T-72 Adra

The T-72 Adra (Arabic: تي -72 عدرا) or 'Mahmia' is a Syrian tank. It is a domestic upgrade to the T-72M1 that features slat armor, spaced armor, and chains to provide 360 degree protection from RPGs.

Main article: T-72

T-72 Adra/Mahmia
تي -72 عدرا
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originSyria
Service history
In service2014–present
Used by Syria
WarsSyrian Civil War
Production history
DesignerCERS
Designed2012–13
ManufacturerAdra Industrial City
Produced2014–present
No. builtUnknown

Background

In the late ‘70s through the early ‘90s Syria imported a number of T-72M1 tanks from the Soviet Union, as well as Czechoslovakia. These tanks were used in the 1982 Lebanon War, with moderate effectiveness, after which it was called by Hafez Al-Assad, “The Best Tank in the World”. The Syrian Civil War took its toll on Syria's T-72 fleet, with many tanks being lost in intense urban combat. To try to reduce these losses, while under an arms embargo, Syria developed the 'Adra' upgrade for their T-72 tanks in the town of Adra.[1][2]

Design

The Adra consists of spaced armor around the turret and at the front of the hull, with the spaced armour and chassis being covered in a layer of slat armor. The turret ring is also protected by steel chains which hang from the turret and are weighed down with steel balls, in the hope that they will offer similar performance to slat armor, but with more flexibility, however these are rarely effective and usually do not detonate the projectile.[3] Later versions are protected with Sarab Active Protection System against ATGMs.[4]

Operational history

The T-72 Adra was first deployed in Jobar in 2014, where two were confirmed to have been destroyed. As of November 2017 at least 11 T-72's have been converted to this variant. But it went on to be deployed in Eastern Ghouta, and possibly Aleppo. However, by 2016, it was in wide use in Jobar, Qaboun, and Eastern Ghouta, and very limited use in Aleppo. The T-72 Adra is often used in urban areas where regular T-72's would be vulnerable. It eventually proved to be vulnerable to rebel M79 Osa and RPG-29 anti-tank launchers and was later deployed in Daraa, though they have on 2 occasion stopped RPG-29's and usually stop early model ATGM's and RPG-7's in 2017, to stop the rebel offensive in Al-Manshiyah by the 4th Armoured Division of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA). 4th Division convoy towards Daraa included at least 4 tanks, 2 BMPs and 1 BREM-1 (+ several IRAM launchers).[5][6][7][8][9]

Operators
T-72 "Adra" operators in blue.

Current operators

See also

References
  1. "Syria's Steel Beasts". Oryx Blog. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  2. "The Republican Guard's armour upgrades: Products of a Four Year War". Oryx Blog. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  3. "Syria Enhance T-72 Protection, Christopher F Foss". Jane's 360. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  4. Eshel, Tamir (1 March 2017). "Home Grown Syrian Soft Kill System Successfully Defeated TOW Missiles". Defense Update.
  5. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9tQIsZXUAAURkX.jpg
  6. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBVTv4fVoAM9A4G.jpg
  7. وج الصوارم :: تدمير دبابة T92 على جبهة المتحلق الجنوبي قرب ثكنة كمال مشارقة .21-10-. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  8. 10. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  9. Mudiq, Qalaat Al (19 April 2017). "#Daraa: warplanes, Grads, artillery, IRAM rockets, #ATGM-s, T-72 Adra used by pro-Regime forces to repel Rebels in Al-Manshiyah.pic.twitter.com/fblt6LLRO8".
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