View source for T-72

{{Short description|Soviet/Russian main battle tank}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025|cs1-dates=ly}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = T-72
| image              = Alabino05042017-40.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = T-72B3M in [[Alabino]] during rehearsals for the 2017 Moscow Victory Day Parade.
| origin             = [[Soviet Union]]
| type               = [[Main battle tank]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_vehicle         = yes
| is_UK              = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 1973–present
| used_by            = See ''[[T-72 operators and variants#Current operators|Operators]]''
| wars               = {{collapsible list|[[Iran–Iraq War]]|[[1982 Lebanon War]]|[[1982 Ethiopian–Somali Border War]]|[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]|[[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]]|[[Gulf War]]|[[1991 Iraqi uprisings]]|[[Georgian Civil War]]|[[Civil war in Tajikistan]]||[[Sierra Leone Civil War]]|[[Yugoslav Wars]]|[[Algerian Civil War]]|[[Rwandan Civil War]]|[[First Chechen War]]|[[Kargil War]]|[[Second Chechen War]]|[[2003 invasion of Iraq]]|[[Russo-Georgian War]]|[[First Libyan Civil War]]|[[Syrian Civil War]]|[[South Sudanese Civil War]]|[[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]]|<!--intentional link to dab page-->|[[Second Libyan Civil War]]|[[Boko Haram insurgency]]|[[2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes]]|[[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war]]|[[Tigray War]]|[[Russo-Ukraine War]]|[[2023 Sudan conflict]]}}
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = [[Uralvagonzavod|Leonid Kartsev-Valeri Venediktov]]
| design_date        = 1967–1973
| manufacturer       = [[Uralvagonzavod]], [[Heavy Vehicles Factory]]
| unit_cost          = US$0.5–1.2 million in 1994–1996,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kap-yar.ru/index.php?pg=244 |title=Сравнение характеристик ЗРК С-300 ПМУ-1 и Пэтриот |trans-title=Comparison of the characteristics of the S-300 PMU-1 and Patriot air defense systems |language=ru |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013072626/http://www.kap-yar.ru/index.php?pg=244 |archive-date=13 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> US$1–2 million (30,962,000–61,924,000 rubles) in 2009,{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} US$0.5 million in 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-ethiopia-tanks-ukraine-20110610-idAFJOE7590IR20110610 |title=Ethiopia signs deal to purchase 200 tanks from Ukraine: official |date=10 June 2011 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref>
| production_date    = 1973–present
| number             = approx. 25,000<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tankmuseum.org/tank-nuts/tank-collection/t-72 |title=T-72 |website=Tankmuseum.org |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/ussr/soviet_t-72.php |title=T-72 main battle tank (1972) |website=Tanks-encyclopedia.com |date=23 November 2014 |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = T-72A<ref name="Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide">{{cite web |url=http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/T-72.html |title=Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide |website=Inetres.com |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327164032/http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/T-72.html |archive-date=27 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Chris Foss 101">{{Cite book |last=Foss |first=Chris |year=2005 |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006 |isbn=0-7106-2686-X |publisher=Jane's Information Group |page=101}}</ref>
| weight             = {{unbulleted list
 | {{convert|41.0|t|short ton|lk=on}} (T-72 Ural)
 | {{convert|41.5|t|short ton|lk=on}} (T-72A)
 | {{convert|44.5|t|short ton|lk=on}} (T-72B)
}}
| length             = {{unbulleted list
 | {{convert|9.73|m|ftin|abbr=on}} gun forward
 | {{convert|6.67 to 6.86|m|ftin|abbr=on}} hull
}}
| width              = {{convert|3.40 to 3.59|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height             = {{convert|2.23|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| crew               = 3 (commander, gunner, driver)
| elevation          = +14° / -6°
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->| armour             = [[Rolled homogeneous armour|Steel]] and [[composite armour]] with [[Explosive reactive armour|ERA]]
| primary_armament   = 125&nbsp;mm 2A26M2/2A46/[[2A46 125 mm gun|2A46M]]/2A46M-5<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.militaryparitet.com/perevodnie/data/ic_perevodnie/5932/ |title=05.10.14 -723 |website=Militaryparitet.com |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012093026/http://www.militaryparitet.com/perevodnie/data/ic_perevodnie/5932/ |archive-date=12 October 2014 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> smoothbore gun
| secondary_armament = {{unbulleted list
 | 7.62&nbsp;mm [[PK machine gun|PKT]] [[coaxial weapon|coax.]] machine gun
 | 12.7&nbsp;mm [[NSV (machine gun)|NSVT]]
}}
| engine             = {{unbulleted list|V12 diesel|V-46-4 (T-72 Ural), 
V-46-6 (T-72A), 
V-84-1 (T-72B), 
V-92S2F (T-72B3 & T-72B3M)
}}
| engine_power       = {{unbulleted list
 | {{convert|780|hp|kW|abbr=on}} (V-46-4/V-46-6)
| {{convert|840|hp|kW|abbr=on}}  (V-84-1)
| {{convert|1130|hp|kW|abbr=on}} (V-92S2F)
}}
| pw_ratio           = 19.0{{nbsp}}hp/tonne (T-72 Ural),
18.8{{nbsp}}hp/tonne (T-72 A/B)
| transmission       = [[Synchromesh]], hydraulically assisted, with 7 forward and 1 reverse gears
| suspension         = [[Torsion bar]]
| clearance          = {{convert|0.49|m|in|abbr=on}}
| fuel_capacity      = {{convert|1200|L|U.S.gal impgal|abbr=on}}
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|500|km|mi|abbr=on}}, {{convert|650 to 700|km|mi|abbr=on}} with fuel drums
| speed              = {{convert|60|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}<br/>
{{convert|4|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (reverse)
}}

The '''T-72''' is a family of [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[main battle tank]]s that entered production in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/t72tank.htm |title=T72 Tank |publisher=Fas.org |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019213758/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/t72tank.htm |archive-date=19 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The T-72 was a development based on the [[T-64]] using thought and design of the previous Object 167M.<ref>{{cite book |last=Suvorov Victorovich |first=Sergey |title='Сергей Суворов - Танк Т-72 Вчера, Сегодня, Завтра' |publisher=TankoMaster |url=https://www.calameo.com/read/0013529288a81524179a1 |location=Moscow, Russia |oclc=76960839 |year=2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=S.V. |first1=Ustyantsev |last2=D.G. |first2=Kolmakov |title=Т-72/Т-90. Опыт создания отечественных основных боевых танков. |trans-title=T-72/90 "Experience in the development of domestic main battle tanks" |publisher=Uralvagonzavod |language=Russian |location=Nizhniy Tagil, Russia |isbn=978-5-91356-210-4 |date=2013}}</ref> About 25,000 T-72 tanks have been built, and refurbishment has enabled many to remain in service for decades.<ref>Christopher Foss: ''Jane's Armour & Artillery 2009–2010.''{{ISBN|978-0-7106-2882-4}} p. 102.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/india-to-procure-1000-engines-for-t-72-main-battle-tank-force/ |title=India to Procure 1,000 Engines for T-72 Main Battle Tank Force |work=The Diplomat |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |date=3 October 2018 |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref> It has been widely exported and has seen service in 40 countries and in numerous conflicts. The [[Russia]]n [[T-90]] introduced in 1992 and the Chinese [[Type 99 tank|Type 99]] are further developments of the T-72.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Szulc |first1=Tomasz |title=Nowe Czołgi Naszych Wschodnich Sąsiadów: T-90MS I Opłot-M |journal=Nowa Technika Wojskowa |date=September 2012 |issue=9 |pages=12–24}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F. |editor1-link=Christopher F. Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011–2012 |publisher=Janes Information Group |location=London |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-71062960-9 |pages=5–6 |edition=32nd |chapter= |url=https://archive.org/details/janesarmourartil0000unse}}</ref> Production and development of various modernized T-72 models continues today.

==Development==
===Development from the T-64===
The T-72 was a product of a rivalry between two design teams: [[Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau|Morozov KB]] led by [[Alexander Alexandrovich Morozov|Alexander Morozov]] in [[Kharkiv]] and [[Uralvagonzavod|Uralvagon KB]] was led by [[Leonid Kartsev]] in [[Nizhny Tagil]].{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=1-18}}

To improve on the [[T-62]], two designs based on the tank were tested in 1964: Nizhny Tagil's Object 167 (T-62B) and Kharkiv's Object 434.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=1-18}}

Ob. 434 was a technically ambitious prototype. Under the direction of Morozov in Kharkiv, a new design emerged with the hull reduced to the minimum size possible. To do this, the crew was reduced to three soldiers, removing the loader by introducing an automated loading system.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=38}}

Ob. 167 was designed based on an [[Object 140]] rebuilt by Kartsev and Valeri Venediktov. Ob. 167 was more advanced than Kartsev's Ob. 165 and Ob. 166, and was also Kartsev's favored model. In October 1961, when asked to ready Ob. 166 for production, Kartsev disagreed and instead offered to prepare the Ob. 167. This suggestion was rejected, and the Ob. 166 and Ob. 165 were readied as the T-62 and T-62A respectively. Unlike the Kharkiv tank, it eschewed the state-of-the-art prototypes and used the turret from the T-62, and a manual loader. In 1964, the tank underwent comparative testing with the Ob. 434, in which the former proved its superiority to both the T-62 and [[T-55]]. Ob. 167 was favored by Uralvagonzavod director I.V. Okunev and Soviet Premier [[Nikita Khrushchev]], who believed the tank was more affordable. [[Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union]] [[Dmitry Ustinov]], believed the parallel development of Ob. 167 jeopardized the future of the Kharkiv tank. In December 1962, the [[Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union]] ordered Ob. 432 (later serialized as the [[T-64]]) into production, dooming Kartsev's tank.<ref name="Kinnear">{{cite book |last1=Kinnear |first1=James |last2=Sewell |first2=Stephen L. |year=2001 |title=Soviet T-62 Main Battle Tank |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=1-47284-822-5}}</ref>

Kartsev continued to work on the Ob. 167. Ob. 167M incorporated an [[autoloader]]. This model too was rejected in May 1964.<ref name="Kinnear"/>

Problems with the early production run were evident from the start, but a strong lobby formed around Morozov who advocated for Ob. 434 in Moscow, preventing rival developments and ideas from being discussed.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=53}} Ob. 434 was accepted into Soviet Army service in May 1968 as the T-64A.{{sfn|Zaloga|2015|p=22}}

The T-64's smaller design presented a problem when selecting a suitable engine.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=30}} The chosen 700&nbsp;hp 5TDF engine was unreliable,{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=16}} difficult to repair, and had a guaranteed lifespan similar to [[World War II]] designs.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=35}}

===Object 172===
In 1967, the Uralvagonzavod formed "Section 520", which was to prepare the serial production of the T-64 for 1970.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=32, 36}} Because of the time-consuming construction of the 5TDF engines, which took about twice as long as the contemporary V-45, the [[Malyshev Factory]] in Kharkiv could not provide a sufficient number of 5TDF engines for all Soviet tank factories.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=39, 40}} The [[Military-Industrial Commission of the USSR|Military-Industrial Commission]] (VPK) authorized work on two alternative engines for a wartime T-64, a so-called "mobilization model" that could be produced more quickly and at half the cost.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=1-18}} Obj. 219 (which became the [[T-80]], with a GTD-1000T gas-turbine) was designed in Leningrad. Ob. 439 with a diesel V-45 engine was designed by Uralvagon KB at Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil.{{sfn|Zaloga|2015|p=32-33, 38, 40}}

[[File:Object 172 (T-72 prototype on the basis of T-64).jpg|thumb|left|Object 172 at the [[Kubinka Tank Museum]]]]

[[Main Agency of Automobiles and Tanks of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation|GABTU]] sent a T-64A prototype with a team to Uralvagonzavod. Kartsev was to lead this team.{{sfn|Sewell|1998|p=28}}

Kartsev was unsatisfied with the innovations of the T-64, and began instead a more comprehensive project to redesign the tank. Kartsev melded what he believed were the best aspects of the T-64A, Object 167, and an upgunned T-62.{{sfn|Sewell|1998|p=28}}

During development the tank was code-named "Ural" after the [[Ural Mountains|Ural mountain region]].{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=1-18}} Uralvagonzavod produced the first prototype with a T-62 turret, D-81 125-mm gun and V-45 engine in January 1968. Ob. 439 differed so greatly from the T-64 that it was redesignated as "Object&nbsp;172".{{sfn|Zaloga|2015|p=32-33, 38, 40}}

