{"id":835,"date":"2023-02-25T16:45:12","date_gmt":"2023-02-25T16:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=835"},"modified":"2023-02-25T16:45:12","modified_gmt":"2023-02-25T16:45:12","slug":"russian-t-72-most-destroyed-tank-in-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=835","title":{"rendered":"Russian T-72: Most Destroyed Tank in History?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Peter Suciu<\/a><\/p>\n

T<\/span>he Soviet-designed T-72 main battle tank (MBT) wasn\u2019t the most produced armored vehicle of the 20th century; that honor goes to the T-54\/55. However, the Cold War-era T-72 has a more ominous distinction \u2014 namely that it\u2019s now likely the most destroyed tank in history.<\/p>\n

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These T-72B3 tanks take part in a Victory Day parade practice in April 2017. Reactive armor upgrades are prominent on the tank. Image: \u00a9Vitaly V. Kuzmin<\/a>\/CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to data from the Ukrainian military, open-source military hardware tracker Onyx and Pentagon estimates, some 2,000 Russian T-72s have been destroyed in the fighting in Ukraine. Dozens, if not hundreds more have been captured as Russian tank crews have abandoned their tanks. In addition to the Ukraine War tally, a large number of this breed of tank had also been destroyed during the 1991 Gulf War.<\/p>\n

The Secret T-72<\/h2>\n

Losses like these certainly weren\u2019t expected when the T-72 was introduced in 1973. The tank was actually quite feared by Western observers, who spent more than a decade trying to even get a close-up view of one. There are even stories that when mock-ups of the T-72 were produced for the 1984 film\u00a0Red Dawn<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 using the chassis of a surplus M8A1, which was based on the M41 Walker Bulldog \u2014 the CIA even took an interest.<\/p>\n

\"t-72a\n<\/picture>
This Defense Intelligence Agency spy photo from the 1980s shows a T-72A tank. The West knew so little about the tanks, this was briefly classified as a T-74 tank. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A New York business had attempted that same year to smuggle two T-72 tanks out of Poland without luck. Just a few years later, Oliver L. North even attempted to trade weapons to Iran for a captured Soviet-made T-72 during the Iran-Iraq War. That effort didn\u2019t get very far, however.<\/p>\n

\"t-72m\n<\/picture>
This Cold War-era spy photograph from Czechoslovakia shows the left side of a Soviet T-72 M main battle tank fitted with reactive armor brackets. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another time, U.S. officials managed to convince a Romanian connection to sell a T-72. The tank was even loaded on a boat, but then reports surfaced that Soviet submarines were on patrol in the Black Sea and the deal was sunk over fears that the ship carrying the MBT might meet such a fate!<\/p>\n

\"spy\n<\/picture>
This spy photo of a Soviet T-72 was originally published in the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency\u2019s magazine Soviet Military Power<\/em>. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally, a Romanian arms dealer sold a T-72 to American agents in 1987 under the guise of scrap metal. By that time the tank had been in service for 14 years, and its design was already superseded by more advanced tanks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Notable Step Forward<\/h2>\n

There were plenty of reasons why the U.S. wanted to see the T-72 up close. When it was introduced in the mid-1970s, it was noteworthy at the time for having a crew of three compared to the four of Western MBTs. In addition, it used an autoloader to increase the rate of fire for its 2A46 125mm main gun. The theoretical rate of fire was eight rounds per minute, but it has been shown in practice that this was especially optimistic. That autoloader also presented some serious problems, something we\u2019ll get to in a minute.<\/p>\n

\"t-72\n<\/picture>
A Georgian Armed Forces T-72 tank fires during a combined arms live fire demonstration at the Vaziani training area in the country of Georgia on Sept. 9, 2022. Image:\u00a0DoD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All T-72s built for use by the armies of the former Warsaw Pact also had an interior lining that featured a special synthetic, lead-based material, which was intended to provide some degree of protection against two of the products of a nuclear explosion \u2014 namely to help the crew against neutron radiation, and for the electronic equipment against electromagnetic pulses.<\/p>\n

