Type 72Z

The Type 72Z tank (also known as the T-72Z and the Safir-74,[4] and the Al-Zubair I in Sudan)[3] is a highly modernized version of the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks,[4] with upgrades carried out by the Iranian Defense Industries Organization.[2]

Not to be confused with the Soviet T-72 tank.

Type 72Z
Safir-74 with a DShK mounted on top during a military parade.
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originIran
Service history
Used bySee Operators
Production history
ManufacturerDefense Industries Organization, Military Industry Corporation
Produced1996–present
No. builtabout 400[1]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass36 tonnes[2]
Length6.45m
Width3.37m
Height2.40m
Crew3-4
Armor203 mm front of the turret
150 mm sides of the turret
64 mm rear of the turret
39 mm top of the turret
97 mm upper front of the hull
99 mm lower front of the hull
79 mm upper sides of the hull
20 mm lower sides of the hull
46 mm rear of the hull
20 mm floor of the hull
fitted with ERA[3]
Main
armament
105mm M68 rifled tank gun[3]
Secondary
armament
7.62mm coaxial PKT and roof-mounted 12.7mm DShKM machine guns[3]
EngineV-46-6 V-12 diesel[2]
780 hp[3] (630 kW)
Power/weight21.66hp/tonne
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
440 km
Maximum speed 65 km/h

History

The Type 72Z was first announced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1996.[4] The upgrades to the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks were carried out by the Vehicle Industries Group of the Defence Industries Organization, in order to extend the service life of tanks already in use with the Iranian army.[2]

Upgrades

The 100mm gun of the T-55/Type 59 was replaced with an Iranian-produced derivative of the 105mm M68 gun, capable of firing 9M117 Bastion anti-tank guided missiles as well as NATO standard ammunition.[2][3][5] The Slovenian Fotona Electronic Fire Control System (EFCS-3-55) was added, with automatic and manual gun stabilizers, a laser rangefinder, second-generation night sights, a ballistic computer, and an independent viewer and target designation system for the commander.[2][3][4] Electric smoke grenade dischargers were also added to provide concealment on top of the existing ability to create a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the left exhaust outlet.[2][3][6]

Explosive reactive armor (ERA) developed by the Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex can be fitted to the Type 72Z, providing protection against projectiles and napalm-type weapons. Side track skirts similar to those on the Type 59 were added to T-54/T-55 tanks upgraded with ERA. [2]

The engine was replaced with a Ukrainian 780 hp V46-6 diesel engine,[3][4] together with the SPAT-1200 transmission system.[2] Air conditioning, power steering and a fire suppression system are also believed to have been installed.[6]

Variants

Operators
Map of Type 72Z operators in blue

Non-state operators

See also

References
  1. Galen Wright (15 March 2011) Iranian Military Capability 2011 - Ground Forces
  2. Pike, John. "T-72Z Safir-74". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  3. Pike, John; Sherman, Robert (18 June 1999). "Type 59". fas.org. Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  4. "Safir-74 / Type 72Z T-72Z main battle tank". armyrecognition.com. Army Recognition. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  5. "Type 59 Main Battle Tank". Inetres.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  6. "DIO T-72Z (T-55) Main Battle Tank (MBT)". Militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  7. Cordesman, Anthony H. Iran's Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction. p. 133.
  8. "Safir-74 - Tank Encyclopedia". Tanks-encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  9. "Al-Zubair-I Main Battle Tank DAA02". Military Industry Corporation. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  10. "Iran Memproduksi Senjata dan Peralatan Militer Canggih untuk Pasar Dalam dan Luar Negeri". Artileri.org. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  11. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/03/13/irans-expanding-sphere-of-influence-iranian-t-72-tanks-in-iraq/
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