T-72B3

The T-72B3 is a Russian Premium Tier 8 MBT. It is an upgrade of the T-72B, with Kontakt-5 ERA, a new gun, autoloader, FCS, and various other improvements. It was designed as a cheaper alternative to the T-90A, while having similar capability.

Features

 * Heavy armor: this vehicle's armor bounces more shots and takes more hits.
 * High caliber: the high caliber weaponry deals an increased damage.
 * Trained crews: vehicle goes with 5 level crews.

Pros

 * Strong armor on the turret
 * Fast-firing gun
 * High alpha damage
 * Decent acceleration

Cons

 * Weak hull
 * Mediocre top speed

Upgrade Suggestions
Premium Vehicles in Armored Warfare come fully upgraded.

Upgrades
Premium Vehicles in Armored Warfare come fully upgraded.

History
Class: Main Battle Tank Developed: 2011 (ongoing) Service: 2012+ Vehicles Built: cca 1400 Operators: Russia, Belarus, Syria The newest major upgrade to the latest mass-produced T-72 variant is called T-72B3. The T-72B3 upgrade was developed by Uralvagonzavod as a cheaper alternative to the T-90A with the goal of improving the combat value of the T-72B to the T-90A level. By the time the program was signed in 2012, Russia still had around 4000 to 5000 of the 9000 T-72Bs produced available and all were supposed to be refurbished to the T-72B3 standard. One of the biggest upgrades was the vehicle&#39;s firepower. The T-72B3 received a new gun, the 125mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore, which is the same weapon the T-90A has. The autoloader was modified to be able to fire longer APFSDS rounds. The Fire Control System also received a major upgrade in the form of the Belarusian Sosna-U gunner sights with thermal imager. As for its protection, all such upgraded T-72Bs were fitted with the Kontakt-5 ERA. Apart from its base armor and the Kontakt-5 ERA, the T-72B3 can also be protected by the Arena-E APS, but the Russian tanks don’t have it installed. The 46 ton vehicle is powered by the 840hp V-84-1 V12 multi-fuel diesel, allowing it to go as fast as 65 km/h (although the usual combat speed varies between 35km/h and 45 km/h). There are actually two variants of the T-72B3 called Model 2013 and Model 2016. The first one forms the vast majority of the T-72B3s produced. The second variant was built in Omsk and included a number of improvements, such as an improved gun variant (2A46M-5-01), improved engine (1130hp V-92S2F diesel), improved internal electronics, partial Relikt ERA kit (side hull plates) instead of the standard Kontakt-5 and an improved autoloader function. Another improved variant called T-72B3M (sometimes incorrectly called T-72B4) also exists, featuring commander&#39;s panoramic sights, the upgraded engine from Model 2016 and a full set of Relikt armor. A prototype was trialed for the first time in 2011. The modernization process started in October 2012 and is currently ongoing with roughly 1400 vehicles modified to this day (approximately 1000 vehicles are of the 2013 model and 400 vehicles of the 2016 model) and the production is ongoing. Despite some effort, the T-72B3 hasn&#39;t been widely exported so far with 14 tanks sold to Belarus, a few to Syria and with Serbia interested in purchasing 30 vehicles in the future.

Variants

 * T-72B3 Red
 * T-72B3 Blue
 * T-72B3 Sunray