Czech Republic - T-72EA Excalibur Army (EA)
Donated Ukrainian T-72s undergoing T-72EA refit and refurbishment at the Czech Excalibur Army (EA) workshop in Šternberk. In the latest military aid package, the Czech company Excalibur Army is ready to deliver 20 T-72EA main battle tanks to Ukraine. The information was published on January 10, 2023. This is part of a funding package of 90 T-72EA tanks agreed to be produced for Ukraine, co-funded by the United States and the Netherlands.
These units have undergone heavy refit, receiving a new powerpack, driver station upgrades, and a targeting sensor package rework. The original tanks are completely disassembled, inspected, selected parts are replaced, a complete engine overhaul takes place, and new modernization components are delivered. The modernized version of the Soviet-made T-72 tank for Ukraine is called T-72EA.
Work on the modernization of this MBT is carried out by the Czech defense industry with funds allocated by the United States and the Netherlands. The T-72M and T-72M1 tanks, which were in service with the USSR-allied Poland and Czechoslovakia, come from the mobilization reserves of a number of Eastern European countries.
The main battle tanks delivered by EXCALIBUR ARMY are all based on former Soviet tank models that were introduced in the second half of 20th century. The company has just as long tradition in producing, repairing, renovating and modernizing T-55 and T-72 models as we have provided these services for Czechoslovak armed forces and other Warsaw Pact armies including the Soviet Union ever since after the World War II. These MBTs can fulfill the tasks required at the battlefield of today. Despite the existence of advanced modern battle tanks, assymetric conflicts are still unfortunately an every day reality in many parts of the world and EXCALIBUR ARMY tanks are an economic solution for peace keeping in these troubled areas.
According to Armyrecognition, the T-72EA retains the original design of the T-72 with the driver’s position in the front center of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the powerpack at the rear. The crew consists of 3 people including driver, commander and gunner. The main caliber – 125 mm gun 2A46 - remains the same The T-72EA is equipped with a new radio communication system, a new digital dashboard for the driver, new night vision systems, a thermal camera, and Eye-Safe Laser Range Finder. The front and sides of the hull are also equipped with ERA armor as well as the front of the turret.
As disclosed in the CZDefence publication, in the process of their restoration and improvement, the machines receive improvements: passive dynamic protection complexes, a new communication system (from the Czech company MESIT), improved ergonomics of machine control (a new digital dashboard), in some cases – more sophisticated night vision equipment (laser eye protection, thermal imager with optical elements providing a tenfold increase), the engine power increases from 780 to 840 hp [apparently due to the replacement of the B-46 powerplant with the B-84].
A total of 11 of these tanks had already been shipped to Ukraine (Excalibur Army has delivered a total of 27 tanks to Ukraine since the beginning of the year), where today 9 units (1 unit was reportedly destroyed and 1 unit was captured in September) of these tanks are successfully fighting.
A total of 90 T-72EA tanks (+ an option for another 30 tanks) are then agreed for production for Ukraine, to be jointly financed by the United States and the Netherlands. The T-72 tanks to be upgraded to T-72EA come from the mobilization stocks of the former Warsaw Pact countries (these are non-functional T-72 units in the base, T-72M and T-72M1), with one unit of these tanks being completed every 4 days to the upgraded T-72EA version.
On 09 January 2023 the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, visited the company in Šternberk. On the occasion of his visit, the prime minister also spoke with representatives of the CZECHOSLOVAK Group holding, headed by Michal Strnad, and EXCALIBUR ARMY. The presentation also included an introduction of the main production hall specializing in tracked vehicles and a demonstration of new artillery and recovery systems.
During the subsequent press conference, the Prime Minister emphasized the current security situation in Ukraine, mentioned the fundamental contribution of international defense cooperation and, last but not least, praised the support of the Czech nation, which is reflected in public collections for humanitarian aid and the purchase of military equipment. On one of the modernized T-72EA tanks, which will be delivered to Ukraine, he left a message with his signature "To the brave defenders of Ukraine".
There has been information about deliveries of Moroccan T-72B tanks to the Czech Republic. They were brought by the Czech media, and the modernization of the T-72B was even informed by an official report of the US Department of Defense. However, it is questionable whether this information is accurate. At present, repairs and modernization of T-72 tanks are carried out in the Czech Republic at the company EA, but they come exclusively from the warehouses of this company. These are machines of versions of the T-72M/M1 originally serving in various armies of the Warsaw Pact.
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