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The MBT was also developed to cross rivers \u2014 and in theory, the system is sound. In practice, however, it could be described as \u201cterrifying,\u201d as it involved a narrow snorkel tube for deep-fording rivers. This snorkel fits over the gunner\u2019s periscope mounting, and could allow the hull to travel \u201cunderwater\u201d but without any easy method for the crew to escape should the tank become bogged down in the silt. Unsurprisingly, the whole tactic of fording rivers was quite unpopular with Russian soldiers.<\/p>\n

Steadily Upgraded<\/h2>\n

The T-72 MBT was steadily upgraded, a point that continued even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This included a variety of improvements including a new type of diesel engine, enhanced suspension and armor protection, as well as additional defensive features including a smoke-grenade launcher.<\/p>\n

\"bulgarian\n<\/picture>
A Bulgarian Army tank crew maneuvers a T-72 tank during a combined situational training exercise with U.S. Soldiers from 1st Cavalry Division in 2018. Image: Sgt. Jamar Marcel Pugh\/U.S.\u00a0Army National\u00a0Guard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the end of the Cold War, upgrade packages were offered by Russia, but also by Ukraine, France, and Serbian-based companies.<\/p>\n

The T-72 tank has been used in significant numbers in Ukraine, even as the Kremlin has developed more advanced MBTs, notably the T-90.<\/p>\n

\"russian\n<\/picture>
A pair of Russian T-72B tanks lead a column at the Chebarkul training ground in April 2017. Image: Ministry of Defense of Russia\/CC\u00a0BY\u00a04.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe Russians don\u2019t have significant numbers of new tanks, and instead they have utilized large numbers of their older tanks that have been equipped with some new technology,\u201d explained Robert A. Sanders, distinguished lecturer of national security at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven.<\/p>\n

\"us\n<\/picture>
U.S. Marines acting as an OPFOR add realism to a 1997 exercise by driving a former Soviet bloc T-72 main battle tank across the beachhead. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhat is surprising is that there is evidence of in-country manufacturing \u2014 someone is shipping parts to Russia in violation of the sanctions,\u201d said Sanders. \u201cBut we\u2019ve seen that Russia is increasingly unable to replace what it is losing on the battlefield.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Serious Design Flaw<\/h2>\n

The T-72 first saw service in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, but it was during the 1991 Gulf War that a notable flaw was discovered. The ammunition for the main gun sits in a carousel-style automatic loader with multiple shells within the turret. Even an indirect hit can start a chain reaction that often sets off the entire store of up to 40 rounds.<\/p>\n

\"destroyed\n<\/picture>
A destroyed Iraqi T-72 Main Battle Tank (MBT) lies along a road leading to Al Iskandariyah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The resulting shockwave from even a dozen rounds is enough to blast the tank\u2019s turret as high as a two-story building \u2014 which has come to be known as the \u201cjack-in-the-box\u201d effect. The flaw was first detected during the U.S.-led invasion of Kuwait to liberate the country from Iraq in 1991. However, the Russian military never bothered to resolve or even address the issue.<\/p>\n

\"iraqi\n<\/picture>
An Iraqi T-72 tank sits where it was destroyed during Operation Desert Storm on March 27, 1991. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is apparently made all the worse as modern man-portable anti-tank weapons such as the American-made FGM-148 Javelin<\/a> can target the T-72 with an arc of fire that strikes at the junction of the hull and turret.<\/p>\n

\"firing\n<\/picture>
The U.S.-made Javelin anti-tank system has been exceptionally effective against Russian T-72 tanks in Ukraine. Shown is a British Army team in training with Eastern European allies. Image:\u00a0UK\u00a0MOD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAfter the end of the Cold War, the Kremlin likely never thought they\u2019d face a Western enemy \u2014 or at least a Western-supported enemy \u2014 that could exploit the particular design flaw,\u201d suggested Sanders. \u201cLikewise, Russia failed to adequately improve these tanks as the Russian Army was looking forward, even as they had vast amounts of tanks in storage. Russia\u2019s oil-based economy doesn\u2019t really work all that well, and there isn\u2019t often the additional money to fix the old stuff while building the next generation. This is true of not only the tanks but of their aircraft and even infantry equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"iraqi\n<\/picture>
This Iraqi-made T-72 Asad Babil tank was abandoned almost intact along the main resupply route of U.S. forces in 2003. Image:\u00a0DoD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thus, the problem of the autoloader hasn\u2019t been addressed, even with the most \u201cmodernized\u201d models. In fact, the T-90 series \u2014 the successor to the T-72 and developed from it \u2014 that entered service in 1992 features upgraded armor, but its ammunition loading system remains similar to its predecessors. It is seen as just as vulnerable due to its autoloader.<\/p>\n

