Elbit T-72KZ Shygys - Composite instead of ERA and much more

Surbaissemaxxing · February 7, 2025, 12:43pm

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Suggestion No.52

G’day lads. I want to suggest a vehicle for Israel, which was shown in KADEX 2010 and 2012, featuring additional modern composite armour, new TISAS sights and much more, which is all featured on the T-72KZ Shygys :)

Description:

Spoiler

Developed by Elbit, the T-72KZ, which was originally a T-72B, included the improved TISAS fire control system with Israeli-made thermal imaging sights. It also featured a well-thought-out dynamic protection placement, covering all vulnerable areas. The tank is equipped with TIUS, a driver’s thermal imaging device, the Elbit Systems/Azimuth Technologies Comet navigation system with GPS, and Tadiran radios. An air conditioner and a 7.5 kW auxiliary power unit can be installed. The decision was made to retain the 840 hp V-shaped diesel engine, deemed sufficient for this weight category, ensuring satisfactory mobility. Externally, the tank received built-in dynamic protection and anti-cumulative grids. The gunner’s day sight remained the same, but the old active-passive night sight was replaced with a thermal imaging one. The tank commander gained the ability to duplicate the gunner’s actions, and the driver received a new observation device. The tank also received a rubber-padded track, and new Western-made communication and navigation systems were installed.

History:

Spoiler

Kazakhstan, with about 1,300 T-72 tanks from the 1980s, needed an upgrade due to budget constraints. Fully replacing these tanks with new models like the T-90 or Leopard was not feasible. Therefore, modernization became the most viable solution.

In KADEX 2010, multiple T-72 upgrade models were shown, one of them being from Elbit, which was a T-72B with new TISAS thermal sights, TIUS driver thermals, new FCS, LWS and much more. The tank was equipped with composite screens instead of ERA, which is normally what you would expect from a T-72. The composite is of the same type found on Sabra tanks, which offers it solid protection against Chemical and Kinetic projectiles.

It was also shown once again during KADEX 2012, with no changes as far as I’m aware of. “Shygys”, which I think means “East” in Kazach, was a nickname given to it, however other T-72’s during KADEX were also named Shygys, so I have no idea what that is about.

The T-72KZ wasn’t shown again after KADEX 2012 (from what I know), but the T-72A TISAS, which is from Elbit, was showcased during KADEX 2016. The fate of the T-72KZ remains unknown.

Armaments:

Spoiler

2A46M 125mm cannon

1 12.7mm NSVT machine gun (has the mount for it)

1 7.62mm PKT machine gun

The 2A46M 125mm cannon capable of shooting:

M711 (MK1)

M711MK1

M711MK1PERFORMANCE

M711/8 (MK2)

M711/8MK2

M710

M710

M710/1

M710/1

M710/2

M710/2

And all Soviet rounds the basic T-72B could carry!

Specifications:

Spoiler

Due to the T-72KZ originally being a T-72B, it has a lot of similarities with some specifications. It has a length of 9.53m, a width of 6.86m and a height of 3.46m. The normal weight of the T-72B is around 44.5 tons, however I cannot find the weight of the 72KZ, but I assume it’s around 2-5 tons heavier. It retains the same T-72B engine, that being the V84-1, which produces 840hp at 2000rpm, making it go up to 60km/h. The T-72B armour is reinforced with composite screens, similar to the ones found on the M60 Sabra tanks, which covers the T-72 turret and front part of the hull.