ERA - when was it applied to the T-72?

[TAMMY]

TheSoviets started installing ERA on T-64 and T-80 in East Germany in 1983. They started with T-72 o 1985/1986 after completion of the other tanks.

So I would say that in 1985 there were no T-72 with ERA or they wee very few.

[pmskaar]

Hi Cama

There was a big discussion on TMP a few weeks ago about What type of tanks the Soviets had and when. This was in the Cold War section in the Modern category.

I cannot answer your specific question on ERA but I have the impression that this would be something that you would see in the late 80's rather than 1985 but I am not absolutely sure on this one.

The other major thing to consider that I did get out of the TMP discussion was that the Russians did not use the T-72 in their units stationed in Germany. Depending on the time period, you are going to see T-62's in the 70's, T-64's in the 80's, and then T-80's in the late 80's or some combination of those.
The T-72 was mostly kept inside the Soviet Union and would be seen by 2nd echelon units but not those in the initial fighting. There were some T-72's with the Czechs, East Germans and Poles but they also used a lot of older equipment such as T-55's as well.

So, basically it is this: If you plan to model first echelon units stationed in Germany then don't use T-72's for your Russian forces. If you plan to use 2nd echelon forces coming out of Russia then you can use them.

I know there are other folks with more knowledge than me that can answer the ERA question which is what your original post was about.

Have a great day!

Pete

[33YearsGHQ]

I was serving in West Germany in 1984 and 1985, an 11B (Infantry) assigned to S-2 (Intelligence) in an air defense brigade. At that time ERA was just being introduced and there would have been relatively few tanks equipped with the system. As pointed out by a couple of experts above, this would not have included the T-72 in 1985. Ah, memories of the good old days in the middle of Reagan's build-up with the Patriot just being introduced to West Germany and Bradleys' and M1A1 Abrams just starting to be fielded as well. The armored units were filled with M1 (105mm) Abrams, M60A3 and M113's at that time. HEMTT's were also just starting to show up, Blackhawks were pretty new and HUMMV's were still a year or two away - if memory serves me correct.

[jakec]

There were T-72s (T-72A, which looks the same as T-72M1 in 1/285th scale) with the frontline Soviet forces based in Czechoslovakia. In wartime they would likely have thrust into southern Germany and Austria. So provided you weren't hoping to use Brits, Dutch or Belgians to face them, you could happily use T-72s.

[voltigeur]

The other major thing to consider that I did get out of the TMP discussion was that the Russians did not use the T-72 in their units stationed in Germany. Depending on the time period, you are going to see T-62's in the 70's, T-64's in the 80's, and then T-80's in the late 80's or some combination of those.
The T-72 was mostly kept inside the Soviet Union and would be seen by 2nd echelon units but not those in the initial fighting. There were some T-72's with the Czechs, East Germans and Poles but they also used a lot of older equipment such as T-55's as well.

The T64 was excusive to 3rd Shock Army. They held the central zone in Germany and faced the Americans and British. A buddy of mine said their priority was squaring off against the Chieftain which was more heavily armored and armed than the M60.

T80's were replacing T62's as they were produced. T72 were used by other Warsaw Pact. The only Russian units to have them would have been from the Moscow district via rail head. Probably not till the war is weeks old.

As the other poster said you can have T72 from Russian units in Czechoslovakia but those will be mostly T62. It was not a priority theatre. Since 3rd Armor had the newest stuff first over 1st Armored there is not rush to update the Pact forces there.

As an Anti Tank Gunner in that period we got the new tandem warhead TOWs around 87 to counter the active armor that was showing up on the T80's. I don't remember any other tanks with reactive till into the 90's.