State-run Concern Ukroboronprom has started fire tests of the T-72 AMT main battle tank (MBT) with new high-precision weapons upgraded at Kyiv Armored Plant, taking into account the experience of combat practice, Ukroboronprom's press service said on Monday.

A set of tests, which are conducted at the Defense Ministry's testing grounds, includes the testing of firing modes of the T-72 AMT, which is equipped with modern ammunition, including high-precision anti-tank Combat guided missiles, developed by Ukroboronprom's Luch design bureau, it said.

The use of the new high-precision anti-tank missiles is a major feature of the T-72 AMT MBT, which is a modernized version of the T-72A. The modernized tank is able to destroy enemy armored vehicles at a range of up to five km, and the range of its fire is twice the one of the T-72A. The armor penetrative capability of the Combat is 750mm, and thanks to the tandem warhead it ignores the enemy's reactive armor. Its performance is high enough to destroy even the most protected tanks, it said.

In addition, the T-72 AMT received the next generation degree of protection, provided by the elements of next generation dynamic protection and anti-cumulative gratings. This combination is recognized as one of the most effective in the fighting in the east of Ukraine, the state concern said.

At the same time, special attention was paid to the aiming complex and surveillance equipment during the development of the T-72 AMT: the modernized tank is equipped with night vision devices with modern third generation electronic-optical converters, as well as a night sight for conducting fire with high-precision missiles. The T-72 AMT also has a set of two digital radio stations with a secure communication channel, which allows direct communication with infantry units and is of great importance for interaction on the battlefield. In addition, the T-72 AMT is equipped with modern satellite navigation aids, the report says.

According to the report, the tank modernization program also included upgrading its chassis: the replacement of tracks allowed to increase the smoothness of the tank's movement, a rear-view camera was installed for convenient operation.

"In addition, the tank received an energy unit, which allows to monitor and fire from the site without turning on the main engine, significantly saving its resource," the press service said.

Ukroboronprom said the modernization of the T-72 AMT is provided by Kyiv Armored Plant, taking into account the analysis of experience of the combat use of more than 100 T-72 units, supplied by the state concern to the army in wartime conditions.