
The protracted conflict in Ukraine has put the Russian T-72 tank under intense scrutiny, as losses mount in the face of innovative anti-tank strategies.

With reports indicating that Russia has lost a staggering number of tanks, the venerable T-72, despite its upgrades, has shown considerable vulnerability on the modern battlefield.

The introduction of first-person-view (FPV) drones in the Donetsk region by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, leading to the destruction of Russian tanks including the T-72.

The T-72, a mainstay of the Soviet and subsequently Russian armored forces since the 1970s, has been subjected to a series of modernization efforts, culminating in the T-72B3 model.

This version boasts improved fire control systems, a 125mm smoothbore gun, and enhanced armor, including Relikt Explosive Reactive Armor purported to offer superior protection against a multitude of threats.

However, open-source intelligence estimates suggest the loss of over 1,200 of these tanks in the first year of the conflict alone.

Foremost among these is the use of drones, which have transformed the dynamics of tank warfare.

These inexpensive and versatile devices are capable of delivering explosive charges to the most vulnerable parts of the tank, such as the roof and sides, bypassing the more robust frontal armor.

Such tactics have not only targeted Russian T-72s but also more contemporary Western main battle tanks supplied to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s own innovative defenses, such as the Steel Front’s production of anti-drone steel screens for tanks including the M1 Abrams and the T-72, are further evidence of the evolving nature of tank warfare.

Amidst these technological advancements, however, the physical limitations of the T-72 have been exposed. Attempts to fortify the tanks with additional armor, colloquially termed “super cage armor,” have impeded their mobility and operational flexibility.

These modifications have led to unintended consequences, such as reduced aquatic capability and hindered use of smoke grenade launchers, ultimately detracting from the tank’s overall combat effectiveness.

Despite the losses, the conflict has spurred the development of fourth-generation tanks equipped with advanced active protection systems and electronic warfare capabilities that promise to redefine the role of tanks in high-intensity conflict scenarios.

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Relevant articles:
– Russia’s T-72 Tank Is Getting Blown To Pieces in Ukraine , National Intererst, 06/05/2024
– Abrams, Leopard, Challenger – Ukraine Becomes Graveyard For Main Battle Tanks; But MBTs Are Evolving To Avoid Obsolescence, EurAsian Times, 06/04/2024
– The Steel Front has delivered its first Anti, EDR Magazine, 06/04/2024