T-72 Adra
The T-72 'Adra' is a Syrian tank.[note 1] It is a domestic upgrade to the T-72M1 that features slat armor, spaced armor, and chains to provide 360 degree protection from RPGs.
Background
In the late ‘70s through the early ‘90s Syria imported a number of T-72M1 tanks from the Soviet Union, as well as Czechoslovakia. These tanks were used in the 1982 Lebanon War, with moderate effectiveness, after which it was called by Hafez Al-Assad, “The Best Tank in the World”. The Syrian Civil War took its toll on Syria’s T-72 fleet, with many tanks being lost in intense urban combat. To try to reduce these losses, while under an arms embargo, Syria developed the 'Adra' upgrade for their T-72 tanks in the town of Adra.[1][2]
Design
'Adra' consists of spaced armor around the turret and at the front of the hull, with the spaced armour and chassis being covered in a layer of slat armour. The turret ring is also protected by steel chains which hang from the turret and are weighed down with steel balls, in the hope that they will offer similar performance to slat armor, but with more flexibility.[3]
Operational History
'Adra' was first deployed in Jobar, where two were confirmed to have been destroyed, but it went on to be deployed in Eastern Ghouta, and possibly Aleppo.[4][5]
See also
Notes
- ^ @oryxspionkop (January 31, 2016). "Thank you, but I'll go with the T-72 'Adra' Instead" (Tweet). Retrieved February 4, 2016 – via Twitter.
External links
References
- ^ "Syria's Steel Beasts: The T-72". Oryx Blog. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ "The Republican Guard's armour upgrades: Products of a Four Year War". Oryx Blog. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ "Syria Enhance T-72 Protection, Christopher F Foss". Jane's 360. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ وج الصوارم :: تدمير دبابة T92 على جبهة المتحلق الجنوبي قرب ثكنة كمال مشارقة .21-10-. October 21, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ^ 10. October 23, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2015.