Kartsev's defiance angered GABTU, which initially reprimanded him for his insubordination. However, after the tank proved indeed to possess potential as a less costly alternative to the T-64, Kartsev was allowed to continue work on his design. Politically motivated opposition continued to beset the tank throughout its development. Vagonka tank plant manager I.F. Krutyakov sought to subordinate Uralvagonzavod under [[Josef Kotin]]. Kartsev skillfully beat back this play for power, embarrassing Krutyakov in the process. Kartsev retired in August 1969, and was succeeded by Venediktov.{{sfn|Sewell|1998|p=28}}

The team soon found out that the more powerful V-45 engine put a lot of stress on the T-64 hull, so that after some time cracks started to materialize. A more stable solution was sought.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=39, 40}}

Finally, an idea from 1960 was used, when a modification of the T-62 had been discussed: In 1961, two prototypes of "Object&nbsp;167" had been built by Uralvagonzavod to test a stronger hull and running gear combination for that tank. Under influence from Kharkiv, the idea had been turned down by Moscow.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=45, 46}} But this construction, with its big, rubbercoated roadwheels now formed the basis for the mobilisation model of the T-64.{{sfn|Suvorov|1993|p=4}}

Additional changes were made to the automatic loading system, which also was taken from an earlier project, originally intended for a T-62 upgrade. [[125 mm smoothbore ammunition|The 125 mm ammunition]], consisting of a separate projectile and a propellant charge, was now stored horizontally on two levels, not vertically on one level as in the T-64.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=51}} It was said to be more reliable than the T-64 autoloader.{{sfn|Suvorov|1993|p=4}} In 1964, two 125-mm guns of the D-81 type had been used to evaluate their installation in to the T-62, so the Ural plant was ready to adopt the 125&nbsp;mm calibre for the T-64A as well.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=52}}

Venediktov's team later replaced the T-64-style suspension with the Obj. 167's suspension. The tank was trialed in [[Kubinka]] in 1968, and Central Asia in 1969.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=1-18}} After intensive comparative testing with the T-64A, Object&nbsp;172 was re-engineered in 1970 to deal with some minor problems.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=56}} Further trials took place in [[Transbaikal]] in 1971.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=1-18}}

===T-72===
Being only a mobilisation model, serial production of Object&nbsp;172 was not possible in peacetime. However, by 1971, even Ustinov was growing tired of problems with the T-64.{{sfn|Zaloga|2015|p=32-33, 38, 40}} In an unclear political process{{sfn|Suvorov|1993|p=6}} decree number 326-113 was issued, which allowed the production of Object 172 in the Soviet Union from 1 January 1972, and freed Uralvagonzavod from the T-64A production.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=58}}

An initial production run began in 1972 at Nizhni Tagil. These were trialed in the Soviet Army. A final trial batch was built as "Object&nbsp;172M" and tested in 1973 and accepted into service as the "T-72" in 1974.{{sfn|Ustyantsev|Kolmakov|2004|p=60}}

Uralvagon KB continued to iterate on the T-72 in a series of block improvements.
Obj. 172M-1 introduced ceramic/steel [[laminate armour|laminate]] turret armour. The [[coincidence rangefinder]] was replaced with a [[laser rangefinder]]. Obj. 172M-1 was designated as the T-72A when it entered production in 1979. Turret armour was greatly improved with Obj. 184. A more powerful V-84 engine was introduced to offset the increased weight. Obj. 184 entered service in 1985 as the T-72B.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=1-18}}

At least some technical documentation on the T-72 is known to have been passed to the [[CIA]] by the Polish Colonel [[Ryszard Kukliński]] between 1971 and 1982.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

==Production history==
[[File:T-72B in Chebarkul training ground.jpg|left|thumb|Two T-72B tanks at the Chebarkul training ground, [[Russia]], April 2017]]
The first series production of T-72 Object 172M began in July at UKBM in Nizhny Tagil. However, due to difficulties in getting the factory organised for the change in production from T-64 to T-72, only 30 completed tanks were delivered in 1973. Troubles continued in 1974 where out of a state production quota of 440 only 220 were officially declared, with the actual number of completed tanks being close to 150. As a result, substantial investment in tooling was undertaken. Only after modernisation, could the factory begin full-scale production of the T-72. Nizhny Tagil produced the tank in various modifications until 1992.

The T-72 was the most common tank used by the Warsaw Pact from the 1970s until the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|collapse of the Soviet Union]] in 1991. It was also exported to other countries, such as Finland, India, [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Syria]] and [[SFRY|Yugoslavia]], as well as being copied elsewhere, both with and without licenses.

[[File:T-72M4CZ-vystrel.gif|thumb|Czech [[T-72M4CZ]] firing]]
Licensed versions of the T-72 were made in Poland and Czechoslovakia, for Warsaw Pact consumers. The Polish-made T-72G tanks{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} also had thinner armour compared to Soviet Army standard (410&nbsp;mm for turret). Before 1990, Soviet-made T-72 export versions were similarly downgraded for non-Warsaw Pact customers (mostly the Arab countries).{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} Many parts and tools are not interchangeable between the Soviet, Polish and Czechoslovakian versions, which caused logistics problems.

Yugoslavia developed the T-72 into the more advanced [[M-84]], and sold hundreds of them around the world during the 1980s. The Iraqis called their T-72 copies the "[[T-72 tanks in Iraqi service#Lion of Babylon project|Lion of Babylon]]" (''Asad Babil''). These Iraqi tanks were assembled from kits sold to them by the Soviet Union as a means of evading the UN-imposed weapons embargo. More modern derivatives include the Polish [[PT-91]] ''Twardy''. Several countries, including Russia and Ukraine, also offer modernization packages for older T-72s.

Various versions of the T-72 have been in production for decades, and the specifications for its armour have changed considerably. Original T-72 tanks had homogeneous cast steel armour incorporating [[spaced armour]] technology and were moderately well protected by the standards of the early 1970s. In 1979, the Soviets began building T-72 modification with [[composite armour]] similar to the T-64 composite armour, in the front of the turret and the front of the hull. Late in the 1980s, T-72 tanks in Soviet inventory (and many of those elsewhere in the world as well) were fitted with [[reactive armour]] tiles.

TPD-K1 laser rangefinder system have appeared in T-72 tanks since 1974; earlier examples were equipped with parallax optical rangefinders, which could not be used for distances under {{convert|1000|m|yd}}. Some export versions of the T-72 lacked the laser rangefinder until 1985 or sometimes only the squadron and platoon commander tanks (version K) received them. After 1985, all newly made T-72s came with reactive armour as standard, the more powerful {{convert|840|bhp|abbr=on}} V-84 engine and an upgraded design main gun, which can fire guided anti-tank missiles from the barrel. With these developments, the T-72 eventually became almost as powerful as the more expensive [[T-80]] tank, but few of these late variants reached the economically ailing Warsaw Pact allies and foreign customers before the Soviet bloc fell apart in 1990. In the 1990s some reserve T-72B were given a minor upgrade of an uprated engine and better gun stabilisation to become the T-72BA. While not a popular upgrade, it solved a temporary supply shortage.<ref>{{cite web |title=When a Russian Regiment Ran Out Of Old T-72BA Tanks, It Reequipped With Even Older T-72Bs |website=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/11/13/when-a-russian-regiment-ran-out-of-old-t-72ba-tanks-it-reequipped-with-even-older-t-72bs/?sh=cf365e746b0d |date=13 November 2023}}</ref>

Since 2000, export vehicles have been offered with thermal imaging [[night-vision]] gear of French manufacture as well (though it may be more likely that they might simply use the locally manufactured 'Buran-Catherine' system, which incorporates a French thermal imager). [[Depleted uranium]] armour-piercing ammunition for the {{convert|125|mm|in|abbr=on}} gun has been manufactured in Russia in the form of the BM-32 projectile since around 1978, though it has never been deployed, and has less penetration than the later [[tungsten]] BM-42 and the newer BM-42M.

In 2010, Russia started an upgrade using the enormous stocks of T-72Bs held in reserve. The rebuild tank is called T-72B3 (Ob'yekt 184-M3).<ref name=":0" />

In 2018, the 3rd Central Research Institute in Moscow had tested a proof-of-concept demonstration for robotic tank mobility, and was planning to further develop it based on the T-72B3 and other platforms.<ref name="urlRobotized T-72s in Russia? - Defense Update:">{{cite web |url=https://defense-update.com/20181209_robotized_tanks.html |title=Robotized T-72s in Russia? – Defense Update |date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222082051/https://defense-update.com/20181209_robotized_tanks.html |archive-date=22 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, Ukrainian intelligence sources claimed that the upgrade of the Russian T-72 fleet has slowed during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]] while production of the more modern [[T-90]]s and [[T-14 Armata]]s has slowed down because of the [[International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War|international sanctions]] affecting the Russian military industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine war: Sanctions cripple Russia's tank production - GUR |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-704376}}</ref> However, more tanks of T-72 and T-90 types were ordered in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/0822/142069133/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / Сергей Чемезов: «Ростех» на «Армии-2022» заключил с Минобороны контракты на сумму более 130 млрд. рублей}}</ref> A new batch of T-72B3M tanks was reportedly delivered in late 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tass.com/defense/1544797 |title=Defense contractor delivers batch of upgraded T-72B3M tanks to Russian troops}}</ref>

===Models===
{{Main|T-72 operators and variants}}
Main models of the T-72, built in the Soviet Union and Russia. Command tanks have ''K'' added to their designation for ''komandirskiy'', "command", for example ''T-72K'' is the command version of the basic T-72. Versions with reactive armour have ''V'' added, for ''vzryvnoy'', "explosive".

;T-72 Ural (1973)<ref name="War Technology">{{cite web |url=http://wartechnology.ovh.org/pages/bron_obecna/t-72.php |title=War Technology |website=Wartechnology.ovh.org |access-date=3 September 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201211355/http://wartechnology.ovh.org/pages/bron_obecna/t-72.php |archive-date=1 December 2007}}</ref>
[[File:T-72M1 ‘3243’ – Tankfest 2017 (44456377695).jpg|thumb|right|Polish T-72 at the [[The Tank Museum|Bovington Tank Museum]]]]
:Original version, armed with 125&nbsp;mm smoothbore tank gun and optical [[coincidence rangefinder]].<ref name="Czolgi Swiata (World's Tanks or Tanks of the World) magazine issue 20">"Czolgi Swiata" (World's Tanks or Tanks of the World) magazine issue 20</ref><ref name="pancerni1">{{cite web |url=http://www.pancerni.abajt.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=35&limit=1&limitstart=1 |title=T-72 [ZSRR]: Strona 2 - Pancerni.net |date=17 August 2007 |website= |access-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817105601/http://www.pancerni.abajt.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=35&limit=1&limitstart=1 |archive-date=17 August 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="JED The Military Equipment Directory" />

