T-72B tanks, which are in service with the Belarusian army and have been upgraded to the T-72BM2 level, are as effective as the T-72B3 version operational in Russia, Belarus’ State Military Industrial Committee said.
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T-72BME main battle tank unveiled at Milex defense exhibition in Belarus, May 2017. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The T-72BM2 tank (previously designated T-72BME?) is a result of the upgrade of the Soviet T-72B tank developed in the 1980s. Work to modernize the tank was carried out by specialists of the 140th Repair Plant in Borisov. The tank was unveiled at the end of July this year. “In general, the level of modernization has reached 88%, and the T-72BM2 is practically not inferior to the T-72B3 in terms of efficiency and surpasses it in some characteristics,” the committee said.

As the committee noted, the upgraded tank has received an improved control system, a Sosna-U multichannel sight, and Belarusian-made explosive reactive and slat armor. “The protected area of the T-72BM2 tank’s hull and the turret is larger than that of the T-72B3,” the committee added. Also, it was reported about the introduction of an autonomous power supply unit, ensures the operation of tank systems without starting the main engine.

In July, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said that the task to develop a new and modern tank in the republic had been fulfilled.

On July 11, 2018, Army Recognition published that the Belarusian military was testing the T-72BME (not designated T-72BM2) upgraded tank, according to an industrial source. Belarus’s 140th Repair Plant had upgraded the T-72A main battle tank to the T-72BME level, the new upgraded tank was shown for the first time to the public during MILEX international arms exhibition in Minsk, in May 2017.