Insider has named its version of the reason why the T-72 is still the main tank in the Russian army.

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By the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Soviet defense industry had produced about 18 thousand tanks T-72. Two thousand tanks are still in service with the Russian army. Since 2014, the Russian army has been using an updated version of the T-72B3M tank, which took part in the hostilities in Syria.

At one time, writes Insider, Soviet military leaders planned that T-72 tanks would break into West Germany and deliver a decisive blow to the ground forces of NATO countries if the Cold War escalated into a major military conflict. However, the war with NATO never happened, but the tank remained in Russian military service. The mentioned edition tells about the reasons, adding that more than 30 countries of the world have purchased such tanks for their armies.



Among the main advantages of the T-72 tank, Insider calls the new 125-mm smoothbore gun 2A46M5, thanks to which the tank is compared with many of the best main battle tanks in the world. In addition, the tank is equipped with a Kalina fire control system with automatic tracking of enemy armored vehicles, a laser rangefinder with a thermal imaging sight. The T-72 can fire the latest armor-piercing and high-explosive shells, use the AT-11 anti-tank missiles (talking about Reflex-M).

Another plus of the tank is the modern Kontakt-5 reactive armor, which is also found on the T-90A. It can protect the vehicle from enemy anti-tank missiles. The low profile of the turret also provides more effective protection against enemy shells. The control system has been updated in the tank, providing better mobility of the combat vehicle.

But the T-72B3 also has a weak point - this, according to Insider, is the armor at the top of the tower, vulnerable to American Javelin anti-tank missiles. Frankly, the vulnerability of foreign tanks in the upper projection is at least no less.

Since, according to Insider, there are more than 7 thousand T-72 tanks in storage, there is no doubt, the newspaper writes, that Russia can upgrade almost all of these tanks to the state of T-72B3. Consequently, the T-72 will continue to be the "workhorse" of the Russian ground forces, including due to its virtually unlimited modernization potential.
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  1. +1
    30 November 2021 09: 52
    The T-72M was in service with the GDR. Then, when the current Germans were betrayed by the Krmunst, T-72Ms with crosses and in unusual colors appeared in the photographs. "Leibstandart Mikhail Gorbachev ..."
    1. +62
      30 November 2021 10: 05
      It was not the communists who betrayed, but the scoundrels. For them, the crust of a member of the CPSU was only a means of career, and not of human principles.
      1. +29
        30 November 2021 10: 29
        Any party is the people who are in it and LEAD!
        As always, any crime has a full name ...
        To the party, as to an organization, you can also roll out many claims ... but this again to a specific group of persons who were members of it and led. Their deeds, their shoals ...
        Blame everyone indiscriminately and at once ... it's worth listening to specific accusations, and not this "they are to blame for what they are" ... this is not serious and stupid.
        1. PAM
          +1
          30 November 2021 15: 18
          Something I do not hear condemnation and actions of members from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation aimed at expelling Rashkin from the party (just for example) who fell for breaking the law, filled up an elk without a permit (criminal article), it turns out that his party members are nothing better.
          1. 0
            30 November 2021 15: 47
            Nothing new, unusual ... there is a group of faces by abbreviation, which they do not correspond to ANYTHING, in the understanding that many still have left from ancient times. It happens.
            although, those four letters were not deciphered as soon as they were, and any deciphering more accurately corresponds to what they are at the moment.
            In short, theory and practice ... it happens, like from earth to sky.
      2. 0
        30 November 2021 13: 27
        Then the policy was like that - you will not be a member of the CPSU, you will not be a leader.
        1. +2
          30 November 2021 15: 44
          It was because of this idiotic policy that it was not people with the convictions of communists who got into the party, but careerists, crooks of all stripes and ranks, or even outright ideological enemies, in order to take leading posts in society and the state, in fact, by the end of the 80 x The Communist Party of the Soviet Union, especially in its leadership, it degenerated into something amorphous and unviable, confirms the fact that an insignificant number of 91 million army of “communists” came out to defend the Soviet system in 93 and 20, the rest, shape-shifters with party membership cards, remained indifferent, or even approved of her overthrow.
          1. 0
            30 November 2021 19: 54
            Quote: Svidetel 45
            the rest, shape-shifters with party cards,

            At 93, shape-shifters fought each other for the opportunity to rob Russia. And at 91 you have to see who the shape-shifters were. Maybe that's why the people did not come to their defense?
          2. 0
            2 December 2021 05: 44
            idiotic politics and it was not people with the convictions of communists who got into the party, but careerists, crooks of all stripes and ranks, or even outright ideological enemies in order to take leading posts in society and the state

