T-72M2 Moderna

This page is about the Soviet medium tank T-72M2 Moderna. For other versions, see T-72 (Family).

T-72M2 Moderna

T-72M2 Moderna

Description

The T-72M2 is a gift rank Soviet medium tank with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced during Update "Wind of Change" as a reward for the "Battle for Arachis" event.

The modernization of ex-Czechoslovakian license-built T-72M1 tanks with French thermal gun sights, new ERA packages, and new APFSDS, as well as an additional 30 mm autocannon for self-defence, the T-72M2 Moderna introduces Slovakia into the game with respectable firepower and overall higher mobility.

General info

Survivability and armour

Although it is named T-72M2, which might sound more advanced, the base model is still a T-72M which shares the same chassis as the stock T-72A. However, he M2 modification adds layers of DYNAS ERA blocks on UFP and turret front, each block can provide additional protection against up to 100 mm of kinetic penetration, making the T-72M2 tougher to be destroyed. While it might not be enough at higher tiers with an abundance of APFSDS shells which can go up to 500 mm penetration, the protection is enough to stop most tanks which have been up-tiered at longer ranges and the turret can stop up to 700 mm from kinetic penetrators.

But once again, this is still a T-72 series with a compact interior and the same AZ-172 autoloader; like any T-72 series tank, a solid penetration from enemy projectiles will very likely set it ablaze (sometimes even fuel explosion) or detonate the ammunition, launching the turret sky-high, so players need to pay extra caution to enemies just like other T-72s do.

Armour type:

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	___ mm	___ mm Top ___ mm Bottom	___ mm	___ - ___ mm
Turret	___ - ___ mm Turret front ___ mm Gun mantlet	___ - ___ mm	___ - ___ mm	___ - ___ mm
Cupola	___ mm	___ mm	___ mm	___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade				1317			__.__
Realistic				752			__.__

Like later T-72s, the T-72M2 has its engine upgraded to a Polish PZL Wola S12U diesel engine with 820 hp output, which is a bit lower than T-72B's V-84S with 840 hp, though still the highest of the A and M series T-72s. The T-72M2 shares the same top speed of 60 km/h and infamous -4.2 km/h reverse speed, as well as the 44.5 ton weight of the later T-72B. Although 20 hp difference is not too much, the overall mobility is still worse than NATO counterparts.

Armaments

Main armament

125 mm 2A46MS					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	44	-6°/+13°	±180°	Two-plane	19.0	26.4	32.0	35.4	37.6	7.10	7.10	7.10	7.10
Realistic					11.9	14.0	17.0	18.8	20.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
3BK12M	HEATFS	440	440	440	440	440	440
3OF26	HE	42	42	42	42	42	42
3BM22	APFSDS	425	420	415	405	393	380
TAPNA	APFSDS	509	507	500	490	481	472

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
3BK12M	HEATFS	905	19	0.05	0.1	2,530	65°	72°	77°
3OF26	HE	850	23	0	0.1	5,240	79°	80°	81°
3BM22	APFSDS	1,760	4.83	N/A	N/A	N/A	76°	77°	80°
TAPNA	APFSDS	1,690	3.7	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T-72A (identical).

Full ammo	Ammo part	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
44	Projectiles Propellants	40 (+4) 40 (+4)	29 (+15) 29 (+15)	23 (+21) 23 (+21)	1 (+43) 1 (+43)	No

Notes:

• The T-72M2 Moderna uses two-piece ammunition, composed of propellant bags (orange) and projectiles (yellow). Both have separate racks.
• Shells are modelled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• A propellant charge remains in rack 2 after it is emptied and is later fired as part of rack 3. For the purpose of clarity, rack 2 is considered empty even if that charge is still present.
• Rack 4 (autoloader carrousel) is a first stage ammo rack containing 22 projectiles and 22 propellant charges.
  • This rack gets filled first when loading up the tank and is also emptied first.
  • As the T-72M2 Moderna is equipped with an autoloader, manual reloading of the gun is not possible.
  • Once the autoloader magazine has been depleted, you can't shoot until the loader has restocked the autoloader with at least one shell. The restocking time is longer than the normal reload time of the gun. Take this into account when playing.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 to 3 into rack 4. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.

