The Ukrainian T-72AG Tank Upgrade

The T-72AG Tank has been developed and marketed by Ukrainian Company KMDB as an upgrade package for the T-72M Tank series (exported & licence built version of the Russian T-72). The package is intended for operators to install in their own country who have a limited budget.

The T-72AG when compared to T-72M Tanks, has an improved mobility thanks to a new engine, new and improved Fire Control System with night vision capability and improved protection with the addition of Explosive Reactive armour used in the T-80UD and the earlier T-84 Main Battle Tank, giving the vehicle the distinct look of a T-80UD based vehicle.

In the upgraded T-72AG tank the original engine with a less than optimum performance under hot conditions is replaced by a new 6TD-series diesel engine with associated support elements that has been developed for T-80UD/Oplot MBTs.

Two different diesel engine options are available – the 6TD-1 developing 1,000 hp and the 6TD-2 developing 1,200 hp. Both engines offer real advantages in performance in desert conditions at ambient temperatures of up to 55 degrees above zero, as they have a number of enhancements for operation in high ambient temperatures.

To enhance the T-72AG tactical mobility, the tank can be fitted with a satellite navigation system. The transmission installed in the tank provides increased reverse speed and pivoting movement (on-the sport turning).

The T-72AG was shown for the first time at the IDEX ’97 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 1997. It has not attracted any orders on the international market.

Main characteristics	T-72	T-72AG
Weight (t)	41.5	45.5
Max road speed (km/h) on dry natural soil road (km/h)	60	65(75 with high-speed gear-box)
Average speed	32-38	40-45
Engine power output (hp)	780	1,000 (1,200 if 6TD-2 engine is installed)
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/t)	19	21.7 (26.08)
Specific fuel consumption (g/kW-h)	245	218
Periodicity of air cleaner cassette maintenance under extreme dustyconditions (km)	300	1,000
Deep fording without preparation (m)	1.2	1.8
Commander’s sight
Type	observation device TKN-3	day/night sight TKN-4S
Target detection range (m)
by day	2,000	5,000
at night	400	700
Field-of-view stabilization	no	in one axis
Fire control override mode	no	yes
Gunner’s day sight
Type	TPD-K1	1G46
Target detection range (m)	4,000	5,000
Field-of-view stabilization	in one axis	in two axes
Line-of-sight stabilization error (mrad)	0.5	0.2
Magnification	8 (fixed)	2.7 to 12 (zooming)
Gunner’s night sight
Type	TPN-3 (passive/active)	TPN-4 (passive) or thermal imager
Target detection range (m)	400 (without illumination)	1,200 or 3,000
Effective firing range (m)
APFSDS	1,800	2,500
guided missile	no	5,000
Tank ballistic computer	no	yes