;T-72A (1979)<ref name="War Technology" />
[[File:ParkPatriot2015part2-21.jpg|thumb|right|The upgraded T-72A which appeared in 1979. This vehicle is the basis for the T-72M1 export version.]]
:Coincidence rangefinder replaced with [[laser rangefinder]] and electronic [[fire control system|fire control]] added, turret front and top being heavily reinforced with [[composite armour]] (nicknamed ''Dolly Parton'' by US intelligence), provisions for mounting reactive armour, smoke grenade launchers, flipper armour mount on front mudguards, internal changes.<ref name="Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide" /><ref name="War Technology" /><ref name="pancerni1" /><ref name="JED The Military Equipment Directory" />
;T-72M
:Export versions based on the T-72 Ural. Entered service in 1978 (for the first T-72M version). Also built in Poland and former [[Czechoslovakia]].
;T-72B (1985)
:New main gun, stabilizer, sights and fire control, 9K120 Svir guided missile system, upgraded hull composite armour consisting of high-hardness steel plates, improved composites in the turret armour, improved {{convert|840|hp|abbr=on}} engine.<ref name="War Technology" />
;T-72B3 model 2011 (~2010)
:This upgrade was initiated in 2010 using the enormous stocks of T-72Bs held in reserve. They are rebuilt with new technologies including [[Sosna-U]] multichannel gunner's sight, new digital VHF radio, improved autoloader, 2A46M-2 gun to accommodate new ammunition, 9K119 Refleks guided missile system. New V-92S2 engine. [[Kontakt-5]] explosive reactive armour. Lacks satellite navigation.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://iz.ru/news/545300 |title=Войска отказались от модернизированного танка Т-72 |author1=Алексей Михайлов |author2=Владимир Волошин |date=21 February 2013 |website=Известия |language=ru |trans-title=Military criticize modernized T-72 tank: soldiers unhappy that the Russian army tank is inferior to export version |access-date=13 July 2019}}</ref>
;T-72B3 model 2016 or T-72B3M
:Upgrade for T-72B3, with Relikt explosive reactive armour on the sides, side skirts with soft-container reactive armour and slat screens, 2A46M-5 gun with new ammunition, 9K119M Refleks-M guided missile system, V-92S2F {{convert|1130|hp|abbr=on}} engine, automatic transmission, digital display and rear-view camera. Some T-72B3M’s have been observed in Ukraine with a noticeable increase in reverse speed, but there have been no official reports that the reverse transmission had been improved.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rg.ru/2017/03/31/reg-szfo/tankisty-zvo-poluchili-partiiu-modernizirovannyh-t-72b3.html |title=Танкисты ЗВО получили партию модернизированных Т-72Б3 |website=Российская газета |date=31 March 2017 |access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019042225/https://rg.ru/2017/03/31/reg-szfo/tankisty-zvo-poluchili-partiiu-modernizirovannyh-t-72b3.html |archive-date=19 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="news.rambler.ru">{{cite web |url=https://news.rambler.ru/articles/36077812-aviatsiya-flota-poluchila-zavisayuschuyu-bombu/ |title=Авиация флота получила зависающую бомбу |website=News.rambler.ru |date=13 February 2017 |access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801003617/https://news.rambler.ru/articles/36077812-aviatsiya-flota-poluchila-zavisayuschuyu-bombu/ |archive-date=1 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tehnoomsk.ru/node/2685 |title=Новые Т-72Б3М покажут на Параде Победы |date=21 April 2017 |website=Техносфера Россия |language=ru |trans-title=New T-72B3M will be revealed at Victory Parade |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=2017-07-30  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730181850/http://tehnoomsk.ru/node/2685 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Often incorrectly referred to as "T-72B4"

The T-72 design has been used into the following foreign models: [[T-72M4CZ]] (Czech Republic), [[PT-91 Twardy]] (Poland), [[M-84]] (Yugoslavia), [[M-84AS1]] (Serbia), [[M-84D]] (Croatia) and [[Lion of Babylon (tank)|Lion of Babylon]] (Iraq).<ref name=":0" />

===Variants===
{{Main|T-72 operators and variants}}
In addition, the T-72 hull has been used as the basis for other heavy vehicle designs, including the following:

* '''[[BMPT Terminator]]''' – Heavy convoy and close tank support vehicle.
* '''[[TOS-1]]''' – [[Thermobaric]] [[multiple rocket launcher]], with 30-tube launcher in place of the turret.<ref name="JED The Military Equipment Directory">[http://www.jedsite.info/tanks-tango/tango-numbers-su/t-72_series/t72-series.html "JED The Military Equipment Directory"]{{Registration required}}{{Self-published inline|date=May 2009}} {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012124110/http://www.jedsite.info/tanks-tango/tango-numbers-su/t-72_series/t72-series.html |date=12 October 2007}}</ref>
* '''BREM-1''' (''Bronirovannaya Remonto-Evakuatsionnaya Mashina'') – [[Armoured recovery vehicle]] with a 12-tonne crane, 25-tonne winch, dozer blade, towing equipment, and tools.<ref name="JED The Military Equipment Directory"/>
* '''[[IMR-2]]''' (''Inzhenernaya Mashina Razgrashdeniya'') – [[Combat engineering vehicle]] with an 11-tonne telescoping crane and pincers, configurable dozer blade/plough, and [[mine-clearing]] system.
* '''MTU-72''' (''Tankovyy Mostoukladchik'') – [[Armoured bridge layer]], capable of laying a {{convert|50|t|short ton|abbr=on}} capacity bridge spanning {{convert|18|m|ft|abbr=on}} in three minutes.<ref name="JED The Military Equipment Directory"/>
* '''BMR-3 Vepr''' (''Bronirovannaja Mashina Razminirovanija'') – Mine clearing vehicle.

==Design characteristics==
[[File:T72monumentTagil.jpg|thumb|T-72 monument in its production place, [[Nizhny Tagil]]]]
The T-72 shares many design features with other tank designs of Soviet origin. Some of these are viewed as deficiencies in a straight comparison to NATO tanks, but most are a product of the way these tanks were envisioned to be employed, based on the Soviets' practical experiences in World War II.

===Weight===
The T-72 is extremely lightweight, at forty-one tonnes, and very small compared to Western main battle tanks. Some of the roads and bridges in former Warsaw Pact countries were designed such that T-72s can travel along in formation, but NATO tanks could not pass at all, or just one-by-one, significantly reducing their mobility. The basic T-72 is relatively underpowered, with a {{convert|780|hp|abbr=on}} supercharged version of the basic {{convert|500|hp|abbr=on}} V12 [[diesel engine]] originally designed for the World War II-era [[T-34]]. The {{convert|0.58|m|abbr=on}} wide tracks run on large-diameter road wheels, which allows for easy identification of the T-72 and descendants (the T-64 family has relatively small road wheels).

The T-72 is designed to cross rivers up to {{convert|5|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} deep submerged using a small diameter [[Vehicle snorkel|snorkel]] assembled onsite. The crew is individually supplied with simple [[rebreather]] chest-pack apparatuses for emergency situations. If the engine stops underwater, it must be restarted within six seconds, or the T-72's engine compartment becomes flooded due to pressure loss. The snorkeling procedure is considered dangerous, but is important for maintaining operational mobility.

===Nuclear, biological, and chemical protection===
[[File:Tank memorial Stepanakert.jpg|thumb|left|Memorial of a T-72 with [[Reactive armour|ERA]]. The tank was advancing on [[Azerbaijan]]i positions in Askeran when it hit a mine and its [[Armenians|Armenian]] crew was killed in the resulting explosion. The tank was restored after the war.]]
The T-72 has a nuclear, biological, and chemical ([[NBC (weapon)|NBC]]) protection system. The inside of both hull and turret is lined with a synthetic fabric made of [[boron]] compound, meant to reduce the penetrating radiation from [[neutron bomb]] explosions. The crew is supplied clean air via an air filter system. A slight over-pressure prevents entry of contamination via bearings and joints. Use of an autoloader for the main gun allows for more efficient forced smoke removal compared to traditional manually loaded ("pig-loader") tank guns, so NBC isolation of the fighting compartment can, in theory, be maintained indefinitely.

===Interior===
[[File:T72 crew.svg|thumb|right|T-72 crew: 1-driver; 2-commander; 3-gunner; 4-auto-loading system]]
Like all Soviet-legacy tanks, the T-72's design has traded off interior space in return for a very small silhouette and efficient use of armour, to the point of replacing the fourth crewman with a mechanical loader. There is a widespread Cold War-era myth that Soviet tanks were so cramped that height constraints were put in place, with a maximum height of 5&nbsp;ft 4in (163&nbsp;cm). However, official regulations state that the T-72 allowed for a height of 5&nbsp;ft 9in (175&nbsp;cm), which was standard for other tanks at the time.{{sfn|Then|2024|p=29}} The basic T-72 design has extremely small periscope viewports, even by the constrained standards of battle tanks and the driver's field of vision is significantly reduced when his hatch is closed. The steering system is a traditional dual-tiller layout instead of the easier-to-use steering wheel or steering yoke common in modern Western tanks. This set-up requires the near-constant use of both hands, which complicates employment of the seven speed [[manual transmission]].

===Armour===
{{external media
| float=right
| image1 = [https://btvt.narod.ru/4/armor.files/image009.jpg The cavity in the cast turret]
| image2 = [https://btvt.narod.ru/4/armor.files/image008.jpg Laminated turret matrix of the T-72B]
}}
[[File:T-72A tank on parade.jpg|thumb|T-72A top view. This model sports thick "Dolly Parton" [[composite armour]] on the turret front.]]
[[File:T-72 Ajeya1.jpg|thumb|Indian T-72 with [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA)]]
Armour protection of the T-72 was strengthened with each succeeding generation. The original T-72 "Ural" Object 172M's (from 1973) turret is made from conventional cast high hardness steel (HHS) armour with no laminate inserts. It is believed that the maximum thickness is {{convert|280|mm|in|abbr=on}} and the nose is {{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The glacis of the new laminated armour is {{convert|205|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick, comprising {{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}} HHS, {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}} double layer of laminate and {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} RHA steel, which when inclined gives about {{convert|500|-|600|mm|in|abbr=on}} thickness along the line of sight. In 1977 the armour of the T-72 Object 172M was slightly changed. The turret now featured insert filled with ceramic sand bars "kwartz" rods and the glacis plate composition was changed. It was now made up of {{convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on}} HHA steel, {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}} glass Tekstolit laminate and {{convert|50|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[RHA steel]]. This version was often known in Soviet circles as T-72 "Ural-1". The next armour update was introduced by the T-72A (Object 172M-1), which was designed in 1976 and replaced the original on the production lines during 1979–1985. With the introduction of the T-72B (Object 184) in 1985, the composite armour was again changed. According to retired major, James M. Warford, variants developed after the T-72 base model and T-72M/T-72G MBT, featured a cast steel turret that included a cavity filled with quartz or sand in a form similar to US "fused-silica" armour.{{sfn|Warford|1999}} The T-72 Model 1978 (Obiekt 172M sb-4), which entered production in 1977, featured a new turret with special armour composed of ceramic rods.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=20}}

The T-72A featured a new turret with thicker, nearly vertical, frontal armour. Due to its appearance, it was unofficially nicknamed "[[Dolly Parton]]" armour by the US Army.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=9}} This used the new ceramic-rod turret filler, incorporated improved glacis laminate armour, and mounted new anti-shaped-charge sideskirts.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=21}}

The T-72M was identical to the base T-72 Ural model in terms of protection,{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=27}} retaining the monolithic steel turret.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=22}} The modernized T-72M1 was closer to the T-72A in terms of protection. It featured an additional {{convert|16|mm|in|abbr=on}} of high hardness steel appliqué armour on the glacis plate, which produced an increase of {{convert|43|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in line of sight thickness. It was also the first export variant with composite armour in the turret, containing ceramic rods{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=23}} sometimes called "sandbar armour".{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=20}} The turret armour composition was essentially identical to the T-72 "Ural-1" whereas Soviet-only T-72As had slightly increased turret protection.

Several T-72 models featured [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA), which increased protection primarily against [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) type weapons. Certain late-model T-72 tanks featured [[Kontakt-5]] ERA, a form of ''universal'' ERA partly effective against kinetic penetrators. It was added to the T-72 as a response to testing conducted by the Soviet Union against captured Israeli Magach-4 tanks which found that the glacis of the T-72 could be penetrated by the 105mm M111 APDSFS ''Hetz'' ammunition.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009b|p=23}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/2006/SEP_OCT/ArmorSeptemberOctober2006web.pdf |title=Armour: The Professional Bulletin of the Armor Branch PB 17-06-5 |date=2006 |website=Benning.army.mil |access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>

Late model T-72s, such as the T-72B, featured improved turret armour, visibly bulging the turret front—nicknamed "super-Dolly Parton" armour by Western intelligence.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=10}} The turret armour of the T-72B was the thickest and most effective of all Soviet tank armour; it was even thicker than the frontal armour of the T-80B.{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=10}} The T-72B used a new "reflecting-plate armour" (''bronya s otrazhayushchimi listami''), in which the frontal cavity of the cast turret was filled with a laminate of alternating steel and non-metallic (rubber) layers.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009b|p=19}} The glacis was also fitted with {{convert|20|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} of appliqué armour. The late production versions of the T-72B/B1 and T-72A variants also featured an anti-radiation layer on the hull roof.

Early model T-72s did not feature side skirts; instead, the original base model featured gill or flipper-type armour panels on either side of the forward part of the hull. When the T-72A was introduced in 1979, it was the first model to feature the plastic side skirts covering the upper part of the suspension, with separate panels protecting the side of the fuel and stowage panniers.

