- Yes
- No
The T-72M1 was very popular tank in Czechoslovakia. There were multiple attempts to upgrade this tank such as modern APFSDS munition using depleted uranium. Sadly there is very limited information on it’s development. Alongside this the PALCÁT FCS was being developed, this program later being cancelled by Soviet Union.
In the early 90s, Czechoslovakia sought to modernize their fleets of T-72 series of tanks by giving them new FCS systems, multiple systems were trialed such as the SAVAN-15T.
The T-72M3 CZ alongside T-72M4 CZ (Together known as T-72 CZ) are Czech modernization attempts for the aging fleet of T-72 series of tanks. This project was nicknamed VETRA that started in 1995, this project followed research previously done on the MODERNA project, which was to modernize FCS and especially boost the crew survibility by large margin. The T-72M3 CZ prototype was finished in 1997 and followed trials in the Czech Armed Forces the same year.
The T-72M3 CZ was developed as cheaper alternative to the T-72M4 CZ, with worse powerpack. M3 still kept it’s original transmission giving it the same reverse speed as T-72 series of tanks but higher top speed, due to the engine modernization. Along this modernization Czech companies paired up with Israeli IMI systems to develop new 125mm round for Czechoslovakia, this becoming the 125/EPpSv-97.
T-72M3 CZ today sits at the VTM Lešany, where it is slowly aging.
Armament
-
125mm 2A46M
- -3° degrees of depression, +50° degrees of elevation.
- traverse of 360°
- Stabilizer: 2E28M
- Firerate: 8 rounds/minute
- Munition:
- 125/EPpSv-97 (APFSDS-T)
- 125-EPpSv (APFSDS) - Czechoslovak copy of 3BM-15
- 3BM-12 (APFSDS) - 380mm of penetration at RHA angled at 0° at range of 2 km
- 3BM-9 (APFSDS) - 245mm of penetration at RHA angled at 0° at range of 2 km
- 3OF26 (HE-FS) - 5,2 Kg of TNT
- 3VBK-7 (HEAT-FS) - 220mm of penetration at RHA 60° at range of 2 km
- 3VBK-10 (HEAT-FS) - 220mm of penetration at RHA 60° at range of 2 km
- 125-EPpSv-TK Úkol SKALKA(APFSDS) - Czechoslovak-domestic 80s APFSDS project using depleted uranium, very limited information.
- Ammunition count: 37 (22 in autoloader, 15 additional)
-
7,62mm PKT
- 2000 rounds of munition
-
12,7mm NSVT
- 720 rounds of munition
-
12x 81mm DGO-01 smoke launchers
Sights
- Gunner
- TURMS-T 2nd generation thermals
- 4x-12x zoom
- TURMS-T 2nd generation thermals
- Commander
- TURMS-T 2nd generation thermals
- 5x-13x zoom
- TURMS-T 2nd generation thermals
- Driver
- NV-3P night vision
Crew
- Gunner
- Driver
- Commander
- Commander override
- Independent CITV
Mobility
- Engine: 858 hp V-46 TC
- Transmission: Manual 7+1
- Top speed: 60 kph
- Weight: 46 tons
Armor
- SSC-1 OBRA (Laser Warning Reciever)
- TDA system (Engine smoke generating system)
- Self-entrenching equipment
- DYNA-72 (Explosive Reactive Armor)
- ~150mm of protection against KE
- ~600mm of protection against CE
- DYNA is very comparable with Kontakt-5
- Basic T-72M1 armor underneath ERA blocks
- Turret: 125mm Front, 102mm Side, 65mm Back
- Hull: 110mm Front, 80mm Side, 40mm Back
- Composite armor
DYNA-72
Dimensions
Lenght: 9550mm
Width: 3755mm
Height: 2185mm
Specifications of T-72 CZ ATM 1997/7
Pictures
T-72M4 CZ is noticibly longer
2E28M stabilizer test-rig
Supposed image of T-72M3 CZ on trials in Vyškov
Sources
T-72M4 CZ - Armored Warfare
T-72 in Czechoslovakia - Valka.cz
Technical data T-72M4 CZ
ATM 1997/6
ATM 1997/7
ATM 1997/8
Paul - Czech tanks
T-72M4 CZ - Army Guide
T-72M3 CZ - Valka.cz
Animace T-72M4 CZ - Středočeská technika ČVUT
Modernizovane T-72
2A46 - Wikipedia
T-72M4 CZ - MoD.cz
Valka.online
T-72 CZ - btvt
T-72M1 (Sweden) - War Thunder
T-72M4 CZ - Wikipedia.cs
T-72AV (Turms-T) - War Thunder