The T-72B main battle tank is the pinnacle of rugged, versatile design. Developed in the Cold War era, the tank has remained the perfect proof that age does not matter in battle prowess. Through decades of incremental improvements, it has attained a harmonious blend of firepower, armor, and mobility to address some of the most hazardous combat situations. From its early production run in the 1980s to its modern active service in Ukraine, the T-72B has been both durable and lethally potent.
Originally designed as a less sophisticated, cheaper cousin of the more advanced T-64, the T-72 was built in 1973 to be rugged, agile, and easy to use—basically anything, even by rudimentary crews. Early models did have glaring faults, however: crude fire control systems, poorer night sight capabilities, and armor that could only withstand light-caliber threats. When anti-tank guided missiles like the TOW and MILA gained popularity, these faults quickly became glaringly evident, and designers had little choice but to improve overall tank performance.
By 1984, the T-72B had done a good job of overcoming most of these limitations. Its armour composite, which was reinforced and gained a nickname “Super Dolly Parton” due to the shape of turret cheeks, has highly increased survivability. KONTAKT-1 ERA explosive reactive armour offered additional protection against novel anti-tank projectiles, offering approximately 700–900mm of equivalent protection in combat conditions tank cannot be damaged, but these upgrades turned the T-72B into a much more deadly enemy combatant.
Not all of the T-72Bs were exactly the same. Export models such as the T-72S ‘Shilden’ featured less ERA and other compromises in an attempt to fit the requirements of other militaries. The tanks found widespread service with Polish, Czech, and East German militaries. All nations used the tank to fit their doctrine: Polish crews used it offensively, Czech forces relied on large vehicle numbers as morale, and East German crews were trained specifically for high-accuracy breakthroughs. Even after years of service, the T-72B continues to be in high demand globally.
The tank’s continued existence within Ukraine demonstrates the vehicle’s flexibility. The U.S., for example, paid for refurbished Czech T-72Bs to be sent to Ukrainian troops, knowing that introducing brand-new systems of tanks would be much more expensive, time-consuming, and more difficult to organize.
Existing Ukrainian crews will find it easy enough to transition to these tanks, as they have to contend with the unique issue of needing to work alongside Russian crews on the same platform. Contemporary war is rarely uncomplicated.
More modern threats—drones, electronic warfare, and guided munitions—have raised questions about whether a tank like the T-72B is outdated. However, upgrades like ERA, urban armor kits, and anti-IED capabilities have made them effective and combat-worthy.
Even today, classical artillery and light-caliber cannon remain in their right. FPV drones may grab the headlines in the news, but they are beset by technical limitations, are easy to jam, and depend on the skill of the operator. Both sides of protracted wars have been deploying older reserve tanks, with a majority of them having less than the latest optics or thermal systems, but somehow serviceable enough to deploy in combat missions.
For example, Russian troops began equipping tanks with SOSNA-U thermal imagers as far back as 2022, but wartime pressures would have a tendency to thrust preceding models back into prominence, bringing heterogeneity of capability and complexity into the mix. In such a situation, crew training, quality of optics, and fire control equipment could be as valuable as armour thickness. Continuation of the T-72B’s use is proof of the long-term value of low-tech, tough platforms.
While Western MBTs like the Leopard 2 or M1 Abrams emphasize advanced and complex logistics, the T-72B gains by being simple and incrementally evolved. This is a plus in offense and defense operations.
In the years to come, the T-72B—and the concept of the main battle tank, period—will continue to evolve. Waves of drones, electronic warfare, and precision-guided weapons will continue to make armor forces evolve. But history also reminds us that with smart upgrades and good planning, even designs as outdated as a few decades can remain a force to be reckoned with. The T-72B proves that a battle-tested, ruggedly built tank remains a fixture on today’s battlefield.