After the collapse of the USSR, US and German analysts had a chance to examine Soviet-made T-72 tanks equipped with Kontakt-5 ERA, and they proved impenetrable to most Cold War US and German tank projectiles and anti-tank weapons. A U.S. Army spokesperson claimed at the show, "the myth of Soviet inferiority in this sector of arms production that has been perpetuated by the failure of downgraded T-72 export tanks in the Gulf Wars has, finally, been laid to rest. The results of these tests show that if a NATO/Warsaw Pact confrontation had erupted in Europe, the Soviets would have had parity (or perhaps even superiority) in armour".<ref>Jane's International Defence Review 7/1997, pg. 15</ref> KE-effective ERA, such as Kontakt-5, drove the development of [[M829#M829A3|M829A3]] ammunition.<ref>{{cite web |title=M829E3 120mm Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot- Tracer (APFSDS-T) Cartridge |url=http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2002/pdf/army/2002M829E3.pdf |access-date=18 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114165423/http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2002/pdf/army/2002M829E3.pdf |archive-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Late 1980s, Soviet developed [[Object 187]] (Объект 187, or '''''T-72BI'''''), it was a parallel project to Object 188 (the [[T-90]] tank). It was based on the T-72B, with a heavily modified turret. The 'Object 187' used composite armour for the turret ("Super Dolly Parton" composite armour) and the hull front, and RHA for the rest of the tank. It possibly consisted of special materials including [[ceramic]] or high density [[uranium]] alloys. Maximum physical thickness of the passive armour (not counting the reactive armour – ERA) was up to 950&nbsp;mm RHA. With Kontakt-5 ERA, T-72BI's frontal armour was immune to the NATO's 120&nbsp;mm L/44 tank gun.<!--which warheads?--><ref name="meshwar.vistcom.ru">[http://www.meshwar.vistcom.ru/tech/ob187.htm Экспериментальный основной боевой танк "Объект 187"] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090919021504/http://www.meshwar.vistcom.ru/tech/ob187.htm |date=19 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-t-72-tank-over-40-years-old-still-the-backbone-the-23280 |title=Russia's T-72 Tank: Over 40 Years Old and Still the Backbone of the Russian Army |first=Michael |last=Peck |website=The National Interest |date=20 November 2017 |access-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202052656/http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-t-72-tank-over-40-years-old-still-the-backbone-the-23280 |archive-date=2 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, after the Soviet collapse, the tank was not accepted.

In 2021, Russian Army T-72B3s were seen [[Improvised vehicle armour#Russo-Ukrainian War|fitted with raised mesh screens above their turrets]]. The screens appeared to act as a type of [[slat armour]] attempting to protect the tanks from [[top attack]] weapons such as the [[FGM-148 Javelin]] ATGM and small air-to-ground munitions fired from [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (UAVs).<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |date=7 January 2022 |title=Russian air assault division fields tanks with top-attack defence screens |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/russian-air-assault-division-fields-tanks-with-top-attack-defence-screens |access-date= |website=[[Janes Information Services]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114004648/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/russian-air-assault-division-fields-tanks-with-top-attack-defence-screens |archive-date=14 January 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 March 2022 |title=What to know about the role Javelin antitank missiles could play in Ukraine's fight against Russia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/12/javelins-ukraine-russia/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |quote=Social media has been littered with photos of destroyed Russian tanks with cages. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220312163708/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/12/javelins-ukraine-russia/ |archive-date=12 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Estimated protection level====
The following table shows the estimated protection level of different T-72 models in [[rolled homogeneous armour]] equivalency, i.e., the composite armour of the turret of a T-72B offers as much protection against an [[armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot]] (APFSDS) round as a {{convert|520|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick armour steel layer.

{|class="wikitable" |
! rowspan=2 scope="row"| Model
! colspan=2 scope="row"|Turret vs [[Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot|APFSDS]]
! colspan=2 scope="row"|Turret vs [[High-explosive anti-tank|HEAT]]
! colspan=2 scope="row"|Hull vs [[Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot|APFSDS]]
! colspan=2 scope="row"|Hull vs [[High-explosive anti-tank|HEAT]]
|-
! mm || in || mm || in || mm || in || mm || in
|-
|T-72 'Ural'{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=27}} (1973)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bastion-karpenko.ru/t-72mod_zarub/ |script-title=ru:ОСНОВНОЙ ТАНК Т-72. ЗАРУБЕЖНЫЕ МОДИФИКАЦИИ |trans-title=Main Battle Tank T-72. Foreign Modification |website=Bastion-karpenko.ru |language=ru |access-date=28 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701062624/http://bastion-karpenko.ru/t-72mod_zarub/ |archive-date=1 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="armor.kiev.ua">{{cite web |url=http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T72/T72_90.php |title=Основной танк Т-72/Т-90 |website=Armor.kiev.ua |access-date=5 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315015254/http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/Modern/T72/T72_90.php |archive-date=15 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|loc=p. 39: Zaloga gives 410/500mm for the Turret against APFSDS and HEAT and 410/450mm for the Hull against APFSDS and HEAT}}
|{{convert|480–510|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|740–800|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|335–410|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|410–450|mm|in|disp=table}}
|-
|T-72A (1979–1985)<ref>С. Устьянцев, Д. Колмаков. Т-72. — Нижний Тагил: Уралвагонзавод / Медиа-Принт, 2004. — С. 167. — (Боевые машины Уралвагонзавода № 1). — 5000 экз. — {{ISBN|5-98485-003-6}}.</ref><ref name="waronline.org">{{cite web |url=http://waronline.org/mideast/general-info/armament/t-72/characteristics.php#main-versions-comparison |title=Танк Т-72 в мире: ТТХ основных моделей |website=Waronline.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703010840/http://www.waronline.org/mideast/general-info/armament/t-72/characteristics.php#main-versions-comparison |archive-date=3 July 2015}}</ref>/(1988)+Kontakt 1<ref name="armor.kiev.ua" /><ref name="waronline.org" /><ref>T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974–93 by Steven Zaloga {{ISBN|978-1-85532-338-4}}</ref>
|{{convert|410–500|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|500–560|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|360–420|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|490–500|mm|in|disp=table}}
|-
|T-72M (1980)<ref name="armor.kiev.ua" />
|{{convert|380|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|490|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|335|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|450|mm|in|disp=table}}
|-
|T-72M1 (1982){{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=27}}
|{{convert|380|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|490|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|400|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|490|mm|in|disp=table}}
|-
|T-72B+Kontakt 1{{sfn|Zaloga|2009a|p=27}}<ref name="btvt.narod.ru">{{cite web |url=http://btvt.narod.ru/5/rogatka/rogatka.htm |title=Т-72Б "Рогатка" |website=Btvt.narod.ru |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032117/http://btvt.narod.ru/5/rogatka/rogatka.htm |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> (1985)
|{{convert|520–540|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|900–950|mm|in|disp=table}}{{sfn|Zaloga|1993|p=39-48}}
|{{convert|480–530|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|900|mm|in|disp=table}}
|-
|T-72B+Kontakt 5<ref name="btvt.narod.ru" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/index_r.html |title=Vasiliy Fofanov's Modern Russian Armour Page |website=Fofanov.armor.kiev.ua |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903135816/http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/index_r.html |archive-date=3 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> (1988)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://btvt.narod.ru/4/t-72.htm |title=ОСНОВНОЙ БОЕВОЙ ТАНК T-72 |website=Narod.ru |access-date=28 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630211509/http://btvt.narod.ru/4/t-72.htm |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|{{convert|770–800|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|1180|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|690|mm|in|disp=table}}
|{{convert|940|mm|in|disp=table}}
|}

Kontakt 1 or 5 can be replaced with Relikt, a later ERA package that defends against [[tandem-charge]] warheads and reduces penetration of APFSDS rounds by over 50 percent.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170318194729/http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t90ms_tagil.htm T-90MS Tagil]}} – Military-Today.com</ref> For a T-72B, adding Relikt improves APFSDS protection on the turret to 1,000–1,050&nbsp;mm, and on the hull to 950–1,000&nbsp;mm. Relikt is mounted as standard on the T-90MS, while Kontakt 5 is still standard on the T-90S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.niistali.ru/products/military/kotact-v/kontaktv_t72_t90/ |title=ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ РАЗРАБОТОК НА ВиВТ |website=Niistali.ru |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153540/http://www.niistali.ru/products/military/kotact-v/kontaktv_t72_t90/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="niistali.ru">{{cite web |url=http://www.niistali.ru/products/military/relict/relikt_t72m_t90sm_bmpt/ |title=ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ РАЗРАБОТОК НА ВиВТ |website=Niistali.ru |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101852/http://www.niistali.ru/products/military/relict/relikt_t72m_t90sm_bmpt/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.niistali.ru/en/products-and-services/#RELICT |title=NII STALI JSR |website=Niistali.ru |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527022554/http://www.niistali.ru/en/products-and-services/#RELICT |archive-date=27 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://btvt.narod.ru/5/rogatka/rogatka.htm |title=Т-72Б "Рогатка" |website=Narod.ru |access-date=24 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032117/http://btvt.narod.ru/5/rogatka/rogatka.htm |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Gun===
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2019}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|2=section|date=December 2022}}
[[File:T-72 na poligonie (07).jpg|thumb|left|Polish T-72 firing during training]]
The T-72 is equipped with the {{convert|125|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[2A46 125 mm gun|2A46 series]] main gun, a significantly larger (20-mm larger) calibre than the standard {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}} gun found in contemporary Western [[main battle tank|MBT]]s, and still slightly larger than the [[Rheinmetall 120mm Gun#L44|120 mm/L44]] found in many modern Western MBTs. As is typical of Soviet tanks, the gun can fire anti-tank guided missiles, and standard main gun ammunition, including HEAT and APFSDS rounds.

The original T-72 Object 172M (1973) used the 2A26M2 model gun, which had been first mounted on the T-64. The barrel had a length of 6350&nbsp;mm or 50.8 calibers and had a maximum rated chamber pressure of 450 MPa. The cannon had an electroplated chrome lining but lacked a thermal sleeve. The cannon was capable of firing 3VBM-3 rounds with 3BM-9 steel projectile sabot and 3VBM-6 rounds with 3BM-12 Tungsten sabot APFSDS projectile, allowing respectively {{convert|245|mm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|280|mm|in|abbr=on}} penetration of RHA steel at 2000m at a 0-degree angle. In addition to APFSDS rounds, T-72 Object 172M could also fire 3VBK-7 rounds incorporating 3BK-12 HEAT warheads and 3VBK-10 rounds incorporating 3BK-14 HEAT warheads. HEAT rounds allowed respectively {{convert|420|mm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|450|mm|in|abbr=on}} penetration of RHA steel at a 0-degree angle. The High Explosive rounds provided included 3WOF-22 rounds with 3OF-19 warheads or 3WOF-36 rounds with 3OF-26 warheads. For all types of rounds, Zh40 propellant was used. Complementing the original gun setup was a 2E28M "Siren" two-plane electrohydraulic stabilizer allowing automatic stabilization with speeds from 0.05 to 6 degrees per second.

Even as the T-72 Object 172M (1973) was entering production new ammunition was developed to offset armour developments in the West. Beginning in 1972, two new APFSDS rounds were introduced, the 3VBM-7 round with 3BM-15 Tungsten sabot projectile and the "cheaper" 3VBM-8 round with 3BM-17 sabot but without the tungsten carbide plug. These allowed penetration of respectively {{convert|310|mm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|290|mm|in|abbr=on}} RHA steel at 2000&nbsp;m at 0-degree angle. At the same time, a universal Zh52 propellant charge was introduced. The 3VBM-7 was the most common APFSDS round found in T-72 Object 172M tanks during the 1970s.

The stated barrel life expectancy of the 2A26M2 model gun was 600 rounds of HE/HEAT equivalent to 600 EFC (Effective Full Charge) or 150 rounds of APFSDS.
 
The main gun of the T-72 has a mean error of {{convert|1|m|in|1|abbr=on}} at a range of {{convert|1800|m|yd|1|abbr=on}}. Its maximum firing distance is {{convert|3000|m|yd|1|abbr=on}}, due to limited positive elevation. The limit of aimed fire is {{convert|4000|m|yd|1|abbr=on}} with the gun-launched [[anti-tank guided missile]]. The T-72's main gun is fitted with an integral pressure reserve drum, which assists in rapid smoke evacuation from the bore after firing. The 125 millimeter gun barrel is certified strong enough to ram the tank through forty centimeters of iron-reinforced brick wall, though doing so will negatively affect the gun's accuracy when subsequently fired.

The vast majority of T-72s do not have advanced [[FLIR]] [[thermal imaging]] sights, which allow night vision at longer ranges and with no infrared lamps. Most of the T-72s possess the characteristic 'Luna' [[Night vision#Active infrared|Infrared illuminator]]. Export upgrades allow for installation of advanced night sights.

