T-72B With ERA Main Battle Tank

The T-72B is an upgraded variant of the Soviet T-72 main battle tank (MBT), introduced in 1985 to significantly enhance armor protection, firepower, and combat survivability. One of the most distinguishing features of the T-72B is its integration of Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), which provides greater resistance against anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and shaped-charge munitions.

This version of the T-72 remains widely used in Russia, post-Soviet states, and various international operators, proving its durability in modern conflicts.

Development and Features

The T-72B was developed to address the shortcomings of earlier T-72 models, particularly in terms of protection and firepower. Compared to its predecessor, the T-72A, the T-72B introduced:

• Thicker composite armor, reinforced with Kontakt-1 ERA, later upgraded to Kontakt-5 on newer versions.
• Improved 125mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
• Upgraded fire-control system, improving accuracy in long-range engagements.
• More powerful engine, providing better mobility and cross-country performance.

Armament and Firepower

• Primary Armament:
  • 125mm 2A46M smoothbore cannon, capable of firing:
    • APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) rounds.
    • HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) rounds.
    • HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation) shells.
    • 9M119 "Svir" (NATO: AT-11 Sniper) ATGM, allowing for long-range precision strikes up to 4,000 meters.
• Secondary Armament:
  • 12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun (for anti-air and infantry).
  • 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun.
• Autoloader System:
  • Reduces crew size to three (Commander, Gunner, Driver).
  • 8-second reload cycle, improving firing rate.

Armor and Protection

The T-72B with ERA significantly improves battlefield survivability, incorporating:

• Base Composite Armor:
  • Improved glacis plate protection, reducing vulnerability to kinetic and shaped-charge threats.
  • Thicker turret armor, offering better protection against enemy APFSDS rounds.
• Kontakt-1 ERA (Early Versions):
  • Mounted on the turret, glacis plate, and hull.
  • Disrupts incoming HEAT and ATGM warheads, reducing penetration effectiveness.
• Kontakt-5 ERA (Later Upgrades):
  • Introduced in the late 1980s, providing increased resistance against APFSDS rounds as well.
  • Considered a major advancement in Soviet reactive armor technology.
• NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) Protection System:
  • Fully enclosed, overpressure system to protect the crew in contaminated environments.