Azerbaijan Unveils Elbit-Enhanced T-72 Tanks
The upgraded tanks are equipped with a modern sighting system and a cutting-edge fire control system developed by Elbit
A T-72 tank, operated by a crew from Azerbaijan, during the International Army Games 2017. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
The Azeri defense industry showcased a modernized version of the Azeri Army's T-72 tanks, upgraded by Israel’s Elbit Systems, at the ADEX 2024 International Defense Exhibition in Baku. The upgraded T-72A tanks are now equipped with a modern sighting system and an advanced fire control system developed by Elbit Systems.
These improvements enhance firing accuracy and increase targeting efficiency. The new system integrates day, night, and laser channels, providing commanders and gunners with a comprehensive suite of targeting tools.
According to Army Recognition, along with these technological upgrades, the tanks now feature enhanced protection, including modules from the Kontakt-5 reactive armor system, added to the turret and sides of the vehicle. These modules, while similar to those used in Russian designs, have been adapted to cover a larger surface area and eliminate blind spots, particularly in the vulnerable area beneath the turret.
Additionally, the tanks are equipped with anti-cumulative screens and a protective lattice structure designed to shield the vehicle's upper sections from drone strikes and explosives. These lattices, which extend across the tank's roof, provide increased protection from aerial threats while allowing crew access through specially designed hatches.