T-72B (Object 184) - Improved T-72A

The T-72B (Object 184 / Ob'yekt 184) is an advanced version of earlier T-72 models and is based on the T-72A.

The transition from T-72A to T-72B was gradual and incremental, with features being trickled into production lines between 1982 and 1984 before the official introduction in 1985.

Some tanks were equipped with the 902B system which had only 8 grenades, all installed in a single cluster on the left of the turret, while others had the 902A system with 12 grenades installed in two rows along both turret cheeks, inherited from the T-72A obr. 1979.

Key features and differences over the T-72A:

• combat weight of 44.5 tons with Kontakt-1 or Kontakt-5 ERA, depending on the specific version.
• combat weight of 43 tons without ERA. It had an empty weight of 41.6 tons.
• Fire Control System
  • electronic FCS
    • TPD-K1 laser rangefinder
  • improved version of 1A40-1
  • advanced sighting for missile use
  • 1K13-49 which allows for 9M119 Svir gun-launched anti-tank guided missile
• Gun:
  • new autoloader
• Engine:
  • V-84-1 with 840 hp
• Protection:
  • potential for explosive reactive armor in later models
  • smoke dischargers were mounted on the turret front
    • repositioned smoke dischargers on later models
  • Thicker armour, 20 mm of appliqué armour on the front of the hull
• front and top of the turret heavily reinforced with composite armour ("Super Dolly Parton")

More information:

• Armored Warefare - In Development: T-72B
• Inetres - T-72
• The Soviet Armour Blog - T-72 Part 1
• The Soviet Armour Blog - T-72 Part 2