old russian tank with modern diesel engine

The fire control system is interfaced with Sosna-U sighting system and a digital ballistic computer that automates the shot preparation process and improves firing accuracy significantly. The sight includes a day channel, a laser range finder and an image intensifier to observe the battlefield, search for targets and assign them to the gunner and direct the turret. The commander is provided with a new panoramic sight with thermal vision. The guided missiles fitted to the modernised MBT can destroy static and mobile targets during day and night at ranges up to 5,000m. The turret is also mounted with a bank of eight smoke grenade dischargers.

The secondary armament includes a co-axial 7.62mm PKTM machine gun and a roof-mounted 12.7mm NSV heavy machine gun. The AT-11 Sniper missile has a maximum range of 4,000m and can engage tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour. The projectiles and missiles are loaded by an auto-loader. It can fire a range of ammunition, including armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS), high-explosive fragmentation (HEF) and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), as well as 9M119 Refleks (NATO codename: AT-11 Sniper) guided anti-tank missiles. The T72B3M is armed with a 2A46M5 125mm smoothbore gun, which is an advanced version of the 2A46M cannon. It also features a rear-view camera and a mechanical drive display system. The T-72B3M tank is equipped with radio systems for encrypted digital voice and data transfer, snorkels for deep fording, and a built-in blade for self-entrenching.

The mobility and combat characteristics of the tank have also been improved to compete with the most advanced tanks worldwide. The MBT features an advanced fire control system and a new thermal sight.

The middle section of the forward hull houses the driver, while the turret accommodates the other two crew members. The tank is manned by a crew of three, including a driver, a commander and a gunner. The layout of the T-72B3M is identical to that of the standard T-72 with driver’s cab at forward hull, fighting compartment in the centre and the power-pack at the rear. The first T-72B3M tank was inducted into service by the Belarusian Armed Forces in June 2017. The first batch of 20 upgraded tanks entered service with the Western Military District of the Russian Army in February 2017.

Old russian tank with modern diesel engine