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)<ref>{{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}}</ref> | design_date = | production_date = 1996–present | number = about 400<ref name="t"/> | variants = See Variants | length = 6.45m | width = 3.37m | height = 2.40m | weight = 36 tonnes<ref name="GS"/> | suspension = Torsion bar | speed = 65 km/h | vehicle_range = 440 km | primary_armament = 105mm M68 rifled tank gun<ref name="FAS"/> | secondary_armament = 7.62mm coaxial PKT and roof-mounted 12.7mm DShKM machine guns<ref name="FAS"/> | 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<ref name="FAS"/> | engine = V-46-6 V-12 diesel<ref name="GS"/> | engine_power = 780 hp<ref name="FAS"/> (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''',<ref name="AR" /> and the '''Al-Zubair I''' in Sudan)<ref name="FAS" /> is a highly modernized version of the Type 59 and T-54/T-55 tanks,<ref name="AR" /> with upgrades carried out by the Iranian Defense Industries Organization.<ref name="GS">{{cite web|url=https://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}}</ref>

The tank is not to be confused with an Iraqi modernization also known as ''T-72Z'', said to carry a 125 mm gun.<ref name="JED The Military Equipment Directory">{{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 }}</ref>

==History== {{expand section|date=June 2017}} The Type 72Z was first announced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1996.<ref name="AR">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="GS" />

==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.<ref name="GS" /><ref name="FAS" /><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="GS" /><ref name="FAS">{{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}}</ref><ref name="AR" /> 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.<ref name="GS" /><ref name="FAS" /><ref name="MF">{{cite web|url=https://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}}</ref>

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. <ref name="GS" />

The engine was replaced with a Ukrainian 780 hp V46-6 diesel engine,<ref name="FAS" /><ref name="AR" /> together with the SPAT-1200 transmission system.<ref name="GS" /> Air conditioning, power steering and a fire suppression system are also believed to have been installed.<ref name="MF" />

==Variants== * '''Safir-74''' - Iranian T-54/T-55 tanks which have gone through similar upgrades.<ref name="AR" /> Safir means "messenger" in Persian.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cordesman|first1=Anthony H.|title=Iran's Military Forces in Transition: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction|page=133}}</ref> * '''Al-Zubair I''' - Sudanese variant of the Type 72Z manufactured by the Military Industry Corporation,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/Iran/Safir-74.php|title=Safir-74 - Tank Encyclopedia|website=Tanks-encyclopedia.com|accessdate=26 June 2017}}</ref> with the engine upgraded with a supercharger.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Operators ==

thumb|400px|Map of Type 72Z operators in blue

* {{flag|Iran}}<ref name="AR" /> ** Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps<ref name="t">Galen Wright (15 March 2011) ''Iranian Military Capability 2011 - Ground Forces''</ref> ** Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces<ref name="t" /> * {{flagicon|Sudan|1985}} Republic of Sudan (1985–2019) / {{flag|Sudan}}: First purchased in 2006.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Non-state operators===

* {{flagicon image}} Kata'ib Hezbollah<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2015/03/13/irans-expanding-sphere-of-influence-iranian-t-72-tanks-in-iraq/|title=Iran's Expanding Sphere of Influence: Iranian T-72 Tanks in Iraq|date=13 March 2015}}</ref>

==See also== * Karrar MBT * Tiam MBT * Zulfiqar MBT

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Main battle tanks of Iran Category:Main battle tanks of the post–Cold War period Category:Iran–Soviet Union relations Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1990s Category:Armoured fighting vehicles of Iran Category:Military vehicles of Iran Category:Tanks of Iran