Type 72Z
{{distinguish|text=the Soviet T-72 tank}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Type 72Z
| image = SafirTank.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Safir-74 with a DShK mounted on top during a military parade.
| type = Main battle tank
| origin = Iran
| is_vehicle = yes
| manufacturer = Defense Industries Organization, Military Industry Corporation
| used_by = See Operators
| wars = Sudanese civil war (2023–present){{cite web |last1=Brahy |first1=Jérôme |title=Sudanese Army continues to deploy Iranian-made T-72Z main battle tanks in the ongoing civil war |url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/sudanese-army-continues-to-deploy-iranian-made-t-72z-main-battle-tanks-in-the-ongoing-civil-war |website=armyrecognition.com |access-date=11 April 2025 |language=en-gb}}
| design_date =
| production_date = 1996–present
| variants = See Variants
| length = 6.45m
| width = 3.37m
| height = 2.40m
| suspension = Torsion bar
| speed = 65 km/h
| vehicle_range = 440 km
| primary_armament = 105mm M68 rifled tank gun
| secondary_armament = 7.62mm coaxial PKT and roof-mounted 12.7mm DShKM machine guns
| armour = 203 mm front of the turret
150 mm sides of the turret
64 mm rear of the turret
39 mm top of the turret
97 mm upper front of the hull
99 mm lower front of the hull
79 mm upper sides of the hull
20 mm lower sides of the hull
46 mm rear of the hull
20 mm floor of the hull{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}
fitted with ERA
| engine_power = 780 hp (630 kW)
| crew = 3-4
| pw_ratio = 21.66hp/tonne
}}
{{T-54/55 navigation}}
The Type 72Z tank (also known as the T-72Z and the Safir-74, and the Al-Zubair I in Sudan) is a highly modernized version of the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks, with upgrades carried out by the Iranian Defense Industries Organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/safir-74.htm|title=T-72Z Safir-74|first=John|last=Pike|website=Globalsecurity.org|accessdate=26 June 2017}}
The tank is not to be confused with an Iraqi modernization also known as T-72Z, said to carry a 125 mm gun.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jedsite.info/tanks-tango/tango-numbers-su/t-55_series/t55-series.html |title=JED The Military Equipment Directory |access-date=30 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010033549/http://www.jedsite.info/tanks-tango/tango-numbers-su/t-55_series/t55-series.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}
History
{{expand section|date=June 2017}}
The Type 72Z was first announced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1996.{{cite web|title=Safir-74 / Type 72Z T-72Z main battle tank|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/iran_iranian_army_heavy_armoured_main_battle_tank_uk/safir-74_t-72z_type_72z_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_pictures.html|website=armyrecognition.com|publisher=Army Recognition|accessdate=4 July 2017|date=19 November 2011}} 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.
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/Type59.html|title=Type 59 Main Battle Tank|website=Inetres.com|accessdate=26 June 2017}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Pike|first1=John|last2=Sherman|first2=Robert|title=Type 59|url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-59.htm|publisher=Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network|website=fas.org|accessdate=25 June 2017|date=18 June 1999}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=606|title=DIO T-72Z (T-55) Main Battle Tank (MBT)|website=Militaryfactory.com|accessdate=26 June 2017}}
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.
The engine was replaced with a Ukrainian 780 hp V46-6 diesel engine, together with the SPAT-1200 transmission system. Air conditioning, power steering and a fire suppression system are also believed to have been installed.
Variants
- Safir-74 - Iranian T-54/T-55 tanks which have gone through similar upgrades. Safir means "messenger" in Persian.{{cite book|last1=Cordesman|first1=Anthony H.|title=Iran's Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction|page=133}}
- Al-Zubair I - Sudanese variant of the Type 72Z manufactured by the Military Industry Corporation,{{cite web|url=http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/Iran/Safir-74.php|title=Safir-74 - Tank Encyclopedia|website=Tanks-encyclopedia.com|accessdate=26 June 2017}} with the engine upgraded with a supercharger.{{cite web|title=Al-Zubair-I Main Battle Tank DAA02|url=http://mic.sd/en/product/productDetails/28|publisher=Military Industry Corporation|accessdate=8 November 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717074102/http://mic.sd/en/product/productDetails/28|archivedate=2017-07-17}}
Operators
- {{flag|Iran}}
- Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard CorpsGalen Wright (15 March 2011) Iranian Military Capability 2011 - Ground Forces
- Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces
- {{flag|Sudan}}: First purchased in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.artileri.org/2014/02/iran-memproduksi-senjata-dan-peralatan-militer-canggih.html|title=Iran Memproduksi Senjata dan Peralatan Militer Canggih untuk Pasar Dalam dan Luar Negeri|website=Artileri.org|accessdate=26 June 2017}}
=Non-state operators=
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category|T-72Z}}
Category:Main battle tanks of Iran
Category:Post–Cold War main battle tanks
Category:Iran–Soviet Union relations
Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1990s
{{Iran-mil-stub}}{{Cold War tanks}}{{Post-Cold War tanks}}{{T-54/T-55_navigation|style=wide}}