Moscow. December 11. INTERFAX - A batch of new T-72B3M tanks, which reinforced the Russian military base in Tajikistan, has been sent to a training ground in a mountainous area, the Central Military District (CVO) reported on Saturday.
"Russian military traffic inspectors ensured the safe transportation of thirty new T-72B3M tanks that entered service at the 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan. The transportation of combat vehicles was carried out with the help of car trawls from the Aini railway unloading station to the Lyaur mountain range," the press service of the Central Military District reported.
On December 9, the district announced that the upgraded T-72BZM tanks will be involved in several dozen exercises in the near future.
On December 6, the Russian military base in Tajikistan received 30 upgraded T-72B3M tanks to replace combat vehicles of earlier modifications.
"A battalion of modern tanks, which has arrived to replace outdated models of equipment, will significantly increase the combat capabilities of the tank unit due to improved maneuverability and armor protection of the crew," the Central Military District said at the time.
According to the military, the T-72B3M is equipped with a new propulsion system, a complex of built-in passive and active protection, an Aqueduct communication system and a multi-channel Sosna-U sight with a thermal imager. The tank's combat compartment was modernized: a 125-mm gun with improved ballistics and a shot resource, a digital ballistic computer and a panoramic sight of the commander of the combat vehicle were installed.
Earlier, the Russian base in Tajikistan also received other new armored vehicles and weapons.
"Three motorized rifle battalions have been completely re-equipped with modern BMP-2M and BTR-82A combat equipment, anti-aircraft units have received new and all-weather Willow complexes, Kornet anti-tank guided missile systems, ASVK-M Cord sniper rifles, AK-12 assault rifles, high-range and power rocket infantry flamethrowers and equipment of logistics and technical support services," said Alexander Lapin, Commander of the Central Military District troops.
In the summer and autumn, Russia held a series of exercises with Central Asian countries against the background of the Taliban movement (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation) coming to power in Afghanistan.
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia's largest military facility outside of its borders (part of the Central Military District). It is located in two cities - Dushanbe and Bokhtar. It consists of motorized rifle, tank, artillery, reconnaissance units, air defense units, RCBZ and communications.
The T-72B3M (Uralvagonzavod Concern, Rostec) is one of the novelties that was demonstrated in 2018 at the Army Military Technical Forum. This is a deeply upgraded version of the T-72 main battle tank.
At the end of 2019, the Russian military strengthened the air defense of the 201st base in Tajikistan with long-range air defense systems. The division of S-300PS anti-aircraft missile systems (Almaz-Antey Concern of East Kazakhstan Region) has taken up combat duty.