{
  "id": "t-72a",
  "name": "T-72A",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "RUS",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1978,
  "operators": [
    "CHN",
    "RUS",
    "UKR"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 3,
  "summary": "The T-72A is the second generation of Soviet-made main battle tank MBT in the T-72 family. The first version of the T-72 entered production in 1970.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Uralvagonzavod",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.59,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.23,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 41,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "V-46-6 V-12 Diesel Engine",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 780,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 700,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 60,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.2 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording (with Preparation)",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "5.0 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording Kit",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "OPVT deep water fording kit",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Transmission",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Synchromesh, hydraulically assisted, with 7 forward and 1 reverse gears",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Suspension",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "Torsion bar",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Rate of fire (max)",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "8 rds/min",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Minimum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-6 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Maximum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+14 deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1A40-1",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, Electric FCS",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes, TPNZ-49",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1K13-49",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "2Eh28M electrohydraulic system",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Range, Thermal Sight",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1,000 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Laser Rangefinder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Steel and composite armor with ERA, equivalent to 500-600 mm of Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA)",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Steel and composite armor with ERA, 500 mm against APFSDS projectiles and to 560 mm against HEAT weapons.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Available, Turret top and track skirts",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Explosive reactive armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, Kontakt-5",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, ZETS11-3 Control System",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, System Sensor Radiation Device and chemical intelligence (PRRM).",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Grenade Launcher",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, twelve 81 mm Toucha 902B grenade launchers that fire the ZD-6 smoke grenade.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "1 x 2A46M/2A46M-5 125mm Smoothbore Gun, 125 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "label": "Secondary armament",
      "v": "1 x PKT (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun) 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 5,
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range",
      "note": "Longest-range ammunition listed"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "2,050 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "1,000 mm",
        "Projectile weight": "11 kg"
      },
      "qty": "45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "High Explosives (HE)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "850 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "23 kg"
      },
      "range_km": 5,
      "qty": "45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "915 m/s",
        "Projectile weight": "18.4 kg",
        "Armor penetration": "Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT"
      },
      "range_km": 3,
      "qty": "45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "Laser Guided Anti-tank guided missile launcher",
      "role": "125 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Guidance": "Yes",
        "Armor penetration": "up to 700mm of armor",
        "Warhead": "4.2 kg"
      },
      "range_km": 4,
      "qty": "6 ea"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "T-72B",
      "text": "Second Russian main variant of the T-72 after the T-72A.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-72B1",
      "text": "In 1986, a limited production variant without an ATGM launch capability. Some do not have ERA.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-72BK",
      "text": "The Commander's variant with additional radios.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-72BM",
      "text": "Russian T-72B upgrade with 2nd gen ERA. The system is fielded, available for export, and upgraded. Tier 2 and some Tier 3 tanks can challenge US forces under favorable conditions when using modern ammunition and employed",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-72BU",
      "text": "Upgrade variant with the fire control system from the T-80U as well as well as a variety of other changes.",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "T-72BU renamed T-90",
      "text": "With the limited market for new tanks, the world tank industry has developed upgrades and whole vehicle upgrade packages to tap into the market. Older T-72 tanks can be brought up to the T-72B standard. Some approach the",
      "src": [
        "weg-t-72a"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": {
    "file": "t-72a.jpg",
    "thumb": "t-72a-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "RG72",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Infanoj_sur_tanko.jpg",
    "title": "File:Infanoj sur tanko.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/t-72a.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-t-72a": {
      "title": "T-72A Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/T-72A_Russian_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}