T-72 operators and variants

Operators

Current operators

• – 325 T-72M1/M1M as of 2023.
• – 50 T-72M1 as of 2023.
• – 390 T-72A, T-72B as of 2023. File:T-72B.jpg|thumb|Armenian Army T-72B during a military parade in Yerevan.
• – ~404 T-72A, T-72AV, T-72B, and T-72SIM2 as of 2023.
• – 477 T-72B and 20 T-72B3 mod. 2016 as of 2023. Various T-72 modifications in reserve.
• – 90 T-72M1/M in service as of 2025.
• – 45 M-84A4 Sniper, which is an improved variant of the T-72M, as of 2025 awaiting replacement with the Leopard 2A8. 30 M-84A4 were be donated to Ukraine in 2025.
• – 30 T-72M4CZ in service as of 2025. 50 T-72M1s were donated to Ukraine between 2022 and 2023. Later all usable T-72M1 tanks were donated to Ukraine.
• – 100 T-72AV delivered by Ukraine in 2010.
• – At least 1 captured in Eritrean-Ethiopian War. Current status unknown.
• – 50 bought from Yemen, 171 T-72UA1 vehicles reportedly ordered from Ukraine in 2011.
• –143 T-72B/SIM1 in 2018. Upgraded T-72 SIMs were upgraded in Georgia with assistance of Israel.
• – 44 T-72M1 in service as of 2025.
• – 2,418 T-72M1 as of 2025.
• – 480 T-72S as of 2023.
• - Only 125 T-72M1 are in service as of 2009 with the new Iraqi Army. Some T-72S MBTs in service with the PMF. Some T-72s have been upgraded and modernized by Iran with Rakhsh kits.
• * − < 63. Entered service for the Peshmerga after 1991.
• – 350 T-72BA as of 2023.
• – 33 T-72M1 possibly ordered by South Sudan from Ukraine, but seized by Kenya after being held ransom en route by Somali pirates in 2008.
• – 150 as of 2023.
• – T-72B1
• – 48 PT-91M delivered by Poland.
• – 40 T-72B, ~60 in storage as of 2023.
• – 100 delivered. 50 T-72A in service as of 2023
• – 300 T-72S. Received from Ukraine between 2000 and 2008
• – 50 T-72B1MS tanks in 2023
• – 10 T-72AV and 31 T-72M1 as of 2023., 20 in 2025.
• – 201 PT-91 Twardy, which is an improved variant of the T-72M1, as of 2025. 382 T-72 and 232 PT-91 as of 2019. 2008 – 586 T-72M1 and T-72M1D, 135 T-72M1Z, and 98 PT-91 in service 2006, 2007 – 597, 2005 – 644, 2004 – 649
• – 700 T-72A/B/BA and 470 T-72B3 in active service. 457 T-72A and 196 T-72B/BA in store as of 2025. 1100 T-72B3, 550 T-72B3M, and more than 1000 T-72B in operation in 2022, 4800 variants of the T-72B in total. As of February 2023, the Russian Army operates 400 T-72B/BA, 500 T-72B3, and 250 T-72B3M tanks; the Russian Naval Infantry operates 170 T-72B/B3/B3Ms; the Russian Airborne Forces operates 50 T-72B3/B3M; while the 1st Army Corps and 2nd Army Corps operates some T-72A and T-72B tanks. 10,000 T-72 tanks of all variants in different conditions in storage. Many of the T-72 tanks have been left exposed and stored since the early 1990s, and they are likely to be in poor condition.
• – 30 T-72B1MS and 195 M-84, which is an improved variant of the T-72M, as of 2025.
• – 30 T-72M1, still in service in 2025.
• – 96-101 units delivered in two shipments from Ukraine: first, 32 T-72 on the MV Faina in 2009, and second, 67 T-72 in 20XX. 2 T-72 tanks were destroyed during the Heglig Crisis. 80 T-72AV in service as of 2023
• – 70 T-72AV as of 2023.
• — 10
• Syrian Democratic Forces − Reported.
• – 28 T-72 Ural/A/AV/B and 3 T-72B1 as of 2023.
• – 650 T-72 and T-72UMG as of 2023.
• – 40 T-72A and 10 T-72B1 as of 2023.
• – 500+ T-72 and PT-91 Twardy as of 2023. In January 2014, Ukraine had 600 T-72 tanks all in storage. They were returned to active service since the War in Donbas, and several were captured and pressed into service during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, while others were donated by NATO members such as Poland and Czech Republic.
• *Russian separatist forces in Donbas
• – 70 as of 2023.
• – 92 T-72B1, delivered in 2009–2012 from Russia. In June 2012, Russia and Venezuela agreed on deal for 100 more T-72.
• – 39 in 2003.
• *

