T-72M3 CZ - "No going back"

DrunkenLamp · July 21, 2026, 11:54pm

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T-72M3 CZ

History

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.

Characteristics

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-Projekt (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
Commander
- TURMS-T 2nd generation thermals
  - 5x-13x zoom
Driver
- NV-3P night vision

FCS of T-72 CZ ATM 1997/7

Crew

Gunner
Driver
Commander
- Commander override
- Independent CITV

Mobility

Engine: 858 hp V-46 TC
Transmission: Manual 7+1
Top speed: 62 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