T-72-T21

T-72-T21 was an modernization project for the T-72 tank presented by Konstruktta Defense in cooperation with GIAT. The modernization was quite drastic, as from the original T-72 tank remained only a modified chassis, on which was integrated T21 tower derived from the French tank Leclerc (tower weight about 15000 kg due to restrictions used chassis). It was planned to use a 120 mm F1 cannon for the tower (CN-120-24 Lisse) with a smooth bore barrel and automatic charging (18 rounds in the machine gun compared to 22 in the tank machine Leclerc) , so the number of crew members remained as in the original T-72 (3 people, including the commander (left) and the shooter (right) in the tower). The stabilized cannon with thermal protection was mainly to be located in the middle of the tower between the commander and the shooter, a machine gun with ammunition in the rear of the tower. Estimated rate of fire of 10-12 shots per minute, the total amount of ammunition carried 44 pieces. As an additional armament could be used coupled machine gun (caliber 7.62 mm, or 12.7 mm), or externally placed anti-aircraft machine gun (7.62 mm, 12.7 mm), or 30 mm cannon ( 2A42).

As a fire control system could be used a system derived from T-72M2, or modified from a tank Leclerc depending on financial capabilities of the client and political constraints.

The T21 tower is protected by a composite armor (front and partly from the sides), similar to what is used on the tank Leclerc. The armor was designed as modular, the rear of the tower is made of standard homogeneous steel armor. The use of dynamic (reactive) armor (DYNAS, BRENUS) V is planned as additional armor. The ammunition is stored behind the bulkhead and the construction of the tower provides direction of energy when it explodes outside the tower. Electric motors were planned to drive the tower. For its own defense, the tower is equipped with 14 smoke grenade launchers (7 on each side).


The project was introduced around 2000 (IDET 2001?), With the cost of one tower estimated at $ 2.5-3 million at the time. In addition to the tank T-72, the tower could be used for other similar tanks, such as Leopard 1, T-80 or M60. The weight and dimensions of the tower did not significantly change the mobility of the tank, but the project outside the ideological presentations (computer models of various configurations of armaments), or the model was not implemented.

Source: m.blog.daum.net
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https://www.tanksim.com/topic9.htm
https://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/Tanky/t21.htm
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