  Evaluation / aggressor training

• – 1 donated by Germany to Australian Army for evaluation.
• – Former East German tanks received at the end of the Cold War for OPFOR training. Out of service by 2000.
• – 1 obtained from the exchange of industrial machinery in Romania for scientific research, which is called "Type 64". And as of 2023, a domestically modernized variant equipped with a new turret—reportedly intended for export to third countries—has also been spotted in China.
• – Used for aggressor training. Its presence was considered classified but released into public after army's invitation events.
• – 1 received from Iran in 1980s.
• – Acquired 8 former East German T-72s in 1991 primarily to evaluate Soviet armour. One has been preserved, while others are used as targets.
• – 90

  Former operators

• − ~20 T-72AV/B and 1 T-72SIM2 as of February 2023, seized by Azerbaijan following the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• – About 1,700 T-72/T-72M/T-72M1s were produced between 1981 and 1990. The Czechoslovak army had 815 T-72s in 1991. All were passed on to the successor states in 1993:
• – 35 T-72s, 219 T-72s, 31 T-72Ms, 162 T-72Ms and 136 T-72M1s. 135 T-72S were ordered but none delivered before reunification. 75 T-72s were fitted with additional hull armour. Passed on to the unified German state
• – Some 160–170 T-72M1s. About 70 T-72M1s were bought from the Soviet Union and were delivered in 1984, 1985–1988 and 1990. A further 97 T-72M1s were bought from German surplus stocks in 1992–1994. All withdrawn from service in 2006. Scrapped in Jyväskylä or sold as spares to the Czech Republic. At least two Finnish T-72s are still in working order and have been used in showcases.
• – Several were captured from the Syrian army.
• – 150 in 2003.
• – 30 T-72A and 1 T-72AK delivered from Ukraine in 1999. All tanks were donated to Ukraine in June 2022.
• – 31 T-72Ms were bought from the USSR, and received between 1978 and 1979. Withdrawn from service, 28 tanks are for sale.
• – In 1994 Sierra Leone acquired two T-72s from Poland via Ukraine. Another unspecified number of ex-Polish tanks was delivered to Sierra Leone in 1997 also via Ukraine.
• – 1991 – 650 T-72A, T-72AV, T-72AVS, T-72S, T-72M, T-72M1, T-72M1M, T-72M1S, T-72B obr. 1989, T-72B3, T-72 Adra and T-72 Shafrah
• – Passed on to successor states:
• Tigray Defense Forces − Surrendered to the Ethiopian forces in the aftermath of the Tigray War.
• – Bought approximately 18 T-72Ms from the USSR and 72 from Czechoslovakia, later developed the improved M-84.

  Failed Bid

• - Indonesian National Armed Forces There was interest in the T-72, especially with the offer from the Czech Republic for the T-72 Scarab, but Indonesia ended up choosing the Leopard 2 as its first MBT, It was reported in 2024 that Indonesia might become a buyer of the Indian T-72, but other reports said that the T-72 was bought by Russia for the war in Ukraine, which make Indonesia lose its chances to buy it.

