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Land ForcesRussia

T-72S

Main battle tankFielded 1985Pending verification
Land ForcesRUS
T-72S
Photo: Amin Berenjkar · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction1985
ProliferationAt least 2 countries
ManufacturerUralvagonzavodMed[1]
Crew3Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.59 m12 ftMed[1]
Height2.23 m7 ftMed[1]
Combat weight46.5 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineV-84MMed[1]
Engine power840 hpMed[1]
Cruising range550 km342 mi · 297 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed60 km/h37 mph · 32 ktMed[1]
Fording depth1.2 mMed[1]
Fording (with Preparation)5.0 mMed[1]
Fording KitOPVT deep water fording kitMed[1]
TransmissionSynchromesh, hydraulically assisted, with 7 forward and 1 reverse gearsMed[1]
SuspensionTorsion barMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorSteel and composite armour with additional plates that provide protection equivalent to 950mm of steel against HEAT projectiles, 440mm resistance to KE rounds, and 500mm against shaped charges. The T-72BM also has a additional twelve separaMed[1]
Turret ArmorSteel and composite armour with ERA, 950 mm against HEAT weapons. The Turret has additional Ceramic or silica inserts to add to the protection level of the T-72BM. Additionally, the T-72BM has arrow-shaped arrays of ERA added to the turret Med[1]
Applique ArmorAvailable, Turret top and track skirtsMed[1]
Explosive reactive armor (ERA)Yes, Kontakt-V (UPGRADE). Additional ERA is added to the Turret, Glacis, and sides of the hull.Med[1]
ERA Explosive Element4S22Med[1]
ERA 4S22 Elements (Plates)240 eaMed[1]
Armor Cassette Type4S22 cassette that is filled with an explosive element and steel armoured plate.Med[1]
Number of total Armor Cassettes200-300 eaMed[1]
NBC ProtectionYes, System Sensor Radiation Device and chemical intelligence (PRRM).Med[1]
Active Protection SystemYes, ZETS11-3 Control SystemMed[1]
Grenade LauncherYes, twelve 81 mm Toucha 902B grenade launchers that fire the ZD-6 smoke grenade.Med[1]
Exhaust Smoke-Laying SystemYesMed[1]
Armament
Rate of fire (max)8 rds/minMed[1]
Minimum elevation-6 degMed[1]
Maximum elevation+14 degMed[1]
Main armament1 x D-81 125mm Smoothbore Gun, 125 mmMed[1]
Secondary armament1 x PKT (Kalashnikov's Machine Gun) 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine GunMed[1]
Maximum firing range5 km3 mi · 3 nmiLongest-range ammunition listedMed[1]
Fire control
Fire control system1A40-1; The Gunner, using the 1A40-1 sight can designate and engage targets out to a mazimum distance of 4,000 meters with APFSDS and HEAR rounds.Med[1]
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight Tank CommanderYes, 1K13 sight and aiming complexMed[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerGunner's primary sight is the 1A40-1Med[1]
Main Gun Stabilization2E42-2 (Upgrade)Med[1]
Range, Thermal Sight1,000 mMed[1]
Variants
T-72ASecond Russian main variant of the T-72.[1]
T-72B1In 1986, a limited production variant without an ATGM launch capability. Some do not have ERA.[1]
T-72BKThe Commander's variant with additional radios.[1]
T-72BMRussian 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[1]
T-72BUUpgrade variant with the fire control system from the T-80U as well as well as a variety of other changes.[1]
T-72BU renamed T-90With 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[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS)125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
2,050 m/s
Armor penetration
1,000 mm
Projectile weight
11 kg
High Explosives (HE)125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
5 km3 mi · 3 nmi
Quantity
45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
850 m/s
Projectile weight
23 kg
High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
3 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
45 Total Rounds of any 125mm Russian Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
915 m/s
Projectile weight
18.4 kg
Armor penetration
Estimated at 800 mm triple charge HEAT
Laser Guided Anti-tank guided missile launcher125 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Range
4 km2 mi · 2 nmi
Quantity
6 ea
Guidance
Yes
Armor penetration
up to 700mm of armor
Warhead
9N142 shaped charge warhead
Summary

The T-72S Russian Main Battle Tank is a This is export model of the T-72A, upgraded to the T-72BM standard by Nizhny Tagil in Russia. Known also as the "Shilden," the upgrade package reportedly boosts performance by 1.7 percent.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
RussiaIran
Sources
  1. T-72S Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY 4.0)