T-72M4CZ

The T-72M4 CZ is an upgraded Czech version of the Soviet-designed, Czechoslovakia made main battle tank T-72M.^[1] The only user of this tank is the Czech Army. Between 2003 and 2006, 30 tanks were produced. The main armament is a 125 mm gun 2A46M. The crew comprises a gunner, driver and commander. Maximum speed on the road is 61 km/h, and in terrain 44 km/h. This tank is comparable with third generation MBT.^[2] All tanks are still in active service.

Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...

T-72M4CZ
T-72M4 CZ
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Czech Republic
Service history
In service	2004-present
Used by	Czech Republic
Production history
Produced	2003-2006
No. built	27 T-72M4 CZ 3 T-72M4 CZ-W 3 VT-72M4 CZ
Specifications
Mass	48 tonnes
Length	7.9 m
Width	3.6 m
Height	2.2 m
Crew	3 (commander, driver and gunner)
Armor	Composite armour 570 mm (22.4 in) front of the turret
Main armament	125 mm 2A46M smoothbore tank gun
Secondary armament	7.62 mm PKMT coaxial machine gun, 12.7 mm NSVT AA machine gun on commander's ring-mount
Engine	diesel Perkins Condor CV 12 1000 TCA[1] 1006 hp (746 kW)
Power/weight	21 hp/tonne (15,5 kW/tonne)
Suspension	torsion bar
Maximum speed	61 km/h

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The main goal of modernization was to achieve combat parameters and utility properties of 3rd - 4th generation tanks. The upgrade increased the firepower by conducting effective fire from place or while moving and increased the effects of under-caliber projectiles with a completely new ammunition for the tank cannon and the possibility of observation by day and night. The new powerplant and the modification of the chassis significantly contributed to increasing the mobility and maneuverability of the tank. Passive and active tank protection in combat was also increased by attaching dynamic body protection and turret protection, reinforcing the armor and body modification, laser detection and indication system, new protective smoke grenade and protective masking system (against visual, infra and radiolocation survey).

The upgrade was a joint venture between Nimda, Finmeccanica - Selex Galileo of Italy and VOP CZ (VOP025). The upgrade consists of a new powerpack in the form of Perkins Condor CV 12, Allison XTG-411-6N automatic transmission and Selex Galileo TURMS/T Fire Control System. The navigation system was upgraded with NBV-97, which was developed by Letecké Přístroje Praha SRO and a new communications suite has been added.^[1]

For protection, a new ERA called DYNA (DYNamic Armour) developed in the Czech Republic was added along with full NBC protection and a fire detection and suppression system by German company Kidde Deugra.

• T-72M4 CZ-W - command version of T-72M4 CZ.^[3]
• VT-72M4 CZ - recovery tank variant based on T-72M4 CZ for Czech Army.^[4]

•  Czech Republic: All 30^[5] tanks operated by 73rd tank battalion of the 7th Mechanized Brigade

• T-72 operators and variants