            As if now completely crystal-honest people are trying to get into the main game ...
            It always has been, it always will be.
    2. +7
      30 November 2021 10: 13
      -because of actually UNLIMITED modernization potential.
      Noted correctly. The rest is "lyrics".
      1. +5
        30 November 2021 11: 38
        Not sure about UNLIMITED potential. There is nothing perfect in the world, and when then everything comes to an end. With regard to this tank, we decided to take the lowest cost path. It is costly and time-consuming to create new things. And here is a bunch of equipment that can be upgraded. This is what they do all over the world.
    3. 0
      30 November 2021 12: 51
      It was still funny to see these crosses on the "flashes".
    4. 0
      30 November 2021 21: 52
      I add to you furiously!
      And there is.
  2. 0
    30 November 2021 09: 53
    Т72 occupy the niche of Т55 and Т62, which end ... in the masses - export versions or early Soviet ones, which, in terms of communication and sights, did not go far from the T-62 M ... To defeat 120mm cannons and ATGMs 2nd generation, that the T62M, that the T-72 of the early and export versions are the same. The cornet and the yoke of the copy will be knocked out of the way. There are no thermal imagers.
  3. +14
    30 November 2021 09: 54
    And what - the armor at the top of the turret of western tanks of the type for anti-tank missiles is invulnerable? what
    1. +22
      30 November 2021 10: 09
      Absolutely vulnerable. I don't understand why the Abrams is called a tank - this is a pure tank destroyer from the second time with frontal armor ala yagd-tiger
      1. 0
        30 November 2021 22: 17
        Well, it entirely corresponds to the definition of a "tank", and the layout is typical "NATO", during the Cold War, from behind the caponier to shoot off the advancing tanks of the Warsaw block. Our tanks are more like escort tanks.
        1. 0
          30 November 2021 22: 21
          The tank has at least a circular booking .. at least t34, etc .. PT ACS - all armor in the front .... when Abrams sorry machine gun calibers pierce the anal? This is according to your tank wassat
          1. +1
            1 December 2021 10: 00
            Its machine-gun calibers do not penetrate, it has 60mm in the sides and 30mm in the stern, the same T-90 has 80mm and 50mm, respectively. These myths about the penetration of armor with a machine gun, all because of the APU, which is not covered by the main armor, but has a common fuel system. Now the APU does not seem to be installed
            1. -1
              1 December 2021 15: 51
              30mm can be easily penetrated even by BZT 50 BMG or our 12,7x108 ... but 50mm is no longer available to them. Therefore, there is a difference
  4. The comment was deleted.
  5. +13
    30 November 2021 10: 01
    "If the devil needed a tank, he would have chosen the T-72" (c)
  6. Kaw
    -27
    30 November 2021 10: 02
    including due to virtually unlimited modernization potential.

    In my opinion, the modernization potential in this tank is just the same completely exhausted. This tank is in no way protected from anti-tank systems of 3-4 generations. In addition, you can't build up frontal armor for him, otherwise it will block the mechanic drive hatch.
    In general, these tanks, made on the basis of the T-64, are extremely unsuccessful. They have a large design defect, they explode upon any penetration of the armor. IMHO
    1. +6
      30 November 2021 10: 40
      There are 7000 pieces of T72 in storage bases.
      They can all be turned into robots.
    2. +7
      30 November 2021 11: 07
      "Extremely unsuccessful, explode on ANY armor penetration" - there are too many epithets. Extremely unsuccessful))
    3. +1
      30 November 2021 13: 47
      Would you like to write this heap, you would have glanced at the location of the lukehvod at WUNDERWAFLEY M1A2.
      1. Kaw
        -10
        30 November 2021 16: 46
        Well, maybe they have the same hatch. But Abrams has at least the durability of the main armor twice that of the T-72B / T-90. And the survivability is much higher.
        1. +1
          1 December 2021 15: 48
          PFFFF. Modern Russian ATGMs pierce this meter without looking.
          Secondly, it is much more difficult to hide this iron than 72k or 90k. Thirdly, the mobility of this iron is below any criticism.
          1. Kaw
            -1
            4 December 2021 00: 16
            His mobility is excellent, he has a very powerful engine and an automatic transmission.
  7. +4
    30 November 2021 10: 02
    The tank is a legend .... although in fact it is a deep modernization of the 64-ki .... which at one time was an analogue of the Armata T-14
    I managed to ride 1 time ... impressions belay fellow in place of the gunner. And even shoot ... although I didn't really know anything, the commander, Mikhail, told me what and how ... Shot ... like an earthquake ... the roar was such that even in the headphones it blocked my ears ... . as a huge colossus of the shutter rolls back belay But most of all, of course, was struck by the automatic loader ..... the projectile ... then the sleeve ... Tin. Eh ... 20 years have passed ... there were times feel
    1. +4
      30 November 2021 11: 35
      Quote: Split
      Tank legend .... although in fact this is a deep modernization of the 64-ki.

