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

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

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 vehicles showing their sides; alternatively, it can also be used to knock out enemies' barrels.

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

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• DYNAS ERA provides kinetic protection up to 100 mm
• 2nd generation TVD for both gunner and commander
• Powerful 30 mm autocannon tears through lighter vehicles or aircraft
• Better situational awareness thanks to LWS
• TAPNA APFSDS provides greater penetrative capabilities against enemies

Cons:

• Slow turret traverse speed for its BR (even compared to T-72B)
• Somewhat sluggish compared to NATO tanks
• Retains the same horrible reverse speed from T-72s
• Fixed 8x gunsight that makes long-range engagements a struggle

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 armor, 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

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

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