\"t-72\n<\/picture>
During Operation Desert Storm, this Iraqi T-72 main battle tank was destroyed near Ali Al Salem Air Base. Image:\u00a0NARA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That fatal flaw is why Western tanks, which are larger than the T-72, still rely on a fourth crew to serve as a loader. The shells are retrieved from a sealed and protected compartment and transferred to the gun for firing. It\u2019s a slower process, but it helps ensure that the tank doesn\u2019t become a death trap should it take a hit to the turret.<\/p>\n

Surrendering En Masse<\/h2>\n

The flaw also explains why Russian tank crews have abandoned dozens of T-72s in the nearly a year since the Kremlin launched its unprovoked invasion.<\/p>\n

\"destroyed\n<\/picture>
Prior to being abandoned by Russian troops, this T-72 was damaged by Ukrainian forces near Mariupol. Image: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine\/CC\u00a0BY\u00a04.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Russia likely expected little resistance, and its troops reportedly arrived with dress uniforms expecting to be greeted as liberators by young women with flowers and ready for a victory parade. Instead, it faced a determined foe, and thanks to Western aid, Kyiv\u2019s forces have steadily pushed back the Russians. Most Western estimates suggest that upwards of 100,000 Russians have been killed \u2014 and Ukraine\u2019s Ministry of Defense puts the figure far higher.<\/p>\n

\"ukraine\n<\/picture>
This Russian T-72 was destroyed along a highway by soldiers in Ukraine. Note the \u201cjack-in-the-box\u201d turret. Image: Enno Lenze\/CC\u00a0BY\u00a02.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cRussia\u2019s forces didn\u2019t do too well. They lost their \u2018best\u2019 front line troops in the early fighting, and the conscripts aren\u2019t sticking around,\u201d said Sanders. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing that Igor is home on Tuesday, on the frontlines on Thursday, and dead on Friday. It is especially hard to stay in a tank that has earned a reputation that it is a deathtrap. We\u2019re seeing that the sentiment is \u2018I can be in when it takes a hit and goes up in smoke, or I can watch it go while running away.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Ukraine Operating the T-72<\/h2>\n

The interesting footnote is that Ukraine is having far better luck with the T-72. One factor is that its military has better coordination and leadership. Another factor is that its tank crews are simply better. Russia has increasingly relied on those unreliable conscripts, whereas Ukraine has experienced professional tank crews.<\/p>\n

\"ukraine\n<\/picture>
The reactive armor fittings on the T-72 have not necessarily proven to be effective at protecting the tanks from attacks. Image: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine\/CC\u00a0BY\u00a04.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As was noted in the recent\u00a0Top Gun: Maverick<\/em>, it isn\u2019t the plane, it is the pilot \u2014 and the same holds true of tank crews.<\/p>\n

Another factor is that the Ukrainian tanks are increasingly better maintained. Many of its T-72s have come from former Warsaw Pact members including Poland and the Czech Republic. Some of those MBTs have been steadily upgraded by firms such as the Czech-based Excalibur Army. One tank was even signed by Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, who offered the brave Ukrainian defenders well wishes in their fight against Russia. By contrast, the Russian tankers likely are told to go out and fight, and probably don\u2019t even hear \u201cgood luck.\u201d And it would appear they would need it with the T-72.<\/p>\n

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By Peter Suciu The Soviet-designed T-72 main battle tank (MBT) wasn\u2019t the most produced armored vehicle of the 20th century; that honor goes to the T-54\/55. However, the Cold War-era T-72 has a more ominous distinction \u2014 namely that it\u2019s now likely the most destroyed tank in history. These T-72B3 tanks take part in a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=835"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/835\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}