T-72 vs Type 79
The T-72 and the Type 79 are both Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by Malyshev HMB Plant and Norinco respectively. The T-72 weighs 44.5 tons vs 39.0 tons for the Type 79. Top speed is 60 km/h for the T-72 vs 50 km/h for the Type 79. Operational range is 500 km for the T-72 vs 440 km for the Type 79. The T-72 is armed with a 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun, while the Type 79 carries a 1 100 smoothbore barrel gun.
| 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 |
| Chinese tank, a Norinco product, features a 105mm rifled gun, but production and service details are unavailable. | |
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Main Battle Tank |
| Type | Medium Main Battle Tank |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $-- million |
| 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 |
| Combat weight | 39.0 tons â—‰ |
| Maximum speed | 50 km/h â—‰ |
| Operational range | 440 km â—‰ |
| Length | 8.55 m â—‰ |
| Width | 3.27 m â—‰ |
| Height | 2.80 m â—‰ |
| Crew | 3 |
| Engine | Diesel Engine with 750 hp |
| Main armament | 1 100 smoothbore barrel gun |
| Secondary weapon | 1 NSV 12.7mm machine gun |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, the T-72 or Type 79?
The T-72 is faster with a maximum road speed of 60 km/h compared to the Type 79's 50 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the T-72 or Type 79?
The T-72 has a longer operational range at 500 km compared to the Type 79's 440 km.
Which is heavier, the T-72 or Type 79?
The T-72 is heavier at 44.5 tons combat weight compared to the Type 79's 39.0 tons.
Which is larger, the T-72 or Type 79?
The T-72 is longer at 9.73 meters compared to the Type 79's 8.55 meters.
How many crew members do the T-72 and Type 79 require?
The T-72 requires a larger crew of 3 (commander, gunner, driver) compared to the Type 79's 3 crew members.
What are the main armaments of the T-72 and Type 79?
The T-72 is armed with 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun while the Type 79 carries 1 100 smoothbore barrel gun as its main armament.