      A T-64-deep modernization of the T-62 ... T-62-lumpy modernization of the T-55 ... A T-55 -... winked
      1. +4
        30 November 2021 11: 39
        The T-64 is a fundamentally new tank .... there the similarity with the T62 is minimal ... combined armor, an assault rifle, etc.
        1. +5
          30 November 2021 13: 05
          Come on, you quit nitpicking! I was hoping that the "people" would notice the presence of a joke in the commentary!
          1. +2
            30 November 2021 19: 04
            Share of humor jokes .... if you honestly did not see it. You thought you were on serious cabbage soup lol
            It was just that 64ka in those years was a revolutionary and innovative tank ... everything was radically new ... although it was very capricious, from the engine to the automatic loader

            ZY Colleague, a glass of tea drinks fellow
            1. +1
              30 November 2021 19: 35
              Quote: Split
              It was just that 64ka in those years was a revolutionary and innovative tank ... everything was radically new ... although it was very capricious, from the engine to the automatic loader

              Yes you are right ! hi The T-64 tank was innovative, and at the same time quite capricious! But he "did his job"! Yes "Thanks" to him, the T-72 appeared, and then the T-90 ...
              1. 0
                30 November 2021 19: 58
                Well, let's not forget the T-80 ... many haut it ... like the consumption is 2 times more ... but as for me a unique machine ... it's not in vain that it is still being modernized ... I did not ride it , but I saw close up with the engine running ... he right off the bat! belay from far away he is very quiet, but when he drove nearby ... the roar is such that it clogs his ears. In fact, this is the direct heir of 64, since he has a cannon from him, a machine gun. Well, and the first tank, which used dynamic protection.
      2. Alf
        +2
        30 November 2021 19: 04
        Quote: Nikolaevich I
        A T-64-deep modernization of the T-62 ... T-62-lumpy modernization of the T-55 ... A T-55 -...

        MS-1 ... lol
    2. +2
      30 November 2021 12: 46
      ... The shot .... like an earthquake .... the roar is such that the ears even in the headphones are blocked .... like a huge colossus of the shutter rolls back belay But most of all, of course, was struck by the automatic loader.

      Hello, Tolya!
      Even immediately and did not recognize you))).
      hi
      Glad you experienced THIS feeling.
      For the trained ear of the Tanker, all these sounds are Music, where all the "instruments" must play "correctly".
      Any "false" in this music is alarming, because it is a malfunction.

      As a rule, TPU is used only for communication with the mechanic drive, the towers communicate with each other with their eyes and facial expressions. The voice only serves as an additional duplication of communication.
      I will not say that in the general roar of the engine, gyroscope, supercharger, etc. the sound of a shot is strongly audible. Sometimes you only notice it by the smoke and rollback.
      Probably your helmet was picked up too big.)))

      Thanks for the nostalgia, buddy.
      drinks
  8. +7
    30 November 2021 10: 16
    If you install KAZ, a panoramic viewer, and better heating units on 72, then 72 more years 30 will serve boldly! hi
    1. +8
      30 November 2021 10: 45
      Quote: spirit
      If you install KAZ, a panoramic viewer, better heating units on 72, then 72 more years 30 will serve boldly!

