As a result of the modernization of materiel, held in the 2010s, T-72B3 became the main tank of the Russian army. MBTs of this modification are massively used during the conflict in Ukraine, which made it possible to identify the shortcomings of this model, most affecting its combat stability at the front.
As a result, the latest version of the T-72B3M sample was developed. 2022 of the year. The new iteration of the tank received additional dynamic protection "Contact-1", covering a number of vulnerabilities (nadgusenichnye shelves, gun mask, hull along side, lower frontal detail), anti-cumulative mesh at the shoulder strap of the tower and brackets on the tower, intended, apparently, to install a lattice screen against UAVs above the car.
According to the Izvestia report, while instead of the sight "Sosna-U", with high efficiency, tanks began to be equipped with a simpler analogue 1PN96MT-02 (his monitor is shown on video in the MBT cockpit), having a shorter enemy detection range (3 km instead 5) and a lower resolution IR camera. A similar sight is received by the T-80BVM tanks of the sample 2022 year instead of the previously installed "Sosny-U".
"Pine-U" (left) and backup sight 1А40 (case) on T-72B3 sample 2016 of the year
maybe, that the installation of simpler optical instruments on the MBT was caused by the lack of Sosna-U for all machines, submitted for modernization. Simultaneously with work to improve the existing fleet of vehicles, the mass production of the T-90M "Breakthrough" of a new building is also underway., that, being the most powerful tank in the Russian army, receive in the first place the sight "Sosna-U".
If it really is a shortage of optical devices, then the manufacturer - the Belarusian enterprise "Peleng" - needs to expand their production, so that tankers can more effectively hit enemy targets.