===Autoloader===
{{external media|video1={{YouTube|ipc9BBodqC8|Autoloader animation}}}}
Like the earlier domestic-use-only T-64, the T-72 is equipped with an automatic loading system, eliminating the need for a dedicated crewmember, decreasing the size and weight of the tank.
[[File:Caracas, Canciller Ricardo Patiño participó en los actos de conmemoración de la muerte de Hugo Chávez (12960720885).jpg|left|thumb|T-72B1V tanks of the [[Venezuelan Army]] during a parade in homage to the former president [[Hugo Chávez]], March 2014]]
However, the autoloader is of a noticeably different design. Both the T-64 and T-72 carry their two-section [[125 mm smoothbore ammunition|125 mm ammunition]] (shell and full propellant charge, or missile and reduced propellant charge) in separate loading trays positioned on top of each other; but firstly, in T-64, 28 of these were arranged vertically as a ring under the turret ring proper, and were rotated to put the correct tray into position under the hoist system in the turret rear. This had the disadvantage of cutting the turret off from the rest of the tank, most notably, the driver. Accessing the hull required partial removal of the trays. The T-72 uses a design that has lower width requirements and does not isolate the turret compartment: the trays are arranged in a circle at the very bottom of the fighting compartment; the trade-off is the reduction of the number of trays to 22. The second difference is that in the T-64 the trays were hinged together and were flipped open as they were brought into position, allowing both the shell/missile and propellant charge to be rammed into the breech in one motion; in the T-72 the tray is brought to the breech as-is, with the shell in the lower slot and the charge in the upper one, and the mechanical rammer sequentially loads each of them, resulting in a longer reloading cycle.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7BKjo-blA8 |title=Танк Т-72 "Урал" / The T-72 "Ural" |website=YouTube |access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222124743/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7BKjo-blA8 |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>

The autoloader has a minimum cycle of 6.5 seconds (ATGM 8 seconds) and a maximum cycle of 15 seconds for reload, in later versions the sequence mode allows to reload in less than 5 seconds, allowing to reach 3 shots in 13 seconds.

The autoloader system also includes an automated casing removal mechanism that ejects the propellant case through an opening port in the back of the turret during the following reload cycle.

The autoloader disconnects the gun from the vertical stabilizer and cranks it up three degrees above the horizontal in order to depress the breech end of the gun and line it up with the loading tray and rammer. While loading, the gunner can still aim because he has a vertically independent sight. With a laser rangefinder and ballistic computer, final aiming takes at least another three to five seconds, but it is pipelined into the last steps of auto-loading and proceeds concurrently.

In addition to the 22 autoloaded rounds, the T-72 carries 17<ref>T-72 Ural manual, p.23</ref> rounds conventionally in the hull, which can be loaded into the emptied autoloader trays or directly into the gun.

The T-72B3 modernization replaced the old autoloader with a new one to fit longer projectiles such as 3BM59 and 3BM60. Previous variants are limited and may only carry older APFSDS rounds that can not exceed a certain length, therefore allowing less performance from anti-tank rounds.

The way that the unused rounds are stored in the autoloader system has been exposed as a flaw, as observers have noted that penetrating hits can easily set off a chain reaction that detonates all of the ammunition. The result is the turret is blown off resulting in a so-called [[Jack-in-the-box effect|"jack-in-the-box"]] explosion. This vulnerability was first observed during the [[Gulf War]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Lendon |first=Brad |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/27/europe/russia-tanks-blown-turrets-intl-hnk-ml/index.html |title=Russia's tanks in Ukraine have a 'jack-in-the-box' design flaw. And the West has known about it since the Gulf war |publisher=CNN |date=28 April 2022 |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> However, contrary to popular belief, the flaw is mostly related to the spare ammunition in the turret, outside of the autoloader. The autoloaders have some ballistic protection, but only hold roughly half of a T-72’s ammunition. During the [[First Chechen War|Chechen war]] in 1994, the Russians were able to reduce their losses by having their tanks carry fewer rounds so that all the ammunition and propellant was stored in the autoloaders.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/russian-tanks-ukraine-turrets-blown-off/ |title=Here's why Russian tanks keep getting decapitated in Ukraine |date=13 April 2022}}</ref>

==Operators and service==
{{Main|T-72 operators and variants}}
[[File:T-72 users.PNG|thumb|right|upright=1.8|Operators:{{spaces|em}}{{legend-inline|#0360d5|Current}} {{spaces|em}}{{legend-inline|#dd001e|Former}}]]
[[File:T-72B Armenia.jpg|thumb|right|Armenian T-72B during the military parade in Yerevan.]]
[[File:Навчання з бойовою стрільбою бійців танкової роти 58-й омпбр 01.jpg|thumb|right|Ukrainian T-72 during training, 2018.]]

The T-72 was never used in the [[Soviet–Afghan War|Afghanistan war]].{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} The [[40th Army (Soviet Union)|40th Soviet Army]] that was deployed there had mainly T-55, and T-62 tanks.<ref>БРОНЕТАНКОВАЯ ТЕХНИКА В АФГАНИСТАНЕ (1979–1989) — ЧАСТЬ 1. А.Р.Заец. Альманах «Военный комментатор», 2003. №1(5)</ref>

The Russian Federation had over 10,000 T-72 tanks in use, including around 2,000 in active service and 8,000 in reserve (mostly T-72Bs). The T-72 has been used by the Russian Army in the fighting during the [[First Chechen War|First]] and [[Second Chechen War]]s, the [[Russo-Georgian War]], and the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]. The T-72 has been used by over 40 countries worldwide.

In a deal signed on 7 March 2025, [[India]] acquired advanced 1,000 [[H engine|HP engines]] for its Soviet-era T-72 tanks, enhancing its battlefield capabilities. The deal also included technology transfer to India for domestic production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Shivam |date=7 March 2025 |title=India signs $248 million deal with Russia for advanced battle tank engines |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/india-signs-248-million-deal-with-russia-advanced-battle-tank-engines-2025-03-07/ |access-date=13 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

===Syria===
In the [[1982 Lebanon War]], Syrian T-72s are believed to have engaged Israeli tanks ([[M60 Patton|M60A1]], [[Magach]] or possibly [[Merkava]] tanks) in the south of Lebanon.<ref name=Ilyin-Nikolski>{{cite journal |last1=Ilyin |first1=Vladimir |last2=Nikolski |first2=Mikhail |title=Sovremennye tanki v boiu |trans-title=Modern Tanks in Battle |journal=Tehnika I Vooruzhenie (Machinery and Armament) |year=1997 |issue=1 |language=ru}}</ref> On 9 June 1982, the Syrian General HQ ordered a brigade of the [[1st Armoured Division (Syria)|1st Armoured Division]], recently equipped with T-72 tanks, to move straight ahead, cross the border, and hit the right flank of the Israeli units advancing along the eastern side of Beka'a valley. The [[Battle of Sultan Yacoub|ensuing battle]] staved off further Israeli advance and 10 IDF main battle tanks were destroyed. After the war, Syrian president [[Hafez al-Assad]] called it "the best tank in the world".<ref>{{cite book |last=Tucker-Jones |first=Anthony |title=Soviet Cold War Weaponry: Tanks and Armoured Vehicles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dIP3CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA154 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |year=2015 |page=154 |isbn=9781783032969}}</ref>

The T-72 was used extensively in the [[Syrian Civil War]] by the [[Syrian Arab Army]] from 2011 onwards. Several captured units have been used by anti-government forces, including the rebel [[Free Syrian Army]], and jihadist groups such as the [[Islamic Front (Syria)|Islamic Front]] and the [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria]].

Initially, the insurgent forces used IEDs and [[RPG-7]] ambush tactics against the government armoured forces. Later, the rebels obtained modern Russian RPGs and Yugoslav [[M79 Osa]]s, which were used successfully against T-72s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFKIzAnJino |title=Syria – T-72 gets hit by RPG 29 and cooking off, 2014 |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref> Starting in 2012, the capture from Syrian stocks and later direct delivery by external sponsors of modern anti-tank guided missiles, including Chinese-made [[HJ-8]], Soviet-made [[9K111 Fagot]], [[9M113 Konkurs]], and [[9K115 Metis]], and U.S.-made [[BGM-71 TOW]] missile enabled the opposition forces to engage and destroy any government armoured vehicle types, T-72 included, from safer distances.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZx13megcjo |title=FSA rebels destroy moving T-72 with HJ-8 "Red Arrow" ATGM + cook off |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706193643/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZx13megcjo |archive-date=6 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> As of March 2020, at least 837 T-72 tanks operated by the Syrian armed forces were destroyed according to visual recordings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2018/03/27/saa-vehicle-losses-2011-2017/ |title=Nine Years of War — Documenting Syrian Arab Army's Armored Vehicles Losses |date=30 March 2020 |website=Bellingcat.com |first=Jakub |last=Janovský}}</ref>

===Iraq===
{{Main|T-72 tanks in Iraqi service}}
Iraqi T-72 Ural (1973)s, T-72 Ural Modernization, T-72Ms and T-72M1s were used successfully throughout the Iran-Iraq War and in countless operations, among others [[Operation Nasr]], in the [[Operation Ramadan|battle for Basra]] and during the [[Tawakalna ala Allah Operations]]. [[Royal Ordnance L7|105 mm M68]] tank guns and [[TOW missile]]s proved ineffective against the frontal armour of Iraqi T-72s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fire in the Hills: Iranian and Iraqi Battles of Autumn 1982 |author1=Tom Cooper |author2=Farzad Bishop |date=9 September 2003 |website=Arabian Peninsula & Persian Gulf Database |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_214.shtml |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323174631/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_214.shtml |url-status=usurped |archive-date=23 March 2010}}</ref><ref>"Vse tanki SSSR. Samaya polnaya enciklopedia", Michail Baryatincky, 2004, pp. 274 (Russian:"Все танки СССР. Самая полная энциклопедия", Михаил Барятинский, 2004, стр.274)</ref> Sixty T-72 tanks were lost during the eight years of war.<ref>{{cite web |title=Забытая война: ирано-иракский конфликт |url=http://army.lv/ru/Zabitaya-voyna-irano-irakskiy-konflikt/2640/4272 |website=Army.lv |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-date=2020-02-24  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224141315/http://army.lv/ru/Zabitaya-voyna-irano-irakskiy-konflikt/2640/4272 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Танки Иракской армии |url=https://btvt.narod.ru/2/iraqarmy2.htm |website=Btvt.narod.ru |access-date=15 November 2014}}</ref> Ra'ad Al-Hamdani, an Iraqi general in the [[Republican Guard|Iraqi Republican Guard]], stating "The 16th Iranian Armoured Division, which was equipped with [[Chieftain tank]]s, lost a battle against the 10th Iraqi Armoured Brigade with T-72 tanks. It is hard for an armoured brigade to destroy a division in 12 hours but it happened; it was a disaster for the Iranians".<ref>{{cite web |title=Project 1946: Phase II |website=Ida.org |url=https://www.ida.org/-/media/feature/publications/p/pr/project-1946-phase-ii/ida-document-d-4121.ashx}}</ref> Out of the 894 Chieftain tanks that had started the war only 200 were left by the war's end.<ref>Andrew T. H. Tan (2014). ''The Global Arms Trade: A Handbook''.  Routledge. p. 126</ref> The 3BM9 APFSDS shell was more than enough to deal with any NATO tank of the time, including the most heavily armoured such as the M60A1 and the Chieftain. According to a Soviet analysis of an Iranian Chieftain captured by the Iraqi army during the early part of the Iran-Iraq war, the Chieftain Mk.5 was considered to have totally insufficient protection even at its strongest points. The frontal part of the entire turret, hull upper front plate and lower front plate could all be defeated at 3&nbsp;km or more. This essentially means that the T-72 Ural could defeat one of NATO's toughest tanks at any reasonable combat distance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thesovietarmourblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/t-72-soviet-progeny.html |title=Tankograd: T-72: Part 1 |date=May 2015}}</ref> According to Iranians and Iraqis, the T-72 was the most feared tank of the Iran–Iraq War.<ref>Interview – Iranian Tank Commander, McCaul ED, Apr-2004, ''Military History'', Vol. 21 No. 1; "Saddam's Generals: Perspectives of the Iran-Iraq War", Youssef Aboul-Enein</ref>

