T72 Tanks in action

Here are a few shots from the annual Kewätsavutus (Spring Smoke) event at the Armour Museum in Parola, Finland. Stars of the event are these T72M1 tanks, formerly in active service in the Finnish Defence Forces.

Jarmo Juntunen said:

Here are a few shots from the annual Kewätsavutus (Spring Smoke) event at the Armour Museum in Parola, Finland. Stars of the event are these T72M1 tanks, formerly in active service in the Finnish Defence Forces.

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Jarmo,

I would be thrilled and terrified to be close enough to photograph them in real action. But, likely as not, this is not a live fire show! Does Finland still buy from Russia these monsters? I'd be concerned that they'd have a secret "kill switch", just in case they had to face thrm in battle when they next want to re-expand their lost Empire!

An Amazingly efficient machine with a crew of 3 and incredible armor plus it's own bulldozer front for digging a trench and ability to go through 5 meters of deep water!

But how long will it be before these are replaced by Robotics or operated remotely as like Predator drones?

Asher

Asher Kelman said:

Jarmo,

I would be thrilled and terrified to be close enough to photograph them in real action. But, likely as not, this is not a live fire show! Does Finland still buy from Russia these monsters? I'd be concerned that they'd have a secret "kill switch", just in case they had to face thrm in battle when they next want to re-expand their lost Empire!

An Amazingly efficient machine with a crew of 3 and incredible armor plus it's own bulldozer front for digging a trench and ability to go through 5 meters of deep water!

But how long will it be before these are replaced by Robotics or operated remotely as like Predator drones?

Asher

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Thank you for your comment! Yes, you're right, no live ammo there! We used to buy a lot of defence equipment from Soviet Union/Russia. Those days politics played a large role in such purchases. Well, actually it is all politics even today. We have a very special role, having the longest land border in Europe in Russia and our politics were and remain to be very cautious with anything related with Russia. So, earlier everything needed to be Soviet (so as not to annoy the Russian). Today, nobody wants to buy from Russia for a simple reason: if we are ever to face a military threat, there can only be one aggressor. And how willing that aggressor would be to supply us with the needed spare parts and maintenance if the push ever came to shove?

So, accordingly, T72s were replaced by German Leopards and MiG-21s by Hornets.

Today, armored vehicles including tanks have to face roadside bombs. These can pack extraordinary power. So the undercarriage of the tanks and treads need to be protected. The latest tanks have active ballistic or explosive defense against incoming shells.

So now there's a more complex chess game in projecting power by armored vehicles of all kinds.

Here, having chance to check out new systems ostensibly fighting "terrorists" for Assad, allows Russian armor and electronic counter measures to be battle-tested.

I'd imagine that Tigertanks are tested in Afghanistan perhaps?

Asher Kelman said:

Here, having chance to check out new systems ostensibly fighting "terrorists" for Assad, allows Russian armor and electronic counter measures to be battle-tested.

I'd imagine that Tigertanks are tested in Afghanistan perhaps?

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Yes, military conflicts worldwide make for a great testing laboratory for weapons manufacturers... Leopards in their different modifications are an old construction so I'm sure they've been battle tested, as well.

They had more than just tanks...

This brings back memories of 1965, my 4th year of medical school and my very first car similar to that, but a black Ford!

Asher

Asher Kelman said:

This brings back memories of 1965, my 4th year of medical school and my very first car similar to that, but a black Ford!

Asher

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That must have looked old already back then, lol!

I do admire people who restore these old beauties. I can only imagine the time and effort that goes into keeping them in running shape.