Leopard 1 vs T-72
The Leopard 1 and the T-72 are both Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by Krauss-Maffei and Malyshev HMB Plant respectively. The Leopard 1 weighs 42.4 tons vs 44.5 tons for the T-72. Top speed is 65 km/h for the Leopard 1 vs 60 km/h for the T-72. Operational range is 600 km for the Leopard 1 vs 500 km for the T-72. The Leopard 1 is armed with a 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 A3 L/52 rifled gun, while the T-72 carries a 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun. The Leopard 1 has been produced in 6,565 units vs 25,000 for the T-72. Unit cost is $0.25M for the Leopard 1 vs $2M for the T-72. The Leopard 1 entered service 8 years before the T-72 (1965 vs 1973).
| German tank, entering service in 1965, was manufactured by Krauss-Maffei with 6,565 units built. | |
| Origin country | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Main Battle Tank |
| Type | Medium Main Battle Tank |
| Manufacturer | Krauss-Maffei |
| Number produced | 6,565 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.3 million |
| Ex-USSR main battle tank, entering service in 1973, with approximately 25,000 units built. | |
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Main Battle Tank |
| Type | Medium Main Battle Tank |
| Manufacturer | Malyshev HMB Plant |
| Number produced | 25,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $2 million |
| Combat weight | 42.4 tons â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | 65 km/h â—‰ |
| Operational range | 600 km â—‰ |
| Length | 9.54 m â—‰ |
| Width | 3.37 m â—‰ |
| Height | 2.70 m â—‰ |
| Crew | 4 (commander, driver, gunner, radio operator/loader) |
| Engine | MTU MB 838 MTCA Diesel Engine with 830 hp |
| Main armament | 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 A3 L/52 rifled gun |
| Secondary weapon | 7.62 mm MG 3 or FN MAG (co-axial) |
| Combat weight | 44.5 tons â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h â—‰ |
| Operational range | 500 km â—‰ |
| Length | 9.73 m â—‰ |
| Width | 3.59 m â—‰ |
| Height | 2.23 m â—‰ |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) |
| Engine | V-92S2F (T-72B3 & T-72B3M) 1,130 hp (840 kW) |
| Main armament | 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun |
| Secondary weapon | 7.62 mm PKT coax. machine gun |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, the Leopard 1 or T-72?
The Leopard 1 is faster with a maximum road speed of 65 km/h compared to the T-72's 60 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the Leopard 1 or T-72?
The Leopard 1 has a longer operational range at 600 km compared to the T-72's 500 km.
Which is heavier, the Leopard 1 or T-72?
The T-72 is heavier at 44.5 tons combat weight compared to the Leopard 1's 42.4 tons.
Which is larger, the Leopard 1 or T-72?
The T-72 is longer at 9.73 meters compared to the Leopard 1's 9.54 meters.
How many crew members do the Leopard 1 and T-72 require?
The Leopard 1 requires a larger crew of 4 (commander, driver, gunner, radio operator/loader) compared to the T-72's 3 (commander, gunner, driver) crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Leopard 1 or T-72?
The T-72 is more expensive at approximately $2.0 million per unit compared to the Leopard 1 at $0.2 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Leopard 1 or T-72?
The T-72 has been produced in greater numbers with 25,000 units compared to 6,565 units of the Leopard 1.
What are the main armaments of the Leopard 1 and T-72?
The Leopard 1 is armed with 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7 A3 L/52 rifled gun while the T-72 carries 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun as its main armament.