During the [[invasion of Kuwait]] Iraq used 690 tanks, mainly T-55s, T-62s and T-72s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mokatel.com/openshare/Behoth/IraqKwit/9/tab03.doc_cvt.htm |title=Al Moqatel - التحضير العسكري العراقي لغزو الكويت (التخطيط ـ إعداد مسرح العمليات ـ الفتح "الانتشار" الإستراتيجي) |date=14 July 2014 |website= |access-date=21 February 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180721/http://www.mokatel.com/openshare/Behoth/IraqKwit/9/tab03.doc_cvt.htm}}</ref> Kuwait had 281 tanks, including 6 T-72s, 165 Chieftains, 70 [[Vickers MBT|Vickers]] and 40 Centurions.<ref>[https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/notes/2009/N3248.pdf "Global Arms Exports to Iraq, 1960—1990"]. Rand Corporation</ref> On the morning of 2 August, near the [[Mutla Pass]], a tank battle took place between the Vickers tanks of the 6th Kuwaiti Mechanized Brigade and the T-72s of the Republican Guard's 17th Armoured Brigade, [[1st Hammurabi Armoured Division]]. Kuwaiti tanks were able to knock out one T-72 during the ambush, but were defeated in response with the commander of the 6th brigade captured.<ref>Kevin M. Woods (2008). [https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a484530.pdf "Iraqi Perspectives Project Phase II"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517215456/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a484530.pdf |date=2019-05-17  }}. ''Um Al-Ma'arik (The Mother of All Battles): Operational and Strategic Insights from an Iraqi Perspective'', Volume 1 (revised May 2008). Institute for Defense Analyses. pp. 117–118</ref> Only 20 surviving Vickers tanks were able to retreat to Saudi Arabia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The Iraqi-assembled T-72 version [[Lion of Babylon (tank)|Lion of Babylon]] engaged coalition forces in both Iraq wars. The [[Battle of 73 Easting]] took place during a sandstorm in the Iraqi desert. U.S. [[M1 Abrams|M1A1]]s and [[Bradley Fighting Vehicle]]s came up against [[Iraqi Republican Guard]] T-72Ms and [[BMP development|BMP]]s and inflicted 37 losses on the Iraqi armoured forces, while losing a single Bradley to enemy fire.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tucker |first=Spencer |title=Persian Gulf War encyclopedia: a political, social, and military history |publisher=ABC-CLIO |location=Santa Barbara, California |year=2014 |page=121 |isbn=978-1-61069-416-2}}</ref> The primary attack was conducted by [[2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment|2ACR]]'s three squadrons of about 400 soldiers, along with the [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|1st Infantry Division]]'s two leading brigades, who attacked and destroyed the Iraqi 18th Mechanized Brigade and 37th Armoured Brigade of the [[Tawakalna Division]], each consisting of between 2,500 and 3,000 personnel.<ref>"Briefing, Battle of 73 Easting". The battle was fought often at close range, against superior numbers of Iraqi tanks dug in textbook Soviet defensive formations, but ended with over 85 Iraqi tanks destroyed and only one U.S. Bradley IFV taking significant damage from enemy fire. The Middle East Institute</ref> The Iraqi T-72Ms used 3BM9 shells (removed from Soviet service in 1973),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.modernarmy.ru/article/181 |title=Танки и БМП в бою: опыт современных |trans-title=Tanks and IFVs in combat: the experience of modern wars |website=Modernarmy.ru |access-date=28 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071214/http://www.modernarmy.ru/article/181}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://artofwar.ru/w/wechkanow_i_w/vivboewyetanki-semejstwot-72t-80t-90wtoroeizdanie19122011.shtml |title=ArtOfWar. Viv. Танки – Т-72, Т-80, Т-90 (Второе издание 19.12.2011) |website=artofwar.ru |access-date=3 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-date=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129050514/http://artofwar.ru/w/wechkanow_i_w/vivboewyetanki-semejstwot-72t-80t-90wtoroeizdanie19122011.shtml}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://techno-story.ru/books/102-osnovnoj-boevoj-tank-abrams/418-abrams-v-persidskom-zalive-zvjozdnyj-chas |title=ABRAMS в Персидском заливе. Звёздный час |language=ru |trans-title=Abrams in the Persian Gulf: their moment of greatness<!-- literally "star time" --> |website=Techno-story.ru |access-date=28 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630185342/http://techno-story.ru/books/102-osnovnoj-boevoj-tank-abrams/418-abrams-v-persidskom-zalive-zvjozdnyj-chas}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Танк Т-72: вчера, сегодня, завтра |trans-title=The T-72 tank: yesterday, today, tomorrow |website=Narod.ru |url=http://btvt.narod.ru/2/t72istoria.htm |access-date=28 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630041704/http://btvt.narod.ru/2/t72istoria.htm |archive-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> with a penetration of 245&nbsp;mm at a distance of up to {{Convert|2500|meters|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=2. БОЕПРИПАСЫ ТАНКОВЫХ ОРУДИЙ |trans-title=Ammunition of tank guns |url=http://www.militaryparitet.com/nomen/russia/arty/artyboe/data/ic_nomenrussiaartyartyboe/2/ |website=Militaryparitet.com |access-date=3 September 2017 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903205953/http://www.militaryparitet.com/nomen/russia/arty/artyboe/data/ic_nomenrussiaartyartyboe/2/ |archive-date=3 September 2017}}</ref> M60A1s of the [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] Task Force Ripper led the [[Battle of Kuwait International Airport|drive to the Kuwait International Airport]] on 27 February 1991. Task Force Ripper's M60A1 tanks destroyed about 100 Iraqi tanks and [[armoured personnel carrier]]s, including [[T-72 tank|T-72]] tanks.<ref>U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990-1991 With the 1st U.S. Marine Division in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. pp.92-93.</ref> The total number of T-72s lost during Operation Desert Storm was approximately 150.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Iraq War Encyclopedia |author=Thomas R. Mockaitis |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2013 |page=411}}</ref>

As of 1996, Iraq had 776 T-72 tanks in service from 1,038 originally received.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vpvo.narod.ru/Info/Iraq/iraq_pvo.html |title=Сборник статей "ВВС и ПВО Ирака": "Оценка потенциала средств ПВО Ирака" |access-date=7 January 2020 |archive-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911222854/http://www.vpvo.narod.ru/Info/Iraq/iraq_pvo.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Chechen wars===
During the [[First Chechen War]] (December 1994 to September 1996) fought between the Russian Federation and the self-proclaimed [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria]], led by [[Dzhokhar Dudayev]], the Russian Federation deployed both T-72 and T-80 tanks. Russian AFV losses during the first three months fighting amounted to 62 tank (T-72/T-80) losses (44 T-72s of 141, 18 T-80s of 71 and 0 PT-76s of 9). Analysis of damage to non repairable vehicles showed that no T-72 were lost to frontal penetration of the hull from man portable anti tank weapons.<ref name=vulnerability>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/rusav.htm#N_10_ |title=Russian-Manufactured Armored Vehicle Vulnerability in Urban Combat: The Chechnya Experience |author=Lester W. Grau |via=Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS |date=January 1997 |work=Red Thrust Star |url-status=live |archive-date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201213210/https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/rusav.htm#N_10_}}</ref>

Analysis of the causes of these losses indicated the majority were caused by Chechen four-man anti-armour hunter-killer teams consisting of a gunner armed with a Russian [[RPG-7]] or [[RPG-18]] shoulder-fired antitank rocket launcher, and a machine gunner and a sniper,<ref name=vulnerability/> with five or six such teams simultaneously attacking a single armoured vehicle. The majority of losses recorded occurred from three to six kill shot hits to the sides, top and rear of a vehicle.

Highlighted were serious tactical deployment failures, once again demonstrating doctrine and tactics being a primary factor in determining a tank's worth. Following the serious losses to the Russian Federation during their first assault upon Grozny, armoured tactics were revised. Russian armoured vehicle losses dropped off with their change in tactics to have Russian infantry move in front, with armoured combat vehicles in support of the infantry.  In particular use of AAA armoured vehicles, these vehicles can elevate their main armament to higher angles than the T-72 .

The Russian army captured seven of Dudayev's T-72s and used them in combat. During the First Chechen War, at least two tank duels took place. In the first, Dudayev's T-72A knocked out one T-62M belonging to pro-Russian Chechens. In the second, one of Dudayev's T-72As was destroyed by a Russian T-72B. Three Russian T-72s are recorded as destroyed, at the hands of Chechen separatists, including one tank during the [[Second Chechen War]], during the period 1997 to 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://btvt.narod.ru/2/tanks_in_grozny.htm |title=Грозный. Танки. Как это было |website=Btvt.narod.ru |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421210750/http://btvt.narod.ru/2/tanks_in_grozny.htm |archive-date=21 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://otvaga2004.ru/tanki/v-boyah/tanki-t-62-v-chechne/ |title=Танки Т-62 в Чечне |work=Военно-патриотический сайт «Отвага» |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006140825/http://otvaga2004.ru/tanki/v-boyah/tanki-t-62-v-chechne/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airwar.ru/history/af/ichkeria/ichkeria.html |title=История ВВС Ичкерии |website=Airwar.ru |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083436/http://www.airwar.ru/history/af/ichkeria/ichkeria.html |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kommersant.ru/doc/336884/ |title=Рейды чеченских боевиков |website=Kommersant.ru |date=17 August 2002 |access-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009143501/http://kommersant.ru/doc/336884/ |archive-date=9 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Фаличев О Армия XXI века/ Интервью с главнокомандующим сухопутными войсками РФ Н. Кормильцевым // Военно-промышленный курьер. — 2003. — № 9. Translation: Falichev, About the Army of the 21st Century / Interview with the Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Russian Federation N. Kormiltsev // Military Industrial Courier.</ref>

===Russo-Georgian War===
[[File:Georgian T-72Sim1 01.jpg|thumb|Georgian Army T-72SIM1.]]
During the [[Russo-Georgian War|war in South Ossetia]] in 2008 both sides deployed great numbers of T-72 tanks.  At the time of the conflict, the Georgian military fielded 191 T-72 tanks of which 120 were modified to T-72SIM1s. The Georgian army deployed a total of 75 of its T-72 tanks into South Ossetia.{{sfn|Barabanov|Lavrov|Tseluiko|2010|p=19}} The Georgian military lost 30 T-72s, ten in combat during the fighting around Tskhinvali,{{sfn|Barabanov|Lavrov|Tseluiko|2010|p=110}} and another 20 destroyed by Russian paratroopers after their capture.{{sfn|Barabanov|Lavrov|Tseluiko|2010|p=75}}

=== Russo-Ukrainian War ===

==== War in Donbas ====
On 26 August 2014, the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] claimed that it had identified a mixed Russian column composed of at least 3 T-72Bs and a lone T-72B3 in the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]]. The significance of this sighting was that Russia attempted to maintain [[plausible deniability]] over the issue of supplying tanks and other arms to the separatists. Russia continuously claimed that any tanks operated by the separatists must have been captured from Ukraine's own army. The T-72B3 is in service with the Russian Army in large numbers. This modernized T-72 is not known to have been exported to nor operated by any other country.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marcus |first1=Jonathan |title=Ukraine crisis: T-72 tank shoots hole in Russian denial |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28961080 |access-date=28 August 2014 |work=[[BBC]] |date=27 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828035733/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28961080}}</ref>

In an interview with Dorzhi Batomunkuev in March 2015, it was revealed that he had operated a T-72B as part of a 32 tank Russian army unit when [[Battle of Debaltseve|fighting for Debaltseve]] in Ukraine in February 2015. His tank was destroyed and he suffered severe burns.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine crisis: Interview with a Russian tank crewman |url=http://www.novayagazeta.ru/society/67490.html |access-date=4 March 2015 |work=[[Novaya Gazeta]] |date=4 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303212226/http://www.novayagazeta.ru/society/67490.html}}</ref>

Before the conflict Ukraine had 600 T-72s in storage.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Military Balance |year=2014 |page=195}}{{full citation needed|date=April 2022}}</ref> However, encountering a deficiency of serviceable armoured vehicles, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence began returning some of the T-72s to service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wartime.org.ua/11282-ukrayinska-armya-znovu-priynyala-na-ozbroyennya-t-72.html |script-title=uk:Українська армія знову прийняла на озброєння Т-72 |language=uk |trans-title=The Ukrainian military recommissioned the T-72 |website=Wartime.org.ua |date=13 June 2014 |access-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215103830/http://wartime.org.ua/11282-ukrayinska-armya-znovu-priynyala-na-ozbroyennya-t-72.html |archive-date=15 February 2018 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

