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Not to be confused with the Soviet T-72 tank.

The Type 72Z tank (also known as the T-72Z and the Safir-74,[5] and the Al-Zubair I in Sudan)[4] is a highly modernized version of the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks,[5] with upgrades carried out by the Iranian Defense Industries Organization.[3]

The tank is not to be confused with an Iraqi modernization also known as T-72Z, said to carry a 125 mm gun.[6]

History

The Type 72Z was first announced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1996.[5] The upgrades to the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks were carried out by the Vehicle Industries Group of the Defence Industries Organization, in order to extend the service life of tanks already in use with the Iranian army.[3]

Upgrades

The 100mm gun of the T-55/Type 59 was replaced with an Iranian-produced derivative of the 105mm M68 gun, capable of firing 9M117 Bastion anti-tank guided missiles as well as NATO standard ammunition.[3][4][7] The Slovenian Fotona Electronic Fire Control System (EFCS-3-55) was added, with automatic and manual gun stabilizers, a laser rangefinder, second-generation night sights, a ballistic computer, and an independent viewer and target designation system for the commander.[3][4][5] Electric smoke grenade dischargers were also added to provide concealment on top of the existing ability to create a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the left exhaust outlet.[3][4][8]

Explosive reactive armor (ERA) developed by the Shahid Kolah Dooz Industrial Complex can be fitted to the Type 72Z, providing protection against projectiles and napalm-type weapons. Side track skirts similar to those on the Type 59 were added to T-54/T-55 tanks upgraded with ERA. [3]

The engine was replaced with a Ukrainian 780 hp V46-6 diesel engine,[4][5] together with the SPAT-1200 transmission system.[3] Air conditioning, power steering and a fire suppression system are also believed to have been installed.[8]

Variants

Operators

Map of Type 72Z operators in blue

Non-state operators

See also

References

  1. ^ Brahy, Jérôme. “Sudanese Army continues to deploy Iranian-made T-72Z main battle tanks in the ongoing civil war”. armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Galen Wright (15 March 2011) Iranian Military Capability 2011 – Ground Forces
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pike, John. “T-72Z Safir-74”. Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pike, John; Sherman, Robert (18 June 1999). “Type 59”. fas.org. Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g “Safir-74 / Type 72Z T-72Z main battle tank”. armyrecognition.com. Army Recognition. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  6. ^ “JED The Military Equipment Directory”. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  7. ^ “Type 59 Main Battle Tank”. Inetres.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  8. ^ a b “DIO T-72Z (T-55) Main Battle Tank (MBT)”. Militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  9. ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. Iran’s Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction. p. 133.
  10. ^ “Safir-74 – Tank Encyclopedia”. Tanks-encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  11. ^ “Al-Zubair-I Main Battle Tank DAA02”. Military Industry Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  12. ^ “Iran Memproduksi Senjata dan Peralatan Militer Canggih untuk Pasar Dalam dan Luar Negeri”. Artileri.org. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  13. ^ “Iran’s Expanding Sphere of Influence: Iranian T-72 Tanks in Iraq”. 13 March 2015.