Czech Republic has already supplied Ukraine with 20 T-72EA modernized tanks

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According to information published by the Czech Army and Defence Magazine "CZ Defence" on January 10, 2023, the Czech company Excalibur Army would have already delivered to Ukraine 20 T-72EA modernized Soviet-made T-72M and T-72M1 main battle tanks on the 90 which were ordered within the framework of a contract with the United States and European countries including the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
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The Excalibur army modernized T-72EA main battle tank for Ukraine. (Picture source CZ Defence)

On November 7, 2022, the United States announced that the Netherlands in collaboration with the Czech Republic will provide refurbished Soviet-made T-72 as part of a €120 million military aid package from the Netherlands for Ukraine.

According to the US Department of Defense, the tanks will come from the Czech Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Czech industry. The total value of the modernization will be $90 million.

The modernized version of the Soviet-made T-72 tank for Ukraine is called T-72EA. According to our first analysis, the T-72EA keeps the original design of the T-72 with the driver position at the front center of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the powerpack at the rear. The tank has a crew of three including a driver, commander, and gunner.

The T-72EA also maintains the main armament of the T-72 consisting of one 125 mm 2A46 cannon coupled to an automatic loading system carrying 24 ready-to-use projectiles. The gun has a maximum firing range of up to 4,000 m. One 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the right of the main armament.

It seems that the 12.7mm mounted on the commander cupola has been removed due to the integration of ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) on the turret roof. The front and the sides of the hull are also equipped with ERA armor as well as the front of the turret.

The T-72EA is also modernized with a new radio communication system, a new digital dashboard for the driver, new night vision systems, a thermal camera, and Eye-Safe Laser Range Finder. The tank is also equipped with new powerpack components to increase the power of the engine from 780 to 840 hp.