==== Russian invasion of Ukraine ====
{{see also|List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction = vertical
| total_width       = 220
| image1            = Destruction of Russian tanks by Ukrainian troops in Mariupol (3).jpg
| width1            = 1280
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| image2            = Russian tank trapped after Ukrainians demolished a bridge.jpg
| width2            = 1024
| height2           = 766
| footer            = Examples of abandoned Russian T-72B3 mod. 2016 (top) and T-72B mod. 1989 (bottom) tanks with various different makeshift steel grilles variants attached to the turret, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
}}
The T-72 has seen extensive service in the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] on both sides.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://warriormaven.com/russia-ukraine/russia-ukraine-weapons-tanks-artillery-platforms-missiles#:~:text=The%20Ukrainian%20tank%20force%20is%20largely%20comprised%20of,upgraded%20Ukrainian%20variant%20of%20the%20Soviet-era%20Russian%20T-80 |title=Russia vs Ukraine Weapon Strength: Tank Force, Artillery Platforms & Surface to Air Missiles (SAMS) |website=Warriormaven.com |date=March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>

Russia's most numerous tank is the T-72B3 (mod. 2011 and 2016) and the older T-72B (mod. 1985 and 1989).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wionews.com/photos/war-zone-ukraines-us-made-javelin-anti-tank-missile-vs-russian-t-72-beasts-451693 |title=War zone: Ukraine's US-made Javelin anti-tank missile vs Russian T-72 beasts |website=Wionews.com |date=9 February 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref> In the buildup to the invasion, Russian forces applied [[Improvised vehicle armour|improvised]] [[slat armor|steel grilles]] to the top of the turret, known as "cope cages" by some commentators.<ref name="portfolio_hu">{{cite web |url=https://www.portfolio.hu/global/20220302/igazi-tankszornyet-zsakmanyoltak-az-ukranok-530323 |title=Igazi tankszörnyet zsákmányoltak az ukránok |date=2 March 2022 |website=[[Portfolio.hu]] |language=hu |quote=Érdekes egy szót említeni a ‚kutyaólként‘ vagy ‚csirkeketrecként,‘ angolszász forrásokban ‚cope cage,‘ vagyis durván ‚dolgozd fel ketrecként‘ emlegetett improvizált páncélzatról a tornyon. A páncélzat célja az lenne, hogy megvédje a harcjárműveket a felülről érkező drónrakétáktól vagy páncéltörő rakétáktól. |trans-quote=It is interesting to mention the terminology surrounding the improvised armour on the tower, referred to as 'dog kennel' or 'chicken coop' in Hungarian, or 'cope cage' in Anglo-Saxon sources. The purpose of the armor would be to protect the combat vehicles from drone missiles or armor-piercing rockets coming from above. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220315072940/https://www.portfolio.hu/global/20220302/igazi-tankszornyet-zsakmanyoltak-az-ukranok-530323 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-10/how-do-anti-tank-missiles-work-helpful-ukraine-soldiers/100868934 |title=How do anti-tank missiles work, and how helpful might they be for Ukraine's soldiers? |date=10 March 2022 |author=James Dwyer |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |quote=These are colloquially termed 'cope cages' by various communities on the internet. Of course, they will do little to minimise the impact from a missile, but they do demonstrate that Russian soldiers are fearful of the threat the missiles present. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315035355/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-10/how-do-anti-tank-missiles-work-helpful-ukraine-soldiers/100868934 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 March 2022 |title=What to know about the role Javelin antitank missiles could play in Ukraine's fight against Russia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/12/javelins-ukraine-russia/ |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |quote=Social media has been littered with photos of destroyed Russian tanks with cages. The images have acquired a symbolic resonance so quickly that Internet users have coined the term 'cope cage', earning a page on the Internet's primary meme directory. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220312163708/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/12/javelins-ukraine-russia/ |archive-date=12 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Military analysts have speculated that such grilles were added in an attempt to counter the usage of [[top attack|top-attack]] weapons, such as the US made [[FGM-148 Javelin]] and British-Swedish [[NLAW]], by Ukrainian forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-forces-are-attaching-cages-to-their-tanks-experts-say-they-demon |title=Russian soldiers appear to be fixing makeshift cages to the turrets of their tanks in a crude effort to protect themselves against Ukraine's anti-tank missiles |date=26 March 2022 |author=Alia Shoaib |website=[[Business Insider]] |quote='The cages are supposed to defend against anti-tank weapons that strike the top of the vehicle, where the armor is the thinnest. ... The idea is that if you set off a bazooka or a Panzerfaust&nbsp;... they're set off early and so they don't hit the tank itself&nbsp;...' Crump explained. However, the cages are largely ineffective against the modern anti-tank weapons used by the Ukrainians, such as the Javelin and NLAW&nbsp;... Many modern weapons are designed to counter that sort of protection |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326104931/https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-forces-are-attaching-cages-to-their-tanks-experts-say-they-demon |archive-date=26 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |title=Russian Tanks Massing Near Ukraine Sport Mods Against Drones, Javelin Missiles |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2021/11/29/russian-tanks-massing-near-ukraine-sport-mods-against-drones-javelin-missiles/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311172448/https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2021/11/29/russian-tanks-massing-near-ukraine-sport-mods-against-drones-javelin-missiles/?sh=27d246bf65e9 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |title=Ukrainian Troops Test Javelin Missile Against Russian Cage-Style Improvised Tank Armor |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43648/ukrainian-troops-test-javelin-missile-against-russian-cage-style-improvised-tank-armor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307173410/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43648/ukrainian-troops-test-javelin-missile-against-russian-cage-style-improvised-tank-armor |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=The Drive |date=23 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |title=Russian T-80 Tank With Improvised Anti-Drone Armor Reportedly Appears In Crimea |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43273/russian-t-80-tank-with-improvised-anti-drone-armor-reportedly-appears-in-crimea |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224022448/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43273/russian-t-80-tank-with-improvised-anti-drone-armor-reportedly-appears-in-crimea |archive-date=24 February 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=The Drive |date=24 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> These implementations add weight to the tank, increase its visual profile, and make it more difficult for the crew to escape from the tank.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-forces-are-attaching-cages-to-their-tanks-experts-say-they-demon |title=Russian soldiers appear to be fixing makeshift cages to the turrets of their tanks in a crude effort to protect themselves against Ukraine's anti-tank missiles |date=26 March 2022 |author=Alia Shoaib |website=[[Business Insider]] |quote='The advantage Russian tanks have is that they're super small and very low, making them easy to hide. When you start doubling the height, you're getting rid of some of the advantages of the vehicle,' Crump said. The cages also make it harder for the crew to get in and out of the vehicles, according to Crump. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326104931/https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-forces-are-attaching-cages-to-their-tanks-experts-say-they-demon |archive-date=26 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Analysts have also speculated that they may be potentially used as a countermeasure against [[RPG-7]]s fired from above during urban combat, [[loitering munition]]s, or against drone attacks, as a response to lessons learned from the [[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/russian-tanks-in-ukraine-are-sprouting-cages/21808191 |title=Russian tanks in Ukraine are sprouting cages |date=14 March 2022 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |quote=Another idea is that the cages are a response to the conflict in 2020 between Armenia and Azerbaijan, over Nagorno-Karabakh, in which large numbers of Russian-made Armenian tanks were destroyed from above by MAM-Ls&nbsp;... A third possibility is that the cages are meant as protection against RPGs&nbsp;... which are being fired at tanks from above. This&nbsp;... is a preferred tactic in urban warfare, where buildings offer shooters the necessary elevation. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316001931/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/russian-tanks-in-ukraine-are-sprouting-cages/21808191 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://korii.slate.fr/tech/guerre-ukraine-cope-cages-metal-protections-bricolees-javelin-moquees-tanks-russes-impuissants |title=Les 'cope cages', protections bricolées et moquées des chars russes impuissants |date=23 March 2022 |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate.fr]] |language=fr |quote=Ces structures approximatives sont ce qu'il est devenu coutumier d'appeler des cope cages en anglais –des «cages pour faire avec», pour traduire grossièrement l'expression. Elles sont le résultat des observations par l'armée russe du conflit opposant Azerbaïdjan et Arménie dans le Haut-Karabakh. |trans-quote=It has become customary to call these makeshift structures 'cope cages' in English, an expression which roughly translates to 'cages pour faire avec'. They are the result of observations made by the Russian army towards the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323075529/https://korii.slate.fr/tech/guerre-ukraine-cope-cages-metal-protections-bricolees-javelin-moquees-tanks-russes-impuissants |archive-date=23 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The lack of uniformity between the makeshift cage variants made from different meshes and iron fences suggest that they are largely improvised by the tank crews, and are not standard issue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-forces-are-attaching-cages-to-their-tanks-experts-say-they-demon |title=Russian soldiers appear to be fixing makeshift cages to the turrets of their tanks in a crude effort to protect themselves against Ukraine's anti-tank missiles |date=26 March 2022 |author=Alia Shoaib |website=[[Business Insider]] |quote=The lack of uniformity of the cages, and the fact that they are only seen on some tanks, shows that Russian units are largely improvising them |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326104931/https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-forces-are-attaching-cages-to-their-tanks-experts-say-they-demon |archive-date=26 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2022, some Russian tankers said they eventually removed the cages, as they obstructed the use of machine guns and radios, and prevented evacuation if the tank caught fire.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sergei Valchenko |date=24 May 2022 |url=https://www.mk.ru/politics/2022/05/24/tankistgeroy-rasskazal-o-specoperacii-i-pogib-pobedim-no-legko-ne-budet.html |title=Танкист-герой рассказал о спецоперации и погиб: "Победим, но легко не будет" |website=[[Moskovskij Komsomolets]] |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524133619/https://www.mk.ru/politics/2022/05/24/tankistgeroy-rasskazal-o-specoperacii-i-pogib-pobedim-no-legko-ne-budet.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-status=live |trans-quote=At first we welded the body kits (metal grilles for protection against anti-tank missiles) to the tanks, but then they were all removed. Firstly, it is inconvenient: the machine gun is unable to move, and the radio connection disappears when the antenna touches the grille. If there is some kind of fire, it will be simply unrealistic to get out of the tank... So they were all removed and thrown away. |quote=Обвесы (металлические решетки для защиты от противотанковых ракет) мы сначала все наварили на танки, а потом их все сняли. Во-первых, неудобно: пулемет не двигается, антенна когда замыкает об решетку – сгорает радиостанция, связь пропадает. И если будет какое-то возгорание, там просто нереально будет вылезти из танка... Поэтому их все сняли и выкинули.}}</ref> As of October 2025, Russia has lost a total of 1,781 T-72s of all variants according to [[Oryx (website)|Oryx]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Attack on Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html |access-date=28 July 2025}}</ref>

Before the invasion, Ukraine owned T-72s left from the Soviet Union but were partly modernized.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} These mainly included T-72As and T-72AVs, as well as modernized T-72AMTs (mod. 2017).<ref>{{cite web |date=14 August 2017 |title=UkrOboronProm unveils T-72AMT |website=Jane's 360 |url=http://www.janes.com/article/73097/ukroboronprom-unveils-t-72amt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170814193603/http://www.janes.com/article/73097/ukroboronprom-unveils-t-72amt |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 August 2017 |access-date=11 April 2022 |via=archive.ph}}</ref> On 3 April, an image of a rare T-72 "Ural" (1973) equipped with Kontakt-1 ERA having been damaged appeared.<ref>{{cite web |title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The 2022 Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html |website=Oryx Blog |access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> As of April 2022, an unspecified number of [[Czech Republic|Czech]] T-72M1s had been provided to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |title=Czech Republic becomes first Nato country to send tanks to Ukraine |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/czech-republic-nato-tanks-ukraine-b2052261.html?amp |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=The Independent |date=6 April 2022}}</ref> Poland also donated over 200 T-72M1/M1R tanks to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Poland confirms T-72 tank delivery to Ukraine, with Challenger 2 tanks to fill gap |url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2022/04/26/poland-confirms-t-72-tank-delivery-to-ukraine-with-challenger-2-tanks-to-fill-gap/ |date=26 April 2022 |access-date=29 April 2022 |website=Defense News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Poland has delivered two brigades' worth of tanks to war-torn Ukraine, according to public broadcaster Polish Radio's IAR news agency |url=https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7785/Artykul/2948382,Poland-has-sent-over-200-tanks-to-Ukraine-IAR |date=29 April 2022 |website=Polskie Radio}}</ref> As of July 2025, Ukraine has lost a total of 374 T-72s of all variants according to [[Oryx (website)|Oryx]]. 13 T-72 Ural, 115 T-72M/M1(R)s (92 destroyed, 4 damaged, 9 abandoned, and 10 captured), 28 T-72EAs (22 destroyed, 2 damaged, 3 abandoned, and 1 captured), 81 T-72AVs (62 destroyed, 2 damaged, 9 abandoned, and 8 captured), 28 T-72AMTs (18 destroyed, 1 damaged, 2 abandoned, and 7 captured), 56 T-72B (48 destroyed, 2 damaged, and 6 captured), 3 T-72AMT Zr.2022s (all destroyed), 12 of the PT-91 Twardy modernization (8 destroyed, 1 damaged, 3 abandoned), and 38 other T-72s of unclear model (36 destroyed, 2 damaged).<ref>{{cite web |title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The 2022 Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html |access-date=28 July 2025 |website=Oryx Blog}}</ref>

