Ukraine rolls out upgraded T-72 tank

Designers at Kyiv Armored Plant presented on Aug. 20 a new, upgraded version of the Soviet-era T-72 main battle tank, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reported on his page on Facebook.

The battle effectiveness of the tank has been improved with the help of lessons learned on the front in the east of Ukraine, the president’s post says.

Ukrainian defense industry concern UkrOboronProm said the new tank, called the T-72AMT, is based on the T-72A, which went into service with the Soviet army in 1979.

The last batch of the original version of these tanks was produced in 1985.

The new modern Ukrainian version is enhanced with Nizh explosive reactive armor, previously used on earlier developments like the T-84 Oplot and the T-64 Bulat main battle tanks. The advanced protection system, designed in the late 1990s, consists of multiple modules attached to the hull of the tank, which explode when hit by a projectile, dissipating its explosive force.

The T-72AMT also features enhanced armor protections of its sides and rear portion – the most vulnerable parts of a tank.

The new version of the tank has third-generation night vision sights for all crew members, the designers say. The vehicle’s gunners are now provided with semi-automatic night vision targeting devices for the Kombat guided anti-tank rockets, which can destroy vehicles with 750-millimeter armor at distances of 5 kilometers or more.

The vehicle’s communications system was also upgraded, and now uses Turkish-made Aselan digital radio sets as well as Ukrainian Lybid K2 stations, providing high-quality secured communications with allied combat units on the battlefield.

The new tanks are also equipped with a modern satellite navigation system, UkrOboronProm said.

“We produced this T-72AMT modification on the basis of real feedback from Ukrainian fighters, and their experience,” Kyiv Armored Plant director Vadym Shkavro said. “We did it at our plant’s expense, with the aim of putting our available component inventory to the most effective use.”

The new Ukrainian tank will be on view to the general public on Aug. 23 during a weapons exhibition in central Kyiv prior to Ukraine’s Independence Day.

After that, the vehicles will be sent to training grounds for testing, Shkavro said.