T-72B vs T-80BVM: how to tell them apart

Two main battle tanks that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

T-72B

Main battle tank, Soviet Union. In service since 1985

What gives it away

Six large road wheels and a rounded cast turret, but older sights than the T-72B3: no large thermal-sight box on the turret roof.

Used by

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Syria and others

No photo yet

T-80BVM

Main battle tank, Russia. In service since 2018

What gives it away

Six rubber-rimmed road wheels with return rollers, gas-turbine exhaust grille at the rear, rounded turret with reactive armour.

Used by

Russia

T-72B · T-80BVM · All guides