T-72M4CZ
T-72M4 CZ
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originCzech Republic
Service history
In service2004-present
Used byCzech Republic
Production history
Produced2003-2006
No. built27 T-72M4 CZ
3 T-72M4 CZ-W
3 VT-72M4 CZ
Specifications
Mass48 tonnes
Length7.9 m
Width3.6 m
Height2.2 m
Crew3 (commander, driver and gunner)
ArmorComposite armour 570 mm (22.4 in) front of the turret
Main
armament
125 mm 2A46M smoothbore tank gun
Secondary
armament
7.62 mm PKMT coaxial machine gun,
12.7 mm NSVT AA machine gun on commander's ring-mount
Enginediesel Perkins Condor CV 12 1000 TCA[1]
1006 hp (746 kW)
Power/weight21 hp/tonne (15,5 kW/tonne)
Suspensiontorsion bar

The T-72M4 CZ is an upgraded Czech version of the Soviet-designed, Czechoslovakia made main battle tank T-72M.[1] The only user of this tank is the Czech Army. Between 2003 and 2006, 30 tanks were produced. The main armament is a 125 mm gun 2A46M. The crew comprises a gunner, driver and commander. Maximum speed on the road is 61 km/h, and in terrain 44 km/h. This tank is comparable with third generation MBT.[2] All tanks are still in active service.

T-72M4CZ during Tank Day in Lešany, Benešov district, 2013

Upgrade

T-72M4CZ
T-72M4CZ firing.

The main goal of modernization was to achieve combat parameters and utility properties of 3rd - 4th generation tanks. The upgrade increased the firepower by conducting effective fire from place or while moving and increased the effects of under-caliber projectiles with a completely new ammunition for the tank cannon and the possibility of observation by day and night. The new powerplant and the modification of the chassis significantly contributed to increasing the mobility and maneuverability of the tank. Passive and active tank protection in combat was also increased by attaching dynamic body protection and turret protection, reinforcing the armor and body modification, laser detection and indication system, new protective smoke grenade and protective masking system (against visual, infra and radiolocation survey).

The upgrade was a joint venture between Nimda, Finmeccanica - Selex Galileo of Italy and Vop Cz (VOP25). The upgrade consists of a new powerpack in the form of Perkins Condor CV 12, Allison XTG-411-6N automatic transmission and Selex Galileo TURMS/T Fire Control System. The navigation system was upgraded with NBV-97, which was developed by Letecké Přístroje Praha SRO and a new communications suite has been added.[1]

For protection, a new ERA called DYNA (DYNamic Armour) developed in the Czech Republic was added along with full NBC protection and a fire detection and suppression system by German company Kidde Deugra.

Variants

  • T-72M4 CZ-W - command version of T-72M4 CZ.[3]
  • VT-72M4 CZ - recovery tank variant based on T-72M4 CZ for Czech Army.[4]

Operators

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "T-72 M4CZ". 73tankovyprapor.army.cz. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Tank T-72M4 CZ". acr.army.cz. Army of Czech republic. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  3. ↑ Smíšek, Martin. "CZE - T-72M4 CZ-W (velitelský tank - modernizace)". valka.cz. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "Vyprošťovací tank VT M4CZ". 73tankovyprapor.army.cz. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  5. ↑ David.B (2014-11-23). "T-72". Tank Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
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