World War 3, Vehicle I-D: Serbia’s new T-72MS

During the Cold War, Yugoslavia developed their own version of the Soviet T-72, using NATO targeting systems, called the M-84. Now, Serbia is using the new MS (MC in Serbian Cyrillic) version of the T-72.

Mounting the 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.

Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.

Tank Commander station. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.

Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 26SEP2022.

The battalion that operates the T-72MS is known as the ‘March 2022 Generation’ T-72M Battalion.

Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 20JUL2022.

‘Punching’ the gun tube. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 20JUL2022.

Checking the fuel level in the fender mounted fuel tank. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 30DEC2021.

The abilities of the T-72MS were presented to the Serbian taxpayers during wargame Lighting Strike 2021, in June 2021.

During wargame Lighting Strike 2021. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 27JUN2021.

Serbian Defense Ministry video, T-72MS action during Lightning Strike 2021:

During wargame Lighting Strike 2021. Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 27JUN2021.

Photo via Ministry of Defense Republic of Serbia, 21JUN2021.

The Serbian Defense Ministry claims the T-72MS is a joint development between Russia and Serbia. However, all 30 T-72MS tanks were made in Russia. They are described as having ‘special protections’, and is basically an upgraded T-72B1. The deal was announced in 2019, with the first Serbian ‘White Eagles’ arriving towards the end of Gregorian 2020.