      And the T-72-I slowly turns into an elegant T-90 ..
  9. +1
    30 November 2021 10: 18
    Consequently, the T-72 will continue to be the "workhorse" of the Russian ground forces, including due to its virtually unlimited modernization potential.
    Helpful, proven work "horse", so to speak.
    The next generation will be different ... this is a normal, logical process.
  10. +7
    30 November 2021 10: 28
    Because there are a LOT of theirs and modern competitors are not far ahead.
  11. +2
    30 November 2021 10: 35
    Huge respect for our tankers! It is my respect to work in such conditions! Even though I was 20 then ... but even getting into it is something ... a huge colossus ... as I wrote above - I even managed to shoot once ... Impressions for life ... oh, we would have it in that battle ... would not have required ~ 170 rounds from the SVD.
    ZY BRDM (as far as I know after a shell shock) arrived and 30mm leveled everything there to the ground in asphalt
  12. +1
    30 November 2021 11: 03
    The main weak point of the T-72 now is the carousel AZ, which does not allow the use of projectiles longer than 740mm even after modernization, while the ammunition rack and the design of NATO 120mm cannon shots allow the use of BOPSs up to 900-930mm in length. Everything else, with funding and desire can be solved. First of all, I would like, of course, KAZ, VDZ "Relikt" instead of "Contact-5", and shells with a programmable detonation distance in the ammunition station. Ideally, it would be better to change the turret altogether, installing the AZ in the stern niche, like on some T-90s, but this is almost like a new tank for the money.
    1. +3
      30 November 2021 12: 21
      Quote: Max PV
      by installing AZ in the stern niche, as on some T-90s,

      There is no T-90 with AZ in the aft niche.
      An attempt was made to create a universal fighting compartment (Burlak) for all types of tanks, but did not reach production (with two AZ)
      1. 0
        30 November 2021 13: 22
        Quote: Bad_gr
        Quote: Max PV
        by installing AZ in the stern niche, as on some T-90s,

        There is no T-90 with AZ in the aft niche.
        An attempt was made to create a universal fighting compartment (Burlak) for all types of tanks, but did not reach production (with two AZ)

        Hello Volodya.
        hi
        Ага.
        Unfortunately, the absolute truth.
        1. +2
          30 November 2021 13: 29
          Alexey, good afternoon!
          "Burlak":
          1. +1
            30 November 2021 15: 44
            This way he likes it better
  13. 0
    30 November 2021 11: 38
    So what? The tank is quite at the level of foreign counterparts. Put modern digital complexes on it, it is quite possible to sell abroad. The T-90 and Armata will not be released in large quantities soon, so the T-72 is still quite enough.
  14. +7
    30 November 2021 11: 40
    This tank is designed for war with the use of nuclear weapons. For such a war, he does not need anything extra. It is very well protected from weapons of mass destruction - the shape and size is better than that of western tanks, except it can beat the Swedish S. In such a war, from modern thermal imagers, electronics, KAZ, DZ, etc. the benefit will be very limited.
    Modernization is only meant for conventional local warfare.
  15. 0
    30 November 2021 11: 49
    Quote: isker
    "If the devil needed a tank, he would have chosen the T-72" (c)

    I think you can say a little better:
    "If the devil needs a tank, he will choose the T-72"
    ;)
  16. 0
    30 November 2021 12: 03
    Quote: Max PV
    The main weak point of the T-72 now is the carousel AZ, which does not allow the use of shells longer than 740mm

    And yet, AZ for the most running shells, for some specific ones, manual loading is possible
  17. mvg
    -3
    30 November 2021 13: 38
    And so the mood is bad. And then there's such a heartfelt article. Discovering so many new things on VO. I am now in thought: Have you already closed the vacancy in Murzilka magazine?
  18. -1
    30 November 2021 13: 41
    This eternal advertisement for "Javelins" is no longer even funny. Well, journalists do not know that the main anti-tank weapon in a "big" war is not super-duper infantry anti-tank systems, but cluster munitions of missile forces, rocket artillery and aviation, and only in conflicts of local intensity - the cheapest anti-tank systems and UAVs.
  19. Alexander Maltsev_2
    0
    30 November 2021 14: 34
    I wonder which models are participating in the tank biathlon?
    1. Alf
      0
      30 November 2021 19: 09
      Quote: Alexander Maltsev_2
      I wonder which models are participating in the tank biathlon?

      Officially ordinary serial T-72B3. Although the "evil tongues" claim that the engines on the tanks of our team are "twisted" ...
  20. 0
    30 November 2021 20: 50
    Insider is a porn-level tabloid at a cheap magazine stand in a midwestern country. Nobody is interested in what they write there. Custom Muds
  21. +1
    30 November 2021 21: 46
    And they did not name why the old m1a1 \ m1a2 is still in service with the usa?
  22. 0
    30 November 2021 23: 24
    The tank is mobilization, but it needs to be modernized.
  23. 0
    1 December 2021 15: 13
    Well, I would not promise unlimited modernization potential. Still, there is already a conceptual limitation on the length of subcaliber projectiles. And within the existing layout, it is irresistible.

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