T-72

The T-72 is a main battle tank that entered service within the Soviet Union in 1973. It is a part of the T-series of tanks, and thus share many similarties with the earlier-built T-64. It is one of the world's most widely produced tanks, with more than 25,000 vehicles having been built. It has effective protection against nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and has a very small silhouette. The armor is estimated to be between 200 mm and 600 mm thick, consisting of composite protection or conventional cast armour. The weaponry consists of a heavy 125 mm gun and two machine guns.

Specifications
Type: Main battle tank.

Place of origin: Soviet Union.

In service: 1973-present.

Designed: 1967-1973.

Manufacturer: Uralvagonzavod.

Unit cost: US$1-2 million.

Produced: 1971-present.

Number built: 25,000+.

Weight: 41.5 tonnes (45.7 short tons).

Length: 9.53 meters (including gun), 6.95 meters (hull only).

Width: 3.59 meters.

Height: 2.23 meters.

Crew: 3.

Armor: 335-900 mm steel and composite armor.

Main armament: 1x 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun.

Secondary armament:


 * 1x 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun

Engine: V-12 diesel (780 hp).
 * 1x 12.7mm NSVT machine gun

Power/weight: 18.8 hp/t.

Transmission: Synchromesh, hydraulically assisted, with 7 forward and 1 reserve gears.

Suspension: Torsion bar.

Ground clearance: 0.49 meters.

Fuel capacity: 1,200 liters.

Operational range: 460 km (700 km with fuel drums).

Speed: 60 km/h.