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T-72B3 obr. 2022 Medium Tank

The T-72B3 of the 2022 model has a much simpler fire control system, including a night sight worse than even "Sosna-U", but reinforced armor. In the Russian Federation, the production of modernized T-72B3 tanks continues, but despite the cries of propagandists about "analogovnetnost", the situation with them looks worse every time. Along with statements that the sanctions do not affect, or are even "useful" for the new version of the T-72B3, which has already been called the "2022 model", worse aiming devices have been installed, on which real combat effectiveness directly depends.

In particular, instead of the "Sosna-U" thermal sight on the new T-72BZ , the 1PN-96MT-02, which was previously seen on the T-80BVM, is installed . The reason for this decision is the availability of thermal imaging matrices, because French ones from Thales were installed on "Sosna-U", which bypassed sanctions through Belarus. But it seems that their stock is over and the only thing that can be supplied is 1PN-96??-02. It is worth noting that this alone means reducing the target detection range from the declared 5 km to 2-3 km.

This difference is due to the fact that 1PN-96 was initially developed for installation in BMPs and armored personnel carriers. Subsequently, it was offered for export versions of the modernization of the T-72 under the budget option, or even for installation on the modernized T-62M.

It is quite interesting that the 1PN-96??-02 sight itself has a feature in the opening of the curtain, which should protect it from the ingress of dirt, bullets and debris. In order to open it, you need to do it with your hands. There is no special lever or button inside the machine. Other components of the fire control system have also been simplified, in particular, the wind sensor is no longer installed.

Among other changes - the installation of a grid in the area of the turret shoulder, following the example of the T-90M "Breakthrough", the effectiveness of which raises certain questions. Dynamic protection was added, in particular, by analogy with the "field" armor reinforcement, the gun mask was armored, front armor shields appeared above the tracks, side screens with dynamic protection were added and welded into two rows on the lower front part, and an anti-cumulative grill was installed in the stern.

The question remains the engine, which has to pull much more armor. In particular, the 840-horsepower B-84-1 was installed on older T-72B3s, which could not cope with the increased weight of the machine. That is why there were attempts to install the B-92S2F, which was "inflated" to 1130 hp. and goes to the T-90M.

Taking the T-72B3 "model of 2022" weight of about 50 tons, which is equal to the T-90M "Breakthrough" due to the actual similar armor , then with the B-84-1 the specific power will be 16.8 hp/t . It is also necessary to take into account the increased load on the chassis, the processing of which looks rather doubtful. Thus, the T-72B3 "model of 2022" generally looks like a "downgrade" relative to all other operational versions of the T-72B3. But in any case, it has greater combat effectiveness than the non-modernized T-72B.