Why did Russia keep upgrading the T-72 instead of replacing it with an entirely new tank?
The T-72 was designed during the Cold War, yet more than half a century later, upgraded versions of its design lineage remain an important part of Russia's armored forces. But why?
The answer goes far beyond simply saying the T-72 was cheap.
The T-72 became deeply integrated into a huge military ecosystem involving production, maintenance, spare parts, ammunition, training, logistics, and industrial infrastructure. Instead of abandoning the entire platform, Russia repeatedly modernized its protection, sights, fire-control systems, engines, communications, and other components.
This video explores:
Why the T-72 was designed for mass production
The hidden costs of developing an entirely new tank
How modernization can be easier than replacing an entire fleet
Source: The Buzz
