T-72 Ural (object 172M 1973)

This is the first serial modification of the T-72 and about 30,000 units were produced. It features a classic layout designed for a three-member crew. Combat weight is about 41 tons.

The tank's armament includes a 125-mm smoothbore 2A26 cannon with an autoloader, a 7.62-mm PKT machine gun, and a 12.7-mm NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun. The cannon could fire at distances up to 9.4 kilometers.

The engine is a 12-cylinder V-shaped V-46 diesel with a power output of 780 horsepower, providing speeds up to 60 km/h on highways and 35-45 km/h off-road. The operational range on the highway is up to 500-650 kilometers. The tank is equipped with a crew protection system against weapons of mass destruction, a smoke grenade launching system, night vision devices (TPN-1-49-23, driver's vision camera), and an R-123M radio station. The suspension is an individual torsion type.

The armor protection consists of combined layers of steel and composite materials with a thickness of more than 200 mm on the turret's front and up to 80 mm on the hull sides. The hull and turret provide sufficient protection against cumulative and armor-piercing projectiles.

The T-72 "Ural" serves as the basis for subsequent modifications, including the T-72A, T-72M, T-72B, and export versions, becoming one of the most mass-produced and versatile Soviet tanks of the Cold War period, playing a key role in the history of Soviet armored vehicles.