Tanks T-72M4 CZ received high praise in the Czech press

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The plans of the Czech Ministry of Defense to purchase new infantry fighting vehicles to replace Soviet equipment are currently in big question due to a change of government, economic difficulties and a growing budget deficit.

"Disadvantages" T-72


Against this background, various options for modernizing the army are proposed: switch from BVP-1 to armored vehicles or completely put aside the BMP upgrade program, focusing on the revival of the tank fleet.



Present tank The "armada" of the Czech Armed Forces consists of only one battalion of improved T-72M4 CZ (but only a few of them are fully operational), and a number of non-modernized T-72M1s, which is a rather sad situation for an army that in its [Soviet] time could boast hundreds of MBTs

- indicated in the publication CZDefence.

At the same time, the author casts doubt on the judgment that tanks are an anachronism on the modern battlefield. According to him, the recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan or the fighting in eastern Ukraine clearly showed that MBTs are capable of performing all the tasks assigned to them, despite the emergence of new threats - advanced anti-tank systems and strike drones. Tanks still have undeniable advantages - powerful weapons, durable armor and high maneuverability over the most difficult terrain, while maintaining their relevance.

The author is surprised at the low sales of tanks on the modern world market, although he notes that Russia and China are still buying new vehicles in large batches. The armies of developed Western countries also retain their "armored fist". Against this background, Czech troops continue to operate the "obsolete" T-72.

Even the Gulf War fully exposed all the sores of this old Soviet type (inadequate placement of ammunition, not quite optimal space for the crew, lower level of armor protection, etc.)

- indicated in the Czech press.



Difficulties in choosing


At the same time, even the improvement of the MBT to the level of the T-72M72 CZ could not correct the “shortcomings” in the technical concept of the T-4, which, according to the author in the Czech press, still deserved high praise compared to other modernization options:

Czech tanks T-72M4 CZ are clearly not the youngest, but it would be a mistake to perceive them as museum pieces. It is important that they remain at our disposal. With their help, you can solve tasks for the defense of borders.

According to the current plans of the Ministry of Defense, in the course of restoring the fleet of these tanks, they must undergo a technical re-equipment procedure by 2025 (27 T-72M4 CZ, 3 command T-72M4 CZ and 3 VT-72M4 CZ BREM), having received new components of the SLA (the breakdowns of which are the main cause of the failure of machines) and communication systems. This will allow them to remain in service until at least 2030.

The acquisition of new tanks, of course, would be the ideal solution. Simply because they will be new, with sufficient wear resistance, and therefore with a long-term service perspective.

- explains the author in the Czech press.

However, he believes that, despite the apparent abundance of choice, it will actually be narrowed down to two cars. Buying new tanks from Russia and China is not possible for political reasons. Developing countries offer "obscure types" of technology. American Abrams are "extremely heavy and therefore difficult to operate". There are only two options left - the German Leopard 2A7 or the South Korean K-2.

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36 comments
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  1. +9
    9 February 2022 17: 37
    I smiled that the American Abrams are “extremely heavy and therefore difficult to operate.” There are only two options left - the German Leopard 2A7 or the South Korean K-2.
    And that the leopard 2A7 is much lighter than the abrams? There is already under 70 tons of weight
    K2 yes 10 tons lighter
    1. -1
      9 February 2022 17: 45
      There is a third option, the Israeli light Sabrah tank, or rather its platform.
      1. +3
        9 February 2022 17: 57
        So does he have an even older American M60 platform, or am I confusing something?
        1. +3
          9 February 2022 18: 51
          Quote: Sergei Zabelin
          So does he have an even older American M60 platform, or am I confusing something?

