Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : T-72-120 (version fitted with a NATO 120mm smoothbore gun), T-72A, T-72AG (version utilizing T-84 and T-80UD components)
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KMDB, Uralvagonzavod production association
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1973
Total Production : ?

The T-72's survivability is based on its low silhouette and its steel armor which results more compact and lighter than the ones provided to western tanks. Moreover, some T-72 variants may be equipped with explosive reactive armor (ERA) to better withstand impacts of larger caliber guns or anti-tank missiles. Externally it is very similar to Soviet T-64 and is powered by a V-46-6 diesel engine developing 780-hp of power. In addition to its 2A46 125mm smoothbore main gun, a roof-mounted 12.7mm cannon is intended to engage airborne threats such as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft flying at low altitudes and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is intended to engage personnel. Its fire control system can be equipped with infrared sensors and laser designator enhancing T-72's main gun accuracy. The basic T-72 tank entered service with the Red Army in 1973. The T-72A was introduced in 1979. The T-72AG tank version utilizes the T-84 and T-80UD components. The Russian Army remains the largest operator with at least 10,000 tanks but many of them are not operational. The basic T-72 and T-72A are obsolete.

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : Ajeya (Indian T-72M1s), M-84, PT-91, PT-91M, T-72M, T-72M1, T-72M1M, T-72MP (version fitted with SAVAN 15 fire control system), T-72S (export model 1985), TRA-125
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Uralvagonzavod production association
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1979
Total Production : ?

The T-72M was the export version of the Red Army's T-72A tank without the composite armor and the fire control system. It was also built in Poland, the now extinct Czechoslovakia, and the former Yugoslavia for their local markets and export customers. The PT-91 and PT-91M are versions produced in Poland. The M84 was produced in the former Yugoslavia. The TRA-125 is a version produced in Romania. The T-72M1, T-72M1M, T-72M1V, T-72M1K and T-72MP are upgraded variants with improved armor incorporating composite armor plates and Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA). T-72M1M produced by the Soviet Union was similar in terms of performance to the Red Army's T-72B tank. The armament options remain basically the same than previous T-72 models including the D-81T/2A46 125mm cannon, the 12.7mm roof-mounted gun and the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. Overall the T-72Ms are of inferior quality compared with Soviet T-72s. These tanks are powered by a V-46 diesel engine developing 840-hp. The T-72M along with the Red Army's T-72A was introduced in 1979. In the 2010s both tanks are deemed obsolete.

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : T-72B, T-72B1 (Russian Army), T-72B1V (model sold to Venezuela), T-72B2, T-72BA (2010+ main modernization standard), T-72BK, T-72BM, T-72BV
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Uralvagonzavod production association
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1985
Total Production : ?

The Red Army's T-72B is a highly upgraded variant of the T-72A tank introduced in 1985 to counter the latest Western tanks such as the Challenger, M1A1 Abrams and Leopard 2. It features an improved fire control system, new 2A46m stabilized gun, improved engine developing 840-hp, and improved protection using Kontakt explosive reactive armor (ERA) and thicker composite armor. The T-72BK is a command tank, T-72BA, T-72B1, T-72B1V, T-72BV feature improved armor and the T-72BM is fitted with Kontakt-5 improved ERA for better protection. The T-72Bs can fire the AT-11/Refleks anti-tank guided missile and can be fitted with Arena-E active protection system against anti-tank weapons. In the 2010s the majority of T-72 tanks in service with the Russian Army belong to the T-72B series with the T-72BM being the most popular model and has been deployed in large numbers. These tanks along with the T-80s are planned for replacement by the new Armata tank in the 2017-2025 timeframe.

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : T-72S
Origin : Russia
Contractors : KMDB, Uralvagonzavod production association
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2013
Total Production : ?

The T-72S (2013 standard) or T-72BZ is an extensive upgrade to the T-72S tank model intended for the export market. The 46-ton T-72S is powered by a V-92S2 diesel engine developing 1,000-hp of power which enables a top speed of 65 kph on-road and 35-45 kph off-road. The driver is equipped with a TPDK-1 night vision device, the commander with a PNK-4 day/night vision sight and the gunner utilizes a thermal camera. Standard equipment includes GPK-59 GLONASS satellite navigation system, PKUZ-1A collective NBC protection system, universal ERA armor protection against ADPS/HEAT rounds, laser rangefinder and Shtora-1 smoke grenade launching system. The weapon system is based on the 2A46M 125mm two-axis stabilized cannon with 9K119 Refleks anti-tank missile and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun as well as a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The first T-72S export model was introduced in the 1980s and the current standard was unveiled at the Russian Arms Expo (RAE) exhibition in September 2013.

At the Russian Arms Expo (RAE) exhibition in September 2013 UralVagonZavod introduced two upgraded versions of the T-72 tank one equipped with a dozer blade and turret shield for military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) and another equipped with additional ERA armor and Arena-E active defense system. The Arena-E equipped T-72 is intended to survive attacks using rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), anti-tank guided-missiles and artillery shells.

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Uralvagonzavod production association
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : August 2013
Total Production : ?

The Russian Army T-72B3 is an upgraded variant introduced in the summer of 2013 that enables the T-72 to catch up with the performance of the T-90A tanks. The T-72B3 is equipped with a new fire control system and new ballistic computer as well as new gunner sight, with a thermal imager that has day-night and all-weather combat capability. The tank is also fitted with a new engine and new 2A46M main gun, additional armor protection and advanced fire control system among other improvements. The upgraded 2A46M gun uses ammunition with increased armor-penetrating capability. The Russian Army is deploying the modernized T-72B3 as replacement for older T-72B1 tanks with 564 tanks to be delivered by the end of 2015. The T-72B3 is a combat capable tank that should be replaced in the 2020s by the far more capable T-14 Armata.

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Also Known As : T-72B4
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Uralvagonzavod production association
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2016
Total Production : ?

The T-72B3M, also known as T-72B4, is an upgraded variant similar to the T-90AM tank and expected to enter service with the Russian Army before the end of 2016. The upgraded tanks will be equipped with the 2A46M-5 125 mm smoothbore guns, the Sosna-U sighting system and a new ballistic computer to increase its accuracy. The new Relikt explosive reactive armor (ERA) will replace the old Kontakt-5 armor kit being twice as effective as the previous ERA kit. Besides, the B3M standard will be powered by a V-92S2F diesel engine delivering 1,130-hp paired with an automatic transmission and improved drive train. The tank will gain hunter-killer capability thanks to a panoramic sight and thermal imager operated by the commander. The B3M standard may also feature Arena-E active protection system. Up to 150 existing T-72B tanks will be upgraded to the T-72B3M standard by 2017 at a cost of 2.5 billion rubles. That figure may be expanded to 300 tanks according to September 2016 reports. By 2022 the Russian Armed Forces can hold around 900 T-72B3M tanks.

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Origin : Belarus
Contractor : 140 Repair Plant
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : May 2023
Total Production : ?

The T-72BM2 is an upgraded variant of the T-72B tank developed by Belorussian State Military Industry Committee 140 Repair Plant. The new armor kit makes the T-72BM2 look like the T-80BVM incorporating some improvements developed for the T-72B3 tanks deployed within the Special Military Operation in Ukraine. The T-72BM2 tank was unveiled at MILEX exhibition in May 2023.

Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Active
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Uralvagonzavod production association
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : July 2023
Total Production : ?

The T-72BZM is the last iteration of the T-72B main battle tank and features improved armor protection and enhanced performance like the T-90M tank standard. The Russian Army took the first deliveries of the T-72BZM tanks in July 2023 within the Special Military Operation in Ukraine framework.