Kyiv Armored Plant has delivered six modernized T-72UA1 tanks to the Ukrainian army. The company has modified the equipment to improve its technical parameters and combat characteristics, state-run Ukroboronprom said in a statement last week.

Modernized T-72 tanks (Picture source: UkrOboronProm)

Optical instruments, gun stabilization system and steering systems of the tanks were upgraded. One of the main distinguishing features of this tank is its ability to use high-precision guided missiles "Kombat" produced by the Kyiv State Design Bureau Luch. The tank is equipped with additional Nizh (Knife) explosive reactive armor (ERA).

The tank is equipped with upgraded 1K13 sights for firing Ukrainian-made Kombat guided missiles, new night-visors with third-generation electro-optical converters, and more powerful engines increasing horsepower to 840 hp, compared with the previous 780 hp. The upgraded T-72 also received modern satellite navigation equipment.

New digital radio stations supplied by Turkish company Aselsan were also fitted onto the tank. The devices are designed to ensure efficient communication between the tank crew and infantry units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The armed forces called these modifications of the tanks "network-centric," claiming that the tanks can be used in combat as elements of a single controlled system.

The Ukrainian mechanized and armored forces are equipped with a combination of modern T-80, T-64, T-64BM Bulat (T-64BV Model 2017, T-64BV) and T-72UA1 main battle tanks; BTR-4, BTR-60, BTR-70 and BTR-80, wheeled armored personnel carriers and BMP-1, BMP-2 and BMD-2 infantry combat vehicles.