S23 explosive element.

https://vpk.name/news/178591_modernizirovannyii_t72b3_razocharoval.html

These guys don't think so. I guess the way the placement of ERA, is that it is strikingly similar to Kontact 5 while Reflects on T-90 looks different.

miketheterrible wrote:

PapaDragon wrote:

miketheterrible wrote:On VPk.name, there was a lot of complaining about this tank. Essentially, because it is still using kontact 5 ERA instead if Relict. The main complaint behind that is that Kontact 5 is obsolete compared to Relict and that it costs about 75M rubles per tank while new T-90MS was slated at around 130M rubles per tank, which has Relict ERA.

I understand the complaint. Why have they not added Relict?

It does have Relikt. Front ERA  has the 2S23 explosive element.

https://vpk.name/news/178591_modernizirovannyii_t72b3_razocharoval.html

These guys don't think so. I guess the way the placement of ERA, is that it is strikingly similar to Kontact 5 while Reflects on T-90 looks different.

It was supposed to use Relikt from what i am aware.

It seems it has Relikt armour only at the rear of the turret.

The sideskirts also look similar to the ones on the T-90AM...it also has some other improvements

From its previous versions, this T-72 modification differs in many ways. First of all it has an enhanced protection system.

The engine-transmission compartment and rear part of the tower are covered with anti-cumulative screen grids and additional blocks of dynamic protection called Relict.

Moreover, the T-72B3M is equipped with a 1130 horsepower diesel engine. It also has an automated control system that informs the driver of any tank malfunctions.

The improved model also has a new radio station, panoramic target viewer and an automatic target tracking device.

If that isn’t enough, the new tank also boasts strengthened mine protection technology and an automatic loader has been modified for the newest ammunition.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201704061052370925-russian-modified-tank/

Wasn't it supposed to be getting the T-90MS style panoramic commander sight/machinegun?

hoom wrote:Wasn't it supposed to be getting the T-90MS style panoramic commander sight/machinegun?

It would make more sense to equip it with the PK PAN panoramic sight used for the T-72B3M upgrade imho.



Perhaps it is already part of the planned upgrade package, just not integrated with the current batch as of yet.

Aren't these T-72B3M?
Whatever they are there doesn't appear to be any Commander panoramic sight.

hoom wrote:Aren't these T-72B3M?
Whatever they are there doesn't appear to be any Commander panoramic sight.

Indeed, some sources refer to these up-armored T-72's as "T-72B3M" (including Sputnik). Though the lack of a panoramic sight, which was an essential part of the B3M upgrade package seems to contradict this.
Note that some sources include the panoramic sight as a feature of the upgrade, though as you pointed out it is obviously missing here.

I have seen other sources refer to them as T-72BZ. This is basically the name given to the export version showcased first in 2013 afaik. It should include the latest version of Shtora, which appears to be missing here.

In conclusion, i think this is more of a universal upgrade package for specific missions, rather than a new T-72 variant that requires its own designation. Elements of the package can be omitted depending on the equipment already present.
As i read, the new armor is pretty much a simple bolt on with the relikt at the rear replacing tool boxes etc.

Having said that, in the future the package might very well include the panoramic sight (and probably a simplified version of the entire FCS) of the T-14, once the  required subsystems are being produced in large numbers.
As a stop gap measure, i think an additional batch of tanks should be equipped with the PK PAN sight.

0nillie0 wrote:

hoom wrote:Wasn't it supposed to be getting the T-90MS style panoramic commander sight/machinegun?

It would make more sense to equip it with the PK PAN panoramic sight used for the T-72B3M upgrade imho.

This sight looks different from the one on T-90MS,are they the same sight?

volna wrote:

0nillie0 wrote:

hoom wrote:Wasn't it supposed to be getting the T-90MS style panoramic commander sight/machinegun?

It would make more sense to equip it with the PK PAN panoramic sight used for the T-72B3M upgrade imho.

This sight looks different from the one on T-90MS,are they the same sight?

From what i can recall, the PK PAN sight is the original configuration as part of the "Redut" upgrade package offered by KBP for Soviet legacy battle tanks such as the T-72 and T-62. It was also offered for export BMP-3. It was designed to be more cost effective for export market. As far as i know, the export version by default does not contain a thermal imaging camera, but only a day channel camera and laser range finder. It is the commander sight used for the BMPT's operated by kazakhstan, and possibly also the T-72B3M tanks. AFAIK, the domestic version also lacks a thermal imaging channel, but maybe this has since been upgraded.

The sight has also been marketed as "Hawkeye", and seems to have gradually evolved to the variant that can be seen currently in the T-90MS and later on the T-14. Main difference is the housing and the integration of thermal imaging camera by default. Also, the sight requires some modification due to the integration of the 7.62mm machine gun at the back.

So in conclusion, the "PK PAN" is basically a simplified version of the T-90MS panoramic sight. A stop gap solution that gives the commander of T-72 his own stabilized sight with the ability to input data in the FCS, but for thermal image he still requires to access the picture of the main gunner sight. This actually makes sense if you remember that the most common tank in service, the T-72B3 uses the same system for giving thermal image to the commander.

Even without thermal, it is still a significant upgrade for awareness for the tank crew (though not so much at night or in poor visibility). But for the different type tanks that is T-14 and T-90MS, it only makes sense to give the commander a thermal channel of his own.

Forgive me if i posted wrong info, but this is from my memory.

Apparently it does have Relict armour everywhere  after all.... 4S23 element on front according to the below document

http://uploads.ru/N04CP.png

I guess the placement of the armor is just more crude than how it is done on T-90A

George1 wrote:

Yeah that took them a while (focus on the rear parts). The older -B3 seemed quite dated from the get-go, with late 80s setup and lots of unprotected arcs. This one is more streamlined to bare minimum protection for new/upgraded MBTs, especially given the current MBT threats in on-going conflicts (Syria, Ukraine). If only they could afford to bring a few thousand to that level, they might be on to something interesting. If this remains a project for a couple hundred or up to say 500, then it is senseless, as their country needs the numbers on top of the much needed capability.

miketheterrible wrote:I guess the placement of the armor is just more crude than how it is done on T-90A

They've used the old K-5 outer 'containers'...but apparently the inside elements are from Relict.

________

4S20 - 4S22 - 4S23 - 4S24 elemnts.
http://uploads.ru/J7Z13.jpg

________

The T-72B3M has the 4S23 and 4S24, the last 2 in the pic although they all look the same

How does the t72 b3m /b4 compare with t90 in russian service?

MonkeymodelBananaRepublic wrote:How does the t72 b3m /b4 compare with t90 in russian service?

As far as i know, there where as on order of 150 tanks of the T-72B3M variant in late 2015 or early 2016. By end of 2017 there should be 1000 T-72B3 tanks in service, versus 150 or so B3M.
Main difference between the two is that the B3M features an independent fully stabilized panoramic sight for the commander.

Number of T-90 in active service varies greatly between different sources. I am sure somebody here has exact data on it, but imho there are at least 500 T-90 tanks in active service, probably more.

In terms of capabilities the T-72B3(M) is quite similar to the T-90. In short : the T-72B3 is upgraded with components (engine, main gun, FCS, ...) which are featured in the T-90A tank to upgrade the capabilities to a similar level.
The T-90 is a newer design and has the benefit of featuring some improvements : Better coverage of the ERA on the turret, integration of Shtora defense suite by default etc.

Upgrades on T-72 series are mostly retrofit and therefor not quite as effective, as can be seen for example in the coverage of ERA. But the commonality between both series of tanks makes them equally lethal in the hands of a capable crew.