Tank origin

The T-72BU incorporated several elements of tanks that came before it, including the explosive reactive armor of the T-72BM variant, the fire control system of the T-80, and the 125mm gun of both the T-72 and T-80. It was designed to serve as a main battle tank that was less complex and more affordable to produce than the T-80. The T-72BU is believed to have entered limited production in 1994.