The Russian army has received the first new upgraded main battle tank MBT T-72. With its more powerful engine and increased protection, the tank may soon become the most popular model in the Russian Armed Forces. New T-72 tanks were presented to the public at the Victory Day parade on May 9 this year, the Uralvagonzavod state corporation (UVZ), which produces military hardware, said.

Latest version of Russian-made T-72 main battle tank at military parade rehearsal for Victory Day 2018. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)

Earlier, a number of article in the Russian press said that Russian defense plants had submitted a new T-72 modernization project to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"The talk is about the already existing T-72M tank. The Russian defense agency has already purchased a limited shipment of these tanks and demonstrated them at the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9.

An upgraded engine with a capacity of 1,130 horsepower; reinforced explosive reactive armor; counter-HEAT grates and revamped equipment - this is what differs the new modification from the previous T-72B3 model. The new T-72 version has got a new laser system for measuring the gun tube distortion after a shot. It helps to improve the accuracy of hitting targets.

"This tank is expected to become the most popular and acclaimed modification in the Russian land forces," Uralvagonzavod said.

Uralvagonzavod is not producing T-72 tanks as new armored vehicles. It is modernizing the existing T-72B3 tanks, which are in service with Russian troops.

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