The T-72B3M is a Russian modernization of the T-72B3 main battle tank, adding a 2A46M5 125 mm gun, Sosna-U and panoramic sighting equipment, Relikt explosive reactive armor, and a 1,130 hp V-92S2F engine. It is a distinct late T-72 upgrade seen in Russian service and in captured Ukrainian use during the Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present.
Fielded by Russian forces and repeatedly captured during the full-scale invasion; Army Recognition identified a Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade capture as a Russian T-72B3 mod. 2016, also called T-72B3M, and Oryx separately lists hundreds of visually documented Russian T-72B3 Obr. 2016 losses.
The B3M upgrade is visible less as a new hull than as a package of fire-control, protection, and mobility changes layered onto the T-72B/T-72B3 base.
| Area | Source-backed change | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fire control | Sosna-U gunner sight, panoramic commander sight, ballistic computer, and laser-guided missile channel. | Improves target detection and shot preparation compared with older T-72 fire-control fits. |
| Protection | Relikt explosive reactive armor on the hull and turret, with later wartime batches adding anti-FPV and top-attack protection fittings. | Shows the design moving from Cold War armor layouts toward a field-modified survivability package. |
| Mobility | V-92S2F diesel rated at 1,130 hp with improved drivetrain and automatic-transmission features. | Offsets added protection weight and gives the upgraded tank a reported 60 km/h road speed and 550 km range. |
Sources: Army Technology T-72B3M, Army Recognition T-72B3M/T-72B4, Rostec delivery report.
The designation is used around the late T-72B3 upgrade line; sources commonly describe the T-72B3M as T-72B4, while Ukraine-war reporting often maps the same configuration to T-72B3 mod. 2016 or Obr. 2016.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Parent tank family | The B3M remains part of the T-72 family but is separated here because the late Russian modernization has distinct sights, armor, powerpack, and Ukraine-war evidence. Sources: Army Technology T-72B3M, Army Recognition T-72B3M T-72B4 |
Army Technology and Army Recognition both place the public unveiling of the T-72B3M during the 2014 Tank Biathlon events.
Sources: Army Technology T-72B3M, Army Recognition T-72B3M T-72B4
Army Technology reports that the first 20 upgraded tanks entered service with Russia's Western Military District in February 2017.
Sources: Army Technology T-72B3M
Army Technology reports the first Belarusian T-72B3M service entry in June 2017.
Sources: Army Technology T-72B3M
Army Recognition identified a Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade capture as a Russian T-72B3 mod. 2016, also called T-72B3M, during fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Sources: Army Recognition Captured T-72B3M Tanks
Rostec said Uralvagonzavod delivered further T-72B3M and T-90M batches to the Russian Army and described added drone-suppression and anti-FPV protective fittings.
Sources: Rostec Uralvagonzavod T-72B3M Delivery