          not Turkish M60T Sabra
          and the new Israeli light tank Sabrah
          like they were going to deliver to the Philippines

          https://oleggranovsky.livejournal.com/508151.html
          1. -1
            9 February 2022 18: 53
            That's it, I found https://topwar.ru/179836-zamena-ustarevshim-sovetskim-t-72-cheshskaja-pressa-ocenila-legkij-izrailskij-tank-sabrah.html
      2. 0
        10 February 2022 18: 16
        There is a third option, the Israeli light Sabrah tank, or rather its platform.
        I can name at least two more options: Turkish, whatever it is, "Altai" like. And the Indian Arjun. This is not counting Chinese handicrafts.
  2. The comment was deleted.
  3. +11
    9 February 2022 17: 41
    Once Czech gunsmiths were among the best in Europe. And now they have either added or removed something from a 50-year-old Soviet tank. And they rejoice. *(S. Lavrov) fool
  4. +1
    9 February 2022 17: 46
    Disgrace. The Hungarians even found the money, and the Czechs are goofy, like Gargapon.
    1. -1
      9 February 2022 18: 48
      Disgrace. The Hungarians even found the money, but the Czechs goof off like Gargapon
      Yes laughing
    2. +9
      9 February 2022 19: 07
      The Hungarians begged Russia for gas at such a low price that they are envied even from Israel.
      1. The comment was deleted.
        1. The comment was deleted.
  5. +9
    9 February 2022 17: 48
    Maybe your modernization ruined our tank? recourse
  6. +2
    9 February 2022 18: 36
    Yes ... But before that they made their own and very good ones.
    1. 0
      10 February 2022 12: 15
      What years did the Czechs make decent tanks? In 1941, the Wehrmacht army had up to 30% of Czech tanks with armor plates on rivets and bolts. But it turned out that from the impact of a shell on the armor, the rivets were torn off and the crew died from the rivets. And the Wehrmacht quickly got rid of the Czech tanks. Since 1941, the production of German T-3 and T-4 tanks has been launched at Czech factories. Later they riveted the "panther". And already in 1946, the Czechs began to produce T-34s at their factories. Later they produced the T-55 and later the T-72. So when did they have decent tanks?
      1. -1
        10 February 2022 17: 36
        Quote: rotfuks
        What years did the Czechs make decent tanks? In 1941, the Wehrmacht army had up to 30% of Czech tanks with armor plates on rivets and bolts. But it turned out that from the impact of a shell on the armor, the rivets were torn off and the crew died from the rivets. And the Wehrmacht quickly got rid of the Czech tanks. Since 1941, the production of German T-3 and T-4 tanks has been launched at Czech factories. Later they riveted the "panther". And already in 1946, the Czechs began to produce T-34s at their factories. Later they produced the T-55 and later the T-72. So when did they have decent tanks?

        It didn’t stop you from knowing the materiel better. Tank LT-38 (aka Pz..Kpfw- 38 (t) was produced 1939-1942 and operated until the beginning of the 50s, 1433 tanks were produced. Self-propelled guns Marder III, Grille, Netzer were also produced on the LT chassis ... For his age, he quite decent, no need to compare with the tanks of the late 40s
        1. -1
          11 February 2022 00: 30
          This LT-38 tank (aka Pz..Kpfw- 38 (t) is the same tank about which German tankers wrote in their memoirs that more tankers died from its torn rivets than from enemy bullets and shrapnel. Maybe it looks decent in your World of Tanks but for the military of that time it was a coffin on tracks whose motor was so weak that it could not turn the tracks in the mud.So tell your grandmother about the materiel
          1. 0
            11 February 2022 15: 24
            Quote: rotfuks
            This LT-38 tank (aka Pz..Kpfw- 38 (t) is the same tank about which German tankers wrote in their memoirs that more tankers died from its torn rivets than from enemy bullets and shrapnel. Maybe it looks decent in your World of Tanks but for the military of that time it was a coffin on tracks whose motor was so weak that it could not turn the tracks in the mud.So tell your grandmother about the materiel

