T-72B3 tank

T-72B3 is a Russian main battle tank of the T-72 family.

It was developed as an economical alternative to the T-90A main battle tank until the Russian Armed Forces received the new generation T-14 tank. T-72B3 is a relatively simple modernization of the T-72B tank, with some parameters brought up to the level of the T-90A. Currently, the T-72B3 is being modernized to replace the existing T-72B tanks; modernization of earlier versions of the T-72 to the level of the T-72B3 is impossible.

The tank is equipped with the multi-channel sight PNM Sosna-U, developed by the Belarusian enterprise JSC Peleng and manufactured by the Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant (VOMZ), which includes an automatic target tracking system (ATTS) and a Thales Catherine FC thermal imaging channel. The TPD-K1 sight from the T-72B tank’s 1A40 complex is retained in the commander's observation device. The tank commander's sight is the TKN-3MK, a modernization of the Soviet-era TKN-3 sight with a “Dubl” system and a 2nd generation EOP. The driver-mechanic is equipped with a TVN-5 night binocular observation device.

The communication system consists of the R-168-25U-2 “Aqueduct” UHF radio station, which includes two transceivers. It provides open, masked, or secret radio communication. It has been produced by the Ryazan Radio Plant since 2005.

The traditional T-72 family’s track rollers have been replaced with new ones featuring a parallel hinge to improve operational characteristics and increase lifespan. The tank is equipped with four-stroke V-shaped 12-cylinder multi-fuel diesel engines with liquid cooling V-84-1 with a power of 840 hp, providing a specific power of 18.88 hp/t.

In 2017, the Uralvagonzavod Scientific and Production Corporation began installing the V-92 S2F engine paired with an automated transmission on modernized T-72B3 tanks, which significantly increased reverse speed.

The main armament is the 125-mm smoothbore gun 2A46M-5 with improved ballistic characteristics and lifespan. Thanks to the modernization of the gun, it became possible to use new “elongated” armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles of the “Lead-1/2” type. A weather sensor and a modern ballistic computer were installed, the weapon stabilizer was improved, and a target tracking machine was introduced, resulting in a significant increase in fire accuracy compared to the base model. The open-air anti-aircraft machine gun remained unchanged.

The modification of the 2016 model includes:
According to Uralvagonzavod's order No. 31603190542 in the procurement register, Omsktransmash is to upgrade the T-72B to the T-72B3 level. Under the terms of the agreement, the modernization is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. The cost of the upgrade is 2,525,984,345.88 (78.9 million per tank). The tank modernization includes the installation of:

• Sosna-U and 1A40-4 sights;
• a target tracking machine;
• R-168-25U-2 radio station and AVSKU software and hardware complex;
• 2A46M-5-01 type cannon;
• anti-aircraft machine gun 6P50 “Cord”;
• V-92S2F engine (1130 hp) with systems ensuring its operation;
• a display system for the driver's mechanic and a television rear view camera;
• crawler belts with oblique ground clutches and drive wheels with improved cleaning ability;
• onboard body screens with integrated modules of dynamic protection of the Relict type and lattice screens for the projection of the body’s MTO;

Completion of a single tank spare parts kit:

• additional dynamic protection modules in a “soft” case that increase the resistance of the onboard projection of the hull to anti-tank cumulative means, with the possibility of equipping and attaching them in the field;
• Dynamic protection modules and turret grating screens that increase the turret’s resistance to anti-tank munitions and are installed instead of the turret's spare parts boxes, depending on the nature of the task.

Also:

• modification of the AA to ensure its use with C-1 and C-2 products;
• modification of tanks in terms of mine resistance, on which this measure has not been implemented;
• Changes in the design of tanks to take into account the modification of products and years of their production not specified in the contract are not allowed, except in cases of production cessation and the impossibility of restoring standard components.

In 2019, Uralvagonzavod's specialists modernized T-72B3 tanks: they removed French thermal imagers and replaced them with Russian models.

Modification of 2022:
The tank received reinforced protection for the front super-tracked shelves similar to the T-90M tank. Dynamic protection units Contact-1 were installed on the gun mask. Dynamic protection was also added to the turret. The Sosna-U multi-channel system with a thermal imager received a mechanism for opening the armored curtains instead of manually opening them by unscrewing four bolts. New sensors were also installed on the tank.