Modern warfare is often a paradox. Cutting-edge drones and smart weapons dominate headlines, but on the battlefield, older tools still play a crucial role.
For Ukraine, battling a better-equipped adversary, resourcefulness has become a survival strategy, according to WP.
Soviet-era T-72 tanks, some nearly 50 years old, are being repurposed to meet today’s challenges, blending old designs with modern tactics.
The T-72s, used by Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanized Brigade, are no longer just tanks. They’re being employed as makeshift artillery and direct assault vehicles, capable of hitting targets up to 10 kilometers away.
But these tanks aren’t going into battle blind. Crews rely on drone pilots to spot threats and guide their strikes, creating a hybrid strategy that mixes brute force with precision.
Drones and Tanks: A Deadly Duo
The key to the T-72’s effectiveness isn’t just its hardware but the integration of drones into its operations. With real-time updates from aerial drones, tank crews can react quickly to threats like anti-tank teams, taking out enemies before they can strike.
FPV drones often accompany these missions, providing extra eyes in the sky and adding a layer of offensive capability.
Recent footage shows a Ukrainian T-72, likely an upgraded T-72EA model, engaging Russian forces hidden in tree lines.
Some shots were taken at close range, while others struck targets at greater distances, showing the versatility of these aging machines.
Strengths and Vulnerabilities
When first introduced in the early 1970s, the T-72 was a groundbreaking design. Its low profile, autoloader system, and solid armor made it a formidable opponent.
But decades later, even with upgrades, it lags behind modern tanks like the M1A2 Abrams or Leopard 2.
A significant drawback of the T-72 is its ammunition storage. Unlike Western tanks, where ammo is stored separately from the crew, the T-72 stores shells in a carousel beneath the turret.
This design increases the risk of catastrophic explosions if the tank is hit, a vulnerability exposed repeatedly in the ongoing conflict.
