T-72 AMT, an upgraded version of the T-72A main battle tank (MBT), was developed at the Kiev Armoured Plant based in Ukraine.
The first T-72 AMT was unveiled and handed over to one of the military units of the Ukraine Armed Forces in August.
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T-72 AMT design and features
Kiev Armoured Plant developed the T-72 AMT tank based on the experience gained by the Ukrainian troops in the Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone (ATO) zone. The tank’s upgraded platform integrates a variety of lethality, survivability and systems enhancements.
The hull structure of the vehicle houses a driver’s cab at the front, a fighting section in the centre and a power pack at the rear. The crew comfort has been enhanced, while the major components have been upgraded to enhance lethality and survivability of the tank.
The tank measures 9.5m-long, 3.5m-wide and 2.2m-high. It is manned by a crew of three, including a driver, a gunner and a commander.
Observation and communication
The three crew members are offered with night vision devices with modern third-generation image intensifiers. The gunner is provided with a rearview camera and a night vision sight to launch a gun-fired laser-guided missile.
The T-72AMT is equipped with new digital radio stations from Aselsan and Lybid K2, which enable the tank crew to communicate with infantry units. The tank also integrates an advanced satellite navigation system.
T-72AMT armament
The T-72AMT is armed with a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore gun, which has a rate of fire of six to eight rounds a minute. The main gun fires armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding-sabot (APFSDS) rounds, high-explosive anti-tank fin stabilised (HEAT-FS) rounds, and high-explosive fragmentation fin stabilised (HE-FRAG-FS) rounds.
The main gun can also fire the GM ‘Combat’ laser-guided missile developed by State Kyiv Design Bureau ‘Luch’. The GM Combat missile uses a semi-automatic guidance from laser beam and can penetrate 750mm armour at a range of 5km. The missile’s sighting and guidance unit is installed above the turret to the left side of the main gun’s sight.
The missile is fitted with a tandem warhead to defeat dynamic protection to destroy even heavily armoured enemy tanks.
The secondary armament includes a coaxially mounted 7.62mm PKT machine gun and a 12.7mm NSV machine gun.
Self-protection
The T-72 AMT integrates Nozh (Knife) new-generation dynamic protection, which is already in operation with the Bulat and Oplot main battle tanks. The Knife explosive reactive armour protects the crew against high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), kinetic energy penetrator (KEP) and explosively formed projectile (EFP) rounds.
The tank is also hinged with anti-cumulative gratings, reducing the impact of HEAT hits, while protecting the most vulnerable parts of the tank. The engine, transmission and other components are also protected by slat armour to reduce the impact of shaped-charge weapons.
The survivability is further enhanced by a collection of smoke grenades dischargers mounted on the vehicle.
Engine and mobility
The T-72AMT tank is powered by a diesel engine developing a maximum power output of 840hp. The power-pack enables the vehicle to attain a maximum speed of 60km/h on road.
The vehicle is equipped with torsion bar suspension. The running gear includes six road-wheels on each side, with the idler in the front and drive sprocket at the rear. The tracks are supported by three return rollers, while the first, second and sixth road-wheel stations are equipped with shock absorbers.
