Russia has increased production of upgraded T-72B3M main battle tanks amid ongoing losses in Ukraine, recently delivering a batch to a mechanized infantry unit in the Urals. Despite its enhancements, the T-72B3M continues to exhibit critical vulnerabilities that have persisted since its Cold War-era design.
First showcased at the 2014 Tank Biathlon, the T-72B3M features significant upgrades including a 1,000-horsepower engine, advanced sight systems, improved armor, and a new 125mm cannon.
On May 15, 2024, Russian state media announced the delivery of 10 upgraded T-72B3M tanks to a motor rifle formation in the Orenburg Region. This increase in production is part of Russia’s efforts to replace significant losses in Ukraine. Despite the production of more advanced tanks, the Kremlin continues to rely heavily on upgraded Cold War-era models.
The production is working…no sleep till Kiev?
‼️🇷🇺 Uralvagonzavod has delivered another echelon of modern tanks to the front, including the new T-90M Proryv and T-72B3M
▪️The team of the Nizhny Tagil enterprise provides troops with the most modern military equipment around the… pic.twitter.com/jFTdduWmEB
— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) May 6, 2024
Russia also delivered 23 modernized T-90M Proryv tanks to the Central Military District, reflecting a broader push to supply its military with upgraded armor. While these deliveries highlight Russia’s capacity to produce and upgrade tanks, many of these vehicles are modified versions of older models stored in extensive tank warehouses.
The T-72B3M’s vulnerabilities, particularly the ammunition storage issue, remain a significant concern. This flaw, known since the Gulf War, makes the tank susceptible to the “jack-in-the-box” effect, where an indirect hit can cause the turret to be blown off. This issue underscores the persistent challenges in updating Cold War-era designs to meet modern combat requirements.
⚡️Destroyed 🇷🇺Russian tank, presumably T-72B3M mod. 2022 near the village Dibrova, Lugansk region. pic.twitter.com/Vawz9EtGeT
— 🇺🇦Ukrainian Front (@front_ukrainian) May 16, 2024
On a bad day for RuZkis, you can lose 17 tanks! Yesterday, Orcs lost 23!
This is a destroyed 🇷🇺Russian tank T-72B3M mod. 2022 near the village Tonenkoe, Donetsk region. pic.twitter.com/CgbpHV0qGy— Challenger Tank In Ukraine🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@ChallengerInUA) April 9, 2024
Despite the ongoing enhancements, the T-72B3M and other upgraded tanks face formidable threats from modern anti-tank systems and mines, used effectively by both Ukrainian and Western forces. The operational deployment of these tanks remains uncertain, but their effectiveness in modern warfare continues to be questioned.
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