  Variants

Soviet Union and Russia

• T-72 "Ural" : Original version, armed with the 125 mm D-81TM smoothbore tank gun. Unlike the later versions it had the searchlight mounted on left. It also had flipper-type armour panels. It had the TPD-2-49 coincidence rangefinder optical sight protruding from its turret.
• T-72A : An improved version of the basic T-72 "Ural". Large numbers of early-production T-72 "Ural" models were modernized in the 1980s. Searchlight has been placed on the right-hand side of turret, blanking off the TPD-2-49 coincidence optical rangefinder and replaced by the TPD-K1 laser rangefinder, added plastic armour track skirts covering the upper part of the suspension with separate panels protecting the sides of the fuel and stowage panniers instead of the flipper-type armor panels used on the T-72 "Ural", the turret front and top being heavily reinforced with composite armour better known by its US codename – "Dolly Parton", an electronic fire control system, MB smoke grenade launchers, flipper armour mount on front mudguards, internal changes, and a slight weight increase.
• T-72M : Soviet export version, similar to the T-72A but with thinner armour and 125 mm D-81T smoothbore tank gun with 44 rounds. It was sold [|to Iraq] and [|to Syria] and was also built in Poland by Bumar-Łabędy. and Czechoslovakia.
• T-72M-E : Soviet export version armed with the 125 mm D-81T smoothbore tank gun with 44 rounds.
• T-72M1 : Soviet export version, with thicker armour and similar to T-72A obr.1979g. It is also fitted with 7+5 smoke grenade dischargers on turret front. It was also built in Poland and ex-Czechoslovakia.
• : Equipped with the new 2A46M main gun with a new 2E42-2 stabilisation system. There is a much improved version of 1A40-1 fire control system, a 1K13-49 gunner's sight, which allows the use of 9M119 Svir gun-launched anti-tank guided missile. Thicker armour, 20 mm of appliqué armour on the front of the hull, front and top of the turret were heavily reinforced with composite armour better known by its US codename "Super Dolly Parton". New V-84-1 engine with 840 hp. On early models, the smoke dischargers were mounted on the turret front, later they were grouped on the left side of the turret to prepare for the installation of ERA bricks.
• T-90 – A further development of the T-72, incorporating many features of the heavier, more complex T-80. It was first called upgraded T-72B
• : this upgrade was initiated in 2010 using old stocks of T-72B tanks held in reserve. The purpose was to upgrade old T-72s to use the same gun, ammunition, ATGM, ERA etc. as the new T-90A tanks to simplify supply lines. In addition to performing a general overhaul of every vehicle, all tanks were equipped with the more powerful V-92S2 engines and a new steering system in the driver's compartment, and older tracks were replaced with the new universal, twin-pin design. The upgrade program focuses mainly on the implementation of a new fire control system. The tank commander retains an upgraded version of the legacy TKN-3MK sight, which is a passive device with a range of only 600 m at night. The commander also has a separate monitor that displays thermal imagery from the gunner's main sight, and a new turret control panel. The gunner has the new PNM Sosna-U panoramic multi-spectral sensor, which replaced the 1K13 night vision in its mounting; the 1A40-4 FCS with TPD-K1 sight is retained, but as part of the auxiliary sighting system to complement the newer system. The Sosna-U is a multi-channel, panoramic sight stabilized in both vertical and horizontal axes with a built-in laser rangefinder and command guidance module, used with 9M119M missiles. The main advantage of the Sosna-U is the Thales Catherine-FC thermal imager, which extends the detection range of a tank-sized target to 10,500 m and the identification range to 3,300 m in both day and night conditions and all weathers. The T-72B3 series vehicles also received the new 2A46M-2 main gun which is reportedly equivalent to the Rheinmetall Rh120 L/44 cannon. The gun-laying and stabilization drives were also replaced by the new 2E42-4 system, and the AZ ammunition auto-loader was modified to accommodate newer generations of 125 mm smoothbore anti-tank ammunition: Vant and Mango rounds. There is also a new 9K119 Refleks system, used to launch 9M119 Refleks ATGM through the gun barrel. The B3 upgrade includes a new explosion- and fire-suppression system and an advanced VHF radio system designated R-168-25U-2 AKVEDUK. The variant entered service on 19 October 2012. It was first delivered to the 20th Field Army in summer 2013, and to its Armored Guards Brigade in October 2013. About 2,000 such tanks were in service as of 2020. The cost to upgrade a T-72 to the T-72B3 standard was around 52 million rubles in 2013.
