First Battalion of T-72BM2 Tanks Modernised by SAMI Transferred to Belarusian Troops

On July 8, 2026, the first battalion of T-72BM2 tanks modernised at the 140th Repair Plant was delivered to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. The ceremony was attended by Dmitry Pantus, Minister of the State Authority for Military Industry (SAMI), and Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, Minister of Defence.

The legendary T-72B — a proven and reliable combat vehicle — has been given a new lease on life at the 140th Repair Plant. The plant’s specialists completed a tremendous amount of work, ranging from developing design documentation to establishing serial production. The tank has gained modern features that enable it to meet today’s requirements for firepower, protection, and mobility.

The effectiveness of the upgraded vehicle has already been confirmed through testing, receiving high praise from tank crews, including those training for the Tank Biathlon.

“This battalion is the first, but far from the last,” noted SAMI Minister Dmitry Pantus. “The weapons and equipment upgrade programme continues. The key factor behind the success of this modernisation is the well-established cooperation between SAMI and the Ministry of Defence. The clear requirements set by military personnel, combined with the professional work of factory staff, yielded a concrete result — a modern tank in service. This is how the country’s defence capability is strengthened.”

The primary objective of upgrading the T-72B to the T-72BM2 standard is to significantly enhance the vehicle's combat capabilities, focusing on two key areas:

Firepower and Accuracy: The core of the updated fire control system is the gunner’s multi-channel sight, which integrates optical channels, a thermal imager, a laser rangefinder, and a missile guidance channel. This allows the crew to effectively engage targets day or night without active infrared illumination, utilizing a full range of ammunition — from armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds to guided missiles. Firing accuracy is ensured by a suite of specialized sensors (measuring wind, roll, weather conditions, and propellant temperature) alongside a ballistic computer that calculates automatic corrections. The addition of a override ("Double") mode allows the commander to take control of the main armament and fire directly from their station.

Protection and Mobility: The tank is equipped with domestically developed explosive reactive armour (ERA) offering expanded coverage across the turret and hull. Although the powertrain retains the reliable V-84MS engine alongside the original suspension and tracked drive, the vehicle fully satisfies modern standards for agility and mobility.

In addition to combat performance, crew ergonomics and operating conditions have been significantly improved. Modern optical and thermal imaging systems for the commander and driver provide superior situational awareness, while an auxiliary diesel power unit (APU) allows all onboard electronics to function without running the main engine. This preserves engine service life, lowers the vehicle's thermal and acoustic signature while stationary, and powers external systems or recharges the batteries.

A battle-proven chassis combined with advanced electronics and enhanced protection ensures the T-72BM2 remains a formidable asset on the battlefield. SAMI will also provide designer supervision (OEM oversight) across all stages of the vehicle's life cycle.