            Can you read normally or only through the line? I seem to have written in black and white that for his age he was quite normal. And even at the same time, as you can see, it continued to be produced up to 42. And yet, the tank is not only armor, but also an engine with a chassis, and it’s even unknown what is more important. For armor is easier to change than theirs. And if, according to you, he has such a weak engine, why was it exploited right up to the 50s? And about riveted armor ... well, the British riveted even at 43. And yes, about dirt ... from this point of view, Abrams is generally shit and not a tank. For even a low hill with a little snow is an insurmountable obstacle for him.
            1. 0
              11 February 2022 22: 30
              I can read very well and this tank is described in the memoirs of German tankers. The armor is riveted and the engine is so weak that the caterpillars that had frozen to the ground in winter were hammered by the crew with sledgehammers and crowbars for an hour in the morning so that this Czech miracle would move. If the armor is useless and the motor is weak, then what kind of tank is this? Maybe this miracle was exploited in developed countries for many years, but the Wehrmacht refused these tanks already in 1942. And the Red Army, on occasion, sent these tanks to the rhinestone for remelting. Nevertheless, you think this tank is decent. And the British riveted riveted armor only for foreign armies. In 1944, after the opening of the second front, the British did not have a single riveted tank in their army.
              1. 0
                12 February 2022 20: 28
                But the "beautiful" "tigers" and "panthers" in winter could not be moved with crowbars-sledgehammers if the plates (track rollers) froze (and this was a frequent occurrence). In 1940-1941, Czech tanks outnumbered the Germans and were actively used at the front. Self-propelled guns based on the Pz.38 (t) were used until the end of the war, and in Czechoslovakia and some other countries until the 1950s, and no one complained.
                1. 0
                  12 February 2022 23: 11
                  From which side did you confuse "Tigers" and "Panthers" here when it comes to Czech tanks? If the Czech tanks are so excellent, then the practical Germans would not have gotten rid of them so quickly. When a tank kills its tankers with its own rivets, you have to hate your tankers a lot in order to give them such tanks. As for Pz.38 (t) in other countries, take it higher. In Afghanistan, these tanks were used until the 1970s. And in Ziibabwe, these tanks are still in service.
                  1. 0
                    13 February 2022 08: 04
                    The question was about starting off in winter. That's why the "tigers" with the "panthers". And if the Pz.38 (t) were bad, they would simply not be accepted into service or they would initially be sent to the rear and training units. It's just that by 1942 the armor protection of the "Czechs" was already ephemeral, which led to the cessation of production. They could no longer strengthen the armor. Chassis would not survive. But since this chassis was one of the best in its class, production continued for self-propelled guns, and for assault, anti-tank and anti-aircraft.
                    1. 0
                      14 February 2022 01: 23
                      The conversation began with the fact that the comrade claimed that he considered the Czech Pz.38 (t) a decent tank. And I argue that this tank is known for killing its own tankers with rivets and regularly freezing to the ground. What is remarkable about this tank if they got rid of it during the year of the war and transferred it to the category of tractors? For tanks that kill their own tankers with rivets, tank builders need to chop their hands to the elbows with an ax and not retell fairy tales from Wikipedia about the durability of this tank.
                      1. 0
                        14 February 2022 10: 27
                        Rather than stupidly quote the wiki, I recommend reading the memoirs of Otto Carius, from which this phrase was pulled out. I read it with pleasure. For a long time he laughed at the hundreds of tanks and self-propelled guns burned by his crew, could not understand why Germany needed all the other tankers, since there is Carius. laughing Well, at the same time I appreciated his opinion about tanks. He speaks flatteringly only about the "tiger", which "shot far and accurately", but in fact was a sedentary anti-tank firing point.
                      2. 0
                        14 February 2022 18: 51
                        It's just you stupidly quoting the wiki. I advise you to read about the Pz.38 (t) tank in the book of the famous Suvorov (Rezun). He has a whole chapter in the book about this tank. Many unscrupulous experts and couch strategists, seeing the index (t) in the name of the tank, enroll this tank in heavy breakthrough tanks. But this is not true at all. Tank Pz.38 (t) is a light infantry tank concocted more for police operations and not for war.
                      3. 0
                        14 February 2022 19: 02
                        You should teach history. And not according to the little books of the traitor and the scum of the rezun, but according to the documents. Unlike you, I am well aware of the characteristics of Czech tanks, and I will leave your nonsense about "(t) - a heavy tank" to your conscience. And for me, as a person with a university education, a historian, it is simply ridiculous to read your stupid fabrications.
                      4. 0
                        14 February 2022 19: 31
                        I have noticed that the highest concentration of college-educated streaks is now in Haifa and Petah Gourd. Yes, and in Ukraine there are many of them. Judging by how you shake your diploma out of place, are you from there? Yes, and your manner of communication is very typical for the inhabitants of those places.
                      5. 0
                        14 February 2022 19: 36
                        Yeah... Your head is completely in trouble... I'm from Yekaterinburg. There is, you know, such a city in the Urals. Although how do you know, from Haifa. And if you suddenly look, you will see several photo publications on my site. From the museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma and just from the city. And I'm not "waving a diploma", but laughing at a stupid and illiterate "opponent", who at the same time is so cowardly that he is afraid to even indicate his name.
                      6. 0
                        14 February 2022 21: 48
                        You made me laugh. First they wrote that you have a university education, and now write that you are not brandishing a diploma. I actually don’t care about your education and your photo publications, your manner of communication says that you have an unfinished technical school or vocational school from your education. Culture of you and rushing at the level of reserve construction battalion. Maybe you are already old? Alzheimer's already knocked on your door, but you never noticed it.
  7. +7
    9 February 2022 19: 28
    Quote: Aron Zaavi
    Disgrace. The Hungarians even found the money, and the Czechs are goofy, like Gargapon.

