![War Thunder background](https://warthunder.com/i/bg-fon/site_theme_seek_and_destroy_desert_warrior.webp?v=9e186acf)
- For PC
- For MAC
- For Linux
- OS: Windows 7 SP1/8/10 (64 bit)
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.2 GHz
- Memory: 4GB
- Video Card: DirectX 10.1 level video card: AMD Radeon 77XX / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660. The minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64 bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 3600 and better
- Memory: 16 GB and more
- Video Card: DirectX 11 level video card or higher and drivers: Nvidia GeForce 1060 and higher, Radeon RX 570 and higher
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i5, minimum 2.2GHz (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 6 GB
- Video Card: Intel Iris Pro 5200 (Mac), or analog from AMD/Nvidia for Mac. Minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i7 (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 8 GB
- Video Card: Radeon Vega II or higher with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
- OS: Most modern 64bit Linux distributions
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 660 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months; the minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 64bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Memory: 16 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 1060 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD (Radeon RX 570) with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
A new Soviet top rank tank with good frontal protection and guided munitions will burst into high rank battles with the release of the War Thunder update 1.97 “Viking Fury”!
T-72B, main battle tank, USSR, VI rank.
Pros
- Excellent frontal protection
- Anti-tank guided missiles
Cons
- Without thermal imaging
- Low reverse speed
By the middle of the 1980s, there was an objective need to upgrade the main battle tank of the Soviet Union - T-72 to modern battle performance values. The fact is that the vehicle seriously lacked firepower and modern fire control systems and its protection which wasn’t bad at the time of conception, became obsolete due to the emergence of new powerful weapons. The big tank modernization program implied a comprehensive improvement of the T-72 in all its key characteristics.
In the early 80s, the guided weapon system under the name “Svir” was developed for the Soviet tanks with the ability to guide the missile via beam and launching it through the gun barrel. At the same time there was also work on development of the first generation of the “Contact-1” explosive reactive armour. Both of these novelties were in demand for the modernization of the T-72. The vehicle received a new combined hull armour pack for the upper frontal part which increases in size and its composition has been redistributed toward more steel. Also a new custom turret with larger dimensions has been installed, featuring new armour filler packs.
Due to an increased weight, the tank required a new engine which allowed it to maintain the good running characteristics of the base model. The upgraded version received the designation T-72B and was adopted in December 1984. This modification became the basis for a large number of versions and upgrades which made the T-72 the most mass produced 2nd generation MBT in the world. As an upgraded version this tank continues to serve in the Russian army and many other countries.
Interesting fact: for a certain similarity of the T-72 turret to the outstanding bust of an American singer, the base version of the tank received on the West the nickname “Dolly Parton”. The T-72B with even larger turret has been nicknamed “Super Dolly Parton”.
T-72B is a long awaited and welcome guest in the hangars of Soviet tankers. In addition to ATGM capabilities and dynamic protection, the main feature of this tank will be good passive protection of the frontal hull and turret against the kinetic ammunition. According to this criteria (without taking into account the dynamic protection) T-72B is superior to the entire T-64B lineup and even T-80U in the game.
Depending to the type of shell, the commanders of the T-72B can expect protection equivalent to 500-550 mm of steel for the frontal hull and up to 800-900 mm for the turret when the vehicle is under the fire strictly from frontal attacks, and this is without taking into account the “Contact-1” ERA which is effective only against HE shells. The T-72B will receive the same canon and unguided ammunition the same as featured on T-64B and T-80B but with the guided 9M119 missiles with armour penetration of up to 700 mm which those familiar with the Soviet T-80U will already know of.
The tank is equipped with night vision but there will be no thermal imaging on the T-72B. The driving performance of the vehicle remained approximately the same as on the base T-72 model. The slightly increased weight of the vehicle has been compensated by installing a slightly more powerful engine. Unfortunately the problem of low reverse speed has also been inherited from the T-72A.
T-72B will be a much more suited candidate over the T-72A in top ranked battles and will be faithful partner for the T-80U or the main tool for its research. The well balanced T-72B can utilize hull down gameplay and the dynamic protection will save you from helicopters and ATGMs. Its excellent choice of ammunition makes it possible to combine powerful APFSDS shells and missiles for different opponents at different distances. Good driving performance is also available as the tank accelerates quickly and is easy to control and the stabilizer allows you to comfortably aim even at decent speeds.
T-72B will be one of the stars of the upcoming War Thunder update 1.97 “Viking Fury” and definitely deserves the attention of all tankers. The patch is already approaching very soon, follow the news!
More Devblogs:
Comments (185)
WHOOO!
Gaijin may I ask how is this superior to the T80U without any thermal imaging? Any top tier tank without a thermal imaging is in complete disadvantage.
It's only for the armour thickness, read better
Well I was hoping more for the Slovak T-72M2 Moderna, but this is nice
God this thing is ugly with all that its ERA
Fashion contest?
THAAAAAAAAAAANK YOU GAIJIN!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice, this thing will prop. sit again at 9.3 and will clap everything away because its just op. Gaijin firstly nerf the ka50, unbelieveable you still didnt do after 4 months and please balance the game!!!!
Probably good for close range engagements but will struggle with bigger maps. I'm sure this tank will dominate the Swedish map. Excellent tank nonetheless
Stona any chance to introduce some kind of premium soon? :) My premium ran out and when I'm at it I'll buy some cool stuff to support you guys. Still cool tank though, maybe someday we get T72-M4 wink wink
Do you honestly want to have to BUY shit from them? Like, how much is Gaijin paying you to say that?
You mean premium vehicle, or discount for premium account?
so basically T-64BV with different coat of paint?
Playing the Russian tech tree was my intro to ground battles. And I would be more than happy to come back to WT and grind for this. Just as soon as they either introduce a tanks-only mode, or fix the way helos are implemented in the game. Barring those enticements, I shall direct my gaze 'WT-wards' only occasionally, from a vast distance, and great elevation, with a combination of small interest and mild amusement. While drinking.