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T-72 vs Type 79

T-72 vs Type 79 at a glance — weight 44,500 vs 39,000 kg, top speed 60 vs 50 km/h, range 500 vs 440 km, crew 3 (commander, gunner, driver) vs 3.

T-72 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇷🇺 T-72Full specs
Type 79 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇨🇳 Type 79Full specs
Specifications
T-72 Type 79
Origin country 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇨🇳 China
Category Main Battle Tank Main Battle Tank
Type Medium Main Battle Tank Medium Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer Malyshev HMB Plant Norinco
Number produced 25,000 units 300 units
Estimated unit price $2 million $-- million
Combat weight 44.5 tons 39.0 tons
Maximum speed 60 km/h 50 km/h
Operational range 500 km 440 km
Length 9.73 m 8.55 m
Width 3.59 m 3.27 m
Height 2.23 m 2.80 m
Crew 3 (commander, gunner, driver) 3
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Powertrain
T-72 Type 79
Main armament 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun 1 100 smoothbore barrel gun
Secondary weapon 7.62 mm PKT coax. machine gun 1 NSV 12.7mm machine gun
Engine V-92S2F (T-72B3 & T-72B3M) 1,130 hp (840 kW) Diesel Engine with 750 hp
Explore further
T-72 side profile drawing T-72 Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
Type 79 side profile drawing Type 79 Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
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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?
Both the T-72 and Type 79 require a crew of 3.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the T-72 or Type 79?
The T-72 has been produced in greater numbers with 25,000 units compared to 300 units of the Type 79.
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.