T72

The T-72 Main Battle Tank (MBT) is a series of Soviet-designed and produced tanks that became one of the most widely used and influential armored fighting vehicles of the 20th and 21st centuries. Developed in the late 1960s, the T-72 entered service with the Soviet Union in 1973 and has since been adopted by numerous countries, including Russia, China, India, Egypt, and several others in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It is renowned for its balance of firepower, mobility, and durability, making it a staple in many military arsenals.

The T-72 is powered by a diesel engine, typically the V-84M or V-92S2, which provides a maximum output of around 750 to 1,000 horsepower, enabling it to achieve speeds of up to 45–50 km/h (28–31 mph) on road and 35–40 km/h (22–25 mph) off-road. Its suspension system, featuring torsion bars and hydraulic shock absorbers, allows it to traverse rough terrain effectively. The tank’s armor is primarily composed of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA), with some variants incorporating composite materials for enhanced protection against modern anti-tank weapons.

The T-72’s primary armament is a 125mm smoothbore main gun, capable of firing a variety of ammunition, including APFSDS (armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot), HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank), and AP (armor-piercing) rounds. The gun’s effective range is around 3,000 meters (3,300 yards) for APFSDS rounds, and it can fire at a rate of up to 6–8 rounds per minute. The tank also carries a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun and a 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun for supporting fire.

Despite its strengths, the T-72 has faced criticism for its limited firepower compared to later Western MBTs, such as the Leopard 2 or M1 Abrams, and its lack of advanced active protection systems. However, its robustness, low cost of production, and ease of maintenance have made it a preferred choice for many nations, particularly in conflict zones. The T-72 remains in active service today, with ongoing upgrades and modifications to address its limitations.