===Combat history===
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2010}}
[[File:New iraqi army tank.jpg|thumb|right|Iraqi T-72 in 2006]]
[[File:T72 MBT.jpg|thumb|Iraqi 'Saddam' main battle tank destroyed in a Coalition attack during [[Gulf War|Operation Desert Storm]]]]
* 1980–1988: [[Iran–Iraq War]] (Iraq)
* 1982: [[1982 Lebanon War|Lebanon]] (Syria)
* 1987–1990: [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]] (India)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Inducting T-72 tanks by air into Jaffna |magazine=Vayu Aerospace Review |first=A. G. |last=Bewoor |via=bharat-rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1987IPKF/1033-Bewoor01.html |date=2009 |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045715/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1987IPKF/1033-Bewoor01.html |archive-date=7 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1988–1994: [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]] (Armenia and Azerbaijan)
* 1988–1993: [[Georgian Civil War]] (Georgia)
* 1990–1991: [[Gulf War|First Persian Gulf War]] (Iraq and Kuwait)
* 1990–2002: [[Sierra Leone Civil War]] ([[Executive Outcomes]])<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623190308/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_462.shtml |archive-date=23 June 2013 |url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_462.shtml |title=Sierra Leone, 1990–2002 |website=acig.org |date=5 August 2004 |access-date=30 July 2010 |first1=Tom |last1=Cooper |first2=Court |url-status=usurped |last2=Chick}}</ref>
* 1991–2001: [[Yugoslav Wars]] (Yugoslavia)
** 1991: [[Ten-Day War]] (Yugoslavia)
** 1991–1995 [[Croatian War of Independence]] (Yugoslavia, Krajina Serbs, Croatia and Republika Srpska)
** 1998: [[Kosovo War]] (Yugoslavia)
** 2001: [[2001 Macedonia conflict]] (Macedonia)
* 1991–2002: [[Algerian Civil War]] (Algeria)
* 1991: [[1991 Iraqi uprisings]] (Iraq)
* 1991: [[August Coup]] (Soviet Union)
* 1992–1997: [[Civil war in Tajikistan]] (Russia and Tajikistan)
* 1994: [[Rwanda Civil War]] (Uganda)
* 1994–1996: [[First Chechen War]] (Russia and Chechnya (limited)) First known case of using tank-launched missiles, which effectively destroy targets at 4&nbsp;km range.<ref>"Танки в боях за Грозный" Part 1. // "Фронтовая иллюстрация" №9 2007. Part 2. //"Фронтовая иллюстрация" №1 2008, V, Belogrud</ref>
* 1999–2009: [[Second Chechen War]] (Russia)
* 2003: [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Invasion of Iraq]] (Iraq)
* 2008: [[Russo-Georgian War]] (Russia and Georgia)
* 2011–present: [[Syrian Civil War]] Government forces using T-72 tanks. Opposition forces using captured government's tanks.
* 2011: [[2011 Libyan civil war]] ([[Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Gaddafi Government]] and [[Anti-Gaddafi forces]])
* 2013–2020: [[South Sudanese Civil War]]
* 2014–present: [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] (Ukraine, Russia and pro-Russian separatists)
** 2014: [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|2014 Pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine]] (Ukraine, pro-Russian separatists){{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
** 2014: [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Annexation of Crimea]] (Russia)<ref>{{cite web |title=Waiting for a Reality Check in Crimea, Five Years on |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/article/waiting-reality-check-crimea-five-years |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=Stratfor}}</ref>
** 2014–2022: [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|War in Donbas]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sled-vzayt.livejournal.com/2099.html |title=5-я танковая бригда ВС РФ в боях за Дебальцево |website=Sled-vzayt.livejournal.com |access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019042211/https://sled-vzayt.livejournal.com/2099.html |archive-date=19 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co |title=Bellingcat Vehicles |website=Bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co |access-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211202150/https://bellingcat-vehicles.silk.co/ |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
** 2022–present: [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hromadske.ua/ru/posts/rossijsko-ukrainskaya-vojna-tekstovoj-onlajn |title=War in Donbas - Minute by Minute |website=Hromadske.ua |date=23 February 2022}}</ref> (Russia and Ukraine)
* 2014–2017: [[War in Iraq (2013–2017)]] (Iraq)<ref name="FranceSoir 2017 a819">{{cite web |title=Bataille de Mossoul: la police et l'armée irakienne progressent difficilement dans la vieille ville |website=FranceSoir |date=5 May 2017 |url=http://www.francesoir.fr/politique-monde/bataille-de-mossoul-la-police-et-armee-irakienne-progressent-difficilement-dans-la-vieille-ville-combats-djihadistes-etat-islamique-erd-golden-division-daech-cham-irak-snipers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225080939/http://www.francesoir.fr/politique-monde/bataille-de-mossoul-la-police-et-armee-irakienne-progressent-difficilement-dans-la-vieille-ville-combats-djihadistes-etat-islamique-erd-golden-division-daech-cham-irak-snipers |archive-date=25 December 2019 |url-status=dead |language=fr |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref>
* 2015: [[Boko Haram insurgency]] (Nigeria)<ref>[https://twitter.com/JosephHDempsey/status/572769137065385985/photo/1 Nigeria deploy new T-72 tanks against Boko Haram in Baga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017031343/https://twitter.com/JosephHDempsey/status/572769137065385985/photo/1 |date=17 October 2015}} Joseph Dempsey on Twitter.</ref>
* 2016: [[2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes]] (Armenia and Azerbaijan)
* 2020: [[Second Nagorno-Karabakh war]] (Armenia and Azerbaijan)
* 2020–2021: [[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes]] (India)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/from-ladakh-to-kuril-islands-indian-russian-enhanced-t-72-tanks-ready-to-thwart-chinese-aggression/ |title=From Ladakh to Kuril Islands, Indian, Russian Enhanced T-72 Tanks Ready to Thwart Chinese Aggression |website=Eurasaintimes.com |date=8 November 2020}}</ref>
* 2020–2022: [[Tigray War]] (Ethiopia and Tigray Defense Forces)
* 2022: [[2022 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes]] (Tajikistan)
* 2023: [[Sudanese civil war (2023–present)]] (Sudanese government forces)<ref>{{cite web |title=#Sudan: Footage of Sudanese Army vehicles destroyed by the Rapid Support Forces in #Khartoum; a Streit Group Cougar with a W85 HMG (Known locally as Khawad) and a Ukrainian/Russian supplied T-72AV tank. |last=Calibre Obscura |date=19 April 2023 |url=https://twitter.com/CalibreObscura/status/1648775069601001482 |website=Twitter |access-date=22 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[125 mm smoothbore ammunition]]
* [[AT-8 Songster]]
* [[Tank machine gun type 95/98]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{citation |title=The Tanks of August |first1=M.S. |last1=Barabanov |first2=A.V. |last2=Lavrov |first3=V.A. |last3=Tseluiko |editor=Pukhov, R.N. |place=Moscow |work=Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies |year=2010 |url=http://www.cast.ru/files/The_Tanks_of_August_sm_eng.pdf |isbn=978-5-9902320-1-3 |access-date=1 November 2017 |archive-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128165000/http://www.cast.ru/files/The_Tanks_of_August_sm_eng.pdf |url-status=dead}}
* {{citation |last=Hunnicutt |first=R. P. |title=Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank |year=1984 |publisher=Presidio Press |isbn=0-89141-230-1}}
* {{citation |last=Karpenko |first=A.V. |year=1996 |title=Obozrenie otechestvennoĭ bronetankovoĭ tekhniki, 1905–1995 gg. |publisher=Nevskij Bastion |oclc=41871991 |language=ru}}
* {{citation |last=Leizin |first=Uri |year=2004 |url=http://www.waronline.org/IDF/Articles/t72-myth/index.html |title=Two myths of one battle: Syrian T-72's in 1982 Lebanon war |language=ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915064512/http://www.waronline.org/IDF/Articles/t72-myth/index.html |archive-date=15 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Sewell |first1=Stephen "Cookie" |date=July–August 1998 |title=Why Three Tanks |magazine=Armor |volume=CVII |issue=4 |pages=21–29, 45 |issn=0004-2420 |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/EArmor/content/issues/1998/JUL_AUG/ArmorJulyAugust1998web.pdf |access-date=4 March 2022 |location=Fort Knox, KY |publisher=U.S. Army Armor Center}}
* {{citation |last=Suvorov |first=Sergey |year=1993 |title=ТАНК Т-72 ВЧЕРА, СЕГОДНЯ, ЗАВТРА (Tank T-72 Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow) |publisher=ТанкоМастер}}
* {{citation |last1=Ustyantsev |first1=Sergej Viktorovich |last2=Kolmakov |first2=Dmitrij Gennadevich |year=2004 |title=Boyeviye mashiny Uralvagonzavoda. Tank T-72 (Combat vehicles of Uralvagonzavod. T-72 tank) |publisher=Медиа-Принт |isbn=5-98485-003-6}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Warford |first=James M. |date=July–August 1999 |title=Soviet-Russian Tank Turret Armor: The Cold War Shell-Game |magazine=ARMOR |volume=CIV |issue=4 |pages=16–18 |issn=0004-2420 |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1999/JUL_AUG/ArmorJulyAugust1999web.pdf |access-date=19 April 2022 |location=Fort Knox, KY |publisher=US Army Armor Center}}
* {{citation |last=Zaloga |first=Steven J |year=1993 |title=T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974–93 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=1-85532-338-9}}
* {{citation |last1=Zaloga |first1=Steven J |year=2009a |title=M1 Abrams vs T-72 Ural: Operation Desert Storm 1991 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1846034077}}
* {{citation |last1=Zaloga |first1=Steven J |year=2009b |title=T-80 Standard Tank |location=Great Britain |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84603-244-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/tstandardtank00zalo_209 |url-access=limited}}
* {{citation |last=Zaloga |first=Steven J |year=2015 |title=T-64 Battle Tank: The Cold War's Most Secret Tank |publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-47280-629-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Then |first1=Ryan A. |title=T-72: The Definitive Guide to the Soviet Workhorse |date=2024 |publisher=Military History Group |isbn=978-1-915453-21-1}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|T-72 tanks}}
{{external media
 |topic     = on [[Zvezda live13.0]] Official YouTube Channel{{in lang|ru}}
 |video1    = {{YouTube|4vBVbj5R70c|Military acceptance. T-72. Conqueror of time|}}
}}
* [http://armor.kiev.ua/fofanov/ Vasiliy Fofanov's Modern Russian Armour Page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528020015/http://armor.kiev.ua/fofanov/ |date=2007-05-28  }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110727055759/http://mhrfweb.makett.org/MHRF/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=63:t-72-harckocsi&Itemid=11&lang=en Huge pile of Hungarian T-72 walkarounds]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131204102515/http://www.t-72.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=477 T-72 variants] {{in lang|de}}
* [http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/T-72.html T-72 Main Battle Tank]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080530001929/http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t72.htm Military Today article]}}
* {{youTube|krp2y88nNCo|Inside the Tanks: The T-72 - AU Armour & Artillery Museum}}
* {{Cite web |title=Военная приемка. Ремзаводы |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V51wh2qc-c |website=youtube.com |date=21 April 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024}}{{in lang|ru}} - Broken hulls, burnt-out engines, failed combat modules - in this issue of “Military Acceptance” we will talk about repair factories where military equipment that arrived from the front line is restored. Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers - during the Northern Military District, all this requires not only repair, but also modernization. Dozens of enterprises scattered throughout the country do this: in the Far East, in the Urals, in Siberia, in Central Russia, in the south of the country, but these factories are not written about in newspapers, they are not talked about on television, few people know about them at all. Meanwhile, they make a significant contribution to the country’s defense capability. The host of the program, Alexey Egorov, became the first Russian journalist who, during the SVO period, went on a “tour” to repair plants to find out how the restoration of “wounded” cars was going.

{{Post WWII Soviet AFVS|T}}
{{Cold War tanks|style=wide}}
{{T-64_navigation|style=wide}}

[[Category:T-72]]
[[Category:Cold War tanks of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Main battle tanks of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Tanks with autoloaders]]
[[Category:Uralvagonzavod products]]
[[Category:Tanks of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Dolly Parton]]