Additional armament

A very distinctive feature of the T-72M2 is the 2A42 30 mm autocannon mounted on the right side of the turret. The gun is highly destructive against light vehicles, low-flying aircraft, and heavier vehicles showing their sides; alternatively, it can also be used to knock out enemies' barrels. It is considered as a "machine gun" and is operated by the vehicle gunner, sharing the same optics and thermals as the main gun.

30 mm 2A42
Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer
250 (250)	550	-4°/+35°	N/A	N/A

Ammunition

• Default: AP-T · HEF-I*

Penetration statistics
Belt	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
	10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
Default	65	63	54	44	36	30

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
1	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__

Machine guns

7.62 mm PKT
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	2,000 (250)	700	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The T-72M2 Moderna is a Slovakian-upgraded Russian MBT that excels in mid- to long-range engagements with its powerful and accurate 125mm cannon.The recommended tactic is similar to most other Russian MBTs at this BR range: find targets at range using the excellent thermal sights, then use the laser rangefinder and well-endowed APFSDS/HEATFS to remove the target from as far away from your vehicle as possible.

When forced into close-range combat, this vehicle is very mediocre compared to NATO vehicles with its painful reverse speed, lack of neutral steering, and subpar turret traverse. However, the liberal application of ERA, slat armor, and the underlying composite armor can sometimes save you from smaller-calibre or poorly-aimed shells. IFVs in particular, even ones with high-penetrating APFSDS like the M3A3 Bradley and Strf 9040C, will be almost helpless against the front of a Moderna

This vehicle will feel very reminiscent of the T-72AV (TURMS-T) for those players that have purchased the premium vehicle. Almost identical gun and armor performance will make them very useful complements to each other in a lineup .

Pros and cons

Pros:

• DYNAS ERA provides up to 100 mm of kinetic protection
• Has access 2nd generation thermals for both the gunner and commander, which are also only a Tier II modification
• Powerful 30 mm autocannon operated gunner annihilates light vehicles/aircraft and can go through many MBT's side armor
• Has commander fire control
• Good situational awareness thanks to LWS
• TAPNA APFSDS provides greater penetrative capabilities against enemies, even better than the 3BM42 Mango used by its Russian contemporaries
• Amazing smoke: 11 charges per launch, with the unique feature of 1 per launch also firing straight up to provide overhead cover

Cons:

• Poor turret traverse and gun handling
• While it has good terrain crossing ability, it is overall a slower vehicle and has the standard horrible T-72 reverse gear
• Fixed 8x gunsight make engagements a struggle
• Hull and turret armour can easily be penetrated by most rounds it faces especially in uptiers
• 30 mm autocannon has no traverse of its own, can only move vertically
• Does not have access to ATGMs

History

The T-72M2 Moderna is a licensed-produced Slovakian upgrade of the Soviet T-72 MBT. Among the various upgrades, the tank is fitted with DYNAS explosive reactive armour, a modernized 24A5MS 125 mm smoothbore gun, a single 30 mm 2A42 autocannon, a laser warning system, and an automated modern VEGA fire control system, originating from SFIM, a French development partner, and SABCA, a Belgian development partner.

The first prototype of the T-72M2 Moderna, an improvement on the T-72M1 prototype, was introduced in 1993. Although attempts were made to put the T-72M2 Moderna into production domestically and for export buyers, no production orders were ever placed, therefore, few functioning examples were produced.

Devblog

After the division of Czechoslovakia followed by an economic crisis, Slovak tank builders found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy. Tank plant ZTS Dubnica initiated an upgrade project for the Soviet T-72 series MBT in order to make the tank interesting for both domestic and foreign operators. By 1993, together with the French company SFIM and the Belgian SABCA, a project was developed to modernize the T-72M1 tanks with a new VEGA fire control system, a new panoramic sight, an improved engine, domestic ERA protection and two gunpods with 20 mm KAA-200 guns on the turret's sides.

The built prototypes of the new main battle tank were designated T-72M2 Moderna. Later, the tank was equipped by a new DYNAS explosive reactive armour, and two 20 mm guns were replaced with one 30 mm 2A42 cannon. Only a few prototypes of the T-72M2 Moderna were built.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the T-72M2 Moderna from live.warthunder.com.

Images

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See also

• T-72 Family
• Military Today's article on the Moderna

External links

• [Devblog] "Battle for Arachis": T-72M2 Moderna

References

Dubnica nad Váhom Heavy Engineering Plant
MBTs
T-72	T-72M2 Moderna
See Also	Uralvagonzavod