Ukraine produces a simplified version of Т-72 tanks

Ukrainian Army uses modified models of Т-72АМТ tanks the appearance of which had not previously been reported.

According to the Militarny, such tanks were spotted on the video of the combat coordination of the Armed Forces units.

During the training, tankers of the 3rd Tank Brigade showcased the operation of Т-72 tanks that visually resemble the Т-72АМТ that were produced by the Kyiv Armored Plant, but have a number of significant changes.

Т-72АМТ

The basic Т-72АМТ model is the result of the modernization of the Soviet Т-72А tank. It received a new ТKN-3UМ commander observation device, as well as a new 1К13-49 gunner’s sight with an integrated night vision mode. This mode provides passive observation at a distance of up to 500 meters and up to 1500 meters with the use of an IR searchlight.

The tank also received the ability to fire with the “KOMBAT” round that comprises an anti tank guided missile. Instead of an open machine gun turret, the tank has a remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun mount similar to those mounted on the Т-64BV.

The protection of the tank was improved by elements of the HSChKV reactive armor also known as the “Nizh.” The armor is equipped with hinged containers on the upper frontal part of the tank, side screens, as well as built-in containers for the ERA on the tower. The new reactive armor is capable of effective counteraction to HEAT and armor-piercing ammunition. The tank was also equipped with slat armor in the area of the engine compartment.

The modernized vehicle received communication equipment presented by the modern Lybid-K-2RB digital radio, which replaced the Soviet R-173 one, as well as a Basalt GLONASS/GPS navigation system.

The driving qualities and maneuverability of the tank became better after replacing the V-46 engine with a more powerful V-84-1, as well as thanks to the equipment of new rubberized tracks from Т-80 tanks.

Simplified Т-72АМТ tank version

The simplified version of the Т-72 tank, seen in the video of the 3rd Tank Brigade, has received a number of significant changes that should both simplify the design and improve the characteristics of the vehicle on the battlefield.

The most noticeable detail on the new Т-72АМТ is the absence of the “Loona” infrared searchlight, installed to the right of the gun, which acted as a backlight for night vision devices integrated into the 1К13-49 gunner’s sight and the ТКN-3UM commander observation device.

The main explanation for such a change is the replacement of the basic commander and gunner observation instruments with more modern analogues that can work in passive mode, or completely replace the matrix of the night vision device of the gunner with thermal imaging.

A likely replacement could be an upgraded ТPN1-49-23UM night vision device, capable of detecting a target at a distance of up to 1300 meters in passive mode under the same conditions. The latter eliminates the possibility of detecting the tank by an enemy NVD due to the operation of the IR searchlight.

Also on the updated model remained the old open machine gun turret with armor, although on the base model a more complete covered anti-aircraft machine gun mount was installed. The use of an open turret forces the tank commander to get out of the tank every time to fire with a machine gun, which puts him in significant danger.

The tanks in the video were equipped with standard Т-72А cast tracks with a series hinge, although the pre-war Т-72АМТ versions equipped more complete tracks taken from the Т-80 tanks. The latter are much more useful due to their rubberized surfaces. Their absence can be explained by the termination of the enterprises engaged in their manufacture.

The new Т-72АМТ tanks were almost certainly restored with the outbreak of war by Soviet Т-72А tanks, which were stored in large quantities in the storage facilities of the country’s armored plants. It is also likely that the filmed tanks can be Polish Т-72М1 tanks modernized in Ukraine, which are essentially the export counterpart of the Т-72А.