• T-72B3M obr.2016: a further upgrade of the T-72B3, produced since 2016 by overhauling and upgrading old T-72B tanks from storage. The purpose was to use the same gun, ammunition, ATGM, ERA etc. as the T-90 M tank to simplify supply lines. There is a new gun 2A46M-5 with new anti-tank ammunition Svinets-1 and Svinets-2. New 2E58 gun stabilizer is responsible for improved aiming time. 9K119M Refleks-M system is used to launch 9M119M Invar ATGM through gun barrel. New PK-PAN panoramic commander sight with thermal vision only seen on a limited number of vehicles while all the rest are using older TKN-3MK commander's sight. Retained Sosna-U gunner's sight and crosswind sensor. New Kalina fire control system, although in simplified form. There is new radio communication equipment as well as GLONASS satellite navigation. Driver is using older TVN-5 periscope with additional display from rear view camera. The automotive performance of the tank was improved with a more powerful V-92S2F engine rated at 1,130 hp coupled to an automatic transmission system and improved drivetrain. Protection is improved by Relikt new generation ERA mounted on sides of both hull and turret, while cage armor was added to the rear. Kontakt-5 ERA is retained over the frontal arc and turret top. There is also increased protection against AT land mines. The Russian Defense Ministry ordered several hundred T-72B3M tanks, and received the first twenty in early 2017. The cost to upgrade a T-72 to the T-72B3 obr.2016 standard was around 78.9 million rubles in 2016.
• T-72B1 obr. 2023: mobilization model, produced by overhauling and upgrading existing 30+ years old T-72B and T-72BA tanks during regular maintenance in armor repair plants. The purpose was to unify different models in order to simplify supply lines. There is brand new dual channel TKN-3TP commander's sight with thermal vision range 3000 m. New 1PN96MT-02 gunner's sight coupled with the old TPD-K1 sight. Combination of Kontakt-5, 4S24 and Relikt ERA all-around vehicle copied from T-72B3M obr.2022. Anti-RPG net below the turret. These vehicles were made without crosswind sensor and Sosna-U sight because of increased production during the war. Everything else was upgraded to the level of basic T-72B3.
• ' – A transport vehicle for flamethrower-squads armed with RPO launchers. Entered service in 2001.
• BMPT – Heavy convoy and close tank support vehicle. All new turret armed with 2 × 30 mm 2A42 autocannons, 4 × 9M1201 Ataka-T ATGM and 7.62 mm PKT MG. It can be also fitted with 2 × AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers. Features new fire control system with thermal sights and a ballistic computer. Reinforced with 3rd generation "Relikt" ERA on the frontal armor and both sides of hull and turret, slat armor in the rear. It is equipped with Agat-MR night vision devices, an NBC detection and protection system. There is 902A "Tucha" 81 mm smoke grenade launcher array on each side of the turret and "Shtora-1" active protection system. When the screening system warns the crew of laser tracking, a smoke screen is created by the launch of grenades. The vehicle can be fitted with either the KMT-8 or the EMT mine clearing system. The term BMP-T that is very often found is not correct.
• TOS-1 – Large box-type multi-barrel rocket launcher with 30 tubes that replaces turret.
• TZM-T – Reloading vehicle for the TOS-1 mobile multi-barrel rocket launcher.
• ' – Armoured recovery vehicle with a hydraulic crane with capacity of 12 tonnes mounted at the front of the hull on the left side. It also has a main winch with capacity of 25 tons which can be increased to 100 tonnes, auxiliary winch, hydraulically operated dozer/stabilizing blade at the front of the hull, towing equipment and a complete range of tools and recovery equipment.
• IMR-2 – Combat engineering vehicle. It has a telescoping crane arm which can lift between 5 and 11 metric tons and utilizes a pincers for uprooting trees. Pivoted at the front of the vehicle is a dozer blade that can be used in a V-configuration or as a straight dozer blade. When not required it is raised clear of the ground. On the vehicle's rear, a mine-clearing system is mounted.
• MTU-72 – bridge layer based on T-72 chassis. The overall layout and operating method of the system are similar to those of the MTU-20 and MTU bridgelayers. The bridge, when laid, has an overall length of 20 meters. The bridge has a maximum capacity of 50,000 kg, is 3.3 meters wide, and can span a gap of 18 m. By itself, the bridge weighs 6400 kg. The time required to lay the bridge is 3 minutes, and 8 minutes for retrieval.
• BMR-3 – Mine clearing vehicle.
• RKhM-7 "Berloga-1" – NBC reconnaissance vehicle without turret and with fixed superstructure.
• Tsar Mangal, a makeshift armored vehicle with improvised armor and anti-drone protection, equipped with demining rollers. The first specimen was based on T-72.