T-72A

The T-72A (Object 172M-1) is one of the most interesting and “transformative” modifications of the Soviet T-72 tank. It became the version that turned the T-72 from a “simplified” vehicle into a full-fledged main battle tank suitable for large-scale deployment.

The T-72A is a deeply modernized variant of the T-72 "Ural", officially adopted by the Soviet military in 1979. It was developed at Uralvagonzavod (Nizhny Tagil) under the direction of chief designer V.N. Venediktov.

This model became the main Soviet tank of the 1980s; later, it served as the basis for the T-72B, export variants T-72M and T-72M1, as well as foreign upgrades—such as the Polish and Czech versions of the T-72.

Key differences from the original T-72 "Ural" include: a turret with composite armor, reinforced upper glacis plate protection, a TPD-K1 laser rangefinder sight, a TPN-3-49 gunner’s night sight with L-4 illuminator, full-length anti-cumulative side skirts, main gun 2A46 (instead of 2A26M2), 902B smoke grenade launcher system, napalm protection system, road signaling system, mechanic-driver’s TVNE-4B night device, increased dynamic travel of road wheels, and the V-46-6 engine. Starting from 1984, under the “Otrazhenie” R&D program, an additional 30mm steel plate was welded onto the upper glacis for added protection.