    Well, the Hungarians still have to take Transcarpathia from the Ukrainians, but why the Czechs need tanks? They need to brew beer, there is no time to fight ...
    1. +2
      10 February 2022 18: 19
      The Czech Republic is now famous for beer, tourism and the porn industry. Which of these is supposed to be protected by tanks is not clear to me.
  8. 0
    10 February 2022 05: 41
    And it’s true, with whom should they fight?
    There seems to be no graters with the neighbors.
    With us?!
    So is it not for this that they joined the NATA, so that the Angles and Americans fought for them?
  9. 0
    10 February 2022 09: 27
    Is 125 mm ammunition still Soviet?
  10. AAC
    +1
    10 February 2022 09: 41
    Completely pointless exercise. If only within the EU for collective protection from anyone. But then they must be unified with their neighbors. Otherwise, any breakdown will turn the tank into a pile of iron.
  11. 0
    10 February 2022 13: 13
    Czech tanks T-72M4 CZ are clearly not the youngest, but it would be a mistake to perceive them as museum pieces. It is important that they remain at our disposal. With their help, you can solve tasks for the defense of borders.


    When was the last time the Czechs defended the frontiers?
  12. +2
    10 February 2022 15: 46
    Another thing strikes me: how quickly the Czechs in NATO were broken off the horns and how the vaunted free market is collapsing even faster.
    There are only two options left - the German Leopard 2A7 or the South Korean K-2.

    - German tanks have recently been sold from stock after repairs and not the latest version of modernization;
    - the British generally curtailed their own tank building and are going to liquidate armored divisions;
    - now we hear about colonial tanks (from South Korea, India and China) more often than about French armored vehicles.
    European trendsetters (shabby)!
  13. 0
    10 February 2022 18: 06
    Quote: Pavel57
    Is 125 mm ammunition still Soviet?

    So where will the others come from if in NAT, according to the standard, the MBT caliber is 120mm. On all advanced MBTs (abrashki, lepiks, black cat) there is a variant of the L44 / L55, LLR / 47 gun from Rheinmetall or their licensed derivatives. A small British rifled gun on Chelyashki is a separate number, but this MBT has already become essentially an anachronism
  14. 0
    11 February 2022 11: 29
    What I liked from the first glance at the Czech tank was how the DZ blocks were installed on the forehead of the turret. Without "holes", unlike our T-72B3. Yes, in our tank, DZ blocks also cover the front part of the turret side, but not in the Czech one. And yet, the fact is there. I don’t know what kind of DZ the Czechs have and how effective it is - just the first thing that caught my eye.

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