Since November 2022, the T-72B3 tanks have been made in the Russian Federation based on experience in the “special operation”. Among the changes are risky turret armor and deterioration of optics due to sanctions.
Soldiers of the armed forces of Ukraine for the first time destroyed the Russian T-72B3 tank of the 2022 model in the Maryinka area. About it report Ukraine Weapons Tracker analysts.
In the area of Marinka, Donetsk region, the first losses of T-72B3 tanks of the 2022 model were recorded – one was destroyed with ammunition fire, and the second was damaged and abandoned by the Russian Armed Forces.
What are the features of the modernization of the T-72B3 tank of the 2022 model?
In November 2022, the Russian media showed a story about the modernization of the T-72B3 tank at the Uralvagonzavod Research and Production Corporation in Nizhny Tagil. Modernization has affected several places:
booking; aiming aids; caterpillars.
Modernization in 2022 is marked by the presence of additional armored fenders (No. 1 in the picture) and additional dynamic protection units (DZ) on the tower (No. 2, 3). In “Military” they note that the location of the DZ blocks can damage the gun barrel during detonation. Also, a manual mechanism for opening armored curtains (No. 4) was added to the multi-channel sight. Previously, you had to unscrew them manually before each fight.
Main modernization mechanisms
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At the same time, Defense Express writes that instead of the Sosna-U multi-channel sight, a simpler 1PN-96MT-02 sight is being installed. Western sanctions are called the reason for replacing the sight, in Sosnya-U there was a French thermal imaging matrix manufactured by Thales. This reduces the detection range from the declared 5 to 2-3 km.
Echelon of tanks T-72B3 model 2022
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1PN-96MT-02 was originally developed for armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, and they were installed in tanks during budget modernization. Also, a wind sensor is not installed in the modernization of the 2022 sample.
Recall, on February 8, the media talked about how the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured the Russian T-72B3 tank during the fighting in the Donetsk region.
On November 4, the features of the armor of the T-72B3 tank of the 2022 model became known.
